Chapter Twenty Five #2
Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears. “I should’ve noticed it when you mentioned the mole at your office.
We worked together and both of our offices signed off on the deal.
Harrison betrayed me and blackmailed Director Jackson.
They sent me on a wild goose chase to find Avie’s whereabouts.
They pretended to kidnap all three of us and took us to a cabin, hoping I’d divulge the location of Avie and Deni.
When they realized I wouldn’t give up her location, the men shut me in a room and led me to believe they tortured Jackson and Harrison.
I escaped and nearly froze to death in the woods.
I called for backup and they shot good men.
I’m not sure who ordered the hits. My partner and one of the directors, besides Deputy Director Jackson, is involved within the CIA. ”
Julio rubbed his forehead, piecing together the new intel.
“I decided to surprise you on Christmas Day. When you didn’t text me back or answer my calls, I went to your apartment.
I found it in shambles. Whoever tossed it, searched for something.
After I cleared the apartment, your partner, Agent Harrison, showed up.
He claimed you went missing after you reported for work.
Two men entered with guns and we ended up in a shootout.
Harrison informed me that the men were part of your team. ”
She shook her head. “He couldn’t have shown up at my apartment. At the time we flew into Berlin, New Hampshire. They knew Avie lived close to there, but I always flew into different airports and drove the rest of the way.”
“Do you have a photo of him?” Julio asked.
“No. Leo gave me a new phone at the hospital. I left mine at the office and took the burner phone with me,” she explained. “I buried it after calling you on Christmas night.”
“We need to get back to the farmhouse. Matthew can help us identify who showed up at your apartment. How do you feel about flying to New York? It’s time you reported to work, and we sniff out the rat in your office.
We caught one of the ringleaders for the Southeast quadrant.
He’s singing like a canary, hoping to get a lesser sentence,” Julio informed her.
Rebecca swallowed. “We’ll have to go to my apartment first. On the plane home, I mapped out the stings when Rahimi escaped, and the last time I moved Avie.
I suspected something, but didn’t get a chance to piece it all together.
Rahimi escaped prison and fled the US. Then, he entered through Vermont.
It seemed an odd guess, considering they didn’t know Avie’s whereabouts.
I need to see the drive again and I can tell who ordered the hits in my office.
Harrison didn’t act alone. Someone higher called the shots. ”
Julio walked toward Satan and waited for her to make a choice.
Her chin lifted as she approached and a spark of anger flashed in her eyes.
Rebecca may have unresolved emotions about what happened to her, but fury topped her list. Making the man pay for killing part of her team and kidnapping her seemed more critical.
Julio lifted her on Satan, and they headed back to the farmhouse.
The hands and the team already started removing debris.
A large hole appeared where the front door used to be, and the porch no longer existed.
In the back, another gap took out the corner of the house.
They entered the front, finding Matthew packing his equipment and ordering his hands to take it to the truck. Annabelle and Ragu took the remaining women and children back to the cabins. Rachel ordered men to pack items into crates and stow them in the barn for the time being.
Seeing them approach, Leo strode toward them.
“Ivan and his men will be here shortly. We can’t use this place, it’s not structurally sound.
We’ll meet over at the in-law cottage next door.
It seems Mr. Baskins has named Senator Williams and Congressman Hursh.
They’re getting warrants for their arrests as we speak. ”
Four black SUVs turned into the driveway, and Ivan’s men piled out. Without hesitating, they went to work with the hands, clearing the area. Ivan walked toward Leo, who pointed toward the cottage.
Leo’s team followed and the men went to work pulling chairs from different areas of the small house and gathered in the living room.
“Where’s Jameson?” Julio asked.
“I put the ninny out of his misery while I adjusted his nose and he hasn’t woken up yet,” Patch informed him.
“Matthew, we need a flight to New York. Rebecca has information at her apartment and then we’ll accompany her to the CIA building. Leo, I need you to make a few calls to get us guest passes because she’s not going in alone,” Julio directed him.
“I’ll get right on it,” Leo assured him. “What do you need from us?”
“We must find my partner, Warren Harrison. He’s one of the rats and killed part of my team. Once we figure out who called the shots, I’ll have them arrested.”
“Doesn’t it fall under the FBI jurisdiction?” Ivan asked. “Everything happened in the US.”
“They worked with Hassan and planned to send me out of the country. I can’t be the first and only one.
None of the traffickers you rounded up will know because it’s someone higher up in the chain of command.
It’s how they hid it so easily,” Rebecca explained.
“International trafficking will seem like child’s play by the time they tack on other charges. ”
Leo scratched his chin. “When we rescued Avie in Afghanistan, two CIA agents showed up, real assholes, trying to take over Avie’s rescue. Who recalls their names?”
Ragu grunted, “Agent Keenes and Agent Burke. I took out one and Ivan handled the other. Agent Keenes went by another name, but I can’t recall it.”
“What happened to him?” Rebecca asked, staring at the head of the Russian Mafia and guessing his answer.
Ivan smiled. “He’s a guest in my country.
Apparently, he suffered an accident and has recently recovered.
We planned to bring him back to the States after extracting information from him.
After all, they tried to kill Julio and Ragu.
We wanted to know why. I haven’t returned since my wife got shot and Kassie gave birth to the babies. As you say, he didn’t top my list.”
Julio peered at Rebecca. “Does the name sound familiar?”
She shook her head. “No. I wonder if it’s worth taking a trip to Ivan’s homeland and bringing him back with us as a joint investigation. He traveled internationally to kill an official government operation. I left Avie in your care per our contract,” she said, glancing at Leo.
“You know, I’m sure Whiskey has it. Do you want us to help here and return to Serenity Mountain?” Leo asked.
“If Ivan can escort us to our suspect, we can handle it from there. I’ll keep you informed. Matthew, I want you to stay here, too. Line up interviews for our team. We can’t afford to get blindsided again. When I return, we’ll sit down as a team and get our shit together,” Julio ordered.
“I’ll be working from my home until we decide what to do with the farmhouse,” Matthew informed him.
Julio turned to Patch. “Get Jameson and ensure he has something for the pain. The trip to Russia will be a long one.”
Leo chuckled. “He’s gonna love you.”
“He may have more information he didn’t share with us before getting caught. It might help Rebecca connect all the dots,” Julio explained.
“I want to check on Kara before we leave,” Rebecca said, rising from her chair.
“Rachel didn’t want the teen alone. She doesn’t fit in with the kids and is too young to stay with the women. She’s our guest while you take care of things,” Matthew spoke up. “You’ll find her with Rachel at our house in about half an hour. They returned to your cabin to fetch her things.”
“I guess I’ll need to pack mine,” Rebecca said. “I’ll stop before we leave.”
She turned to leave and Julio called out, “Becca, wait.”
“Thank you for coming. I couldn’t have rescued Rebecca without all your help, including Ivan’s men. You’re my brothers and I owe you. If you ever need me, you know where to find us,” Julio said, giving them a chin lift.
“We’ll expect a visit to Serenity Mountain soon. Ty’s promised us a steak dinner with all the fixings in honor of Rebecca’s homecoming,” Leo said, winking at her. “We missed you. Welcome home, Rebecca.”
“Thank you for everything,” she said before walking out the door.
Julio shook Leo’s hand, nodded to the others, and turned to Ivan. “Can we spin up in three hours? I have something to take care of first.”
“I’ll have the flight plan and jet fueled,” Ivan assured him.
Julio’s heart raced as he caught up with Becca. “We’ll take Satan home and then I’ll drive you to the cabin for your things. Then, we’ll say goodbye to Kara.”
She stiffly nodded and walked toward the horse. They needed to clear the air since she finally let him in. He didn’t want to miss his shot.
Rebecca fumed as she used the stool to mount Satan. The fury she felt got derailed with the new intel and her emotions felt all jumbled. Julio led them from the barn and then climbed on, directing the horse toward the path.
He moved his arm awkwardly as he avoided touching her. The adrenaline from the day refused to tap down and her body hummed with pent up anger.
“Stop the horse,” she ordered.
Confused, Julio pulled on the reins and said, “We’re not there yet.”
Rebecca didn’t answer as she awkwardly got off the horse.
Julio held his arm out, ready to catch her if she fell, infuriating her even more.
She stalked along the path as he followed her on Satan.
He didn’t say anything for a long while until she stumbled on an old tree root, almost taking her down.
He maneuvered the horse above the path and halted it. Julio climbed down as she approached.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded.