Page 63 of SEAL's Promise
A soft whistle came over the phone. “Congratulations, Cal. They’re a tough outfit to land a job with. I’ve been hoping for an interview offer from Maddox, but no dice. Maybe you can nudge your boss to at least give me an interview.”
“I’ll mention your name.” Chances were good that Brent wouldn’t act on the recommendation. Blake had been riding a desk at the State Department for years and would require extensive retraining to be qualified as an operative.
“I appreciate it.”
“I need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“Can you talk?”
“No. Give me five.” His friend ended the call.
He settled deeper into the couch cushions and leaned his head back while he waited for Blake to go someplace more secure.
At the five-minute mark, Cal’s phone vibrated with the incoming call from his friend.
“What do you need?” Blake asked.
“Information. You know anything about the terrorist attack in Antigua, Mexico?”
The other man’s voice softened. “Are you kidding? Who hasn’t heard about it? The ambassador’s daughter escaped by the skin of her teeth.” He paused. “Wait. Rumors are floating around that some black ops group rescued her. Was that Fortress?”
“My team plus another one rescued her, one of her bodyguards, and another American woman.”
“What’s your interest? You’re not sweet on the ambassador’s girl, are you?” he teased.
“No, the other American woman.”
“Seriously?” A laugh. “I can’t believe Ice Man Cal Taylor has fallen victim to Cupid’s arrow.”
“Knock it off.”
Silence, then, “Uh oh. What’s going on, Cal?”
“My girlfriend has a contract on her. I need a name.”
“Why do you think I…” Blake stopped and groaned. “You think it’s someone in the State Department. Tell me you’re not serious.”
“The information is pointing your way.”
He growled. “Do you have any idea how much trouble I’ll be in if I help you? I could lose my job, Cal.”
“My woman’s life is at risk. She’s already been attacked in Antigua and in Tennessee. The body count is rising, and I don’t want her name on the casualty list.”
“She means that much to you?” Blake asked, voice soft.
“She means everything.”
A sigh. “What’s her name?”
“Rachelle Carter.”
“I’ll see what I can find out. If this goes bad, I will need a new job.”
“I’ll pass the word to my boss.” If Blake got sacked for poking his nose into the wrong area and leaking information to Fortress, Cal would recommend Maddox train Blake as a bodyguard if he didn’t make the cut as an operative. “Be careful, Blake. Whoever is after Rachelle has deep pockets and is determined to take her out.”
“Why does he want her?”