Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
NATHAN
The very last thing I wanted to do was leave Thea after it finally feels like we’ve made some progress, but when I saw that it was work who was calling, I knew I couldn’t just ignore it.
Not when I was advised of a delicate situation where a young girl had managed to escape her captors and was able to get to help.
I have no idea why they decided to call me in, considering I’m usually only involved with infiltration, but the only information I yielded was that this runs deeper than just the surface.
Calling Fletcher on my way out the door, he picks up on the fourth ring.
“What?” His voice is abrasive, catching me off guard.
Opening my front door, I switch the phone to speaker while I start my car. “Somebody piss in your cereal, old man?”
In the background there’s a small giggle followed by a moan, and I know I’ve just interrupted something—no doubt the reason for the attitude I’m receiving.
“Say whatever you’re gonna say, Nathan, before I hang up the phone.”
Chuckling, my phone connects to Bluetooth. “You get a call from work?”
“Yes, and I ignored it. A little busy here, and I’m no longer required to answer their every beck and call, as you know.” Another moan, and a sound I would rather bleach from my memory.
“Well, whenever you’re done doing who you’re doing, call me.” The call disconnects before I can hear anything else, thank god.
Knowing we took down Dylan’s uncle, The Wraith, there isn’t a single detail I can zero in on as to what makes this girl and her case so special.
Unless they simply need me to look her over?
If there is a reason they can’t take her to a normal hospital?
But no. They have multiple options to choose from, so why me?
The drive is roughly two hours to the closest hidden headquarters.
They’re often disguised as a shop of some sort with most dealings holding place in the basement or the back of the building.
Not to mention, the locations change frequently for security purposes, so I’ve never been to this one.
The drive goes by in a blur of other vehicles, and music droning from the dashboard in the background as I remain lost in my own head—thoughts that primarily focus on Thea.
In what feels like no time whatsoever, I’m pulling into the lot of what appears to be an auto repair shop.
Killing the engine, I scan the perimeter where nothing seems to be out of the ordinary.
There are bystanders about the area and other vehicles in the parking lot—whether they belong to my colleagues and bosses is another unanswered question.
I punch the code into the headrest of my vehicle and withdraw my weapon, tucking it securely in the waistband of my pants, just in case.
I step out, approaching the side entrance to the building that otherwise reads as closed.
I knock in the rhythm I was advised as the password, and shortly thereafter, the latch on the door releases before it’s pulled open by a gentleman in a suit.
I’ve never understood why they dress like that, it seems somewhat impractical to me… Too restricting.
“They’re through here.” He closes the door behind me before leading me to a large room with a table and chairs in the center of it, surrounded by several individuals who are focused on two toward the far wall, facing away. The guy who welcomed me clears his throat and says, “Nathan’s arrived.”
The two who are facing the far wall I recognize as the agents who came to speak with Dylan after she was rescued—Carr and Dyer, I think were their names.
But I don’t recognize anyone else. When they turn around, they reveal a small girl, she can’t be older than seventeen, who is wearing an oversized hoodie and leggings.
But even under the clothing, I can tell she’s too skinny.
There’s a look in her eyes that tells me she’s also been through too much, seen things a girl her age should never have to see.
“Nathan, thank you for coming.” Agent Dyer steps forward and shakes my hand, as does Agent Carr, which I return.
“What can I do for you?” My eyes drift back to the girl who has taken a seat in one of the chairs, and is looking down.
“We need you to take a look at something for us, and we need you to hear what she has to say.” Agent Dyer flicks his gaze to the girl.
I glance between them, caught out of my element. “As I’m sure you know, victim interviews aren’t something I’m trained for and I’m sure you’ve already done one?
“We have. But, Nathan, this involves you.” Their words throw me off, because I’ve never met this girl in my life. There isn’t a single ounce of recognition as I study her.
“What do you mean?”
“They mean there was a cover up that involved you,” the girl says, now standing from the table, her hands in fists as she exhales shakily, like it took every ounce of her strength to talk.
My blood runs cold and the agents must see it because Carr puts a hand on my shoulder, directing me to sit next to the girl. “You aren’t in trouble here, Nathan. Just listen.”
My mind is whirring, spinning, as it tries to think of what could possibly be going on.
But before I have a chance to go off the deep end, the projector comes to life displaying multiple different files.
“What am I looking at?” They click on one of the files labeled Case Review 07B.
Multiple images of a vehicle accident pop up on the screen and it takes me a moment to realize what I’m seeing.
My eyes widen as soon as recognition sparks—this is the accident I was involved in with Miles.
The night he died. Closing my eyes, I try to block out the memories as they resurface—the sounds of impact, Miles’ scream as it was cut off before the silence.
But when I open them, the images are still there, along with a letter.
Mr. West,
You’ll find that I have taken every step to ensure that your little…
incident has been handled. You will no longer be found at fault as the investigation was swayed in a manner that aligns with the narrative we agreed on.
There will be no evidence linking to your indulgence that night and the circumstances surrounding the accident are being perceived as a horrible accident.
You do not need to worry yourself with any further action, as I’ve ensured that any remaining inquiries will be redirected and dismissed without causing you undue attention.
It would be a shame, after all, for any future business we may conduct together, and I do so look forward to partnering with you in these endeavors.
Best,
H.C.
“What the fuck is this?” I snap, demanding answers, and the girl flinches next to me. Guilt floods through me at my reaction and I soften my features, repeating, “What am I looking at?”
Carr sighs. “It would appear that Claire was able to steal a USB when she escaped that contains sensitive information relating to multiple covered up crimes, including the one you and your friend were involved in. There are also other files detailing trafficking operations and enterprises. However, the concern isn’t exactly the content of these files, it’s the matter of who is leading these operations. ”
I blink, trying to process the weight of her words. “Who?”
Carr doesn’t answer me right away. Instead, she looks at Claire whose eyes are wide and filled with a mix of fear and determination. Who did she steal from?
“Harrison Clark.” Her voice is so quiet when she answers, but the name doesn’t ring a bell.
Dyer drinks from his coffee cup before directing his focus on me. “You might not recognize his name because he was only appointed to the position in the last several years. Before that he was on the town council. Not that you’ve been back there in years, but he’s the mayor in Baltimore.”
That explains it. The worry. The fear. He’s a man with enough power to control whatever he wants. To hide things from the public eye.
“So we’re talking about another individual, who is even more powerful than The Wraith?” I swallow hard, because I didn’t think that was possible. Dylan’s uncle ran most of the east coast operations, so what does Harrison Clark have to do with them?
“You can consider The Wraith as his puppet master. Or was, I should say. Now, Mr. Clark has been laying low the last six months since you and Fletcher took him down. But now that you did, we think he’s looking to take over the whole thing while hiding behind his position as mayor.
Publicly, he’s a face of order, the protector of his people. But privately? He—”
“He’s a fucking monster.” Claire interrupts Dyer, her expression filled with hate.
Carr nods. “Yes. But thanks to you, Claire, we might have a chance to bring him and his entire empire down. We invited you, Nathan, because you deserved to know the truth, but also because we need your help. It’s a massive risk, one that we won’t make you get involved in if you don’t want to.
Because if he finds out, which he will since Claire took the USB, he is going to do everything to hunt her down and bury those who have this information.
Even those who are connected to you, despite whether or not they know anything. He will use any kind of leverage.”
My gaze darts between them before settling on Claire.
She’s so young, and behind the fear and hate, is a spark of hope.
One that I can’t bring myself to crush, even if I wanted to.
Even though everything inside of me says not to, if only for the sake of being there for Thea at a vulnerable point in her life.
If only to protect her in case she gets involved inadvertently.
But I couldn’t protect Miles, and this son of a bitch is responsible.
“What’s our next move?” I ask, my pulse racing, adrenaline starting to kick in.