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Carrie leaned back against the vinyl seat and toyed with her phone. “It’s complicated, but it all ties back to the black budget which would be in line with what you’re telling me. I’m looking for more details from your source about where the money is going.”

“So, why don’t you just ask Tom Neiland?”

Carrie scrunched eyebrows together and wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, ever since he broke the original story on the black budget document leaks, he’s been an asset for the NSA. They liked the analysis he did of those documents, and they recruited him to do analysis for them. It’s not dangerous, not the way this missing operative’s work is, but he definitely freelances for the NSA.”

Carrie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Wasn’t that some kind of conflict of interest? Why would Tom do this? Maybe it was time to lay everything on the line and confront her boss.

31

WHEN lunch was over, she told Gina she had some errands to run before the afternoon rundown so she would meet her back at the office. When she was sure Gina was gone, she found Gage in his truck and climbed in. She gave him everything Gina had told her.

“I’m going to confront Tom. He’s been keeping too many secrets from me,” she said when she finished.

Gage glanced at her. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. If he’s been recruited by the NSA or any of the other alphabet soup agencies, he’s probably been sworn to secrecy. Confronting him could be dangerous for both of you.” He flipped his blinker on and changed lanes. “Then again, if I were a betting man, I would say he led you to the Doll House on purpose and he wants you to figure all of this out so he can rescue his daughter.”

Carrie ran a hand through her hair. “It’s so confusing. The way Lola acts, she’s a willing participant in whatever the hell this is.”

Gage touched her shoulder. “I’ve broken up trafficking rings hon. Women are very rarely willing participants even when it looks like they are. Sometimes they get sucked in slowly, and are made to believe they’re willing until it’s too late to change their minds.”

Carrie felt her heart twist. How would Tom’s daughter have gotten wrapped up in this? There were still so many unanswered questions, but she knew they were only one thread away from tying it all together. If they couldn’t talk to Ripley, or Boomer, or whatever his name was, Tom might be the next best thing.

“I’m going to talk to him. Maybe I won’t ambush him with everything, but I’ll definitely feel him out and see if he’s open to talking.”

“Good plan. I’ll be around the corner if you need me. He might feel comfortable talking to one of Boomer’s friends.”

“Why do you call him Boomer?”

Gage chuckled. “His first name is Cannon. He hates it so we gave him a nickname he hates even more. He would much rather be called Ripley.”

Carrie gave a disgusted snort. “Boys are so mean to each other.”

The car pulled up to the curb and Carrie hopped out. “Thanks, Gage. I’ll see you when I get off.”

“You got it, hot stuff. I’m just a phone call away.”

Carrie mulled over what she was going to say to Tom when she confronted him. Instead of stopping at her desk, she marched straight to his office and knocked on his door.

“Come in,” he shouted.

Carrie pushed open the door. “We need to talk. Is it safe to do that here?” she asked.

Tom looked puzzled. “Why wouldn’t it be safe to talk in my office?”

“I don’t know. The NSA might be listening.”

Tom shrugged. “Far as I’m concerned, they listen to everyone, so I’ve just stopped worrying about it.” Carrie wanted to growl. He thought she was joking.

“This black budget stuff is leading me in some interesting places. Specifically, to the Doll House Cabaret and a bartender named Lola and a bouncer named Ripley. That ringing any bells?”

“Shut the God damned door,” Tom snapped. Carrie knew she’d struck a chord and was on the right track.

“You figure out she’s my daughter?” he asked when the door was locked.

Carrie nodded. “I wasn’t sure at first but then I realized she’s the spitting image of your ex-wife. Is that why you benched me? Is someone threatening her?”

“Something like that. I haven’t actually seen her in seven years, Carrie. Her disappearance is the reason Sarah and I split. She always felt like Lola just ran off and was sowing her wild oats. I knew better. She took a trip out of the country and things were never the same.”

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