Page 67 of Embedded
I walked to the window to make sure she left, and as I watched the car leave, I wracked my brain about what had just happened. I thought back over the last day. Nicole and Chili had been cleared for bugs, so it wasn’t them. Grim and I went back far too long. That only left the house staff and…
“You!” I pointed at one of the girls wearing rubber gloves. She jumped, and her eyes widened with surprise then terror as she froze in place. “You clean my office.”
“Sí.”
“There was a bug in my office. Who planted it?”
“Bug?” Her brows pinched together. Christ, she was stupid.
“Listening device, a recorder.”
She shook her head. “No, I just clean and listen to this.” She held up an old tape player.
“El señor,” another maid stepped forward, “I don’t know who would do this thing, but I saw the American man in your office this morning.” I stared at her hard to see if she’d show a sign she was lying. She didn’t blink, just held my gaze. I waved her off and knew I’d have to check the cameras. She gave me a small bow then hurried out.
“Hey!” I called to one of my soldiers. “Where’s Armondo?”
“He’s downstairs waiting for the woman. She’s gathering her things.”
“And the American, Archie?”
“Not sure, señor.”
“Find him,” I ordered. He picked up his radio and began to speak.
My vision went red. “Turn on every scrambler we have!” I yelled.
SIXTEEN
NICOLE
“Miss,” the maid with the tattoo ran into my room where I’d been trying to find a way to delay going down to Armondo. I knew something was up, and it scared me. When she closed the door behind her and spilled a glass of red juice on the white carpet, I panicked.
“What the hell are you doing?” I hissed the last thing I needed was Armondo needing a reason to bring Bruno up to the room.
She ducked her head as she said. “They’re coming for you,” she whispered as she dropped to her knees and started to spray the stain in case someone watched on the camera. “Mr. Perez found the bug in his office. I’m so sorry. I only planted it a few hours ago.” My stomach dropped. “Do you know they’re moving you?”
“I knew something was happening, because Armondo told me to hurry and get my stuff. I don’t know what he expects me to get. I only have the clothes I wore here.”
I glanced toward the small table in my room where she’d planted a bug when she brought my food. I hoped to God the guys were getting this. I hadn’t been able to share what I’d found out earlier in the trash.
“The scrambler machine is on. The signal is no good.” She knew what I’d been hoping. “Listen, quickly, we don’t have much time.” She kept dabbing. I made the American, his name is Archie, go into Mr. Perez’s office this morning.” I threw her a look. “You never know when you might need a backup plan.” She looked up briefly. “Look, I told Mr. Perez I saw him there. I hope he’ll think it was him. You have to sell it to him.”
The door burst open, and Armondo took in the scene.
“Sorry, sir, juice was spilled, but I’ll get it clean.” She rubbed the carpet like she was hurrying in case it set.
He held his head ever so slightly tilted to the side. I knew he was listening to someone. I wouldn’t have caught it, but I’d seen it often with Paul and the guys.
“Get up!” He grabbed her arm and twisted it. She yelped, and I reached for him to make him stop, but he pulled his gun and shot her in the face.
What? Oh, my God!
“Why?” I cried in shock.
“Shut up. Why do you take so long?” He grabbed me, and I fought him. Everything had gone south so fast I couldn’t keep up. I kicked, bucked, and bit Armondo, but he was entirely too strong.
“Let go of me!” I screamed as loud as I could with a tight grip on the headboard in the hope that maybe one of the bugs would pick it up. “Get your fucking hands off me!”
