Page 10 of So Deadly
“Yeah, that was stupid,” he said.“Worry, but trust that we’re doing everything we can to help David.”He scanned the QR code on the little plastic stand on their table and started entering a food order.
“Have you learned anything about the records center?”Faith asked.
Michael sighed as he tapped his order into his phone.“I don’t have an exact location for the records center yet, but it looks like the 93rdis clearing out of Quantico or preparing to clear out.My source on the base says he saw trucks leaving Quantico.There’s still a staff SUV there and a sedan, but he’s ninety percent sure the dogs are gone.”
Faith frowned.“You don’t think they’re taking them to where David is right now, do you?”
“It’s possible.Likely, even.That supports the informant’s claim that the records center is the new base of operations for the unit.”
Faith sighed.“Shit.If he sees Sierra there, he’s going to try to rescue her.”
“Yeah, I know.We’ll have to hope the guy he’s with can keep him under control.”
Faith scoffed.“The guy he’s with poisoned him and kidnapped him.I don’t think he’s exactly our best friend.”
“He’s on the same side.That’s good enough for now.”
“Is he on the same side?”Faith asked.“Or is he a plant by the 93rdso they can figure out how many people know about their project and arrange for us all to die?”
Michael shook his head.“Definitely not a plant.The CIA does things like that, but not in situations like this.If they wanted to kill David, they’d just kill him.”
“They’vetriedto kill him, remember?”
Michael slumped.“Right.”
Faith sighed and got to her feet, arms crossed.She didn’t think she was going to be able to eat any of the pizza.
“Hang in there, Faith,” Michael suggested.
“I swear to God, I’ll hurt you if you say that again.”
Before Michael could reply, Faith’s phone rang.When she saw Smythe’s number, her heart dropped to her feet.She answered, and Smythe said, “I have another case for you.”
Most of the time, Faith was able to be tactful, especially with the Director of the FBI.Right now, she was just too exhausted.“Are you serious?With my husband missing, you want me on a case?Sir, I can barely focus on eating.I’m useless to you in the field.”
“You’re going to have to be less useless, Special Agent.We fear another serial killer has appeared and is using a dog motif.”
“Well, tough shit.You have other trained agents.Use them.”
Michael winced, but Smythe took the outburst in stride.“Special Agent Bold, you need to take this case.We’ve discovered evidence about the people harassing your husband.I’m not at liberty to share that information, and I don’t believe it’s wise for you to know who they are, but you must not behave suspiciously.”
Faith just blinked for a moment.
“Bold?”
“Yeah, I’m here.You said you… you know who has my husband?”
Michael’s eyes widened.He leaned forward and motioned for Faith to put the phone on speaker.She did, just in time for Smythe to say, “After our recent phone calls on the subject and the unfortunate accident your husband suffered, I chose to take more seriously your claim that the Marine Corps might have a vendetta against your husband.I assigned agents to look into it, and they’ve found… Well, I don’t believe I should tell you, but Icantell you two things.First, your husband is almost certainly alive.Second, it iscriticalthat these people not believe thatyouknow who they are.Discovering that could make them think that you’re going to pose a threat.I could put other agents on this case, but I’m puttingyouon this case so that you are protected.I can’t explain more right now, but please trust me.”
Faith looked at Michael.Smythe was on the right track with the general situation but not this specific circumstance.It wasn’t the CIA that had David in custody but another well-meaning but hopelessly-in-over-his-head vigilante who had enlisted David to help in their mutual crusade.
But if they told Smythe the details, then Smythe would know that Faith had been working on this for weeks now.He would deduce that the current trouble was due in part to Faith and especially David’s choice to ignore multiple warnings from the CIA.
Faith swallowed.“All right, sir.”
“Thank you.We’re working on this at the highest levels, Special Agent.I promise you, we will do everything in our power to keep you safe and bring your husband home.”
“I appreciate that.”
