Page 136 of Blind Prophet

Geoffrey Cromwell and I met only once.

That I remember.

Perhaps that makes it less likely Cromwell is the one who hired Luke to abduct me. It could be someone else. Someone who’s not even on our list.

But Cromwell’s one of the few who knows Dorian and I never legally divorced. If he suspects Dorian still has feelings for me, then I’d be a bargaining chip. That would mean it could be Cromwell.

But a bargaining chip for what? He’s been in control of Halston’s finances for ages.

Inheritance?

I can’t imagine it comes down to greed. Control of Bedrock? Cromwell couldn’t simply step into the chairman of the board role through blackmail. Neither could anyone else. It’s a public company.

The satellites. Zenith. Halston has zero involvement in Zenith. It’s a private company with independent infrastructure. But with me as leverage… I remember briefing scenarios like this at Langley: Find the pressure point that bypasses all the technical safeguards.

Zenith owns 80 percent of the satellites orbiting Earth. If Geoffrey is behind this, he could be counting on me being the one thing to force Dorian’s hand. But for what? He can’t expect Dorian would just hand over his company as ransom.

And Dorian must have fail-safes in place. He had to have thought about this risk. Not only someone blackmailing him, but blackmailing any of his employees.

“This won’t work, Luke. Fail-safes are in place. Terrorist threats won’t work.”

The ice in Luke’s gaze is that of a stranger. The friendly face, the kind words, it was all an act. The man holding a gun at me is a cold-blooded mercenary.

How did he get past Arrow’s background checks?

A reference. They didn’t look hard at me. Didn’t dig into my marriage. Who vouched for Luke?

“Who said anything about terrorists?”

“What do you call it?”

He looks to the front of the car as we slow to a stop. Through the windshield, I can see a helicopter sitting on a concrete tarmac. It’s a private helipad, but we’re not alone. There are other cars parked nearby.

“It’s funny. You’re sitting here, all high and mighty, believing you’re smart. You’ve had all of what…ten minutes to put the pieces together. This plan has been in place for years. Just shut up and do what I say. If you don’t, your friends at Arrow Tactical…” He makes an explosion image with his fingers splayed and a boom sound.

I have no way of knowing if he’s full of shit or if he’s wired the place. He had access. He’s been working…

“How long have you worked for Arrow Tactical?”

The driver exits the car, buttoning his suit coat as he stands. Luke and I both watch as he enters a small building off to the side.

“Now you’re asking the right questions. Five months. Joined shortly after you did.”

“But Dorian and I hadn’t talked in years.”

“You’re not divorced, though, are you?”

“I’m not the only piece in play, am I?”

Whoever is behind this thought of all the angles. The plan included putting resources on wild cards, like me. A long game. Sleeper agents.

“Are you working for Geoffrey Cromwell or Russia?”

His gaze flicks between me and the building. He’s waiting for a sign.

“We’re going on a little trip. Getting in the helicopter. Don’t get any wild ideas. No one here is going to help you. We all work for the same team.”

I don’t believe him. He’s keeping me hidden with a gun trained on me. His driver went to clear our flight. The driver might be the pilot.

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