Page 14 of Rafe’s Future

“And?”

“He said both died under suspicious circumstances, but without a positive tox screen or definitive wounds, the manner of their deaths was left inconclusive.”

Lena closed her eyes and let her head drop between her shoulders. Her voice was barely a whisper as she asked, “Where’s Kozlova now?”

“From what I was told, the agency doesn’t have a bead on his exact location yet. But they’re working on it.”

“They?” Her brows dipped low as more questions began to form. “And what do you mean, from what you were told? How did you find out about any of this, anyway?” She began to ramble. “And why is the former Director of Operations reading me in rather than Crain himself? Or at least someone who’s still actively on the CIA’s payroll, for crying out loud. I mean⁠—”

“Take a beat, Price.” Roger switched to sounding much more like he had when he was still her boss. “Kurt agreed to let me be the one to call you as a favor. I know how personal that op was for you.”

“It was a job.”

“It was also your first time serving as a unit’s lead field officer. And don’t even try to argue the fact that you took Kozlova’s escape personally, because I was there, remember?”

Roger’s boots weren’t literally on the ground in Syria, but Lena understood what he meant. He’d been around for the aftermath. Throughout her borderline crazed, months-long obsession in her search to find the CIA target who’d gotten away.

“You’re right. I did take that failure personally. Just like I own Sabrina’s and Caleb’s deaths.”

“They were murdered by a sadistic man with nothing but evil in his soul, Lena. Not a single part of that is on you.”

It was a kind thing to say, but she knew better. If Kozlova hadn’t gotten away back then, her former teammates would still be alive today.

“You never told me where he is.”

“Intel puts him entering the U.S. two days before Caleb was killed. According to chatter, there’s a list. Not sure how he got your names, but from what Director Crain said, Kozlova’s making his way through the list in record time.”

“What’s the plan?” She shot to her feet. “Where do we go from here?”

“The only plan is for you to get yourself someplace safe and hole up until you’re in the clear.”

Lena stiffened. “I’m sorry; did you just say you want me to hide?”

“I want you to stay alive.”

Oh, she had no intentions of dying anytime soon. If for no other reason than her refusal to give Kozlova the satisfaction.

“I can take care of myself, but I do need to warn the others.”

“How about we divide and conquer?” Roger offered to help.

Her pulse spiked. “I’ll contact Owens and read him in, and you can take Pascal.”

There was a slight pause before her former boss returned with a hint of humor in his tone. “I thought it might go that way.”

“What way?”

“You know what? Never mind. Crain gave me both men’s contact information. I’ll text you Owens’ number.”

“I’ve got it.”

“Current?”

“We reconnected recently,” Lena explained. “Our paths crossed unexpectedly, while I was heading up another op.”

“The Crawford case,” Roger rumbled with recognition.

Gordan Crawford was a former sex trafficking sicko who’d been high on the CIA’s list. Former because the man was dead and, with any luck, burning in Hell.