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“So, my question is, if they know he’s dirty why hasn’t the NSA taken Upwood down?” Peter asked.

Tom shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I thought that’s what the plan was, but then Ripley started handing me stuff because he suspected that nothing was being done about it. I’m not sure if he thought someone at the NSA was dirty too or if his mission was so far off the books that they couldn’t legally do anything with what they found. If I had to guess, I would say he got himself attached to one of these women and he’s pissed because she died or got hurt and nothing is being done to avenge her.”

Gage was nodding. “That sounds about like Boomer.”

“Boomer?” Tom asked.

Carrie patted his arm. “Don’t ask.”

After the pizza arrived, the foursome ate and continued to talk but Tom couldn’t really provide a lot more information. “I think I need to stay home from work for the next couple days, Tom. Can someone else run the show tonight?”

Her boss nodded. “I’ll make excuses and fill in for you. I should head that way then.”

When he was in a taxi, Peter and Gage hatched a plan to rescue Ripley. “We’ll have Carrie call the number and arrange a meeting. We’ll be the ones who show, not her.” Gage suggested.

Peter didn’t even like the idea of her talking on the phone to whoever these people were, but Carrie talked him down and that’s how she found herself with the phone pressed to her ear, waiting for someone to answer.

“Carrie Davenport?” a voice asked.

“Yes, who’s this?”

“Rip.”

Carrie took a deep breath and looked at the notes that Peter had written for her. “And how do I know you’re really Rip and not an impostor?” There was silence for a moment and Carrie thought they had hung up on her.

“I rammed into the limo you were riding in a couple of weeks ago and put you in a cab.”

Her voice shook as she spoke the next question. “Why can’t I trust Mercer anymore? You’re the one who sent me to him to begin with.”

There was a cough on the other end. “I… uh. I figured out that he’s just as dirty as Upwood.”Right,Carrie thought.

“So, when do you want to meet at our spot?”

“I can be there in ninety minutes.”

When she ended the call, Carrie felt certain that these people had figured out that Cannon Ripley was deep cover and he would soon be dead if they didn’t help him.

She relayed the meeting information to the men, and they retreated to Gage’s office to strategize. There was a knock on the door forty-five minutes later. It was Reggie and Olivia.

“What are you guys doing here?” Carrie asked.

“I’m here to keep you safe,” Reggie said, as if it were the most normal thing to do on a weekday afternoon.

“And I’m here to keep you from going crazy,” Olivia said.

Behind her, Peter said, “I thought you might like a prettier face to look at than Reggie’s ugly mug and I couldn’t get in touch with Darci.”

Carrie turned around with a giggle and stared at him. “I take it you’re leaving me here while you and Gage go play superhero?”

Peter nodded. “That’s about right. Hopefully it works.”

Turning back to Reggie, Carrie winked at him and said, “I think you’re very handsome. Thank you for being willing to protect me.” He gave a small bow before he wandered to the kitchen saying he smelled pizza.

“Please be safe,” Carrie whispered when Olivia had left them alone.

Peter pulled her into his arms. “I always am, baby. Everything will be fine. You just be good and don’t give Reggie any lip. He’s ugly, but he’s good at keeping people safe.”

Carrie smacked his arm. “He’s not ugly. Be nice to your friends.”

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