Page 58 of Code Name: Tank
Admiral stepped forward. “Regardless of the motivation, we need to find him. He could be in danger. There was a reason he was in protective custody before arriving here.”
“Agreed,” Hartwell said.
“I’m already working with local authorities,” Atticus reported.
“Tank, you check with the NRO and see what they might have in the way of overheads,” said Admiral.
When James’ brow furrowed, I wondered what he was thinking.
“Roger that,” Tank responded. “Also, we should engage K19 Shadow Ops. They know this territory better than we do. Well, better than I do,” Tank added when Admiral raised a brow. The man had grown up here, so there probably wasn’t anyone on the other team who would know it better than he did.
“We’ll start with his quarters,” Admiral said. “Then expand the search from there.”
“I can head over there,” I offered.
Tank stood. “I’ll go with you. I can call the guys at the NRO on the way.”
Atticus looked up from his tablet. “Want me to check the lake access points? Maybe he left some indication of where he was going.”
“Good idea,” Admiral said. “I’ll get in touch with Kodiak about engaging the shadow unit.”
“What can I do?” Alice asked, leaning back in her chair and stretching her arms over her head.
“Scour what footage we do have.”
“Be careful out there,” Hartwell said as we walked out.
“You ready for this?”Tank asked as we took the path to Hemlock Grove that wound through pine trees toward Flint’s temporary quarters.
I nodded, though I felt the tightness in my shoulders. “I’d say this isn’t like him, but it is.”
Tank unlocked the front door with the key Admiral had handed him. The interior was silent when we entered, looking lived-in but hastily abandoned, as if Flint had packed quickly.
“Let me clear the rooms before we go any farther.”
I hadn’t even thought to grab my weapon, and thatwasunlike me.
I checked the kitchen while Tank went toward the rooms down the hallway. The refrigerator held basic provisions and nothing personal. Coffee mugs sat clean in the sink. A half-empty bottle of bourbon occupied the counter, but no glasses nearby suggested recent use.
“We’re clear. Should we check the bedroom?” Tank asked, waiting for me to finish in the front of the camp.
The contrast was immediate. Dresser drawers hung partially open, their contents disturbed. The closet showed gaps where clothes had been removed, but there were a few personal items scattered around. It was as though Flint had packed the essentials, but left behind anything that wasn’t immediately necessary.
I knelt by the nightstand, examining the surface, which was clear except for dust outlines where items had been removed.
Tank opened the top dresser drawer completely. I watched as he felt around with his fingers.
“Dragon,” he said. “Fake bottom.”
I joined him as he lifted out a laptop and two phones from the hidden space. The devices looked like standard communication equipment.
“We should get these to Alice,” Tank said, gathering the items.
I stood, brushing dust from my knees. “Agreed. But Tank, this feels…”
“Staged?”
“Exactly. If he was planning to disappear, why not take everything?”
