Chapter 2 #3
“Before Angie closed on her house three years ago, I did what I always do when it comes to her and ran a check on all her neighbors.” He shrugged.
Even though some of the inquiries he’d made were technically illegal, he didn’t seem ashamed to admit it in front of men who most likely would’ve done the exact same thing.
“When she mentioned Evans moved in next door, I checked him out too. I saw his connection to Trident Security and remembered Carter mentioning the name one night a few years ago. He’d said if I ever need help with anything in Tampa or the rest of Florida, I should contact Trident, and you guys would get it done.
Just to make sure things hadn’t changed, I contacted him again, and he told me he trusted you guys with his life.
I’ve known the man for over seven years, he’s saved my sorry ass twice, and so it was a good enough endorsement for me. ”
His voice became hard again and filled with venom.
Ian could see the barely contained rage in his eyes.
“Two weeks ago, an undercover agent, Aaron Reinhardt, working in New Orleans, was tortured and killed. We have no idea how he was made and if they broke him or not. I saw the crime scene photos and wouldn’t be surprised if the poor guy did crack—most agents would’ve.
“The worst part was his parents and brother were found dead with him. Their bodies were discovered before anyone ever reported them missing, dumped next to a garbage bin behind a strip mall near their family home in Illinois. Small consolation, his family wasn’t tortured, but each was shot once in the back of the head.
Like most undercover agents, Aaron’s next of kin was only available to his handler.
We both have the same handler, Artie Giles, and both trusted him with the information—I still do.
Whoever found out about his family, it didn’t come from Artie.
“Aaron was a friend of mine.” It was obvious Athos had respected the dead man.
“I worked with him on and off for years. He was one of the good guys, and this was supposed to be his last undercover because he’d gotten to the point where he wanted to meet a nice girl and settle down.
When we found out what happened, I told Artie I wanted the job.
I maintained and updated my cover, which I cultivated over the years, in case I ever needed it again.
I’m heading to New Orleans after I leave here today to start working my way under.
I told Angie last night after dinner, and right now, she’s really pissed at me, although I can’t blame her.
I’d sworn to her I was done with undercover work, but this is something I need to do. I can’t let the bastards win.”
He leaned forward and set his elbows on the conference table.
“So, this is where you all come in. I need you to keep an eye on her for me without her knowing it. If she finds out, she’ll be pissed off enough to fight any attempts to protect her and end up getting herself hurt or killed.
She’s smart but stubborn at times, and I’m worried if my cover gets blown, someone could come after her to get to me.
Like I said, though, it’s highly unlikely because Artie is the only one who can make the connection between the two of us.
His files are kept in a safe at his home office, and the name Athos and my birth surname don’t appear anywhere in my file, nor does Angie’s name.
There’s only her cell phone listed along with the passphrase he has to say to verify it’s him who’s calling her.
They’re also on two separate papers, so if someone gets into his safe somehow, the two don’t appear related.
Neither of them has ever met nor spoken on the phone.
If anyone claiming to be from the DEA contacts her without that phrase, she has instructions on how to disappear without a trace until I can catch up with her.
No one else in the agency knows she exists in my life. ”
“As far as you know. Nothing is ever one hundred percent hidden,” Ian said wryly.
“True.” The agent nodded his head in reluctant agreement.
“But I’ve been as careful as possible over the years.
Hell, I’ve spent a small fortune on burner phones because I destroyed each one after I called her.
I still do, even though I’m no longer under.
I don’t want something or someone from one of my past gigs to come back and bite me on the ass. ”
Athos was about to say something more, but Ian’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen and then at Angie’s friend before hitting the speaker button to connect the call. A deep voice rumbled over the line. “Ian, you rang? Sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner. What’s up?”
He leaned forward so he could be heard without raising his voice. “No problem, Carter. It seems I have an acquaintance of yours sitting in my office with Devon and Brody.”
The sounds of traffic in the background came through the speaker. “Really? Who?”
Ian arched his eyebrow at the DEA agent, indicating he should announce himself.
“Hey, man, it’s Athos.”
There was a two-second pause. “Confirm.”
“Tinkerbell gives good head.”
While the other three men smirked and shook their heads at the inane passphrase, Carter barked out a laugh. “Long time no hear, dude. How’s it hangin’? Have you shaved the bush yet?”
An amused snort escaped Athos. “A little low lately, and no, I haven’t.”
“Ian, all is good. I trust this scruffy-faced jackass as much as I trust you, and you know that’s a lot. He loves his alphabet soup at oh-four-hundred, and whatever he says is on the level.”
Alphabet soup was a reference to the multiple abbreviated government agencies in the US, and “at oh-four-hundred” signified the fourth letter of the alphabet, which was “D.” It was as close to saying “DEA” as the spy would get over the phone.
As Athos said earlier, Carter’s endorsement was all Ian needed.
“Do you need anything else? I’ve only got a minute.
” In a reflexive reaction, Ian shook his head and said “no” simultaneously.
“All right, cool. A-man, you take care of yourself. If you need anything, ring me up. It’s been a long time since you, and I raised hell together.
Devil Dog, tell your pretty fiancée I’ll be in Tampa in a few weeks, and I’m looking forward to being re-introduced to the little librarian. ”
While Brody and Ian gave him curious looks, Devon chuckled.
There was a story there they weren’t privy to, but they had a good idea what it might be.
Master Carter was known to take the third spot in an occasional ménage when visiting The Covenant.
“I’ll tell her, and I’m sure she’ll be looking forward to it too.
Hey, how’d you know we got engaged? You haven’t been here in months. ”
“The almighty Carter knows all. I gotta go. Catch ya all later.”
The connection dropped, and Ian looked at Devon and Brody, who both nodded their silent approval, and then at Athos. “Give us the details.”