He hit Close and scrolled back to the home screen to look through her messages. The one at the top was from another blocked number.
BLOCKED NUMBER: 2:00 p.m. You have the location. Bring the envelope. Don’t be late.
“Bingo,” Landon muttered.
He was just about to hit Dial when his cell buzzed. Tugging it from his pocket, he held it up to his ear. “Miller.”
“It’s Marley. I have some information on Wolfe’s sister.”
Landon grabbed the purse and moved out of the bathroom, back into the main portion of the loft. “Let’s hear it.”
“She’s a drama teacher in Boise. Has worked at one of the local high schools for about five years. She was last seen four days ago at a Mexican restaurant downtown with a man named Karl Stetson, a teacher at the same school where she works.”
“What does he teach?”
“Biology, physics, chemistry. Claims he drove her home after what was—by his words—an uneventful date, and two men jumped them when he pulled into her drive.”
“Did he get a look at either of them?”
“Not really. Said they were big. Dark-skinned. He described them as either Hispanic or Middle Eastern. And they were speaking a language he didn’t recognize.”
Landon frowned. “Observant, isn’t he?”
“It’s not his most charming quality,” Marley muttered, “trust me. According to his story, they snagged Olivia Wolfe, roughed him up a little, and then let him go. And here’s what has me all warm and gooey for the guy. He didn’t report her abduction to the cops for a full twenty-four hours.”
“Bastard.”
“Yeah, well. There are a lot of them out there. I should know. Ask me about my last date sometime. Anyway, Stetson claims they threatened him, but I got the impression he just didn’t want to get involved.”
Landon clenched his jaw. “Someone needs to abduct his ass.”
“I agree, but he’s not our problem. Cops are handling him. Did you find Archer?”
Landon looked out the broken window toward the fire escape. “Sort of.”
“Sort of? What does that mean?”
“It means Ryder isn’t going to like what’s coming next. Listen, Marley, I need a favor.”
“I’m here to help.”
“I need to know who at the State Department has it in for Aegis. Evelyn Wolfe hinted that the raid in Guatemala was a setup, and Aegis was the target. I need you to do some digging, without Ryder knowing.”
“Why can’t Jake know?”
“Because if what Wolfe said is accurate, then Ryder was the target, not Humbolt. And if that’s the case, I’m thinking it’s possible that blaming this whole bombing in Seattle on Archer is a setup too, not to take him down per se, but to get at Ryder. You and I both know Ryder’s pissed off more people in Washington than he should have. What better way to guarantee Aegis doesn’t score another defense contract than to charge their operatives with treason?”
“Don’t you think that’s a stretch?”
“I worked for the Pentagon. Trust me, sugar. Nothing’s a stretch.”
“Okay,” Marley said. “I’ll see what I can find out. I still don’t understand why Jake can’t know, though.”
“Because whether I’m right or wrong, it’ll just get him fired up, and he’ll start making calls. And if someone at the State Department finds out Aegis is asking questions about black ops, they’ll clam up. Or worse, leak shit to the press. Ryder’s not exactly a people person.”
Marley huffed. “You can say that again.”
Landon smiled. Marley was a saint. She really was. Ryder didn’t realize the gold mine he had in her. Landon just hoped she didn’t get fed up with Ryder at some point and walk away from the company. Because if she did, Ryder would lose more than just his right hand. He’d lose the majority of his operatives, who’d follow her anywhere if she asked. Him included. “Thanks.”
“Okay, my turn to ask you a question. Is Archer okay?”
“Yeah, he’s fine.”
“Is he with Evelyn Wolfe?”
Landon hesitated, then figured the more Marley knew, the longer she could keep Ryder in the dark. “Yes. And neither’s killed the other yet, so I think we’re safe.”
“That doesn’t leave me feeling all tingly inside.”
“That’s why you get the joy of dealing with people like Karl Stetson on a daily basis.”
Marley laughed. “Okay, point taken. So, tell me this, smart guy. If you’re no longer tracking Archer, what are you doing?”
“Looking for her sister. Something tells me Olivia Wolfe knows a hell of a lot more about what’s going on here than anyone else.”
“And Archer and Evelyn Wolfe?”
“Running down other leads. Wolfe’s security clearance with the CIA has been revoked. It’s only a matter of time before her name shows up in the press as being linked to the bombing as well.”
“Fabulous. Just watch your six. My gut says there’s more going on here than meets the eye.”
Marley’s gut was usually right. And on this one, Landon agreed. He looked back out at the water again. “Speaking of . . . if Ryder ever fires you, you’ve got a freebie from me. I wouldn’t mind being the one to take that bastard out.”
“He’s your boss.”
“That’s never stopped me before.”
Marley chuckled, then sighed. “Firing me isn’t the worst thing he could do to me.” Her voice strengthened. “I’ll call you as soon as I have news.”
12
Eve stood near a rack of workout pants in Macy’s while Archer paid for new clothes for both of them. She glanced around the quiet store in the middle of the afternoon in Everett as her pulse ticked up another notch.
Come on, come on, come on . . .
The young girl behind the counter was the slowest clerk ever. And either exhaustion was finally settling in, or Eve’s blood sugar was at an all-time low, because her patience was nearly at the breaking point.
Archer pocketed the change, said thank you, and took the bags. He was careful to keep his ball cap pulled low so his face was shadowed, but Eve’s gaze strayed to the ceiling and the security cameras for the hundredth time, then darted toward the doors where a security guard stood still as a gargoyle.
She didn’t like the way the guy kept glancing in her direction. Just her luck they’d get a GI Joe wannabe. An ambitious rent-a-cop was the last thing they needed right now.
Archer moved next to her and placed a hand at the small of her back, right over the Glock nestled in the waistband of her skirt, then herded her toward the exit. “Relax. That girl had no idea who I was.”
The guard near the door stiffened as they approached, and Eve had a vision of everything going straight to the shitter, all because Archer had left his supply bag in a locker near an ice-skating rink instead of somewhere more easily accessible and out of sight of the public.
She turned quickly, wrapped her fingers in the fabric of his shirt, and tugged him into her. “Baby, I’m not done shopping yet. I want those crotchless panties you promised me.”
Archer’s eyes widened, just a touch, and Eve rose up on her toes and kissed him. Then she mumbled against his lips, “That security guard has got his eye trained right on you.”
Archer wrapped the arm holding the shopping bags around her back and tugged her in tight. Then he smiled and said, “Anything you want, sweetheart,” before pressing his mouth to hers.
It was an act. Eve knew it was an act. But oh man, the guy could kiss. He pushed her lips apart, then dipped inside for a wicked taste. And tingles shot straight to Eve’s core as soon as his slick, hot tongue touched hers.