“Okay, so why would they do us a favor and not the military?”
“It could be some territorial issue. It could also be unofficial, but sanctioned because you’re protecting their boss.”
“They generally stay well out of our way. But I appreciate the heads up they gave.”
“They didn’t ask for a classification statement?”
“No,” Alex said. “I’m not officially held, and he didn’t say not to share it with allies, but if I’m going to do that, I need your personal assurance you’ll be discreet on what gets released among your people.”
Das said, “I can do that. Will you have the room swept?”
“I don’t need to. I’ll accept your word.”
Das blinked and stared at him for a moment, and Alex realized it had been a request.
“However, if Agent Vaughn is handy, it might not be a bad idea, just in case of outside sources.”
Das nodded.
He called, and Jason came in, swept the place quickly, and set a small device on the table. It hummed something that wasn’t quite white noise, and shifted in modulation.
“Go ahead, that’s as clear as I can make it. There’s the captain’s official mics over there, and one in the corner behind the shelf.”
Das’ eyebrows flared. “Interesting. I wasn’t aware of that one.”
“I can try to track it later.”
“Delicately, please.”
“Absolutely.” Jason waited a half second for any potential invite or followup orders, then nodded and left.
Alex said, “That’s why I have these people. Okay, Gillette gave me a rundown on threats.” He rattled off as best he could, from memory at the time and his compiled notes, which were not here, being in a safe that was set to char all contents and churn them to powder if tampered with.
When he finished, Das looked quizzical.
Das leaned back and said, “There was a substantive threat with seizure and arrest two weeks ago.”
“Amala?”
“No, Coalition. The man seems to be a freelancer. He’s suspected in three bombings.”
That made Alex jolt alert. “Still in custody?”
“No, he was released on two million bond. He made the bond.”
And Gillette hadn’t considered that important enough to mention.
“How was the threat worded?”
“I’ll bring up a copy. It was directed at ‘enemies of the God of Heaven, and the idolaters and gamblers polluting even His chosen new world.’ That’s this place, and it refers to the stock market that opened up three months back, and any loan agency.”
“So, not directly at her, then.” Had Gillette not mentioned it because he didn’t think it was relevant?
Alex never trusted anyone without proof, but at this point, BuState itself moved onto the “not trusted with any significant information” list.
To Das he said, “Thanks, sir. I’ll follow up on that.”
“You’re welcome. By the way, I forwarded your generous donation to several officers. It was well-received, and the derision seems to have lessened slightly.”
“Good. Glad to hear it.” Though he didn’t think it would please Jason much.
He shook hands and he turned to leave.
On the way back he considered their position. Their own contractee was potentially the enemy. That could lead to all kinds of fun.
They’d need to have two levels of prep at this point.
Aramis crossed the line from sleeping to awake with a snap. He felt rested, but there was that confusion from the medication, and dread of the pending pain, though it was substantially lessened.
Elke was next to him.
“Morning,” he said.
“I am not allowed to tell you you’ll be on your feet in a week.”
“Oh, sorry I didn’t hear that.” Good. He wanted out of here. Doing nothing sucked.
“You did well,” she said. “I am very impressed.”
“Thanks,” he said. If Elke said that, she meant it.
“You’ve been here a week. Probably another week. You are bored?”
“You wouldn’t believe. The pain I can handle… yeah, let’s say so. I hate vid and can’t move to do anything.”
“I will bring more books.”
His eyes suddenly felt tired. “I appreciate it, but I’m burned out staring at the screen for books or vid. I’ve had enough music. I just need to get on my feet.”
“You can’t move now, though,” she said, while looking him over.
He flexed against the bonds. They were to prevent injury. He could undo them if he chose, he just couldn’t thrash and tear anything.
“No, I’m pretty much restrained between shifts.”
“Well, good. You can’t strain anything, or interfere with therapy.”
“I don’t get therapy here,” he said. “It’s all…”
Elke’s hand was under the covers from the side, snaking slowly toward him. He lit up with goose bumps all over.
“Elke,” he said, “I-”
“Last time you earned a kiss. This time, you’re unable to manage alone.”
Her position meant no one passing by the door would see anything untoward, as long as he didn’t trip any biometric alarms.
Those were the fingers she used to fabricate those incredible bombs, from firecracker to ground shaker. They were amazingly delicate, just feathery touches.
“So we just hold a conversation?” he said. It felt like that again. He wondered if he’d ever enjoy normal sex again, or if it would all have to be violent, edgy and extreme.
“If you like,” she said. That look of concentration. She was intent on this, and he could feel it.
“This isn’t going to take long.”
“Not if I know what I’m doing, no.” A long caress along his nerves threw his endorphins for a loop again.
He closed his eyes, tightened his breath and rode out the thudding waves in his brain.
When he looked, she was sitting in the chair, a calm expression on her face and a towel stuffed into her harness.
“Oh, damn. I really did need that,” he said, as waves of tension thudded through him and ebbed away.
“Only while incapacitated. That is not an offer,” she said, with a quirky smile.
He nodded slightly. “Understood, and thank you most sincerely. I’ll try to stay in one piece.”
“Bart will be along in ten minutes, and I will revert to bitch. You will respect that, of course.” Her face was professional, but behind her eyes, just a hint of something he recognized.
“Unquestionably,” he said. Yup, never mention it again. And no, it wasn’t worth getting chewed up, as much as he did appreciate it.
He hoped Bart would smuggle in some liquor, though, because his brain wanted to match Elke and Caron.
Goddamit, not again.
CHAPTER 13
Alex was glad to have Aramis back in one piece. That was his primary concern. Officially, not losing the principal was primary. In actuality, he cared more for his people than the job. Stopping bullets was their mission,
