Page 53 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Well, I’d check the airport first.”

“For fuck’s sake, will you shut up? I know what I’m doing. We know what we are doing. We know how to track people. It’s what we do for a living!” I yell at her. I can feel my heart pumping hard in my chest.

“Yes, I know that, but it took you long enough to find me. I’ve been watching you all running around like headless chickens. I let Kara find me this morning. I wanted to talk to you.”

“Bullshit!” I bang my hand down hard on the table, and she flinches back with fear in her eyes. “You’re a crazy old lady who can’t help herself. I don’t have time to argue with you. I need to find East.”

“Please, let me help. Let me make some calls,” she snivels more.

“Fine! But you’re not leaving this room.” I point to the phone on the side and walk out the room.

Where the hell are you, East? And who is going to tell West?

As I enter the room, Kara looks at me with tears in her eyes.

“We’ll find her, you know?” I try to sound convincing.

“Yeah, but I should have said something.”

“What do you mean? Did you know she was planning this?” I feel the anger fly up my chest.

“Sort of… She said she wanted to go away after she was discharged from the hospital. I thought I had time to talk her out of it, to become the friend she desperately wanted so that she wouldn’t run. Don’t forget, Zed, I’ve been there. I’ve been on the wrong end of South’s stupid stunts. I was working on her, and she made me promise not to tell anyone.” Tears flow as she sobs.

“I thought I had time, Zed, I swear. If I knew…” She sobs again.

“Knew what?” North yells from the doorway.

“Calm down, North. This is not Kara’s fault. I knew something was up, and I didn’t tell anyone either. We will find her. Inspector Clouseau in the other room is making some calls, too. Don’t panic just yet.”

North shoots daggers at Kara. I know he’s mad and scared, but it’s not her fault.

Margarite appears in the doorway. “Excuse me, but I need to talk to you all.”

“What?” I snap.

“East is in trouble. She doesn’t know it, but she is. You need to get to Mexico as fast as you can. She’s heading for the villa. If she gets there—”

I look at North and Kara, and panic spins around us like a tornado.

“I have guys still there. I’ll get them coordinated and in place.”

North is on his phone, and Kara is pacing up and down.

Margarite heads for the door.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” I ask, blocking her way.

“I think I need to leave you to it.”

“Oh no, you’re coming with us. I am not letting you out of my sight until I have all the answers, and if anything happens to East, I am going to kill you with my own hands. And that is a fucking promise.”

“I don’t have my passport.”

“You don’t need one!” North barks. “Now, let’s go. A jet is waiting for us.”

Chapter 21

East

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