Yes.
The agent seemed to be waiting for her to go on, but when she didnt, he pressed, The two of you were seen together in the parking lot afterward.
Yes. Seen by whom? Who had been the person of interest? McCabe or her?
A note of impatience crept into Samuelsons tone. Did the two of you have a conversation?
Yes. She saw Sanders hide a smile at her less than enlightening responses. But she was damned if she was going to feed the feds any information before they extended her the same courtesy.
Wed like to know what you discussed. It was the first time Agent Paulus had spoken, and Ava shifted her attention to him. He was a good foot shorter than Samuelson, stocky, with coarse gingery hair and nearly invisible eyebrows.
Why?
Because we asked, Ms. Carter. Samuelsons omission of her title didnt escape her. Neither did his biting tone. She was familiar with the intimidation tactics feds could use to leverage information. She glanced again at Sanders and he gave her a small nod.
She leaned back in her chair, feigning nonchalance. He offered me a job. The two agents exchanged a look. Clearly shed startled them. But even more surprising was the suppressed excitement she sensed her words elicited from them.
With Global Securities? Samuelson barely waited for her nod before pressing, And what was your answer?
I told him I wasnt interested. Her interest was piqued now, however.
Wed like you to reconsider your answer to McCabes job offer, Samuelson said. Though couched as a suggestion, it sounded more like a command. Theres a matter of national security you could assist with by doing so.
Why would I do that? She didnt understand Chief Sanderss silence, but she was tiring of the subterfuge. And her diplomacy skills tended to thin when she was tired.
Patriotism? offered Paulus. Duty to your country? Commitment to national freedom?
Anger coursed through her, a hot rush of feeling. Although she knew she was being manipulated, she was helpless to stem her response. Im recently recovered from taking a bullet because of my line of work. Just got back on the job two weeks ago. Tread carefully, gentlemen. You might not want to question my sense of duty.
Shes right. As if Sanders could remain quiet no longer, he came forward in his chair, aimed a steely look at the agents. Detective Carter is a valued member of our force, and of our incident response unit. Time to fish or cut bait, gentlemen. If you want interagency cooperation, you have to be open about the mission youre asking Detective Carters help on.
Of course. Samuelson smoothed his muted striped tie, his manner stiff. We were getting to that. Our agency has an interest in Antonio de la Reyess new government and of the political climate in San Baltes. McCabe is providing security for de la Reyes, and anyone on his team would have access to certainintelligencethat would help us with our threat assessment of the newly formed government there. With your heroics today, we thought youd be in the perfect position to impress McCabe. Petition him for a position on his team. He gave her a small smile devoid of sincerity. Obviously you already accomplished that feat. He was impressed enough to offer you a job, which would make your task even more plausible.
It was amazing, Ava thought cynically, what passed for open communication with these guys. Or maybe they really underestimated her intelligence enough that they thought shed buy their story unquestioningly. Why do you need me? Why not approach McCabe directly for the information? She read her answer from the pained expressions on the agents faces.
Mr. McCabe was disinterested in cooperating.
Avas lips quirked. She could imagine McCabes response had been somewhat less polite than Samuelson indicated. Her estimation of the security consultant kicked up a notch.
Well, Im confused. She gave the agents an easy shrug. The situation youre outlining sounds like a matter for the CIA, not DHS. Your involvement means theres a terrorism component to your concern. I must have missed it when you mentioned that part.
This is extremely sensitive. Agent Paulus cast a look at the other agent as he spoke. Whatever your response, I hope we can count on your discretion. He waited expectantly, but when Ava said nothing, he went on. Alberto Martinez, the former leader of San Baltes, was a corrupt dictator. We have reason to believe money from his government was supporting terrorist attacks throughout South America. Naturally were eager for the opportunity to explore the degree to which that network still exists. Your placement on McCabes team gives us such an opportunity.
Im sorry. Her voice was insincere. As I told Mr. McCabe, I have a job here. A teenage son to care for. Im not free to take the job even if I wanted to.
Captain Sanders assures us that your job would be waiting for you during your absence, as would your spot on SWAT. And your ex-husband could care for your son while youre gone, couldnt he?
Everything in Ava stilled. Her glance flicked to the chief and back to Samuelson. It was impossible to be sure whether theyd gotten the personal details of her life from Sanders or from their own digging, but shed bet on the latter. DHS wasnt known for their regard for individuals privacy.
The only question remaining was how deep theyd dug.
The answers still no. Inwardly seething, Ava made sure her emotions didnt show in her expression. A sense of duty had formed her desire to enter the police force, but thisthey were asking her to deceive McCabe, if in fact she could convince him to put her on de la Reyess detail. To act as a spy while she was in San Baltes.
Shed worked plenty of undercover cases, but there was nothing compelling about the agents request. They could cite national security all they wanted, but theyd failed to convince her of the urgency of this particular task. And even she was surprised at the level of distaste she felt for it.
So thats it, gentlemen. Sanders rose, indicating the meeting was at an end. Ava couldnt tell if he approved of her response or not. I said Id release Detective Carter if she agreed, but you have her answer. Im afraid I have another meeting in a few minutes.
They all rose, and the tall agent reached into his pocket to withdraw a card. He handed it to her. In case you reconsider.
When Ava went to take it, the man didnt release the card immediately. Her gaze met his.
Think it over, Ms. Carter. His voice was pitched low enough to reach only her ears. I happen to believe a single act of patriotism can erase years of disloyalty. Years that might prove embarrassing should they be made public.
The freshly healed scar on her shoulder throbbed at his thinly veiled warning. He finally released the card and she slipped it into her suit pocket. Turning without a word, she headed for the door, wondering frantically just how thorough their investigation of her had been.
Because she didnt think she was imagining the threat in Samuelsons parting words.
Chapter Two
Once back in her car, Ava checked her cell phone and found a text message from Alex assuring her hed find another ride home. She slipped the key in the ignition, but then sat still for a few moments, her fingers clenching and unclenching on the steering wheel.