Page 68 of Maddox

“Looks can be deceiving,” Agent Wilshire stated.

This was getting out of hand quickly.

“Hold on here. As Lieutenant Grant stated, unless you’re prepared to accuse him of a crime, I suggest you back thefuck down.” Gray’s face turned red as he stepped closer, sliding between the two of us.

I purposely took a step to the side so the federal agent and I could maintain eye contact.

At that point, I offered a wide smile. “Steven, no offense and I say this with utmost respect for your position. The line of garbage you just spewed is fucking bullshit and you know it. Fernando Alfaro is ceremoniously eliminating various members of governments you believe to be allies. From what I understand, that is a factual statement. I don’t know why you seem to want a scapegoat, but I won’t be a party to watching you crush her reputation and railroad her into being held responsible. She did nothing wrong. Were her actions reckless? Maybe, but she’s one of the few people who had the balls to take on a brutal drug lord and live to tell about it. Now, unless I’m being charged with a crime, I’m outta here. And Iamtaking Ms. Douglas with me.”

“Be very careful, Lieutenant Grant. You’re coming close to insubordination. Your record also indicates you’re a loose cannon. We can’t have that.” The attorney was pushing every button. They were afraid of being upended by a reporter.

My laugh was more jovial than I felt. “Well, you don’t have a say any longer. Maybe that’s something for you to keep in mind.”

“Let me talk to the lieutenant,” Gray insisted. “It’s obvious you don’t understand what he’s been through.”

“He’s not cooperating,” Jack answered.

“Is he being held against his will?” Gray pushed.

Jack and the agent looked at each other once again. What was wrong? They couldn’t figure out how to handle me.

Finally, the agent took a step back, conceding his position. “No. He is free to go. As long as he provides the required report on the steps taken, we won’t need to speak with him again.”

A laugh was already forming. They were playing a game with me. I could only imagine how Charmaine was being treated. And they were fishing. They had no clue what was going on with Alfaro, but my educated guess was screaming they believed someone high up in the ranks had betrayed the country.

“I said, you will allow me to talk to the man I hired at your request to extract Ms. Douglas. Now. Leave the room.” Gray’s vehement tone was the only reason I didn’t walk out, prepared to do whatever it took to find Charmaine. Gray was no longer under the obligation to follow the admiral’s orders. I applauded his interference.

Even if I wasn’t entirely certain I could trust him.

The two men were obviously none too happy, storming from the room after the agent threw open the door.

Gray softly closed it behind them, keeping his palm pressed against the surface. “Don’t say it.”

“Say what? I told you so?” My snort echoed in the room.

Whatever the hell was going on had unnerved the commander, something I never thought I’d see.

“I’m sorry for the way you were treated.”

“You want to explain this, Gray? I mean from where I’m standing, it seems as if you sold me out, using my skills to capture someone who should have never been involved. As you know, Commander, I don’t like being used by anyone.”

“That’s not what happened. I trust you and knew you were the only man who could possibly save Ms. Douglas’ life. Nothing I said was a lie. Her parents contacted me.”

“How did they find out she was in danger?”

He closed his eyes. “By a visit from the agent. They were questioned about her involvement because of her earlier article.”

“How do you know them?”

His eyes narrowed. “You suddenly don’t trust me?”

“I don’t trust anyone, Gray. You should know that.”

“Fine,” he huffed. “My wife was best friends with Charmaine’s mother. The three of them grew up in a small town in Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Porter attended our wedding. Her dad called me also telling me about Agent Wilshire. I subsequently contacted him to find out what the hell was going on. At a point, I made a suggestion you were the right person to get her out.”

“Porter? Different from Charmaine’s last name.”

“She’s still using her husband’s last name. She’s been through some shit in the last few years.”

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