Page 103 of Fatal Mistake
“That I am,” he replied from the top of the stairs. “Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“I’m with a fellow agent, and we’re coming down now.”
Cal took lead. He wanted to march straight into the living room, but they needed to take care, as a remote possibility existed that they’d missed something on their sweep and June was compromised by Keeler, saying anything he instructed her to say.
Nearing the bottom of the stairs, Cal swung around the corner to run his gaze over the room and confirm their earlier assessment. Once cleared, he lowered his weapon and smiled at June.
She stared up at him, her usual smile absent. “Now don’t the two of you look fierce.”
Cal stepped to the side and introduced Rick, who remained in the archway where he could see the porch and driveway.
June gave Rick an earnest smile. “Nice to meet you, Agent Cannon.”
“You too, ma’am,” Rick replied, his southern accent especially thick, as if he hoped his lazy drawl would help June relax.
Cal crossed over to June. “Not that I don’t appreciate exchanging pleasantries, but we need to arrange the proper assistance to deal with your bomb.”
“This little thing.” She smiled, and Cal was amazed at how calm she was being.
“I’ll call Max to get the bomb squad dispatched,” Rick said.
“Make sure they have a Faraday cloak for June, too, and let’s get someone on looking for the agents on June’s detail.”
Rick gave a clipped nod and dug out his phone.
“I assume you want to know where Tara is, and if I know where Oren went.” She patted the chair next to her. “Come sit down, and I’ll explain. You’re making me nervous standing there like an intense warrior.”
Cal took the chair next to her, but Rick remained at the entryway, a stance that would allow him to protect them should Keeler breach the front door.
June planted her hands on her knees. “All I know is that Oren strapped this thing on me and had me call Tara. He instructed her to make sure you responded to that bomb threat.”
So Cal had been right. Keeler was the reason for Tara’s apology. It was just like her to take the time to say she was sorry.
“Now before you get upset with Tara,” June continued. “She didn’t want to do it. She really cares for you, Cal, but Oren threatened to detonate not only this bomb, but the one on the woman you went to help. And he’s done something with the agents out front. Tara figured you could handle yourself better than anyone else could.”
“She was right,” Rick said.
“But where is she?” Cal asked, trying to keep his anxiety at bay.
“I wish I knew.” June wrung her hands together, raising Cal’s concern. “Oren left a phone on the dining room table, and he told her to come here to wait for his call. When he phoned, he instructed her to get in the car and take Highway 17 heading north.”
“Did he provide a destination?” Cal’s voice came out like a strangled cry.
June started to shake her head, then sat perfectly still. “I keep forgetting this thing could go off if I move.”
Anger over the mistreatment of this wonderful woman churned in Cal’s gut, but he swallowed it down so he didn’t agitate her even more.
“Oren didn’t give a specific destination.”
“Do you know what kind of car she was driving?” Cal asked.
“No. Sorry. I didn’t think to ask.” She twisted her hands together in her lap.
“It’s okay, June,” Cal soothed. “We’ll find her.”
“Squad’s on the way,” Rick broke in. “They’ll figure something out to cloak June with.”
