He handed her a file that included satellite images as well as maps of other locations in the region. “Take this file. You and your contact will need it.”
“And who is my contact?” she asked.
“The man who called me was Joe LaClaire.”
She knew Garrett well enough to know he was holding something back. There was more to this mission.
“I don’t recognize the name,” she said, and pressed him for more. “How do you know him? Why’d he contact you?”
Garrett wasn’t exactly in the yellow pages. LaClaire had to know how to get in touch. With Sentinels’ security, getting directly to Garrett wouldn’t have been easy.
“He works with someone we
She tried to hide her reaction but couldn’t. At one time, she had seen a future with Kinkaid. A lifetime ago.
“I know you’ve worked with Kinkaid in the past, but he’s not the man you used to know.” Garrett’s somber expression got her attention. “Trusted sources have told me he hires out to the highest bidder in a drug-cartel war out of South America. He’s nothing more than a mercenary.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Then get over it. Because if he can be bought, no telling how much you’ll be able to trust him. His motives are suspect.” He slouched back in his chair and stared at her. “Or maybe he was the reason the terrorists picked Haiti and took hostages at a school fund-raiser in his honor.”
“Since when do mercenaries get honored at school fund-raisers? None of this makes sense, Garrett.”
“Tell me about it. If I didn’t owe him one, I’d tell him to fuck off. But I have confirming police reports that these hostages are for real.” Garrett reached for her arm. “If you see that this is too dangerous…or that Kinkaid isn’t on the level, I want you to pull the plug on the operation and let the locals take charge. A handful of hostages isn’t worth it. Don’t risk your life…and your team for a guy who’s a turncoat. You understand?”
“Yeah, sure.” She nodded. “I’ll assess the situation and make the call.”
Even though it was hard to picture a man like Kinkaid selling his services to a ruthless drug cartel, she’d seen it happen before. Greed and burnout made good men cross the line and sell out.
“You’ll have tracking beacons and a backup team standing by on your order, Alexa.” Garrett clenched his jaw and took a deep breath. Something else was on his mind.
“You’re leaving something out. What is it?”
“Two things. I have a history with Kinkaid that’s between him and me. Expect hostility. Your link to me will make you a target, but you can handle whatever he dishes out. If I thought he’d lash out at you and put you at risk, I’d call this off.”
“Okay. Expect flak. What else?” she questioned. “You said there were two things.”
“There may be another reason to make this a quick trip.” He turned toward one of the monitors on the wall and hit one with his red laser pen. A swirl of color magnified on the screen. “There’s a tropical storm forming in the Atlantic. It may miss Haiti, but tracking these bastards just got more complicated.”
She watched the hurricane tracker project a path for the growing storm. The odds were against her.
“We’ll be in constant communication with you, tracking this storm,” he said. “If I tell you to take shelter, that’s an order. You understand me, Alexa?”
Garrett didn’t bother to hide the concern in his voice.
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“I’ve got a charter at LaGuardia ready to leave in an hour from my private hangar,” he told her. “The jet will be stocked, and your team will be waiting. Once you get to Haiti, call this number.” He handed her a piece of paper. “You’ll get instructions from Kinkaid and LaClaire on where to meet.”
The reality of seeing Kinkaid again twisted her gut into a tight knot. The rescue op would be tough enough without the added complication, especially if he took blood money from drug cartels. She blocked that disturbing thought from her mind to ask Garrett one more question.
“Why wasn’t Jessie assigned to this mission? Is she on the backup team?”
“No, I’ve decided not to send her. I need experienced operatives.” When he caught her obvious disappointment, he asked, “Is there a problem?”
“No. It’s just that she’s ready for an assignment. You know how it is after training.”
“Yes, I remember.” He fixed his eyes on hers and connected in a way only he could. “But this mission won’t be easy. If she’s along, you’ll be distracted. And I need you focused one hundred percent.” His gaze softened. “Take care of yourself, Alexa.”
She smiled. “Thanks, Garrett.”
Alexa packed up the files and headed out of the building with plenty on her mind. And driving to LaGuardia Airport would give her time to think about the mission and the man who had instigated it. But before she left New York City, she had a loose end to take care of. Her out-of-town guest would need a distraction to keep him busy.
She reached for her cell and hit the speed dial for Jessie. When her friend didn’t answer, the call rolled into voice mail. If she’d be out of town anyway, having a backup plan for Seth Harper seemed like a good idea.
“Listen, Jessie. I had to cancel my plans with Seth. I’m heading out of town now. An unexpected trip.” She smiled and added, “But I need a favor.”
She concocted a story about building maintenance being done at her place and asked Jessie to pack a small bag to stay overnight and make sure the work got done. An apartment key would be in an envelope with the manager. Alexa gave her the address and ended the call, content to let nature take its course. If nothing happened between Seth and Jessie while she was gone, then she’d know for sure that Harper was up for grabs.
And she had a feeling that when she returned from this mission, she’d need a good diversion. The difficult assignment ahead took firm hold and dominated her thoughts, clouded by memories of Jackson Kinkaid. A complicated man. Only now he’d be her assignment.
And someone she shouldn’t trust.
Port de Paix, Haiti
Wrapped in a pitch-black world, Kinkaid heard quiet voices in the distance that magnified.
Faces emerged from the gloom in rapid-fire succession. They warped and twisted and taunted him. Some looked familiar, but all of them made him anxious. And as he tensed, the sound of gunfire erupted. The sudden outburst culminated in a mind-numbing explosion that forced him to run. He struggled to break free of the treacherous dark chasm, but couldn’t. Everywhere he turned, it loomed in front of him. And the incessant hum of voices wouldn’t stop. They grew louder, more distinct, then dropped off to a vague whisper he couldn’t understand.
“What? No!” He heard his own voice. It echoed in his head. “Make it…stop.”
Strong hands took hold of him. The more he thrashed to break free, the harder the hands gripped him until a sliver of light broke through the emptiness. He focused on it and willed it to stay. And when he stopped fighting, the hands let go.
That was when he felt her presence. He sensed her near him. Her essence lurked in the shadows beyond his reach. And the familiar smell of her skin and blond hair calmed him—a heady floral scent of gardenias. The details of her face never came into focus until a light pierced the blackness and took her from him. She dissolved in a swirling crimson mist.
“No,” he whispered. “Don’t go.”
A wash of gray swept the remaining gloom aside, and blurred images took shape. His eyes watered as the light intensified, and his face and body raged with heat. His bare chest and arms were slick with sweat. And he ached all over with a fierce pain radiating from his belly.
“Jackson, it’s me, Joe. I’m not going anywhere.” He recognized his friend’s voice. The sound of it forced the cobwebs from his brain, and LaClaire’s face came into focus. The man stood over him.
“You’ve been delirious, boss. Are you with me?” Joe wiped a cool wet cloth across his face. After he nodded, his friend continued, “I had a doctor come here. Discreetly, of course. He’s got you on pain meds and strong
