Fatal Diversion (The Keeper's Series #4) - Stephanie St. Klaire Page 0,12

I have even more enemies because I don’t subscribe to the institution of bullshit.”

“Ran, that’s not even the bulk of it. This was planned.” Mercy paused to let that sink in.

“And you can’t put a plan into action without prior knowledge,” Ransom said. “That narrows the field to those who knew I was on the go that day and where.”

Mercy nodded.

Ransom turned to Dillon. “That means I put you directly in the line of fire. You are marked now. I’m…so sorry.”

Dillon couldn’t speak. Ransom was loud, confident, and sure of everything he said and did…except at this moment. There was a sense of defeat and remorse in his words. As if he was truly hurt to learn the extent of danger surrounding him and what had consequently landed on her. Something about that vulnerability and the emotion that came with it was endearing. Sweet. And it made her feel something unfamiliar to her.

“You couldn’t have known,” she replied.

“But I should have. I should have known, and that’s the problem.” Ransom’s stare locked on hers as a hundred words passed between them in silence. It was a personal and almost intimate exchange.

“You shouldn’t, uh…take it personally,” Coy interrupted. “You have a weakness in your subordinates, not your…character or ability to act as commander in chief.”

It seemed the moment of vulnerability wasn’t lost on Coy either, hence his response to Ransom’s distraught plea.

“Thanks. Appreciate that.” He nodded at Coy as if some sudden truce grew between them.

“We found more,” Killion went on, the mood in the room collectively somber. “We believe it was a distraction. Our teams had been in the area on other business, so I gathered intel from their cases and the drones I had up for surveillance. It was a two-step attack.”

“The other step?” Ransom asked.

“Activity was detected a mile south on a parking structure much like the one the long gun was on. It was manned and equipped with what we believe to be programmable warfare.”

“Programmable. You mean rockets and missiles and shit.” Ransom tossed his head back. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I’m afraid not, Ran,” Killion said. “We swept the area. Trace amounts of residue were left, so we know what kind of materials they were packing. I also have a microchip.”

“Let me guess. All ours. New tech that we’re testing.” Ransom looked at Kroy and shook his head. “This…”

When the words didn’t follow, Coy chimed in, “Is some real bullshit…sir. Homegrown bullshit.”

“Well, we can agree on something, I guess.” Ransom chuckled. “Serious bullshit. My own administration wants me dead?”

“That’s just it. We don’t know yet. No matter how this thing spins, your administration has been compromised. Now, whether they are out to get you or just being bought by another threat has yet to be determined,” Mercy said.

“So what do we do?” Dillon was ready to suit up and join her team, and it pained her to sit there in a tight pencil skirt, sky-high heels, and hairspray, but it wouldn’t stop her from doing her job if the target landed in front of her at that very moment. “You, uh, talked about your case…a big case here in DC. Is this related?”

The team knew what she was getting at and understood the indirect approach. She was maintaining cover, and for a good reason. They needed her, and they needed her close to Ransom based on the indisputable evidence collected to date.

“It is our belief that it’s not only related but it’s also the core of this entire thing, and Ransom being in office is somehow interfering with the greater agenda,” Mercy spoke.

“Excellent. I said I was here to ruffle feathers and shake things up. Looks like I really stepped in it,” Ransom said to the group. “Let’s weed this sore out and deal with it once and for all so the real work can finally begin.”

8

“Well, that was…awkward,” Dillon said, pacing after Ransom and Kroy had cleared the room, headed for yet another obligation. “I’m glad he’s as busy as he is and didn’t have time to stick around longer.”

She stopped at Coy and smacked the back of his head. “What the hell is wrong with you? I’m all for you joining the Keepers and doing the good work you’ve been doing in trafficking and rescue, but this side of the biz comes with a different set of rules, brother.”

“He’s into you, Dill.” Coy turned his chair to face her but didn’t dare stand toe to toe with her. “The way he looks at you