“No. I’m sure they were just local muscle. If there’s one thing most people on Isadora have, it’s money. Lots of money. If they want someone to knock on a door on the other side of the world in five minutes, they can make it happen.”
Jason finished his water bottle and tossed it in a recycling bin. “Okay, I get that. But why was Gus talking to you in the first place? And why didn’t you call Eric when youthought something was wrong? Gus goes missing, and you hop a plane to come find him without calling Eric. Why?”
“I knew Eric would send someone soon after Gus missed his check-in. I didn’t know who he’d send, and I wanted to get here first.”
Jason massaged his temples, hoping to mitigate his growing frustration with the senior agent. “Leland, just tell me whatever it is you’re not telling me.”
Leland stilled. And stared at him for a long moment. “Jason, you’re a smart one. You’re one of the best I’ve ever worked with. Think through what I’m about to say. And keep it to yourself for as long as possible.”
Leland’s tone raised the hairs on Jason’s neck.This isn’t good.“Okay. What’s going on?”
“Gus and I think Kitts is up to something here in Morghana. We don’t know if it concerns Isadora Island specifically or with Drakos at all, but there are too many unanswered questions about Kitt’s connections in this country. So, when he sent Gus to check out Drakos’s claims, Gus called me. He wanted someone outside of Kitt’s knowledge knowing where he was and what he was doing.”
Leland’s comments siphoned the air from Jason’s lungs.He’s serious. This is insane.Except Jason knew Leland Faraday was an excellent agent. And not insane.
Jason’s next question paused on his tongue when Leland held up a hand. “I know. You have questions. I’m not going to discuss everything right now. I need your help finding Gus. I just wanted you to have a larger perspective before you check in with Eric.” He pointed at the refrigerator. “And hand me one of those water bottles.”
Jason obeyed, trying to process Leland’s obscure bombshell. “You should know, Eric is sending Knox and Rowan to assistant me in finding Gus and looking into the Drakos situation. They’ll be here in a few hours.”
Leland’s eyebrows shot up. “Rowan? The new kid?” He scowled. “He doesn’t have much field experience. He’s young enough to be my son.”
Jason respected Leland, but he wasn’t about to let that comment slide. “Seriously? Leland,I’myoung enough to be your son. Rowan is young enough to be your grandson or great-grandson. You’re good, but you’reold.”
Leland ignored the comment and took a sip from his water bottle. “Knox is good. You two did some nice work in Rome last month.”
“Thanks.”
“Now, I have questions,” Leland said after another sip. “what was all that about?” He jabbed a thumb toward the balcony windows. Tayla stood near the railing with her back to them, her long dark hair swirling in the breeze.
“All what?”
Leland grunted. “You. And Tayla.”
“What are you talking about? I told you, I met her an hour ago.”
He grunted again. “I know what I saw.”
Both men tensed when Tayla burst into the suite, eyes wide. “I know where Gus is.”
Chapter 3
Tayla pushed her cell phone into her uncle’s hand. “I hadn’t checked my personal email account in two days. There’s a message from Gus.”
“What?”
She pointed at the phone. “He says to pass along a message to you as soon as possible. I guess he knew you were being watched and figured no one would check my email.”
Leland squinted at the phone, and frantically patted down his shirt and pants pockets.
Jason held out his hand. “I’ve got it.”
Leland looked perturbed, but handed the phone to Jason. With a little more force than necessary. “I think my glasses are in my room.”
“It’s short,” said Jason, glancing at the brief message. “He says he found something at an orphanage. He planned to stake it out. He hoped to witnessa meeting.”
Leland’s brow creased. “Meeting? What kind of meeting? Between whom?”
“Doesn’t say. I told you, it’s short. All he says is,‘Tayla, give this message to Leland ASAP. Found something at the orphanage. Staking it out. Possible meeting this afternoon.’”
