Page 3 of So Deadly
Panic bubbled just under the surface of Faith’s mind, but it didn’t break through.She was just too tired.Just so tired.
Her phone buzzed, and she jumped hard enough to smack her head on the sedan’s headliner.She gritted her teeth and muttered another oath, gripping the wheel hard enough that the leather creaked under her hand.
Faith flinched again and stared at her phone.She didn’t recognize the number.That could be David, or it could be whoever had taken him calling to gloat or to warn her.She answered with a tentative, “Hello?”
“Hey, Faith.”
Relief flooded her at the sound of David’s voice.The air escaped from her lungs in a rush, and Turk barked happily, tail thudding happily back and forth in the rear seat.Jessica flopped back into the passenger seat and muttered, “Thank God.”
Then reality set in.Just because David wasn’t alive didn’t mean he was safe.“Where are you?”Faith asked.“What are they doing to you?”
“So… the short version is that it’s not they.It’s just one guy.Andweare going to stop the 93rdTesting Brigade.”
The car went silent.Faith stared at the phone, not quite able to register what was happening.Turk tilted his head, confused.Jessica blinked, mouth open in a comical expression of shock.
“I’m sorry,” Faith finally said.“What?”
“I can’t tell you his name, but I’m with the informant who sent us all that information.We’ve located the records center for the project, and we’re going to gather data and evidence and turn it into the FBI, the Supreme Court, and the Pentagon.We’re going to bring everything down!”
He sounded excited.God damn him, he actually soundedhappy.
Faith pressed the middle finger of her left hand to her temple and said, “Umm… Who are you with, exactly?”
“The informant.He kidnapped me, but only because he didn’t want the 93rdknowing what had happened.He knows where to get the information we need to take the unit down.We’re going to stop them once and for all.”
Faith took a deep breath, steepled her fingers in front of her, and said, “David, I need you to tell me where you are, right now.”
“I can’t.They could be monitoring your phone.”
Yet you just told me your entire plan.
“My phone’s encrypted,” Faith said.
That was true, but the CIA could easily crack through the FBI’s standard encryption for field agents.Faith didn’t particularly care.She wanted to know where David was and get to him.
But what if they get to him first?
Her head throbbed again.Damn it, David!
“David, just…” Faith took another deep breath.“Listen, whatever that guy’s telling you, it’s not true.You are in danger, you need to—”
“Faith?Miss Bold?”
The new voice was soft, high-pitched, almost tremulous.It sounded almost like it was designed to put Faith at ease.See?Listen to me.I’m harmless.
“Special Agent Bold of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Faith said sternly.“And unless you’re going to identify yourself, put my husband back on the line.”
“He’s telling the truth,” the voice replied.“I’m not going to hurt him.”
“Youalreadyhurt him,” Faith said.“You drugged him and kidnapped him out of an FBI parking lot.You evaded arrest and fled.If you fled across state lines, then you committed an even greater felony.We have dozens of agents looking for you.”
“I know.They won’t find us.Butyoumight.You’re good.Very good.So, I’m asking you please trust me.”
Faith barked a short, sharp laugh.“Buddy, we’re way beyond trust.You’re going to give my husband back, or I’m going tohurtyou.You under—”
Jessica cleared her throat and shook her head.Faith pressed her lips together, lifted the hand not holding the phone, and let it drop.“Bring my husband back.”
“We can do this.We can put an end to the 93rd.Look, the dog testing thing is just the beginning.I’ve read what Chastain’s planning, and it’s bad.It’s really, really bad.But if we reveal everything, the CIA will pull out.They’ll abandon it.Chastain and his ideas will go away, and the CIA will wash all of this under the rug.”
