Page 17 of Wicked Shadows
“Just remember you asked for it after you hear all the classified details. Don’t show up in my apartment in the middle of the night and kill me,” Steadman replied with a chuckle.
“You don’t live in an apartment. Are you testing me, or did you really think you could hide from me?”
With a nervous clearing of his throat, Steadman gave Shadow the case details. Every point relayed made Shadow’s heart move up into his throat a little bit more. By the time Steadman finished reading him in on the classified file, Shadow knew his involvement in the case was Elle’s only chance.
“Create my new identity and backstory. Make it as bad as you can, then transfer the files to me. This won’t be easy, but I need inside as of yesterday,” Shadow commanded.
“There is another undercover agent who has embedded himself with the group. Maybe he can help you get inducted on a fast track. He may not agree to it, though. He’s spent two years undercover, working his way up the chain, gathering intel. It could look too suspicious for him to bring you in now.”
“Who is he?”
“Nick Tucker. DEA.”
“I know him. Get a hold of his handler and get word to him that I’m coming in. You’ll have to show me as an ex-con, recently paroled, and coming back home to California from a federal penitentiary. Don’t leave anything out, Steadman, or you’ll get us both killed.”
“Have I ever gotten you killed before?” Steadman asked, taken aback at Shadow’s lack of confidence in his abilities.
“Maybe you should transfer me to another analyst to handle my background cover.”
“Come on, Shadow. You know I’m joking. It’ll be flawless. Trust me.”
“I’m CIA, Steadman, I don’t trust anyone. But you can trust me when I say it better be the best backstory and fake identification you’ve ever created, or it’ll be the last one you ever create.”
“It’ll be so good, even other analysts and operatives won’t know it’s fake. Guaranteed.”
“Always a pleasure working with you, Steadman.”
While he waited for his new identity and criminal record to be created, he called Jeff, knowing he couldn’t share any information, but he had to warn Jeff and the rest of the family off the case. They couldn’t actively search for her while Shadow was undercover, especially against the forces he’d be facing.
“Devon, have you already heard the news?” Jeff asked as soon as he answered the phone.
“What news?”
“Mark said a local news channel reported Elle and Jax eloped and took off on a secret honeymoon. They sent messages through their agents saying they’re sorry for any concern they created for their well-being, but they’re just so happy and so in love, they couldn’t wait one more day.
“Devon, that is the biggest pile of horseshit I’ve ever heard. Elle can’t stand Jax Hart. She sure as shit wouldn’t run off and marry him. I’m looking for a privately chartered flight to get me out to California immediately.”
“Jeff. Stop.” Shadow’s stern tone and terse words stopped Jeff’s concerned tirade.
“What? Your turn to tell me,” Jeff replied.
“You have to follow my instructions to the letter. You can’t allow your feelings to overrule anything I’m about to tell you, regardless of how dire the situation seems. This is life or death, Jeff.”
“I’ve always been amazed by your ability to find out things no one else could. That only became greater once you left the Army. So, I won’t question you, Devon. I called you for a reason. Tell me what to do.”
“You, Mark, Danny, and Tanya need to go to LA. Stay at her apartment and keep the media pressure up. Get in front of every camera you can and claim that story is a lie. Ask why the sheriff’s department isn’t taking you seriously. Whatever you have to do to keep her picture front and center in the news.
“Look for her in every trendy place a movie star would want to be seen. But Jeff, do not mention me. Do not look for me. Do not attempt to contact me in any way. You have to trust me on this. There’s no other way. If you have any doubts, I need to know now.”
“No doubts at all.”
“You won’t hear from me for long stretches of time. You, your parents, your brother—none of you can go getting all antsy on me. Let me do my job.”
“I got it, Devon. I’ll make sure Mom, Dad, and Mark get the message, too.”
“You say that now. But when you’re worried about her and don’t hear from me, your mind will play tricks on you. You can’t fall into that trap. When you start feeling despondent, remember this conversation.”
“Thanks, Devon. I appreciate it more than you know. I trust you—no matter how bad the circumstances appear.”
