“What about Wrath’s protection? I haven’t heard anything about his request.” Sophia was able to tell by the look in his eyes that all the promises she’d heard were absolute lies. “There was never any intent on allowing him to go into witness protection. Was there?”
The director remained unblinking. “He doesn’t fit the profile, Waters, and you know that. Besides, things have changed.”
“What do you mean changed?”
He moved around to the back of his desk, grabbing a file. “We have a situation.”
“O-kay.” She could tell the man was sweating.
“The illustrious Wrath Constantino has escaped.”
The words were ringing in her ears. “What did you say?”
“I said, your fugitive has escaped from custody, after almost killing three federal officers. This had to be well planned as there was a getaway vehicle waiting in the only vulnerable area of transition from the courthouse back to the prison. A messy situation to say the least.” He stared at her with cold eyes.
“The consortium,” she whispered, terrified that Wrath was already dead. Would they help him escape just to execute him?
“There’s been no direct connection to them, as you might imagine. They are ghosts and nothing more.” Director Montgomery snorted and slid the file across the desk.
Every law enforcement agency and even the Pentagon was going to sweep this under the rug. Jesus.
“What do you want me to do?” Sophia asked, her mind racing at the possibilities.
“What do I want you to do?” he repeated as he leaned over his desk. “Find him. I don’t give a shit how long it takes or how much it costs. Find him. Or your ass is on the line.”
Sure, what did the department have to lose? They didn’t care about her life, only their reputation.
Fuck. Them.
“Yes, sir. I will do just that.” Sophia nodded and grabbed the file then backed to the door, flinging it open. She trotted back to her desk, closing the file and grabbing her things. Without saying another word, she headed for the entrance. Everything had taken a tumultuous turn.
David. She was sick knowing he had a part in all of this.
She was only two blocks from the office when her cell phone rang. Seeing the anonymous caller, she bristled, her stomach churning. “Wrath.” She bit back a moan, the adrenaline releasing. She glanced into her rearview mirror, certain she was being followed. Seeing nothing, she still moved to the side of the road, pulling into a strip mall parking lot.
He issued a slight growl. “Always the professional, Agent Waters. I should have known there is nothing that will bypass you.”
“You escaped, Wrath. By your own accord?”
“I have certain associates willing to help, sweet Sophia. I appreciate your concern. I didn’t know you cared so much.”
She huffed, twisting her hand around the steering wheel, feeling completely lightheaded. “You need to turn yourself in, Wrath. You won’t be able to work a deal for protection if you don’t.” She hated herself for lying.
“And you and I both know there will never be a deal cut for a man like me.”
Goosebumps popped along the tops of her arms, her anger at the system bursting to the surface. “Why did you call me, Wrath?”
“I called for two distinct reasons and one of them I’m certain you’re going to be very interested in,” he answered in a coy manner.
“I’m not positive that I’ll be interested in anything you have to say.”
“You can decide for yourself, my sweet, beautiful Sophia.”
Everything about his voice sent shivers down her spine. “I’m listening, but I assure you that if you give me any crap, I’ll know it.”
“As I said, everything will be in your hands and this will be our last conversation.”
As he began to speak, tears filled her eyes.
