Page 32 of Hidden Attraction

“Commander Thorne, after my initial request for information on the helicopter crash, I am here to request access to records in order to compile a comprehensive review for my commanding officer.”

He eyed Chase with a quiet suspicion. “Isn’t that something you can access from anywhere? Back in the States, even?”

He didn’t miss a beat. “I’m told that the records here are the most accurate and up-to-date. Shouldn’t take long—I just need to reference a few files and system logs.”

Thorne gave Chase an appraising look.

Seeing that the commander might deny him access, Alyssa jumped in.

“Commander Thorne, as part of my mandate to strengthen transparency and trust between our governments, I’ve been asked to conduct an independent assessment of joint readiness and logistical capabilities. A private tour would allow for more candid observations and discussions—something that’s often lost with larger delegations or scripted briefings. This visit is meant to pave the way for closer collaboration, and your cooperation would go a long way in demonstrating the openness we both value.”

Damn. He had no idea what all that meant, but she was good.Reallygood.

Her ability to distract might just be her biggest strength—but with Chase, it was a very different kind of distraction.

Her spiel convinced him. The man drew up straight in his seat, demeanor shifting.

“I’d be honored to give you a tour, Ambassador Vargas. Shall we begin now?”

Her smile was wide and genuine as she stood. “Thank you. Now is the perfect time.”

Thorne darted a narrow look at Chase. “I’ll have my junior officer set you up with those records.”

“Appreciate it, Commander.”

He gave him another look as if calculating the truth of Chase’s claim, but he was able to return his stare without a hint of artifice since he hadeveryintention of going through the records.

He just planned on a deeper dive.

On her way to the door, Alyssa raised her brows at him. He simply lifted a hand in response. “See you soon.”

She dipped her head in a nod and was gone.

Within minutes, Chase was set up in a small, airless and dusty room containing filing cabinets and boxes of old hand-written records. As soon as the junior officer left him alone, Chase slipped out. He pressed the comm device in his ear that linked him to his teammate, Dante.

He kept his voice to a low murmur. “Headed to the database. You have the passcode for the door?”

“You know I got you. Let me know when you’re ready.”

Chase slipped through the hallways, moving like a ghost. His steps made little sound, and he encountered no one. When he stood in front of a closed metal door with a keypad, the same one Dante told him would be there, he said, “I’m ready.”

Dante rattled off a series of numbers in his ear, and he punched them in with precision. The lock clicked, and he quickly darted into the space.

Several computers lined one wall, the setup similar to most military bases Chase had seen. The computer monitors glowed with static light. Quickly, he moved to the first one.

“All right. I’m at terminal one.”

“Good. Let’s open the portal.” Dante’s voice crackled. “Use this code. Nine seven delta echo forty-five alpha niner. Punch that in and hold for five seconds.”

Julian entered the code. A new window blinked to life. “It worked. You’re up.”

“Cool. I’m in,” Dante replied. “Gimme a sec…”

Chase hovered, muscles tense, scanning the terminals while Dante worked in the back channels of the network. The first computer came up clean. Nothing suspicious.

“Next,” Dante prompted.

Chase glanced at his watch. Dante was working fast—but would it be fast enough?

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