strong presence. I had to check it out to make sure I wasn’t mistaken.”
“And got yourself shot by a sentry.”
“It was only a scratch. And I got away without anyone getting a glimpse of me. Anyway, I got the verification we needed. And we might be able to nail them.” She added hotly, “I was careful. I did everything right. So why the hell am I on this damn plane?”
“You got shot. I’d hardly call that doing everything right. I’m not giving them another chance at you.”
“I told you, they couldn’t have known it was me.”
“They’ll know someone is investigating the conspiracy that they desperately want to keep secret. The first thing Brock and the Taliban will do is scatter and dissolve any sign of collusion. It’s probably being done already. The second thing they’ll do is start an investigation of their own. They’ll move very fast, Kendra.”
“Then we should move faster. We can find the evidence we need.” She was frantically trying to salvage an opportunity that seemed to offer so much hope. “Bring me back there, and I’ll start to—”
“It’s not going to happen, Kendra. No way on Earth I’m going to yank you back here and make you a target.” He paused. “We’re going to shut down the operation for the time being.”
“What? No!”
“Yes,” he stated firmly. “Right now there’s no actual proof we got that close to any cozy arrangement existing between Brock and the Taliban. As I said, they’ll probably scatter and be cautious for a while. We need them to feel safe enough that they’ll come back and let us get that proof. Temporarily, I’ll turn our mission over to the CIA to see what they can dig up. Jessie and I will stay here for a little while and continue to look as if we’re still searching for clues, before we supposedly throw in the towel in disgust. You will have already officially given up the search, and Kotcheff’s records will show that you left Kabul three days ago.”
He was rattling off plans with his typical efficiency, but she wasn’t happy with any of it.
“I don’t like it. It’s giving up. There has to be some other way to do it.”
“And I don’t like the idea of anyone thinking that you know too much and they have to put you out of commission,” he said grimly. “That was a flesh wound, but you left blood at the scene. The Taliban might not be up to tracing your DNA through that blood, but the Brock medics would have no problem.” Lynch continued crisply, “Listen to me, here’s how it goes. You left Kabul three days ago and promptly forgot the place ever existed. In fact, you were immediately involved in an FBI case that had absolutely nothing to do with Brock Limited or Afghanistan.”
She tensed. “Is that an order?”
“I wish it could be,” he said wryly. “I’ll have to settle for calling Griffin with the FBI and begging him to find some way to cover for you.”
“Ridiculous. You never beg Griffin for anything.”
“Until now,” he said softly. “I’d beg him to keep you safe.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel all warm and fuzzy?” she asked coldly. “It’s not working. I’ve no intention of forgiving you. Getting me thrown out of Afghanistan was completely unnecessary. You could have found a way to handle the situation that left me with dignity intact.”
“I admit I wasn’t overly concerned with your dignity at the time. I was more worried about Brock or the Taliban finding out that it was you who’d made that connection and coming to look for you.” He paused. “And to be honest, I’d do it all again if it meant that it had the same result. Afghanistan can’t exist for you any longer. It’s not safe. Forget about it.” He suddenly chuckled. “Saying that, I’d judge it would be very wise to make my exit quickly before you verbally strike me down. I’ll be in touch. Have a good flight, Kendra.” He cut the connection.
Always the last word, Kendra thought as she looked down at the phone with frustration. Even as furious and upset as she was with him, he’d still managed to do it.
As well as disturbed her and turned her life upside down with his orders and this latest outrageous action. He always thought he knew best because all those corporations and governments believed he walked on water. Yes, he was brilliant and able to pull strings that no one else