Page 77 of Storm Warning

“Like who all the players are besides Cole.”

A traitor to his country. Hawk couldn’t even think about his brother now without seething inside.

“I’m not sure we need to know any of that. We’re not taking this on. We just need to make sure that we deliver the information to the right person at the right agency. You’ve been targeted, and that’s before anyone knew with certainty that you held on to high-value information.”

“So, you think John will know how to help. But what if he doesn’t? Who do we talk to? The FBI, CIA, DOD? And I could keep going with all the many government agency acronyms.”

“Probably the Department of Defense. Operation Blackout has to be some kind of SOCOM—Special Operations Command—mission.”

“Do you know the guy at the top so you can call him and get me an appointment? Because if you don’t, how do I find the right person to talk to? How can I get someone to take me seriously when I say I have information that involves national security? The feds must get all kinds of kooks. And I can’t afford to tell justanyonemy story, really. It’s too risky. As for John, have you heard anything? Is he even still alive?”

He shook his head. “John’s wife died three years ago, so it’s not like I can reach out to family. I don’t know his kids. Since I’m not family, I can’t call the hospital to ask about his status.”

“No, but you could call. He’s a patient. Maybe they’ll put you through to his room. If he doesn’t have a room, then we know he’s either in surgery or recovery, or if nothing else, then maybe we’ll learn that he didn’t make it.”

“You have a point. I’m holding on to hope that he’ll reach out to me when he’s able, and that he’ll recover from the bullet wound.” Inflicted on him by Cole. Law enforcement alerts had to be out on his brother by now.

Hawk seethed inside. He grieved. Two conflicting emotions battled for attention.

He checked the communication app where John would reach out to him, but there was no activity. Surely the man would reach out as soon as he was able. He understood how important it was. Under normal circumstances, Hawk would be at the hospital in the waiting room, eager to knowwhat was going on, but with Remi being targeted, he’d wait until he knew John was ready to talk to them.

“Whatever we do next,” Hawk said, “I want to make sure we’re not digging ourselves even deeper into the wrong side. Let’s find out what we can in case John is unable to help.”

Remi paced and pressed her fingers against her lips. He wasn’t entirely sure she’d heard him.

“Let’s say Charles Whitman is still actively after the device,” she said. “He could have been the one to hire Cole.”

“To kill you?”

“But that’s just it. Cole didn’t when he had the chance. And I have no idea who could have sent me the message to remember.”

“Do you know what the puzzle pieces were about now?”

“I only had two pieces before we left the lodge. It’s hard to tell, but it could have been the church next to the café. But now that I’ve remembered everything, I don’t think the image that the puzzle pieces would create—if I ever get them all—matters.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Wait. How does someoneknowthat I’d forgotten something important? I’m the only one alive who can know that. If Sergei was alive, he would know what he told me. No one was with us in the confessional or on the journey through the countryside to the village.”

“See, here’s the thing. You wereseenwith Sergei. He approached you right before someone tried to take him out, and the hero in you instinctively took over.”

“The hero in me? How about the survivor in me. Someone was shooting. Everyone ran.”

“Yeah, butyouran with Sergei. Sergei approached you, sat at your table, then you left together. On the surface, that could be taken to mean you planned everything and thatyou know his secrets. And maybe someone wants you to remember before Cole comes for you. It could be as simple as that. Whoever is behind targeting you, whoever is behind wanting to know your story, theysuspectthat Sergei could have told you vital information. And guess what—hedidtell you vital information.”

“And I wish he hadn’t.”

“That means you know more than anyone else. Even Charles Whitman.”

“I’m being hunted by an assassin and an arms dealer.”

God, help me protect her!

31

Danger was closing in.

Remi feared her days were short. “I ran from John, but now I see that he was just trying to protect me ... at least from a distance.” She shared a look with Hawk. “And he almost paid with his life.”

“In general, I trust no one, but if I’m going to trust someone, John’s the man. He saved my life, Remi. Back on a mission. Risked his own to save me. So it’s all going to work out. He knows about the operation. He’ll know who you need to talk to. And he can make that happen.”

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