Page 20 of Rogue Hope
Axel squinted at the closest screen. “Like us, only working for the Dark Side.”
“That how you got the shiner?” The big guy, Deke asked.
Finn shrugged. “Close enough.”
“The threats Zara’s been receiving,” Kenji noted.
Zara’s sharp glance confirmed Finn’s suspicion—she’d briefed them before his arrival.
“Convenient timing,” Axel leaned forward aggressively. “Messages start, you show up. For all we know, you’re working with Cipher.”
“Or he is Cipher,” the quiet one, Griffin, said.
Zara punctured that balloon. “He’s not that smart.”
He let the jab go. “If I were Cipher’s boy, I wouldn’t have taken down three of his hired operators yesterday. Or spent years dismantling his network.”
He swiped to surveillance photos from the previous day. “These Vanguard hostiles hit town seventy-two hours ago. A day before I got here. Set up surveillance on your headquarters and Zara’s residence.” He expanded an image. “Viktor Kosta. Former Serbian special forces. Six countries, ten years. Only does high-value grabs or wet work.”
“You tangled with them yesterday?” Ronan asked, studying the images.
“Eastern edge of parade route. Three-man team. Took one down temporarily, evaded the others.”
Griffin pushed an evidence bag forward. “Pin checks out. Advanced surveillance tech consistent with Cipher’s signature.”
“What’s Cipher want with you?” the female detective, Maya Chen, demanded. “And what’s Zara got to do with it?”
“From me? Payback,” Finn answered simply. “Seven years messing with his operation tends to make a guy grumpy.”
“And Zara?” Ronan pressed.
Finn glanced at her briefly. “Initially I figured they’d use her as leverage against me. Emotional pressure point.”
“That’s laughable,” Zara cut in coldly. “A few months, seven years ago, ending with your betrayal. Not exactly lasting emotional ties.”
“But I revised my assessment,” he continued, the barb landing cleanly. “Based on Vanguard’s composition and recent intel, I think they’re chasing her, too. Cipher needs her skillset.”
“For?” Griffin asked.
“They’re trying to infiltrate the Sentinel Network. It’s an international database that compiles highly sensitive intelligence from multiple countries’ agencies.”
“I’ve heard whispers,” Zara confirmed. “Apparently, it’s a central repository of encrypted dossiers, covert operatives’ identities, and classified intelligence on terror cells, drug cartels, and human trafficking networks designed to provide instant intel to member agencies across the world.”
At least half Zara’s team blinked. Hard.
The big man, Deke, shook his head. “So this would be the motherlode for an extortionist.”
Ronan paled. “Or an enterprising snake willing to sell data to any terrorist cell that can meet his price.”
“Pretty much,” Finn acknowledged. He displayed additional data. “Of course, the network’s equipped with black-site level security. Cipher needs Zara’s unique combination of skills and clearance history to bust in.”
A tense silence followed.
“The messages have been escalating,” Kenji observed. “Latest one indicated an ‘assignment’ today.”
“Hence this chat instead of more verification,” Ronan nodded. “If Cipher makes contact today, we need to be ready.”
“Anyone consider this might be exactly what he wants?” Zara interjected sharply. “Bringing Finn here, involving my team—perfect reaction to provoke.”
