Kimberly Van Meter - The Agent's Surrender

“But if you were so close, why didn’t you try to pin him down and get the answers?”

“I tried. By that point, my brother must’ve been in too deep and I couldn’t reach him. At the time, I thought Miko was just going through a weird phase and maybe needed some space. It happens with twins—going your whole life attached to another human being, you sort of lose your own identity—so I figured it might be something like that. But it wasn’t, and by the time I realized something bad was about to happen he was dead.”

“And you have no idea what he could’ve been into?”

“No. His work with I.D. was classified, and honestly, I didn’t think I needed to care. It wasn’t until he started acting weird that I realized maybe I ought to poke my nose where it didn’t belong.”

“And what makes you think Miko didn’t know what he was doing?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe he did, but he was trapped by circumstance. Sometimes when you’re knee-deep in mud and you’re sinking fast, your first and only thought is staying alive. Maybe that’s what happened.”

That was a lot of maybe. “You’re going to need a lot more than flimsy theory to make any meaningful change to your brother’s file. Unfortunately, brotherly love doesn’t supersede the facts.”

He bristled with mild insult. “Of course not. I would never expect it to, but when you have a man who has lived his life by a certain code of honor and prides himself on being someone you can respect, ignoring the clues to dig deeper is just lazy investigating.”

Did he just call her lazy? The man had balls. “Do not ever call me lazy. Just because you’re having a hard time accepting facts doesn’t mean you get to throw my skills under the bus. I went above and beyond to find the answers. More was at stake than just your brother’s life. High-ranking officials were killed, and I.D.’s rot caused the disintegration of an entire department. I’d say more than your brother’s honor was destroyed.”

“You’re right,” he conceded, but followed by saying, “but my brother’s honor is all that I care about.”

Jane knew he spoke with raw honesty. He’d do anything to prove his brother’s innocence, which made her wonder—would he be willing to lie to save his brother’s ass? She’d have to keep a close eye on him.

Holden might be just as dangerous as Miko in an entirely different way.

Chapter 5

Reed Harris shook hands with his unexpected visitor, curious as to why Ulysses Rocha, one of the owners of Tessara Pharmaceuticals, had requested an audience. Ulysses, who, also with extensive military experience, had turned to the private sector for more lucrative opportunities; and in spite of the negative press incurred by the situation involving Penelope Granger, another high-profile shareholder, Tessara Pharm was still turning a substantial profit.

“Forgive me, but what is this about?” he asked, getting straight to the point. Ulysses, a barrel-chested man with eyes as hard as flint, cracked a smile that looked entirely out of place on his face, making Reed wonder what the hell was truly going on. “It isn’t every day that I receive requests for a meeting outside of certain circles.”

“I can appreciate that. As you know, Tessara Pharm has suffered a number of unfortunate events lately, most notably with one of our major founders, Penelope Granger, aka Penny Winslow, who was found guilty of running I.D. as her own personal hit squad through her association with Tom Wyatt.”

“Yes, I am aware,” Reed said. “Corruption is an equal-opportunity contaminant.”

“Yes, so it would seem. Tessara Pharm has suffered its fair share of bad press, and as such, we would be happy to leave all that sordid business in the past, as you can well imagine.”

“Of course.”

“So when we heard the case involving Miko Archangelo had been reopened, we were concerned how that might affect Tessara Pharm.”

Ah...the true reason for the visit. “These things happen. New evidence cropped up and we’re obligated to follow the trail wherever it may lead.”

“New evidence?” At Reed’s noncommittal nod, Ulysses frowned. “What possible new evidence could there be? Both Penny and Miko are dead and I.D. has been shut down.”

“Let’s put a pin in that question for a moment and draw attention to a question I have—how exactly do you have knowledge of a classified investigation? As far as I’m aware, Tessara Pharm is not on the executive payroll...or is it?”

A slow, cold smile spread across his face, as if amused that Reed was questioning him. That alone was enough to get the man thrown out, but something stayed Reed’s hand. Something wasn’t right and it wasn’t just that Ulysses was trying to pry information out of him.

The man cocked his head to the side. “Let’s just say that people in high places have expressed an interest in seeing that the Archangelo case remains closed. People need to be able to move on, Chief Harris. Surely you understand that?”

Reed didn’t like the man’s tone. A shiver of warning played “Taps” on his spine. He clasped his hands carefully atop his desk and waited. Again that cold smile appeared.

“There is no conspiracy,” Ulysses continued. “No big cover-up. Just businesspeople concerned that dredging up bad history will lead to a bad future for their bottom line. Shareholders are sensitive to fluctuations in their dividends. It’s our job to make sure those dips and valleys aren’t too sharp.”

“And it’s my job to make sure the security of our nation isn’t at risk,” Reed countered smoothly. “Frankly, I could give two shits about your shareholders’ bottom line, and you have some balls to come in here and expect me to dance to your tune just because you know a few people. Well, news flash...I know a few people, too.”

“I see.” Ulysses dropped the smile, which was fine by Reed; they both knew it was fake. “I guess it’ll have to come down to who knows the better people.”

He laughed. “I answer to the president. Who do you answer to? A bunch of entitled rich people? I think I win.”

Ulysses rose and adjusted his suit coat. “I’d hoped we could see eye to eye on this.”

“I don’t see how we could,” Reed said with frank amusement. “We seem to be on opposite continents.”

“So it would seem.”

Ulysses showed himself to the door and walked out without further comment. It wasn’t until Ulysses had left the building that Reed let out his held breath. Something foul was afoot. It would appear Holden was right; there was more to the story than met the eye. Was Miko simply a pawn in a bigger game? And if so, who was the true game master? The entire situation left a bad taste in his mouth, but he had no doubt if there was something to be found, Holden would find it.

Reed’s only fear? Miko had already paid for his involvement with his life. Reed sure as hell didn’t want his two best agents to pay the same price.

* * *

The Realtor, none too happy to be out in the blustery weather with two people who plainly weren’t going to be buying, opened the front door of the bar and stamped his feet free of the snow clinging to his boots. “Two floors. The upstairs was the office area.” He looked at his watch. “Do you know how long this is going to take?”

“You can wait in your car if you prefer,” Holden suggested and the Realtor was only too happy to take him up on his suggestion.

After the man had disappeared, Holden and Jane clicked on their flashlights, illuminating the dim interior. The bar had been closed for almost six months, but the stale smell of beer remained. Holden had visited a few times right after Miko purchased it. It was supposed to be the thing that kept him busy after retirement, he recalled, the memory springing to mind...