Page 108 of Until the End

“A lot of SIGINT chatter about two imminent coordinated attacks on U.S. soil. Anthrax was mentioned heavily for one attack. We think some higher-up political figure is the target of the other. We’ve just recently connected mention of a water treatment facility to whatever Khan is planning.”

There was always some intelligence corroborating a pending attack when dealing with radical extremists.

“Every agency is looking into this. But we could use your expertise. If we can find Khan before the attacks, we might be able to prevent them.”

Castle was already torn. He didn’t need his sister compounding his conflict. “It always comes down to the wire.”

She nodded in unfortunate agreement.

“The more skilled bodies you have working this, the better,” he said. “I get that. But with the manpower and expertise available in Black Ops at the moment, you don’t need me. Besides, the FBI, DHS, and NSA are on this too.”

Maddox took a step back. “Let me get this straight.” She put her hands on her hips. “You’re choosing babysitting over serious action. You?”

There was only one person who Castle had to explain his decision to and that was Sanborn. “Ms. Westcott…” Ah, to hell with the pretense with his sister. “Kit is over in Intel. Could you make sure she doesn’t need anything?” Being inside the Gray Box made Kit antsy and Cutter wasn’t going to reduce her anxiety. “Stay with her until I’m done with the chief. And put on your nice face.”

Maddox pursed her lips. “What’s wrong with this face?”

“It’s a little bitchy.”

“Don’t expect me to do smiles and cuddles.”

“Why not? You do with Willow.”

“Willow isn’t a POI. And she’s with Reaper.” Maddox narrowed her eyes, staring right through him. “Wait a minute. Are you boning her? Is that the reason you want me to go over and hold her hand?”

“It’s not like that. And I didn’t say shit about holding her hand.”

“Unbelievable. Where is my brother and what have you done with him?”

“Ha. Ha,” he said in his driest tone. “Do this for me, and the next time I see Cole, I’ll play nice.”

A broad smile spread across Maddox’s face. “I want cookies and whipped cream nice.”

“Don’t get crazy and ask for the impossible.” Castle spun on his heel and walked away. “Thanks,” he called back to her.

“Yeah, yeah, but you owe me. Or rather Cole. Cookies and whipped cream.”

Castle strode up to Janet’s desk.

“You can go on in,” she said.

Castle nodded his thanks and knocked on the doorframe. “Sir, can I have a minute?”

“One.” Sanborn looked up from whatever he was working on. “I have to make a call.”

“This won’t take long.” Castle entered, closed the door, and stood in front of the desk with his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m glad you stopped by. To put your mind at ease, I’ll have Danny take Ms. Westcott to the safe house. I assume you’ll find that acceptable.”

The development was unexpected but not enough to sway Castle from his current course of action. “Chief, I’ve given serious consideration to everything you said to me yesterday, and I’m afraid my position on the matter regarding Ms. Westcott hasn’t changed.”

That earned him a narrow-eyed stare. “What do you mean?” Sanborn steepled his fingers. “I gave you a direct order and you’ll follow it.”

“No, sir, I won’t.” Castle drew a deep breath. “As I said, I gave Ms. Westcott my word to protect her until there was no longer any danger and I intend to keep that promise. If that means I have to do so as a civilian, then so be it.”

Stark silence fell in the wake of Castle’s bluff. Was he willing to resign, walk away from the Gray Box, for Kit? Hell if he knew.

Castle lived for the job, the adrenaline high and sense of accomplishment, but he also had to dilute the dark stress with booze. Hit a punching bag to stop it from festering inside him. The more he gave, the more it took, ripping giant pieces right out of him. He’d already lost his heart until Kit somehow brought it back, but he didn’t want to wake up one day and find his soul missing too.