Page 39 of A Soldier's Temptation
“Really? Your missions are that disorganized?”
“We’re not talking about me. I’m trying to make sure you stay safe.” John shook his head. Her stubborn streak was almost as bad as his. Trying to reason with her was like talking to a brick wall. It would make for some interesting arguments. But afterward, they’d make up, and he’d enjoy every minute of it.
Chapter 10
After John left to take Mr. Darcy for a walk, Ari cleared the breakfast dishes. While waiting for them to get back, she got her journal and sat at the kitchen table to write about the day before. Journaling had really helped her over the last year, not just to remember details she would need when she testified, but to remind her that she had something to be grateful for every day. There had been so many, especially after she’d been arrested when she needed that reminder. If Colin hadn’t suggested it for writing down everything she could remember about Paul, she’d never had found this release.
There were times when the blank white page taunted her, like today. When there were so many emotions and thoughts that she had trouble getting them out of her head and onto the paper. As she tapped her pen on the notebook, she contemplated where to begin. Yesterday had been amazing and horrible. Shira’s visit had been fun even with all her pushing. Then the dinner with John. Talk about knocking her off her feet. It made her feel normal for the first time in ages. But the threatening email and complete destruction of her apartment turned it into a nightmare.
Ari poured another cup of coffee and decided she should focus on the good things first. Beginning with Shira’s visit, she’d written a couple of words when her cell phone rang. It was her bestie’s ringtone. Talk about timing.
“Hey, girl. I was going to call you as soon as my phone finished charging.”
“Ms. Nelson, you’re not an easy person to reach.”
“Who is this? Why do you have my friend’s phone?” Panic made her shake. Why did they have Shira’s phone? Was she hurt or worse? Bile rose in her throat. It took every bit of willpower she had to swallow it down and listen over the pounding in her ears.
“You’re wasting time. Stop talking. She is fine for now. As long as you do as I ask nothing will happen to her. But if you don’t follow my instructions that will change.”
Ari’s mind raced as she tried to figure out if she recognized the voice. It was definitely male, and he had a heavy accent that was really similar to Paul’s.
“Before I agree to anything, I need to know Shira’s alive. Let me talk to her and I’ll do whatever you want.” The silence on the other end made her grip the phone tighter and a chill slide down her spine. It was taking him too long to answer. Praying she hadn’t pushed him too hard; she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Shira’s voice.
“Ari?
“Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Yes, but what the hell is…”
It wasn’t much but she’d heard her voice. Assholes.
“As I said, your friend is alive. If you want her to stay that way, you need to bring me the micro SD card Chen gave you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He never gave me a memory card.”
“Wrong answer. We know he gave it to you. I will call tomorrow and tell you where to bring it. If you want to see your friend alive you’d better find it. Don’t tell the FBI anything, or your SEAL boyfriend either.”
“But I…” The line went dead before she could say anything else. The FBI had her phone under surveillance. Whoever the guy was he probably knew and kept the call short to keep it from being traced. It seemed like they had inside information all the time. They knew way too much.
The FBI swept her apartment weekly for listening devices. So far they hadn’t found any. Now that Mr. Darcy was there all day, she couldn’t imagine anyone getting in without someone finding out. She’d drawn the line at cameras in her apartment, she had to have some privacy.
Something was definitely off, but right now her focus needed to be on rescuing Shira. Even if she could find the SD card, she’d be damned if she’d give it to them. They had enough top secret information from Paul. There had to be some way to do this where they thought they were getting the information and she and Shira could get away. But how?
It was a risk since they’d told her not to, but she had to tell John. But she’d make him swear not to tell Colin. If the FBI got involved she’d never see Shira alive again, she knew it without a doubt. Maybe his friend Chase could help. The next problem was the card. Even if Paul had put it somewhere, had she brought it from their old apartment when she moved to this building? Trying to find it in the mess they’d left her would be almost impossible and she had her doubts that it was there. She didn’t remember seeing Paul with any memory cards.
When John and Mr. Darcy got back from their walk, she was pacing back and forth in the kitchen. She must have looked terrible because as soon as she met his eyes, he wrapped her in a huge bear hug.
“Are you okay? What happened?”
“If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell Colin.”
“What? Why?” His body stiffened against hers. Was he mad at her?
“Promise me and I’ll tell you.” Ari prayed he’d agree. If he didn’t she wasn’t sure what she’d do.
“Okay, but I’m not happy about it.”
“You’re going to be less happy when I tell you.”
