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So had Cavanaugh Pharmaceuticals.
Unfortunately, with the matter of Willow’s rescue being crucial, I hadn’t been able to spend enough time on either her parents or Castillo and their lives. Now I had all the time in the world.
I swung out of bed, padding toward the communications room. I’d established it even before the house had been finished. There was no reason why, except my father had warned me that my qualifications would be needed again one day. He’d encouraged me to hone my skills, remaining informed about current issues, and never letting my guard down. Before he’d died, he’d known the full story of what happened in Afghanistan, the political bullshit my unit had been through.
And he’d known how much the shit had bothered me.
What he hadn’t said in plain English, but I’d been able to read between the lines, was that I would always have a target on my back. I knew too many things. I was considered dangerous by several government entities, including some from within my own country. That’s why I’d been shocked when tracked down and offered the prestigious position. He should know. He’d served in the army as well, proud I’d followed in his footsteps.
As I flicked on several devices and a single light, the ugly side of my brain said the reason was simple. I was expendable. In fact, maybe they hoped that after I accomplished my mission I’d be killed in the line of duty. It was possible, and I hated myself for thinking it.
I grabbed both the iPad as well as the sophisticated communications device, easing down in front of one of two large monitors. As I signed onto the main computer, I also typed in my passcode for the iPad, flipping through the lengthy dossier until I pulled up the single page regarding Willow’s family. There was nothing to indicate any concern over a possible enemy of the parents. Jennifer Cavanaugh had made contact initially, at least according to a note. However, how did she know who to call in the first place?
She must have a connection with someone responsible for the clandestine organization. Perhaps Broderick himself. On a whim, I’d attempted to find out more about the director of our program. He’d mentioned the Marines, but I’d found nothing. Not a single mention of the man in any military operation and even after doing a general search on the internet. That had prompted me to search for myself. I’d found exactly the same thing. The other team members and I were ghosts, nonexistent to the rest of the world.
Totally expendable.
That sure as shit didn’t provide a single moment of comfort. No wonder we were essentially on our own.
I shifted my attention to the internet, finding Cavanaugh Pharmaceuticals easily. It took me less than five minutes of flipping through various articles to realize that under the woman’s direction, her company had ceremoniously taken over a huge percentage of the market, the largest jump occurring a little over five years ago. I also realized that the woman enjoyed being wined and dined, acting as if she was a celebrity. While her husband was in several of the photographs I’d found, the vast majority she appeared in a sea of unknown men, most depicting social events instead of board meetings.
Jennifer was on several other boards, which had added to her celebrity status. There were no smoking guns that I could find. Damn it. This wasn’t going to be easy.
I ran my fingers through my hair, staring at the woman’s photograph. She could have been Willow’s twin.
This was getting me nowhere. I glanced toward the communications device, figuring what the hell? Let’s see what the handler had to say. There was no indication of what time zone my contact was in and at this point, I didn’t care. I needed answers and someone was going to give them to me.
The call seemed to go dead, then a male voice appeared on the line. “Viper.”
“And you are?”
“You don’t need to know that.”
I laughed, rolling my eyes from the secretive shit. I thought we were supposed to be on the same team. “The mark is secure.”
“Excellent. I’ll relay the information,” my handler stated.
“I need to know how long she will be my guest.”
“As long as it takes.”
I leaned forward in the seat, prepared to launch into the man. “Not good enough. Is the mark still in danger?” If this was human trafficking, no perpetrator in their right mind would risk kidnapping a rescued subject a second time.
“Affirmative.”
The single word was enough I caught a change in the inflection. “What else haven’t I been told?”
The handler was obviously surprised I was asking questions. “Not my place to provide additional information.”
“Then what are you good for, buddy?”
If he was angry or perturbed with my question, I certainly couldn’t tell it. And as I’d expected, he remained quiet.
“You need to tell Broderick that I want to talk with him and that if he wants this charade to continue, I need answers as to what’s really going on. This doesn’t have anything to do with Castillo’s penchant for women. Tell him if he doesn’t, I’ll walk away.” I ended the line of communication before he had an opportunity to say a word.
Of course I wouldn’t abandon Willow, but if the amount of money I suspected had been tossed in the Eagle Force coffers, my demand should make Broderick sweat.
If not, then I wasn’t entirely certain what the fuck I’d do.
