Raging Fire (Guarded Secrets Book 4) (6 page)

Chapter 7

I made it to the safe house in a little under half an hour from the airport. I took a cab to the general location so no one would know exactly
 
where I was. I couldn’t be sure who worked for Harley, and that included my taxi driver, so I had the cab dropped me off a short distance from the safe house where I could walk the rest of the way. The extra effort was always worth it in the end when it came to sensitive missions like this. I didn’t have any information Sharp Shooter usually gave me before leaving. I had to be extra careful, even with my friends. I hadn’t given KC, Maverick, or Night Stripe too much information just in case Sharp Shooter started asking questions once he figured out he couldn’t get in touch with Director Walsh. Though once he heard I had gotten a ride to Washington he’d figure out my plan in no time. By then it would already be far too late for him to call me back, and even if it wasn’t, I knew he wouldn’t risk more lives to try and drag me back.

I was on my own, just how I preferred it.

I glanced around at everyone on the street as I approached the safe house. I took the first turn down the alleyway to enter from the back as to not draw attention to myself or the building. I opened the apartment with the key we had stashed away in a fake brick in the outer wall of the building and dropped my bag at the entrance. The second I entered, I had a feeling that something about the place seemed off. At first I didn’t see anything out of place. We kept the bare minimum here for the rare mission in Washington, just like we did with the safe house in Gorod, but something felt wrong. I just couldn’t place it right away.

I didn’t move from the door as my gaze swept around the main floor and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I could feel someone watching me, and I had the overwhelming sensation that I had walked into trouble. With gun drawn, I slowly made my way through the house. I checked room after room, but found nothing. The building was empty from top to bottom. The two upstairs rooms were vacant of anything except two simple beds and the rest of the house had nothing big enough for anyone to hide behind. Even so, I still couldn’t shake the feeling that this building wasn’t safe anymore.

As I rounded the main floor for the third time I noticed the book on the table seemed slightly out of place. We typically left one book around for agents to read during a lull in their mission, and since most rarely got sent to the same place twice it was always new to whoever came next. Whoever had read it last had purposely laid it upside down on the table in front of the only seat in the room. Havoc’s team should have been the last ones who stayed in this house, and I didn’t think any of his team members ever took the time to sit down and read a book, even when at CIRA. 

I plucked it from the table and looked it over intently. I turned it over a few times while wondering if I was just being paranoid. How could anyone except agents know about the building, let alone know where to find the key and then plant a camera we wouldn’t notice? 

If no one ever read it, no one would see it.

I flipped the book open to find that my assumption was correct. A small camera rested inside, concealing itself in the binds of the book. I plucked it from its hole in the pages to examine it. The camera seemed new, as if it had been recently placed. The metal cast a shine into my eyes and glittered as I turned it over in my hands.

“Don’t break it now, Spit Fire.”

I turned at the sound of Seeker’s voice, but didn’t see him. I turned in circles and glanced through entryways to the other rooms on the main floor, but didn’t see him. I cleared the house, there was no way he’d managed to evade me. He couldn’t have followed me here, could he? How would he have gotten a ride here before me if I had left him in Sharp Shooter’s office? 

“I’m not there, Spit Fire. Don’t fret, your secret isn’t blown.”

I turned again toward the direction his voice had come from, but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. “Where are you then? I thought you would be in Germany by now.”

“I’m still at CIRA. I still have a few hours before I leave for my mission, but I knew something was up with you when you stormed out of Sharp Shooter’s office. You lied right to his face, and actually thought I wouldn’t know. You’re a terrible liar when it comes to me. I always know when you’re lying. It’s a sign of being good friends, right?”

“Who’s with you?” I asked, ignoring his comment completely. 

“Don’t worry, Sharp Shooter doesn’t know,
yet
.”

His condescending tone was beginning to annoy me. “Don’t tell him, Seeker. I kept plenty of secrets for you and kept my word about your less than respectful methods when it came to gaining information from certain people and completing risky missions. I won’t hesitate to throw you under the bus if you do it to me.”

Seeker had a history of meddling too far past his assigned mission, and in more than one instance it had gotten him in more trouble than the mission was worth. But Seeker was dedicated when it came to his job. He’d do anything to complete the mission and save as many people as he could, even when it became risky and dipped into the grey areas of CIRA’s rules. In his mind, it wasn’t all black and white. There was room to play with.

“I won’t rat you out, but if I were you I’d turn the camera away from the back door unless you want to get caught by whoever checks these cameras. Turn it toward the chair while you’re in the house and when you leave turn it back so no one suspects anything. You don’t want anyone asking questions, Spit Fire. Especially with what you’re doing—a freaking suicide mission. You must have picked that up from Night Stripe, she loves lost cases like this. But you? Are you stupid or just reckless?”

“Both,” I answer curtly.

“Let me guess, you know who this Harley character is, don’t you? I’d be willing to guess you know what’s going on in Washington as well. I believe it has something to do with the Cardoza’s since Night Stripe has been bothering Sharp Shooter about them since we left his office. I can’t be sure, but I’ll venture further to say you won’t tell anyone what’s going on until you’ve finished up whatever the hell it is you’re doing there.”

I didn’t bother asking how he came to that conclusion or how he knew Harley’s alias, because what was the point? He knew me better than anyone in CIRA, and he’d know if I continued to lie to him. I’m just lucky he hadn’t figured it all out by now. Though he was pretty damn close.

“Yeah, you’re right, on all accounts. I do know who Harley is, not that my knowledge helps in locating him, and yes, I came here hoping to end this before anything worse can come of it.”

“Yeah, I hear you and your vague excuse. I may not understand it, but I know you’re determined as hell to do it and I’m in no position to stop you. Just be sure to turn the camera around if you’re going to stay there. I noticed Rum in here checking in on the camera. It’s what really gave you away. No telling if anyone else has noticed your absence or the other pieces of your plan to distract Sharp Shooter, but I assume you don’t want any help.”

“No. Don’t send help. I need to do this alone. There’s no other way around it.”

“There’s always another way around it, Spit Fire.” Seeker sighed heavily and for a moment that was the only sound in the apartment beside my hammering heartbeat. “I taught you to find another way out if needed. I’m going to trust you on this, but do yourself and everyone else here a favor and don’t get yourself killed.”

I chuckled. “I’ll do my best, but as always I can’t guarantee anything.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” Silence filled the room while I waited for him to continue. After a few moments I thought that he had left without saying goodbye, and for some reason that hurt me more than I thought it would. Maybe I really did want some help. Being alone by choice was one thing, but being alone because I was left was a different matter entirely.

I shook my head violently to get rid of that thought. 
Being alone was better for me. I can focus. I can end this before it starts.

“I hear you have a friend out there possibly.” His voice was tight as if he had forced himself to say it.

I mentally stumbled as I thought over his words. All of my friends were back at CIRA. I had only learned that one was still out there somewhere, but why would he be here? “You mean Sandstorm? Sharp Shooter didn’t say much about him or his mission except that he’d be back at CIRA soon. It shouldn’t be a problem though. The last time I saw him he was in the Middle East. I doubt he’d be in the U.S and I’m not sure he’d remember me if I ran into him anyway. Besides, if Sandstorm
was
here then Sharp Shooter would also have more information on the Cardozas, which he doesn’t if he’s still waiting to send agents here.” Loneliness echoed through me once again. I hadn’t seen Sandstorm in years, not by choice, but due to his mission. He had been my first friend in the agency. If he didn’t recognize me, it would be almost as bad as losing another friend.

“Yeah, him. I don’t care if he’s there or not. You know you have to be careful when meeting agents from your past, Spit Fire. You don’t know what he’s been through or what his current assignment is. We don’t want to risk agents, yourself included. So approach with some caution if you see him or just avoid it if possible. You may not like what he has to do.”

“Are you worried about me, Seeker? Careful or everyone will think you care about me.”

“I’m being serious right now, Spit Fire. Just listen to me.” The ‘I’m-not-taking-your-usual-shit’ tone gave that message loud and clear. “We don’t know what he’s doing for CIRA or who he’s undercover with. You haven’t met many agents who haven’t been back home in a few years. I just want to prepare you in case something happens.”

“How did you even hear about him?”

“Sharp Shooter let it slip when I asked what was going on with you. I said you looked flustered and he brought up Sandstorm. He thought the news about him had surprised you.”

“It did. I thought he was dead or avoiding me like the plague.”

Seeker chuckled. “I wish I could do that, but it looks like I’m stuck with you. Just be careful out there. I’ll check in again later.”

“Hey, one more thing before you go.” I waited for him to answer, and when he didn’t I assumed he was waiting for me to continue. “Keep Rum out of the surveillance room while you’re at CIRA. I don’t want her to make anyone suspicious. Warn her that if she gets me caught I’ll find her.”

After a long silence, Seeker finally replied. “I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise anything.” He threw my words right back at me, and I just let a breath of a laugh escape my lips in response. “Bye Spit Fire. If you need anything don’t be afraid to ask, and if it’s possible don’t make anymore dumb choices.”

I smiled, but didn’t reply. Coming here to track down my stepfather was the first dumb choice I’d made and I knew there would be many more before my mission was complete. Now the question on my mind was where to find Harley and how to end him once and for all.

Chapter 8

I spent the rest of the day diving into finding information on my stepfather. I knew he was in Washington, but the exact location always seemed out of reach. I knew it would be isolated, just out of town somewhere where no one would go snooping. The cartel had had enough of that between Sandtown and Georgia. I knew my stepfather wouldn’t fall for the same traps, he’s a paranoid planner when it comes to leading a group of people, at least that’s how he was with our family.

I scoffed at the idea of family. He wasn’t even a part of it. He’d forced himself into my family. He wasn’t a father figure; he was a dictator. That’s exactly how he’d run the cartel too. I had to plan accordingly. Thankfully Camden was dead, so in one way I had the upper hand. While Harley would be prepared because he knew Camden’s death could mean we were onto him, he had no way of actually knowing. I had surprise on my side, and if working for CIRA had taught me anything it was that surprise was our only friend on missions.

Writing down all the information I gathered before leaving CIRA had proved valuable, but completely unorganized. I had lists of information which were written down and added to as I received information. Some of my notes couldn’t be read because they were written down too quickly, and the other half were single words I didn’t know the meaning behind. I had no idea what most of the lists said.

“That’s helpful.” Annoyance laced my words as I crumpled the paper and tossed it across the room, careful to avoid getting it in front of the camera.

I positioned it so it focused on the chair instead of the entrance as Seeker had suggested, but I didn’t like being careful in the one place I should feel safe. I wanted to turn it off, but that would only draw more attention. I wasn’t sure who was watching it, if it was the same people or occasionally someone would look to see if it had recorded anything. Seeker made me think it wasn’t often enough to draw attention if I moved it. Turning it was for the best, for now.

I glanced over my legible notes from Katya again. There were more Russian words on the paper than I would have liked with question marks next to them because I hadn’t understood what she said and she hadn’t known the English word for them. No wonder Renegade had acted as her translator for the Gorod mission. Her English was good, but she slipped up a few times, which made it difficult to have a conversation.

What little I could understand had been helpful. She had a location in the northern part of the state, where cities were few and far between. She had explained where she shipped weapons would most likely not be the location of the base, but it would be close. After working against cartels for the better part of seven years, I knew they preferred to keep drop off locations separate from their headquarters. It provided a limited protective barrier between dealings and where they kept everything stored. They wouldn’t want the police to intrude on their base, but a warehouse a fair distance away wouldn’t be a total loss.

Though my mission had almost been lost while I wrangled Katya into giving me information. I had taken a huge risk by asking her. She could blow the mission for me complete with just an accidental slip, and it was imperative that Demon and Night Stripe didn’t know the full details of what I was doing until after. I shook my head lightly to refocus. With so many of my notes useless from the doctor’s handwriting I had, I needed to focus on Katya’s conversation again. Where exactly did I need to go and what would I look for?

“I thought Sara would contact me,” Katya said in her thick accent. She was one of the few people who called Night Stripe by her real name, and it was one of the only words I had managed to understand.
This isn’t going to be as easy as I hoped.

“I’m working with her now, but I’m playing catch up so I can give more details to Sharp Shooter. We want to end this as fast as possible so you’re out of danger.” The words left my lips so easily I barely had to think about them. I repeated, with slight rephrasing, what Night Stripe told me in the training room after getting Katya’s name from her. It had been like pulling teeth. Usually, she was so forthcoming with information, but Sharp Shooter’s threat had really gotten to her.

“Catch up?” 

“Yeah...” I groaned as I ran my fingers through my long, red hair. How was I going to explain an American euphemism to her? “It’s kind of like you’re in a race and you want to meet with the person in front of you. You have to catch up to them.”

“Ah,” she said with an interested tone. “Interesting. Well, I can tell you what Sara knows and the new information I get when Demon returns. Can you pass it onto Sara when we finish?”

“No, I can’t. I’m leaving for Washington soon. I don’t think I’ll see her before I go.”

“They are sending you to Washington? Sara believed that Sharp Shooter would wait a little longer before sending you in. Demon will be excited to hear he’s no longer waiting.”

A chill slithered down my spine. If she told Demon, then he’d tell Night Stripe and eventually someone would come to Washington to find me. “You can’t tell Demon.”

“Why not? He will be thrilled.”

“You can’t tell him because I’m not going after them yet, I’m just going to build our intelligence. If you tell him then it will put me at risk as well as the mission. You have to wait until I figure out what’s going on there.”

Katya’s voice came through muffled as if she’d turned to talk to someone else. I heard her speak in Russian for a moment before she came back to me. “Well, you’re in luck. We may have something to help you with your travel.”

“What is it? 

“We’ve set up a trade with this Harley.” His name rolled off her tongue with displeasure. “He’s told us where to send the supply. Though I beg you to remember this will not be his exact location, but it may be close by. My father preferred to keep them separate just in case, and I follow the same way now. It’s smart for them, but dangerous for you if you’re unsure of what will be there.”

“I expect the worst. Just tell me what you have.”

“I’m told he’s near a banki ozero.”

My eyebrows scrunch in confusion, stopping me from writing my notes. My left eye squinted slightly as the corner of my mouth turned upward in a ‘what the hell?’ expression. “I’m sorry, what? He’s where?”

No wonder my notes were so messed up.

“I’m sorry, it was given to me in Russian. In your language, it means Bank Loch, I believe. It should be found in the north near mountains.”

“Loch? Like the Lochness Monster? That doesn’t make any sense, Katya!” 

“Don’t yell,” she snapped. “If you want a better translation ask Renegade, but if you want my help, this is what I can give you. He told me he’s in the mountains to the north, and there’s an airstrip near the loch where I can send his supplies to once my payment has been received. I plan to hold it for a little longer since he’s late on the payment, and that should give you plenty of time to get there before I do.”

“You’re going? That’s dangerous.”

“Unfortunately, it’s a part of the business. Demon is coming with me in case I need help, along with a few other agents in case he worries about being seen.”

“You mean recognized.”

Katya groaned loudly on the other end of the call. “Da dévočka.” 

I didn’t bother to ask for a translation on that, her annoyed tone told me that it was either an insult or a quip for correcting her. Either way, it didn’t matter to me. “When are you guys coming? And don’t answer in Russian,” I added before she could be tempted.

“Then don’t correct me again.” 

“Deal.”

“We will be there in a week, on March fifteenth according to Demon’s notes. Will you be there then?”

“Yes, I will be. Don’t tell Demon and don’t look for me. I don’t know what’s going on here, but between Demon and I we can figure it out.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing. Demon advised me not to go, but it would look poorly for a new trading partner if I didn’t. I better not be walking into a trap, Spit Fire. Don’t reveal us and we won’t reveal you.” She paused momentarily, once again I heard Russian being spoken back and forth quickly. I couldn’t keep up with any of it. When she returned she was in a rush. “Demon is returning; I must go if you do not wish for him to know about your arrival at the loch.”

I hung up without replying, picked up my notes and rushed to my room to pack. Katya had given me everything I needed from her, and then it was time to put everything in motion. 

“A loch?” The word was familiar, it tasted similar to another word I knew rested just on the tip of my tongue. “I have to find a loch in Washington before they arrive in two days. Where would a loch...” I paused for a moment as the word rolled off my tongue again. “More like a lake in Washington. Bank Lake.” The realization sparked a new hope for my mission. I pulled the map of the state closer to me and examined it. I found a lake with a name close to what I needed, Banks Lake. A little may have gotten lost in translation, but at least Katya had come through. 

I skimmed the area surrounding the lake. It covered about twenty-seven miles, which would be too much to search through on foot. I needed to get a closer estimate of where he was before taking off on an almost three-hour trip. I knew he’d want the airstrip and base to be secluded and Katya had said it was in the north so I looked for large areas of land near the mountains, which had a lot of space between towns. My eye caught on a stretch of land above the lake. Plenty of room and there didn’t seem to be any small housing constructions going on there according to the map. It was my best shot, and if I found the airstrip I could lay low and wait for the trade then follow them back to Harley. 

My hands clenched into tight fists at the thought of him. It was only a matter of time now before I could wrap my hands around him and force the life out of him. You can’t get out of this one Harley. Time to face the music.