“Your lawyer drew a direct line to Stratton. CEO signature on biological storage?”
“Straight as an arrow.”
“That’s not a coincidence. That’s a smoking gun.”
“I know—and I know what we need to do.”
“I know what you’re going to say, and you already know I don’t like it, but we need to see what’s there before they scrub it clean.”
“Agreed.”
“What’s your status?” Ghost’s voice remains calm, measured, the voice that pulled me out of Colombia when I was bleeding out on a warehouse floor with a cartel hit squad closing in.
“Mobile. We’re about six hours out.”
“Recon only.” His tone sharpens, steel under the calm. “You confirm the location, document what you find, and get out. No engagement. No breach. No heroics.”
“Copy that.”
“Diego.” He uses my real name. That’s never good. “Don’t be a hero. Heroes die. Operators complete missions.”
“Understood.”
“I mean it. You’ve got a high-value civilian with you who represents our best chance of taking down Nexus legally. Do not risk her life. You get eyes on that site, and you wait.”
“Copy that, but …”
“But, what?”
“She’s not good at listening. Cassie wants to check it out.”
“Of course she does. They all want to help, even when it’s likely to get them killed. Listen, check in when you have eyes on the target. Do not engage. I’m lean on support. Fuse is in theCascades, recovering. Brass is still officially dead. Can’t risk him in the field. I’m stuck in DC.”
“What about Whisper or Torque?”
“They’re supporting Guardian HRS on an op in Europe. They’re headed back, but not for eighteen hours.”
“That’s too long. What Cassie found indicates they’re moving the ML-273. Whatever it is, it’s important, and we need more intel.”
“Not arguing that.” Ghost pauses. “Look, I may have a solution. Thorne.”
“Thorne?”
“He works solo and is near you. I’m sending him your coordinates. Don’t let him spook you; he’s quieter than you are.”
“Some random guy? I don’t know about that.”
“Cool your jets. He was going to sign on with Guardian HRS, but has family in Seattle. Wasn’t going to activate him until I ran it by the team, but he’s close.”
“Thought you said he was in Seattle?”
“His parents live there. He has a little girl. Cancer. She’s finishing treatment at CHOP, so he’s close.”
“No way am I taking a man away from his sick kid for an op.”
“It’s either that, or send you in alone, and I’m not doing that. Don’t worry about Thorne; his girl is ringing the bell today. His parents are with him. I’ll talk it through with him, but that’s all I’ve got.”
“We’re a good six hours or so out.”
