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“I was so scared. The man I loved had tried to kill me. This had happened too close to the Mexico scare. I went to a park and called my sister. I’d already figured out she was hacking, but we never talked about her job. The less I knew, the less I could tell a federal agent. Anyway, I told her everything. I told her I needed to get out of the state, maybe the country. She began working that very day on building me an alias and backstory. It was while I was waiting that I first met you, Ivy. I’d made a mistake introducing myself by my alias, and Chaos was none too happy about my screwup. But it didn’t matter. I was leaving for good, and I didn’t think you knew about my link to Carter.”
“Not a clue.”
“What was the third incident?” Ghost asked.
“It was the worst one. It’s the reason I ran. I knew Carter would do anything to kill me. I still didn’t know why, but I had no doubt Carter was behind it all.”
“Because...” Byte prompted.
“Because he killed two hundred and eighteen innocent people, including children, to get to me.”
CHAPTERTWO
Voodoo blew out a long breath. Remembering the catalyst for what was the permanent change in her life always brought with it a wave of regret—not for leaving Carter and her old life behind—but for the price so many paid for her weakness.
“While Daisy, I mean Chaos, was setting me up with a new identity, I tried to go about my everyday routine. I kissed my husband, made love to him, and went to work as if nothing was wrong. It was the hardest two weeks of my life. Being with him felt real. Like he really loved me but there was too much proof to say otherwise. Once Chaos had everything in order, I told Carter I had a trip to Japan. It was for a job I was hired to do by the Japanese government. If I’d said it was for the CIA he could’ve verified it. Anyway, he had my flight information and itinerary. Only, I didn’t take that flight. Instead, I flew to Florida and was going to Peru. I could spend a lifetime learning about foliage with the country’s proximity to the Andes mountains and rainforests. But then the news showed the plane crash.”
“The one you said Chaos added your name to the manifest?”
“Yes. I was booked on the flight, but I never checked in. Chaos went in and updated the manifest after the crash so I was listed among those missing. I didn’t want to be listed among the dead. I had been the reason for their death and couldn’t bear to dishonor their sacrifice.”
“Are you saying the crash was intentional?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Okay, I guess I’m trying to understand why Carter, or anyone else for that matter, would want you dead that badly.”
“I don’t understand it either, but it’s true. Carter believed I was on that flight.”
“I get that. It’s just the other two attempts only involved you. There wasn't any collateral damage involved, so why would he escalate it to killing a plane full of passengers? Why not take you out in Japan? It would’ve been an easier hit and could’ve been overlooked. Why kill so many people, in such a public way, when it wouldn’t have hit anyone’s radar if you’d been killed overseas?”
“I’ve wondered that myself, but I can’t overlook the threat.”
“Did anyone lay claim to taking the plane down?” Byte asked.
“No. Again, just another nail in his coffin.”
“I don’t know, Voodoo,” Ghost stated. “Listen, let us do some looking into this.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the plane situation seems over the top.”
“You can look all you want, Justin Dalton, but I won’t stay here as long as he’s in Austin, heck or Texas for that matter.”
“So you’re going to run?” Ivy asked.
“What do you suggest? Stay here and be a target? Endanger the lives of my friends? You might not believe me, but I’m not safe staying here.”
“Can you get me in contact with Chaos?” Byte asked. She’d kept her thoughts to herself, but one thing she did know was that Voodoo believed she was in danger, and that was enough for her.
“Yes.”
“If you are determined to leave, then would you please stay at ECP’s compound? Their security is top-notch and I’d feel better if you were somewhere we can protect you,” Ivy asked. Her father and his former Navy SEAL buddy had started a security company in San Antonio. Much like ALIAS, they had employee residences on-site in a highly secured facility.
“I don’t want to bring trouble to their door either. It’s best if I disappear.”
“Please don’t,” Byte pleaded. “If this was any of us, what would you say?”
“I’m scared. Has he been looking for me for five years? Don’t you think there’s something wrong with that? And when had he discovered I was alive? And then to include ALIAS.”
