Page 60 of Raven's Curse
“Apparently, at least one of them disagrees.” Chase eased back. “Caleb Rios likely died before the missiles hit. Eric Dalton had a GSW to his upper shoulder — sounded as if it might have ricocheted into his lung. Royce Carver had multiple shrapnel wounds — was bleeding pretty heavily. I tried to stop it but... Only Marcus Hodges was a hundred percent before that attack.”
Greer inched closer. “I green lit the mission. If I’d done my job properly, I would have anticipated the added resistance. Had a contingency for it, and you wouldn’t have had to choose.”
“You can’t plan for everything. That’s just the reality of rescue missions. They’re dynamic. Regardless, how would Dalton’s team even know you were part of the op when you were a few thousand miles away in Langley?” Chase tapped his chest. “We didn’t.”
Greer glanced at Nick.
Chase frowned. “What’s with the look?”
Nick sighed. “You didn’t tell them.”
Greer toed at the floor. “My location didn’t seem important, especially when we’re all dancing around national security.”
Chase glanced at his buddies, again. “You were there?”
“I was at our command post about a hundred miles east.” She hitched out a hip. “Did you really think I was able to profile a foreign group, anticipate their movements and turn one of their own from some boardroom in Virginia?”
“Did Dalton’s crew know that?”
“They were the ones who intercepted the convoy, extracted my asset, then put him back in. I met with all of them on multiple occasions before that initial mission, then a few times afterward to coordinate the hostage retrieval.”
“Greer.” Nick’s voice boomed through the room. “You’re not the only one responsible. I was the one who uncovered their group, who brought you onboard. If we’re handing out blame, then there’s enough for all of us. None of which matters. Our only focus is stopping whoever survived before they up their game because based on what Bodie told me, Eli was different. No fake call to ensure you made it to the scene before he died. No second measure. And our guy doubled back while you were in the thick of it to leave clues.”
Nick leaned back in his chair. “I’m not a profiler, but that seems like an escalation to me.”
Greer inhaled. “Shit. Bodie, take Zain and get over to the café. I want all their video feed. And get every ATM and traffic cam surrounding the place. Nick’s right. Chase had been coming back to my apartment for the last few days, so how the hell did the bastard know we were heading this way unless he overheard us talking? Knew he didn’t need to make a fake call because we’d drive right past Eli’s cruiser — see the lights?” She tapped the counter. “He must have left just before us, then watched it all play out.”
Bodie nodded. “On it.” He paused for a moment. “I left you a set of new radios at the door.”
He took off with Zain, the door slamming shut in the distance.
Nick cleared his throat. “Before I realized it wasn’t you… I had our satellite sweep the area. I’m sending you a photo. I’m not sure what’s off to the left, but it was in the vicinity.”
Chase minimized the video and opened the image, staring at the white spot poking out from a small clearing in the trees. Definitely not part of the landscape. “Is there a tower out that way?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Greer expanded the image. “It’s like he’s a magnet for trouble.”
“Who?” Chase stared at the image again. “You know what that is?”
“It’s a telecommunications array. On top of an RV.” She scoffed. “As in our neighborhood conspiracy theorist Buck Landry.”
Chase looked again. He didn’t quite see it, but he wasn’t going to question her. “Think he’s still there?”
“He’s not.” Another ping as Nick obviously sent a second image. “I’ve had my guy following it, just in case I needed to fly out and exact some revenge. I’ve just sent you where it was as of five this morning. Hasn’t moved since. Your guy probably thinks he’s safe. Not sure if he’ll have anything useful, despite being right on top of it, but it’s worth a shot. Coordinates are with the image. I’ll get my people scouring everything they can get their hands on for evidence that Dalton or one of his guys ventured back into the country. It’s a long shot and will likely come back way too late, but…”
“Thanks, Nick. I owe you.” Greer closed off the connection, glancing up at Chase, her green eyes flashing in the light. Looking darker than usual. “You up for a ride? It’s time I had a chat with Bucky.”
Chapter Sixteen
Greer bumped her Bronco along the old, rutted forest road, closing in on the dot pulsing on her GPS. Thick, dark clouds filled the horizon, blocking out any hint of sunrise. The rain had picked up, falling in steady sheets as the wind pushed the trees in a violent dance, branches thrashing against each other in the early morning gloom.
Chase stared out the passenger window, constantly scouring the landscape, then rotating through the mirrors — rearview, side, repeat. Occasionally checking over his shoulder. That situational awareness she’d often admired in full swing.
He shook his head. “Does this guy always park in the middle of nowhere?”
She shrugged. “He thinks everyone’s spying on him. After our last encounter, he’s taken his defensive tactics up a notch. Damn hard to find him if he doesn’t call in and want a visit.”
Chase nodded as he patted down his vest. “And you’re sure he’s not a threat?”
