“Obsidian seems to know everything about everyone.”
“Which makes the idea of that group taking over sectors of world governments even more terrifying,” Blunt said.
“After what I’ve learned about how they function, that’s a rational fear. Whatever you need me to do, just let me know. I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back safely.”
Blunt thanked Black and ended the call. If there was one thing the Phoenix Foundation director needed, it was to strip off the shackles that Obsidian had placed on him. And that wasn’t going to happen until Morgan was home safely.
A half-hour later, Blunt’s phone buzzed.
“Please tell me you have some good news,” he said as he answered.
Mallory Kauffman sighed. “You’re always about business these days.”
“You should know as well as anyone that you never know who’s listening in on your conversation,” Blunt said.
“Of course, but perhaps you’re forgetting that I know how to get recorded conversations erased, too.”
“There are some things that are always best said in person,” Blunt said.
She chuckled. “Well, all you have to do is invite me over.”
Blunt smiled. He was surprised when he first learned Mallory’s interest in him extended beyond his professional life. And before she started giving off signals that she was interested in him, he couldn’t remember the last time that his heart even fluttered for a second over a woman. Given the fact that Mallory was a quarter of a century his junior, he never once considered her in a romantic sense despite the fact that he found her attractive. He thought that chapter of his life was closed after his wife died. But Mallory had rekindled something in him he thought had burned out long ago. He would’ve preferred to devote his spare time to their burgeoning relationship, but the timing wasn’t ideal.
“Soon,” Blunt said. “I promise.”
“Have you told your team?” she asked.
“Told them what?”
“Oh, come on, J.D. You know what I’m talking about. Have you told them about us?”
“I’m not sure what to tell them, but I don’t know when I’d do it. We’re all so busy right now figuring out a way to stop Obsidian from compromising every branch of our government.”
“Well, I guess you can add me to that list of people working tirelessly for you,” she said. “Tracking down this location for you wasn’t easy.”
“Please tell me you figured it out,” he said.
“I did. I’m going to text you the coordinates of the location. Now, would you mind telling me exactly what was so important about this call?”
“I wish I could but—”
“J.D.! If I’m sticking my neck out for you, the least you can do is let me know why.”
Blunt sighed. “You can’t tell anyone, but Obsidian has my niece.”
“They what?”
“Yeah, and they’re going to hold her hostage until Falcon Sinclair has had a chance to meet with President Young. That’s why this is so important.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I don’t want anyone questioning my motives right now or thinking that I’ve been compromised.”
“But you have and—”
“I’m handling it,” he said. “Once I get my niece back, I’ll be able to steer this situation in a more favorable direction. In the meantime, I need to keep walking this tightrope that has my stomach in knots.”
“Okay, well if you need me to do anything else for you to help, just let me know. You can’t let this drag on much longer. There’s much more at stake here.”
“I know,” Blunt said. “But what would you do? Would you sacrifice an innocent family member? Sometimes, we have to make hard choices, but that’s not what I’m willing to make at the moment. She doesn’t deserve this.”
“And neither do the American people.”
“Of course not, but I have no intention of letting it get that far. And thanks to you, I don’t think I’ll have to. Just keep this bit of information to yourself, okay?”
“Be careful, J.D. I don’t like this.”
“Me either. And it’ll be behind me soon enough. Now, I have to go, but thanks for getting the location for me. You have no idea how truly grateful I am.”
“I’ll be in touch,” she said. “We need to get together soon, and not so we can talk about work, if you know what I mean.”
Blunt smiled. “I know exactly what you mean. And we will soon enough.”
He hung up and sank back into his chair.
I’m coming for you, Falcon Sinclair.
CHAPTER 11
HAWK CHECKED HIS WATCH as he paced around the hangar outside the airplane. The pilot flying Hawk and Alex to Afghanistan still hadn’t shown up and was now fifteen minutes late.
“Should we call Blunt and find out what’s going on?” Alex asked.
“Let’s give Captain Covington five more minutes before we make that call,” Hawk said. “I’m not interested in waking Blunt up at this time of night.”
Hawk cupped his hands together and blew on them in an effort to take the bite out of the early morning chill hanging in the air. If the pilot never showed up, Hawk figured it would be for the best, preferring to continue the Phoenix Foundation’s pursuit of Obsidian, namely Falcon Sinclair.
But with a president who was not only embarrassed over the gross breach of security but also grieving over the loss of his wife, Hawk didn’t anticipate Young having a change of heart anytime soon. The truth about Madeline, however, had the potential to change everything, though Blunt believed such news would make Young more red-faced and all but guaranteed a single term. After everything the team endured under Young’s predecessor, Hawk understood the reasoning. He just wasn’t sure he agreed with it.
In the distance, a pair of headlights flickered as a car roared toward them.
“Looks like Kip finally decided to show up,” Alex said.
“Go easy on him,” Hawk said. “He’s never been late before. I’m sure there’s a good reason for it.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Before you go nuclear on him, just remember how he
