“About that…” Sloane glanced over at Nick, and he knew she’d saved the worst news for last. “Seems all three contracts were picked up by the same primary asset. Not that anyone can’t cash in on it, but once the contract has been accepted, all the important information is pushed to their secure server. Everyone else has to go strictly on what’s included in the posting.”
Dalton crossed his arms, looked eerily intimidating. “This asset got a handle?”
“He goes by the Reaper.”
“Is it just me, or does that sound awfully professional? As in a former-tier one level player who went dark side.”
Tierney broke away from Buck, shifted in next to Sloane on the other side. “Can you show me his profile on the ledger forum?”
Sloane tapped some keys, launched it onto the screen. “The guy claims he’s got a perfect record.”
Tierney ran her finger across the monitor before huffing. “Damn.”
Buck joined them. “You know this guy?”
Tierney shook her head. “Not personally, but I’ve seen that handle on an Interpol red-brief. Bastard’s former SAS. Nasty piece of work. Enjoys the process, if you know what I mean. He was involved in a series of impossible disappearances a few years back in Belgrade.” She brushed her hair off her face. “And yeah, as far as I know, he’s never failed.”
She lifted her fist, bit at her thumbnail before Buck placed a reassuring palm on the small of her back. She glanced at him, closed her eyes, then shoved her hand to her side. “It’ll take several hours, but I’ve got a friend who’s still on loan to Interpol. She worked the Belgrade cases. I’ll call — have her send over everything they have him without going through any official channels. The last thing we want is someone alerting this animal that we’re looking into him. Because if Hill hired this guy, he’s already here.”
Avery leaned forward. “And I’ll dig into Kessler. If my people or the U.S. Marshals relocated this guy, I’ll find out where.”
Bodie nodded. “Sounds like we have a plan. We’ll keep running interference on this end. Once we’ve got a lead on either this Reaper asshole or Kessler’s whereabouts, we’ll reconvene. Until then, hang tight.” He leaned forward, looked as if he was going to disconnect before he paused. “And Sloane, get some sleep. You look almost as bad as Nick.”
He disconnected, the room falling into a heavy silence, save for the rain battering the windows.
Tierney stepped back, arms immediately wrapping around her waist. “I’ve got an encrypted satellite for other emergencies. I’ll use it, just to be safe.”
Nick moved in front before she could dart out of the room. “Are you sure it’s safe for you to contact someone in Interpol? Because I’m pretty sure you said they all still think you’re dead.”
Tierney bit at her bottom lip for a moment. “It’s a risk, but… You’re both worth it.”
“And your friend?”
“Would die before giving me up.” She dodged around him. “I’ll let you know once I have the intel. Get some rest. Bodie’s right. You both look like hell.”
She slipped out of the room, Buck ambling behind, mumbling he’d watch the perimeter. Give them both a chance to fully disengage.
Nick waited until they’d disappeared down one of the corridors before reaching for Sloane’s hand. “C’mon. You’ve done your part.”
Sloane huffed. “There’s always more to uncover.”
“And it can wait until morning. You heard Bodie and Tierney. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
She stood, moved in close. “That’s not what they said.”
“Only because they were being nice.” He motioned toward their room. “Sleep.”
Sloane stared up at him, looking like she had the other night in his room — before the sky had started falling. Only now, he knew exactly how she tasted. How warm her skin felt against his palm.
How desperate she’d made him.
She tilted her head, then headed off, hands shaking from the fatigue, shoulders still bearing the weight of the mission. He settled in behind her, ready to catch her if she suddenly tanked to one side or tripped over her own feet.
The lighthouse groaned against the gusting wind, the waves still crashing against the rocks as Sloane slipped into the room, waited for Nick to step through, shut the curtains, and flick onthe small lamp on the nightstand, before closing the door behind her.
She leaned against the metal, exhaled as if she’d been holding her breath since he’d sent her that ECHO message. “See? Made it here in one piece.”
He walked back over to her, palmed the wall beside her head. “Only because you’re incredibly stubborn.”
