CovertDesires Page 7

  The reader had fallen onto the floorboard in front of him. All he had to do was roll over and he might be able to reach it. He wasn’t certain how much room he had to maneuver in. But since he hadn’t bumped into any feet or legs during the trip he assumed he was alone in the back. Which was something. It meant he might be able to get a signal out without anyone noticing.

  After bumping his head on an interior side panel and what felt like a seat bottom he finally managed to flip himself over. Now it was just a matter of lining himself up with the device. It seemed as if this whole process was going to be significantly easier when he thought it up. Still, it was the best option he had at the moment.

  He wiggled around on the floorboard for several moments until his fingers finally bumped into the cool metal of the reader. He’d done it. The reader was within his grasp. It only took a second to locate and press the power button. As soon as it vibrated he flipped himself back over and tossed the device. He hoped it landed under the seat in front of him but there was really no way for him to know with the hood on. But as long as it’d gone far enough that his captors didn’t notice it he’d be happy.

  They continued driving for what felt like an eternity. It was probably no more than a couple of hours. But time dragged without any context clues for him to observe. Finally, just as he was starting to feel some play in the rope, they came to a stop. He stopped playing with the bindings and held perfectly still as the door hissed open.

  “Who are you? Where am I?” He didn’t expect any answers and he didn’t get them. Large hands pulled him out of the vehicle and made him stand. “I’m with Special Investigations. Kidnapping me is a galactic offense and is punishable with detention and fines.”

  “Shut up.”

  The man’s voice was deep and it had a distinctly slurred accent but it wasn’t familiar to Jack. “I just wanted to give you fair warning.”

  “Considerate of him, ain’t it?”

  The second man’s voice wasn’t quite as deep as the other’s. But he had the same slurred speech pattern. That combined with their use of slang instead of proper grammar left him wondering if they were originally from one of the smaller settler planets. It’d become common for crime syndicates to recruit from the rustic worlds because of their harsh landscape, physically demanding jobs and low income. Everybody wanted off.

  But even if he were right it didn’t really give him any advantage in the current situation. “I do my best.”

  They guided him over rough terrain and up a series of six steps before they stepped over a threshold. They must have taken him to a building. And since he hadn’t walked over pavement and there weren’t many stairs he was betting he wasn’t inside the city limits.

  He took a deep breath as soon as he heard the door sliding shut behind him. Dust. Wherever they’d taken him smelled of dust and mildew. An abandoned building in the middle of nowhere made sense under the circumstances. Didn’t bode well for his odds of making it out of this alive. But it would be a logical choice.

  “I’m so glad you could join me, Agent.”

  This third person’s accent was crisp and polished. He didn’t have the same background as the other two. “Wish I could say I was glad to be your guest for the evening but I think we’d both know that would be a lie. Care to cut to the chase?” He was walked across the room and then pushed down into a hard chair before his hood was removed.

  He was in a house. In a formal sitting parlor that looked as though it’d seen better days. The upholstery on the furniture was faded and covered in a thick layer of dust and there were heavy webs in the corners. But the state of the room wasn’t what really interested him. He just scanned his surroundings to look for any possible advantage. What caught his attention was the man sitting across from him in an expensive business suit. He was the same man who’d visited Thomas in detention.

  “Right down to business. I can appreciate that.” The man leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “My employer wanted me to have a word with you.”

  “And who is this employer?” He wasn’t expecting an answer but he had to at least ask the question.

  “Someone who has the power to make your life very unpleasant if you keep running facial recognition programs on his employees.”

  He took a small measure of hope from the statement. If he were going to kill Jack he wouldn’t talk about future consequences. On the other hand Jack had seen his face. That wasn’t a good sign. “Why would they want to do that? I’m a likable guy.”

  “You’re digging too deep into matters that don’t concern you.”

  “And what matters are those, exactly? I’ve got a lot of open cases right now.” He knew which case the man was referring to but he wanted to hear him say it. There were things he could learn by listening to the man’s answers. Jack just had to make sure he asked the right questions.

  “The Subservient.” He sat back against his chair as he spoke. “She survived. As did you. And you arrested the men responsible for hurting you both. Some would consider that a victory.”

  “I do consider it a win.” No lie there. But that didn’t mean it was the only prize to be had.

  “That’s good to hear.”

  “I am a little curious though.”

  “That’s not so good to hear.”

  “What did your boss want with them?” He waited for a second for the question to sink in. “I mean, if I had been a broker and had sold him the location, what would he have done with the Subservients?”

  “That’s really not important.”

  “What is important?”

  “That you’ll get to keep your Subservient regardless of his plans.”

  So it was a man they were after. Not a huge surprise but still good to have it confirmed. “That’s a kind offer.”

  “One he won’t extend a second time. In order for us to ensure her safety we’re going to need you to keep her out of our business.”

  As if anyone could keep Rowe out of something if she didn’t want to be. And he was betting she’d want to be right in the middle of whatever this turned out to be. “I’ll talk to her. See if we can reach an arrangement.”

  The man quirked an eyebrow but then shrugged. “You were warned because he respects the work you do.”

  “Then why is he threatening me?”

  “He’s not threatening. He’s warning. And just because he respects what you do doesn’t mean he agrees with it. The Subservients were created for a purpose. To not use them for that is almost sacrilege.”

  “You talk about them as if they’re tools. And sacrilege implies their maker is some sort of supreme being.”

  The man stood abruptly. “I’ll be leaving you now. I’m sure your friends are on their way.” He nodded and one of the thugs put Jack’s reader next to him on the floor. “I hope I don’t have to arrange another meeting.”

  Jack hoped he wouldn’t have to as well. If the universe were on his side, the next time Jack saw the man he’d be wearing handcuffs and in transport to a maximum-security detention facility. Still, this little meeting had given him a lot to think about. He couldn’t be terribly upset when he thought about it that way. Even if he did have to pee. And his arms were cramping up. And he had no idea how much longer it was going to be before Rowe got there.

  Rowe had no idea what she was walking into when they finally got to the origin of Jack’s signal. She’d been trained for just about any eventuality. But the idea of finding his lifeless body wasn’t something one could be prepared for. Or if it was she hadn’t signed up for the right class.

  “He’s a resourceful man. He’ll be okay.”

  She looked at Barkswell and shook her head. “Are you saying that for my benefit or for yours?”

  He smiled but the expression seemed hard and cold. “Maybe a little of both.”

  They should wait for backup. They’d called it in as soon as they’d located the small house just off the main access road. But she didn’t think she was going to make it. Her w
hole body felt antsy. Just sitting in the car while it came to a complete stop was unbearable. “He could be injured. Going in now could mean the difference between life or death.”

  “Yeah. Ours.” Barkswell took out his gun and checked the charge before putting it back in the holster. “We’re doing this by the book. And the book says to wait for backup.”

  “There’s only one set of vehicle tracks leading into and one set of tracks leading out of this drive.” She pointed toward the impressions in the dirt road. “Whoever was here is gone now.”

  “They could’ve left a few guys behind to guard him.”

  “It was a small transport. It didn’t leave much of an impression in the dirt. It could hold maybe four people. Five if they were squished. One to drive and Jack, that leaves three people at the most.” She checked her weapon to make sure it had a charge as well. “We can take three people.” She had a moment of pride as she realized she’d been right about every word she’d just spoken. Somewhere in the last two years she’d become good at this job.

  “And what if it’s a trap? What if there’s a bomb triggered by the front door?”

  It could happen. She was certain that it had in the past. From the look on Barkswell’s face it probably happened on an assignment he’d worked. But that wasn’t the case this time. She could feel it. “It’s not. We’re supposed to go into that house and get him.”

  “You’re willing to risk it all for him, aren’t you?”

  “I already have.” It might have seemed like a simple reply but the truth generally was.

  “So he’s really the one. You’ve finally fallen in love, haven’t you?”

  “Yeah. But don’t tell him. He doesn’t know yet. I can’t have him running away in a state of panic.” She smiled at the joke but it was weak. Behind the jest was real fear. What would she do if he did bolt? Men sometimes did.

  “He won’t. He wouldn’t have won you if he were so easily spooked.” He paused and looked down for a moment. “You know at one time I thought maybe you and I…” He let the sentence die unfinished but she didn’t need him to say the words. She’d known. At one time he thought he had feelings for her.

  “And I was touched that you cared so deeply for me.” She ran her fingertips over the rough stubble on his cheek. “But there was no path for us. Whenever I saw a glimpse of your life, Eliss was always in it.” It was both the best and the worst part of her ability. There were no what-ifs for her. Not when it came to Barkswell. He could’ve never been hers. From the day they met he already belonged to another. “She was meant for you. And I was meant for Jack.”

  He smiled and nodded. “Then we’d better go save his sorry ass.”

  She opened her door and climbed out of the car before he could object. Sometimes people just had to have faith. Herself included. And this was one of those times.

  Her heart still raced with fear though. And her hands were damp with nervous sweat. She would survive this but it was still one of the most terrifying moments of her life. Barkswell raced past her in an effort to protect her, no doubt. His sweeping motions with the gun were designed to provide cover if they were attacked. They wouldn’t be. But she let him go and kept herself as close to the ground as possible. There was no need to tempt the fates.

  He made it safely up the stairs and to the door with her closely behind. They were almost there. Jack was behind that door. She could feel it. She wouldn’t be happy until she saw him though.

  Barkswell examined the door. She could only imagine he was looking for some evidence of explosives. It must have been clear, though, because he popped off the palm reader that was designed to open the door just a few minutes later. Since neither of their handprints were likely to be programmed into the device it’d have to be hotwired in order to open. It was a rookie procedure. She could do it in her sleep. But it took time. Time that kept her from Jack.

  When the door did finally slide open she ran inside despite Barkswell’s attempt to keep her back. She found Jack in an instant and couldn’t help but launch herself at him. They both hit the ground in a puff of dust but she didn’t care. He was there. In her arms.

  “Harlow drugged me. And when I woke up you were gone. She wasn’t going to let me come find you. But I had to. I couldn’t bear not knowing.”

  He coughed and then moaned. “Rowe. I’m glad you’re here. Really I am. But I’d appreciate it more if you weren’t here.As much as I love having you on top of me, my arms are tied behind my back. This is kind of painful.”

  “Oh.” She scurried off him as quickly as possible. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” The only thing that irritated her more than the fact that she was hurting Jack was having to listen to Barkswell’s snickers in the background. “Do you find this amusing?” She cast a glare over her shoulder at him before helping Jack to stand.

  “Maybe a little.”

  “Well, maybe you should scan the room for evidence instead of standing there staring at us.”

  Jack smiled at her. “You’re so sexy when you’re putting people in their place.”

  “It’s something I have to get used to doing more often. I can’t very well blame people for trying to take over my life when I act as though I’ve got no direction of my own.”

  “Sounds about right to me.” He turned around to show her his hands. “Would you mind starting with unbinding my hands and feet?”

  She pulled out a pocketknife and quickly sliced through the bindings. It was good to feel his arms wrap around her and pull her tightly to him. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too. But I knew you’d come to save me. You told me so.”

  She laughed against his chest. “I guess I did, didn’t I?”

  “Next time it’s my turn to be the hero.”

  She looked up at him and felt the rightness of the words. “Deal.”

  “That truly terrifies me.”

  “As it should.”

  “Hate to break up the happy moment but I’m afraid whoever did this cleaned up after themselves. I’m not picking up any evidence.”

  She could hear the backup arriving. “Maybe they’ll be able to pick up some trace you missed.”

  “No need.” Jack walked over to the door as soon as she’d gotten his feet free. “I can identify the guy who took me. What I don’t know is who ordered it and why. But I have a really good guess.”

  Their conversation was interrupted as specialists and medics descended on the small house. Everybody needed to see Jack. He needed to be cleared by the medics and debriefed by the superiors. Still, he kept one arm wrapped firmly around her waist. The touch was partially territorial but it was also protective.

  “Nope. Sorry, Captain Seeth. I can’t tell you who had me.”

  Rowe looked up at him in confusion but he only winked at her. He was keeping secrets. Nothing good ever came of that. But she would have to get him away from the crowds before she could find out what was going on. “If you guys are done with him, I should get him home and put him to bed. He’s had a rough day.”

  “Home?” He cocked his head as he asked the question. Had she really just called her home his as well? Was that wrong? Did he not want her home to be his?

  “Yeah. My home.” They could get into the semantics later. Right now she just needed him to come along peacefully. “I’m sure Harlow and Parker want to know you’re okay. They were the ones who had the idea to track you.”

  “Good idea. But didn’t you say something about Harlow drugging you?”

  “I’m sorry. Did you just say someone drugged an agent?” The captain suddenly became very interested in their conversation again.

  “She gave me something to help me sleep. It’s been hard since that last mission.”

  Captain Seeth studied her for a minute longer and then gestured for her and Jack to leave. “Take transport number three. I’ll have Cali and Sven ride back with five.”

  She didn’t realize how tense she’d become until she was dismissed. As they walked across the g
rass toward the transport she took long, deep breaths. She had Jack and soon they’d be home—their home. Because that was what it was. Whether he was ready to admit it or not.

  Chapter Eight

  Jack stared at the people in the room in shock. Not only had Harlow and Parker been waiting for them back at Rowe’s place but so had the retired Prime Minister Lee and his wife. Once Barkswell joined them, the apartment officially became too crowded. It was almost suffocating.

  “So this guy holding you had an off-the-books meeting with the suspect just a couple days ago?” Lee paced around what little room was available as he stared down at Jack’s reader. The video of the meeting had been playing nonstop since they’d gotten back.

  “Yeah. He wanted to warn me that if I kept digging, his boss wasn’t going to be happy.” They’d already gone over this several times but Lee wanted every detail told to him repeated time and time again.

  Harlow stared at him intently. “You think you know who the boss is.”

  “Get out of his head.” Rowe sat on his lap as if she were acting as a shield.

  “Sorry. He’s so worried that he’s practically broadcasting right now.”

  Lee looked from Harlow to Jack. “So. Who is it?”

  “The doctor who created the Subservients, whatever happened to him?”

  “He slipped through customs. Probably living on a small rock somewhere, trying not to set off any government flags.”

  He would have easy access to thugs. Just like the thugs who grabbed him today. “How does he feel about you setting them free?”

  “No idea. We don’t get together for tea.”

  “The guy who had me today told me that the Subservients had been created for a purpose and to not use them was sacrilege.” He held up his hands as every pair of eyes in the room turned to glare at him. “His words, not mine. But it did get me to wondering who would sympathize with that belief. I can’t imagine anyone who’d have a bigger interest in the fate of the Subservients than the guy who created them.”