“Dodger didn’t go UA. We’re going to find out what is going on, quietly,” LT said.
They headed toward the ready room. It was dark inside with all the techs and their two liaisons sleeping.
“You know how to search for satellite footage and check police records?”
2-Stroke smiled. “Yes.”
“Get to it and make sure there’s no footprint.”
2-Stroke sat down and accessed what he needed, then looked for the time he went into the art store. He found the footage, copied it to his phone, and cleared out the history, then accessed police reports, copied the relevant documents to his phone, and again erased his hack.
“We’re going for a drink,” LT said. “Gather up the team and meet me out front.”
2-Stroke nodded, fetched the guys, and they assembled out front. Together they walked to a local bar and took a back table, where 2-Stroke pulled up the footage.
“This is a satellite image just at dusk,” he said solemnly.
Everyone watched the clip. Dodger started for HQ, but before he took less than a dozen steps, he stopped and turned, then changed direction.
“He’s headed across the square. We lose the satellite before we can see where he goes. But I believe after viewing this that he was following this woman.” 2-Stroke tapped a figure yards from Dodger. “The angle is bad to see her face, but the way she’s dressed indicates she’s most likely a hooker, and the nearest hotel is Evzen straight across the square.”
The only relevant police report is that there was an altercation in this alley.” He pulled up another satellite stream, but the darkness made it difficult to see.
“What was clear was that there was fighting.” Then the woman from the square stepped into the light only briefly before she disappeared into the darkness, and the clip ended. “There was no one there when the police arrived, although people from the adjacent building said they heard sounds of a struggle.”
“Was Dodger there?”
“Not clear. But if he was following her, it’s possible.”
“Why is he following and protecting some hooker?” Dragon asked, then added, “Unless he knows her.”
“But if that’s the case, why hasn’t he called in?”
“Something else went wrong?” Saint said.
“The woman.” Mad Max leaned forward, peering at the screen, his expression contemplative. “She…looks familiar, but I can’t place her. Whoever she is, she’s the reason Dodger went UA.”
“Bollocks, Anna, I don’t even know where to begin.” He released a weary sigh and closed his eyes.
A terrible ragged sigh left her. “I can only answer questions that don’t have to do with my current op.”
“Was it a success at least?” Christ. Her current op? Every perception of Anna had been wrong, except maybe that river of steel that ran through her and her Lara Croft vibe. Even now as he looked at her dressed in a pair of almost see-through, wide-legged gauzy pants and the molded white lace tank top, she looked ready for action, as if she could kick butt in her bare feet.
“Yes, it was. But, Dodger, my cover is blown.” Her voice wobbled. It was the first crack in her tough girl wall since he’d seen her sexy sidling hips moving across the square. “There were people at my cover’s apartment.” Her hands clenched in her lap. “They know who I am, and I don’t know how that’s possible.” She rubbed the back of her neck, frustration on her face. “I can’t reach my handler either. No answer and no call back. It’s odd.”
“Well, without knowing what your current op is about…” He held up his hands to stem her protest that she couldn’t tell him. “…my hands are tied for speculation.” He paced back to the window, looking out again. “Does Max know?”
She followed him in and sat gingerly on the sofa, pulling her legs under her and looking cool and professional again. It reminded him how incredible her ass had been, not something he would likely forget, not in his lifetime.
“No. I never told anyone. I was recruited straight out of college, and the CIA built my cover at National Geographic.”
“So, rescuing Max in Paraguay?”
“Was all me. I conceived of the idea, presented it to my boss, and I called in a favor. Since rescuing Max and going after Angar Said coincided with what DoD wanted, they gave me the green light.” She looked down at her hands, then back at him. “I put together the target package for Muhammad Angar Said. Kelly took it to your team, so I