Page 53 of Shephard

Very few people knew my number, including the single man I’d trusted completely during my stint working as a mercenary. He never called unless there was a possible issue, which there hadn’t been since a couple of months after I’d left the organization. Plus, we hadn’t left on the best of terms since I’d called him every name in the book. My rage had been off the charts at that point.

Hindsight was an interesting attribute when you accepted it. I’d been burned out, which was why I’d made two serious mistakes. Two. Still, his call given the timing was unnerving. Coincidences were rare.

I’d been smart, adding the kind of security to my phone that would keep random scammers and anyone searching from tracking down my number. It also appeared nowhere.

“Russ. Long time.”

“Yeah, buddy, and I wouldn’t be calling now if I didn’t have some news and a question.” Russ had always been frank and straight to the point, something I appreciated about our limited relationship. In a world where anonymity and silence were the objectives, he’d been my lifeline. I’d only used it a couple of times when I’d found it impossible to get out of a country. Hehad connections everywhere, as did the people involved in the organization.

Who would remain nameless.

“News.” I scanned the parking lot to ensure no one had followed me. It was an old habit. Plus, I’d had a feeling the past had come back to haunt me.

“Someone has been trying very hard to research your past, managing to get to a few people who at least confirmed your military record.”

We’d purposely set it up that way so that it appeared to some I’d died while in battle. Sure, they could figure out that I was alive if they tried hard enough, but with my information still scrambled, it would take special equipment and connections to track me down.

That didn’t make for purchasing a house or even getting a credit card feasible, but I could pay cash for everything given the size of my bank account.

“That I know.”

“You do?” Russ seemed surprised.

“Yeah, I’m doing a favor for my dad and a feisty park ranger is determined to dig into my past.” I had to determine if I would tell her anything at this point. I knew her personality well enough to know she’d keep digging.

“If it’s her then she has some pretty powerful friends. Just keep that in mind. All the data is tightly locked down, but there’s always a way to learn something. You know how hackers work.”

I seriously doubted she’d gone that far. Yet.

“Then don’t allow that to happen.” Even my family had no clue whatsoever about my past, although I’d known since the beginning both Jagger and Hunter had placed themselves in similar positions. The trolls had come out of the woodwork when each one of us had retired, looking for fresh bodies to do their dangerous biddings.

The promises had been numerous, only a few of which had been accurate. But we were still alike in our love of danger.

And blood.

What I would do for safety and sanity was check her out the best I could. Whatever information I could find might keep her from delving any further into my life. “I appreciate the warning. I’ll handle it from here. What is the question?” I jumped into the truck, starting the engine.

“How about returning to work for us for a single gig?”

I wanted to laugh and almost did. “You are kidding me. I was all but kicked out the door.”

“Yeah, that was… unfortunate,” Russ huffed.

Unfortunate? I’d been called on the carpet and put on a plane headed for the States in less than twenty-four hours. The organization had made certain they disassociated from me. “Bullshit.”

“Look, I was told to ask. You were without a doubt the most qualified agent we ever had.”

“Uh-huh.”

As I pulled out of the parking space, I took a deep breath. Even asking a single question would make him think I was interestedand I wasn’t. “Tell them you asked and I promptly said no fucking way.” The last gig had almost gotten me killed.

And it had pushed me into a serious depression.

“We have a situation that had your name written all over it. You’re made for this shit.”

“Not any longer, Russ. I have a full civilian life now and that’s the way I like it.”

“It’s on our own soil. The mission shouldn’t take long.”