Page 33 of Rescuing Erin

“However, his name is not Hal Simpson; it’s actually Michael Greenwold. He works for the NSA.”

“Why would someone from the National Security Agency pretend to be someone else? And why would they want to hurt me?”

“Christ,” I muttered. “How far down the rabbit hole are we?” I asked the team.

“So far I’ll be shocked if we’ll ever find our way out. Greenwold is the head of an NSA counter-intelligence team. POTUS shut down the special collection service unit, code named Angel, when he found out a tech-specialist wrote a program to spy on the general population of US citizens. Millions of emails and phone calls were intercepted.”

“Found out? How did he find out?” I inquired.

“Tom’s not being forthcoming about how he received his intel. Nor he is telling us the full scope of the program. The only thing he’s willing to provide is that it was presented as a data-dump and back-up system for all intelligence gathered overseas. He’s aware there’s a shadow team working, mostly in the black, but it was his understanding the team was concentrating on cyber counter-intel and system security. They employ some of the most effective hackers in the world.”

“I take it Greenwold isn’t happy his collection service was dismantled.”

“You’d be correct. He’s asked for, and was denied, several meetings with Tom. He also tried going around him to the vice president to ask him to speak to Anderson.”

By the time Garrett had finished his brief my head was pounding. “The VP is a slimy prick. Did he talk to Tom?”

“Oh, yeah. VP Perkins tried several times to get the president to reinstate Angel, but he won’t budge on this. We all know how he feels about spying on his own people. They know they’re fighting a no-win situation. Unless—”

The vice president wasn’t Zane’s favorite person. Power had gone to Perkins’s head and he’d made questionable decisions over the years.

“They get their hands on Erin,” I provided.

“Correct. We have a team in place to bring in Greenwold. You have twenty-four hours until this is all over.” Zane was quiet for a moment before he continued, “Red is going black, zero contact for at least forty-eight hours. Gold Team will be on standby, Declan’s staying behind with them. Once we have Greenwold out of the country, Dec will be in contact.”

I wasn’t surprised Zane had given Declan Gold Team. He’ll make one hell of a team leader. The time he’d spent as a deep-cover agent had taught him a lot. But Dec had something the military, CIA, or the NSA couldn’t teach—good instincts. It sucked losing him as a member of the Red Team, however, he was restless, still beating back demons he didn’t want to share. Maybe this is what he needed to find the salvation he was after.

“Copy that.”

“Wolf’s team has been briefed. They’re ready if there’s a need. Everything straight there?”

Knowing that Wolf and other SEALs in the area had our backs made me a little less apprehensive about my team being out of the country.

“Five by five.”

“You two hold fast there and you’ll be home soon.”

“Roger.”

“Erin?” Zane called out.

“Yeah?”

“Your dad wanted me to tell you he’s proud of you. He also asked me to tell you he’s sorry.”

Erin bowed her head and closed her eyes, but not before a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Tell him I love him and I’m proud of him, too. He taught me to never give in to those who try and make you go against what you believe in. I’m proud my dad has stood by his convictions.”

“Will do. You two stay safe. Out.”

I closed the lid of the laptop and placed my cell phone on the table next to it before I settled back on the couch with Erin, still on my lap. I couldn’t begin to put into words how impressed I was with how she was handling everything. Not to mention, how very wrong I’d been about her, she was not even close to being the spoiled princess I’d thought her to be. She was strong and capable. Her courage and composure were remarkable.

“It’s almost over.” Instead of smiling like I thought she would she frowned, and her eyebrows drew together. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.”

“Break it down. One problem at a time.”