Slack-jawed, Hawk stared at her. “This is our chance to change things, expose some of that corruption we’ve been talking about.”
“Absolutely. I can’t wait to do that. Don’t you think I want to teach Angela Brentwood a thing or two?”
“Is that the reporter who screwed you over when she was covering your ouster?” Hawk asked.
She nodded. “The one and only. She made me seem like a malcontent trying to make a money grab. And nothing could’ve been further from the truth—and she even knew it.”
“Look, we’ve all got personal scores we’d like to settle in that city, but we must maintain our focus,” Blunt said. “And for the time being, that means avoiding Washington where more people are looking for us at every turn than anywhere else.”
Hawk closed his eyes and shook his head. “I disagree. I think we should strike now. If they want a fight, let’s not wait for them to come to us.”
“This isn’t a democracy,” Blunt said tersely. “We’re going to wait before going back to Washington—that’s final. And don’t get any cute ideas, Hawk.”
Blunt’s phone buzzed, and he looked at the number on the screen. “I need to take this,” he said before shuffling off to another room.
Alex turned to Hawk. “Please don’t tell me you’re thinking of defying Blunt again, because I’m not on board with any plan that sends us back to Washington so soon.”
Hawk sighed. “I’m not going back to Washington without his blessings, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
She slapped his knee. “Good. That means we can spend more time together here exploring this beautiful countryside.”
He stood and wagged his finger at her, shaking his head as well. “Don’t think that just because I agreed not to go back to Washington that means I’m going to stay here. It’s the lap of luxury—that much is for sure. But we still have plenty to do out in the real world. I’d feel like I was lazy if I was just sitting around here, taking a short vacation.”
Alex stood, too and eyed Hawk closely. “Look, I know we haven’t talked much about . . .” She paused and peered into the hallway to see if Blunt was around. When she noticed he wasn’t, she continued. “The kiss. But we really need to.”
“Alex, I want to talk about this, I really do—just not right now. Can this wait?”
“What are you waiting for? I’m right here. There’s no time like the present, right?”
“I—I just don’t know if I’m ready yet. And with us working together, I don’t want us to jeopardize each other because we’re together.”
Alex rolled her eyes and waved him off. “That ship sailed a long time ago, and for both of us. Don’t try to play coy with me.”
“I won’t deny that, but do we need to make things even more complicated than they have to be?”
“Perhaps not. But I’m fine with the complications if it results in something more.”
Hawk took a deep breath. “Let me think about it some more, okay? Just give me some time.”
She nodded.
They both jumped when they heard something slam against the wall and a string of expletives fly from Blunt’s mouth.
CHAPTER 4
BLUNT SLIPPED INTO HIS STUDY and poured a glass of scotch before answering his phone. He turned on the speaker and eased into his plush executive chair behind his desk. After a long pull on his drink, Blunt finally spoke.
“Glad to hear from you, General,” Blunt said.
“You too, Senator,” came the reply. It was General Van Fortner from Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. “Where exactly are you these days?”
“In a safe place,” Blunt answered. “Let’s just leave it at that, okay?”
“Fair enough,” Fortner said.
Blunt had known Fortner for a long time and never had a reason to hold the general suspect, but Blunt stopped making assumptions long ago. His distrust toward people was one well cultivated by numerous blindsides and betrayals. But he could be softened up with a persuasive word, though he never fully dropped his guard. Fortner seemed sincere and honest, but Blunt knew that he and the old general didn’t adhere to the same strict standard of scrutiny when it came to sizing up others and their motives. Yet Blunt struggled to see any benefitting motive from Fortner, other than to impress his superiors and win a more lucrative post at a base elsewhere. Even the notion seemed absurd to Blunt, but he wasn’t willing to dismiss any thought given his current circumstances.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of your call, General?” Blunt asked.
“How secure is this line?” Fortner shot back.
“As secure as a line can get.”
“In that case, I’m calling regarding a little business deal I was hoping we might be able to strike up.”
“And what kind of business is that?”
“The kind where you win and get what you’re after.”
Blunt remained silent for a moment, pensively considering all of Fortner’s words. “What’s in it for you?”
“A pat on the back, the satisfaction of a job well done.”
“That seems like hardly any motivation for you.”
Fortner laughed softly. “I’m not a mercenary like you, Senator. I do this for the love of my country.”
Blunt grunted. “Don’t question my patriotism.” He paused. “Though my loyalty rests with true patriots.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re driving at.”
“Don’t worry, General. It’ll all be clear to everyone soon enough.”
“So, are you willing to help us out or not? I need to get an answer for the committee I’m serving on.”
Blunt took another pull on his drink and shifted in his chair. “My interest is piqued. Tell me about the mission.”
“Have you ever heard of Malik Bashir?”
“The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“The Missile Man?”
“I’ve heard of him before,” Blunt said.
“Malik Bashir is the name of The Missile Man—at least that’s what military intelligence says. Nobody has ever photographed him or even
