“I can’t believe I got turned around. Usually, it never happens.”
“It’s understandable in this city.”
He didn’t get lost, not on missions. And if he did, it usually only took him a moment to figure out where he was.
He’d driven through two lights before the directions came up. They weren’t too far afield, and it took them only a few minutes to get back on track.
He hated not knowing where to go. Before missions, he had multiple contingency plans. No question, Garnet distracted him. He needed to get his head on straight so he could keep her safe.
The terrorists they were fighting against had deeper resources than they’d initially thought. Someone really wantedto get their hands on Garnet, and they were willing to do anything to get to her, even operate here in DC.
They were getting close to the base when Bean glanced in the rearview mirror and spotted a car closing on them fast.
“You’ve got your seatbelt on, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Someone is following, and they aren’t slowing.”
Garnet looked like she was going to turn around, but he put his hand out and stopped her.
“Don’t. If they hit us, it will be worse if you aren’t facing forward.”
He saw an opening and moved to the left lane. He didn’t know if he could make it, but he had to turn the next corner, or they would ram him.
“Hold on and brace yourself.”
There was just enough room for him to make a left across traffic. His tires skidded on the pavement, and for a moment, he thought he might lose control, but the tires gripped the surface, and he had full control.
The directions on his phone were telling him to make a U-turn, but first, he had to shake this guy following them. If they’d been just a little closer to the base, he would have let the MPs sort out the mess with the person following them.
After they made the turn, Garnet glanced over her shoulder. “I don’t see anyone following. There is smoke rising back there. Like someone had a crash.”
“Hopefully, it’s the person following us, and we can get into the base. There’s another entrance. I’m going to try it. It’s not a regular entrance, and we might get some shit for it.”
“Just do it. We’ll deal with the shit.”
He knew about the other entrance and made his way around the base. Of course, it was heavily guarded, and the cement bollards were in place, blocking them from entering the base.When they pulled up, the guards reacted nervously. He just hoped the guy didn’t freak out and shoot before he could explain.
“This isn’t an entrance. You need to turn around.”
Bean shook his head. “Can’t. I’m Sergeant Carpenter. I’m transporting an important person, and we were attacked. I’m going to give you information on who to contact.” He handed over the information and then asked if they could sit inside so the person coming to attack them wouldn’t find them.
It took a little more talking, but after a moment, the guards allowed them to sit inside an office and away from prying eyes.
“Do you think they believed you?” Garnet asked.
He nodded. “Once they get off the phone, they will.”
The guard ended the call in minutes, and he came into the glassed-in office where they were seated.
“Okay, you’re allowed to enter. A car is on the way. The truck will be dealt with.”
“Thank you,” Bean said as they walked onto base and waited for the car to come to pick them up.
He wasn’t happy that Garnet’s issue had gained even more attention. He hoped they didn’t come back to him and demand that Garnet be held somewhere else. They might claim she would be safer in some military safe house where he wouldn’t get to see her. He didn’t think that would be wise. Depending on who was working with the terrorist, the safe house could be the most dangerous place for her.
Garnet knewshe was in danger. Someone had attacked her apartment, and then another person had come after her. She needed to track down who was behind the push to bomb DC. Now that the military was aware of the plans, she thought they might try to change their tactic. Then again, they may not believe they were at risk.
