Page 97 of It's Always Been You

“The other word, ‘Carpathian,’” Travis asked. “Isn’t that a group of people?”

“Or the mountain ranges that span Central and Eastern Europe.”

Caitlin brought up a three-dimensional map of the mountain ranges that also showed their depth and contour.

“It encompasses the countries of Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland, and the majority of Romania. I’m thinking the information encrypted is either coordinates or an old-fashioned map itself.”

“Getting a warm fuzzy about it?” Nate asked.

“Sure am.”

“Are we talking about gold bullion?” Travis asked. “Are we talking pallets of them?”

“We’re not even sure it’s gold,” Caitlin said. “So let’s not jump the line.”

“The gun,” Nate murmured. “It’s ‘jump the gun’.”

Nate got up, stretched, and began to pace the room. “We’re thinking the CIA is involved. It may not be gold. Unless it’s some kind of agency money laundering again.”

“I’m beginning to lose faith in the agency,” Travis muttered.

“They’ve been cutting funding for covert ops; they’re probably finding more creative ways to sustain whatever operations are already in play. Some of them take years to plan. Imagine if you lose the resources to finish the job,” Nate said.

“I find it hard to believe Porter is dirty, but my gut’s telling me he’s somewhat involved, and we’re not considering the bigger picture.”

“National security?” Nate said.

“Exactly.”

“Why not just bring us in the loop?” Caitlin asked.

“Sometimes they’ve got agents who are deeply embedded,” Travis said. “The fewer who know about them, the less likely their agents will get compromised.”

“Or they can throw their agents to the wolves,” Caitlin said sadly, remembering what happened to Project Infinity.

“Son of a bitch,” Travis snarled and jumped to his feet.

Nate eyed him warily; so did Caitlin.

“What?” Nate asked when Travis didn’t say anything, yet his face was mottling in fury.

“He approached me about that security job,” Travis could barely get the words out of his mouth. “The one to protect the senator.”

Nate’s eyes widened in understanding. “Son of a bitch.”

Travis was breathing hard. “The fucker set me up.”

“What, Travis?” Caitlin asked anxiously.

“He arranged it so I would encounter that specter agent, planting the seed that you may be alive. He was the one whoencouraged me to open a security company. Stuck close to me.” The words tumbled out even as bitterness flashed through his face. “Became my mentor . . . friend.” Travis stared at Caitlin. “He was waiting for me to find you. He planned this all to find you, Caitlin.”

Caitlin felt goose bumps rise on her skin as she tried to comprehend the enormity of it all. “Travis, that’s just too absurd. I may not even figure out the whole cipher. He really may be only trying to help you. Look at where you are now.”

“Or he may be involved in the specter agent program and was feeling guilty about you losing Caitlin,” Nate said. “But if you’re right, man, that’s a long con to pull. Talk about patience.”

“Porter is a master strategist,” Travis said. “Which makes him a dangerous adversary.”

“Are you going to confront him?” Nate asked.

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