Epilogue
“With Teuling’s, Vasquez’s and Krauss’s confessions, evidence gathered from Helvetic BioSolutions and Krauss’s lab, Interpol has enough to put Teuling and Vasquez away,” Hammer said.
Marta sat in the Brotherhood Protectors International conference room with members of Hammer’s team, along with Crusher, Draco, Phantom, Marsh and Cate.
Two days had passed since they’d left Vienna and returned to Zurich.
The news reports were still running rampant with coverage of Teuling’s plans for mass genocide.
Leaders of Uganda, Bangladesh and Paraguay were demanding that the billionaire be extradited to their countries to be tried for murder.
His assets had been frozen, and Helvetic BioSolutions had been shut down indefinitely.
Hammer glanced around the room at everyone but his team. “I suppose you’ll be headed back to the States soon.”
Marsh sighed. “I need to get back to the State Department and see what else has been turned upside down.” He shook his head. “We seem to be in a constant state of damage control with this administration. I just wish Cate would come with me.” His gaze met his daughter’s.
Cate shook her head. “I had a job, too, before I was kidnapped. I need to get back to it.”
“Going back to London?” Hammer asked.
Again, she shook her head. “I did some poking around. It seems the person I’m looking for might be here in Europe. I just need to find him.”
“Do you need one of my guys to help you?” Hammer tipped his head toward the men at the table.
“No,” Cate said. “As a private investigator, it’s better if I blend in with the crowds.” She gave the men a slight smile. “But thanks.”
“You know,” Draco said. “I’m thinking of taking some time off here in Europe. What better way to blend in than to pretend to be a tourist with me.”
Cate frowned as her gaze swept him head to toe. “You don’t blend into a crowd.”
“Sweetheart, I hate to break it to you, but you’re too pretty to disappear into a crowd, especially alone,” Draco said. “What would look more natural is a couple exploring the cities of Europe as tourists.”
Sitting next to Cate, Marta reached out a hand to cover the younger girl’s. “He’s right. A lone female poking around would be easier to spot than a couple pretending to be tourists.”
“They make a good point.” Cate’s father held his daughter’s gaze. “Not only would you blend in as a tourist, but you’d also have protection, should you get in a tight spot. I know I’d feel better knowing one of these men had your back.”
Cate looked around at the men in the room.
Marta noted she didn’t make eye contact with Draco.
“Can you spare someone?” she asked Hammer.
“I can.” Hammer’s lips quirked upward.
“Why task one of his guys when I’m here?” Draco jumped in.
Cate gave him a stiff, brief smile. “I wouldn’t dream of interrupting your vacation with my work.” She turned to Hammer. “Who did you have in mind?”
A frown dented Draco’s forehead, but he didn’t argue.
Marta wondered why Cate was hesitant to accept Draco's offer to accompany her on her mission.
“So, Marsh is headed back,” Hammer said. “Cate and Draco are staying in Europe for the time being. What about the rest of you?”
Phantom nodded. “The boss already has another assignment lined up for me.”
“Marta?” Hammer smiled. “I hear you’re going to work with the inspectors and WHO to go through Krauss’s and Helvetic’s labs.”
Marta nodded. “Not only will I be helping with that effort, but my friend, Priya Patel, is flying in from Mexico City. We’ve been tasked with developing the antiviral for the engineered virus Teuling released in Uganda, Bangladesh and Paraguay. Guess I’ll be in Zurich for a while.”
Hammer turned to Crusher.
“I’m staying in Zurich as long as Dr. Hale stays,” Crusher said. “Royce said I could take on missions from here or work with the Brotherhood Protectors International. After all, we’re all part of the same organization.”
“We are,” Hammer said. “We’d be glad to have you here as long as you want to stay.”
“Thanks.” Crusher reached for Marta’s hand beneath the table.
Marta’s heart swelled, though she still worried. “Do you think Teuling will buy his way out of jail?”
“He’s actually safer in jail,” Hammer said. “Rumor has it that Bangladesh sent a hit team out to keep Teuling from ever coming up with another form of bioterrorism.”
“The rumor’s true,” Dmytro called out from his corner of the room where he sat before the array of computer monitors. “I have money on it. He won’t make it to trial.” He shot a glance toward Cate. “Miss Cate, if you give me more information, I can help you find your man.”
Cate nodded. “Thank you. I might take you up on that.”
“What about Vasquez?” Crusher asked. “He doesn’t have hit men out of Bangladesh gunning for him, but he does have enough money to bribe his way out of jail.”
“Not anymore,” Dmytro said. “His second-in-command moved his funds to another bank as soon as he heard Vasquez was arrested. He’s already taken the lead of the cartel, with a hit order out for Vasquez should Vasquez manage to get free.”
Hammer clapped his hands together. “Looks like things will be wrapped up neatly, one way or another.” He looked around the room. “I have a room reserved in one of my favorite restaurants. Jaz and Giva will meet us there. Let’s celebrate.”
“I’ll catch up,” Cate said. “I want to talk with Dmytro.”
“I’ll see you there, as well,” Draco said with a wave.
Cate frowned. “You don’t need to wait for me. Dmytro will accompany me.”
Draco cocked an eyebrow. “Maybe I’m waiting for Dmytro. I’m sure he has a lot of suggestions for places I can visit while I’m in Europe.”
Cate frowned. “I’d rather speak with Dmytro in private.”
“Don’t mind me,” Draco said. “I’ll be over here, minding my own business.” Draco walked to the opposite corner of the large conference room while everyone else filed out the door.
Marta shot a glance back at Cate and Draco as she and Crusher left. “There’s something going on between those two.”
“Who?” Crusher asked.
“Cate and Draco.”
“I think he’s in love with her.”
Marta frowned up at him. “How do you know?”
Crusher grinned. “He has that stupid look on his face that I’m sure I have on mine. He all but begged to come on this trip when he heard Cate had been kidnapped.”
“She doesn’t seem to want anything to do with him.” Marta sighed. “She’s a sweet girl. I hope she’ll be all right here in Europe.”
“If I know Draco, he won’t let her go off alone. She might not want him along, but he’ll go anyway.”
Marta frowned up at him. “Like a stalker?”
“You make that sound like a bad thing,” he said, smiling down at her.
Marta’s frown smoothed. “Better a stalker than for her to be alone. Her father will feel better knowing Draco is looking out for her. I know I will.”
The others had all climbed into waiting vehicles before they reached the street.
“Don’t worry about us,” Crusher said. “I’ll call a cab.” He pulled out his phone and arranged for a car to pick them up in less than eight minutes.
As they waited, Crusher pulled Marta into his arms and kissed her. “I could get used to this.”
“I hope so, because I like it,” Marta said against his lips.
Minutes later, Cate and Draco emerged from the building and came to stand beside them.
“I’ve already arranged for a ride,” Crusher said. “You can ride with us.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got a car coming,” Cate said. “However, Draco can go with you.”
“The hell I am,” Draco muttered under his breath.
Cate stood ramrod straight. “I’d rather ride alone.”
“You said you’d ride with Dmytro.”
“He had some things he wanted to look into,” Cate said. “He’ll be along later. Seriously, I’d rather ride alone.”
“You’re not going to the restaurant, are you?” Draco’s forehead creased in a heavy frown. “Where are you going?”
“That’s my business.”
“Cate,” Marta said. “I’d hate for you to go off alone in a foreign country, especially after what happened in London.”
“Teuling is behind bars,” Cate said. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’re not going alone.” Draco’s words came out between clenched teeth.
“Why not?” she asked. “You left for Texas alone. Why can’t I leave for my hotel alone?”
Marta shot a glance toward Crusher. “At least let Crusher escort you.”
“I’m not a child,” she said. “I know how to look out for myself,” she insisted.
“And that’s why you were kidnapped.” Draco shook his head.
Before either one of them could say another word, two vehicles pulled up to the curb. One driver was looking for Crusher, the other for Cate.
Crusher held the door open for Marta.
Marta hesitated.
Cate yanked open the door to the other vehicle and slid in.
Before Draco could get in with her, she slammed the door shut.
The car took off.
Draco spun toward Crusher and Marta. “Get in,” he said. “Now!”
Crusher and Marta slid into the back seat. Draco yanked open the front passenger door, jumped in, and said to the driver, “Follow that car.”
The driver grinned. “I’ve always wanted someone to say that.” He shifted into gear and stomped on the accelerator. The vehicle shot out, following the other vehicle.
Cate’s car made a fast right turn, fishtailing before it straightened.
Crusher’s driver did the same, grinning like a fool.
Ahead, the car in front of them swerved right, then left, then right, crashing into a lamppost. Steam shot up from the crushed radiator. The driver’s door swung open, and the driver fell out, scrambled to his feet and took off.
“Holy shit,” Draco cried.
Their driver slammed on his brakes, coming to a stop behind the disabled vehicle.
Draco was out of the car before the driver could shift into park. He ran to the other car and yanked open the back door.
Cate practically fell into his arms.
Marta and Crusher hurried over.
“Cate,” Marta called out. “Cate, are you all right?”
“I’m okay.” Cate leaned into Draco, her entire body shaking, belying her words.
“What happened?” Crusher asked.
“The driver was acting weird. When he sped up, I told him to slow down, but he went faster.” She drew in a breath and nodded toward the corner they’d spun around.
“When he took that corner too fast, I knew something was wrong. I tried to open my door, but it was locked. So, I wrapped my arm around the driver’s neck and yelled at him to stop.
He wouldn’t. That’s when we crashed.” She shook her head, her entire body trembling.
Draco gathered her closer and held her until the shaking subsided.
Marta touched a hand to Cate’s back while Crusher called the Zurich police.
While they waited for the police, Cate looked into Draco’s eyes. “If you still want to, I’d like to take you up on your offer to accompany me.”
Draco nodded. “On one condition.”
Cate drew in a breath and let it out. “What condition?”
His eyes narrowing, Draco said, “You tell me what the hell’s going on.”
“I will,” she said and leaned her forehead against his. “Later. After the police come, let’s go to the restaurant. I feel like being surrounded by people I know.”
The police arrived, documented the crash, and took Cate’s statement. Once they were cleared to leave, all four of them crowded in with the driver, who had been waiting for them.
Marta melted into Crusher’s arms. “Can we have a day without drama?”
Crusher snorted. “Honey, you’re with me now. Those might be few and far between. Are you sure you want to be a part of that?”
She tilted her head. “Let me weigh the facts. Fact one: I love you.” She shook her head. “That’s the only fact I need to form my hypothesis. I’m in.”
THE END
Thank you for reading CRUSHER. The Stealth Operations Specialists Series continues with DRACO. Find out what happens with Draco and Cate.