Page 109 of Covert Mission
“See,” Marshall says. “Now what’s going on?”
“A woman.”
There’s a snort on the other end. “Say no more.”
I can’t even get my damned throat to work, my mouth is so dry. “She’s in the wind, and I’ve got to get to the bottom of whatever shit she’s tangled up in.”
He’s chuckling.
“Not funny.”
“Didn’t say it was. Just remembering what a mess I was when I met Danee. Now, let’s sort this. You do what you gotta do. I’ll send some back up. How’s the case going?”
“Slow as fucking molasses. But we probably have a lead on one of her travel companions. Unfortunately, he’s in a coma.”
Marshall grunts. “Well, he’s going to be hard to get intel from. That’s unfortunate. I’m confident you guys will find another trail. I know these things take time.”
“I don’t like it,” I mutter as I jerk my hat back onto my head.
“Look, I know your team is solid. They’ll keep pushing forward. Chase your woman. Clear your head up, and we’ll get back on track after.”
I’m speechless. “Are you sure? I don’t take this shit lightly. I made a commitment.”
“I know you don’t. That’s why you got the job.”
I grip the phone and hang my head. “Thanks, Marshall. I’ll report in STAT.”
He says his goodbye and disconnects. Truck and Justice are looking at me.
I’m not happy.
What is the woman thinking? “Goddammit. Does she have a death wish?”
Truck steps in front of me. “Let me talk to Tom. One fight was enough for today.”
I glare at him for a second but know he’s right. Truck can handle her boss’s messenger. Then he needs to get on the road to the hospital so he can work on MZ’s case since Evan’s going to be flying.
My case. Our case. The work I’m supposed to be concentrating on.
I feel like screaming.
Belle watches me warily as I pace by. I grumble, “I need to talk to Camile.”
The entire FamFind team looks shell shocked. Or scared I’m going to snap. Entirely possible. It’s already happened once today.
I stalk around the work area. Camile’s not behind the trucks. Nor inside the box truck that didn’t get burned.
After that, I walk the street. Up and down. Asking people if they’ve seen her. With each passing second, my worry triples.
Justice meets me in the middle of the earthquake-damaged road. He looks as tense as I am. That’s rare for the man. He’s a badass operator, but the former SEAL has the uncanny ability of looking like he’s taking a stroll in the park. No matter what shit goes down.
He motions over his shoulder. “I checked with a couple of the teams. No one has seen her.” He squints into the sun as he looks toward the far end of town. “We know she doesn’t have a car, how would she get out of here? It’s a long walk on foot, and I don’t think she’d take a chance of walking with the rebel activity.”
What I’m about to say really makes my vision go dark. “She could have caught a ride with one of the rescue teams as they rolled out.”
He’s quick to reply, “That’s better than the alternative.”
I grunt. “You’re right. Still pissed as fuck. I can’t believe she’d take off. What if someone grabbed her and we’re missing something?”