Bodyguard Lockdown - By Donna Young Page 0,46
also died that day?”
Quamar’s eyes narrowed on Aaron. “Booker’s wife died from complications of a pregnancy. It was in his background check I completed before we hired him.”
“That’s half the truth,” Aaron stated. “Very few are privy to all the details. When I say few, I can count them on one hand.”
“And I am supposed to take your word for this?” Quamar demanded. His instincts rose from the base of his spine, telling him Sabra spoke the truth. “Motivated by your sense for fair play? Just because I believed you did not harm the palace guards does not mean—”
“Believe what you want.” Aaron pulled a folded manila envelope from his pocket. “Or you can believe this.”
Quamar took the envelope, opened it and pulled out an autopsy report. His eyes scanned the words.
“It was an airtight case against Trygg, Quamar.”
“Trygg was tried for treason and the deaths of fifty military personnel,” Quamar replied. “Emily McKnight was not mentioned in any of the files.”
“Senator Keith Harper is Emily’s father,” Aaron explained. “He pulled some major strings to keep her death out of the public eye. And out of the military trial because her murder wouldn’t have made a difference in the outcome. Trygg was sentenced to death based on the death of Booker’s men. His execution date was set for less than a year away from now.”
“Why didn’t Senator Harper want her name included with the list of the victims?”
“Privacy. Emily was pregnant,” Aaron said after a moment. “That part of Booker’s file was true. Emily went to find Booker at the base the day of the deaths. She used her father’s name to get through the security gates. The guards were green. Most of the victims were. Trygg didn’t want any of his experienced military men killed.”
“Of course not,” Quamar said derisively.
“It appeared to be a series of mishaps,” Aaron explained.
“Appeared to be?”
Aaron shrugged. “Let’s just say that I don’t believe in mishaps or coincidences when Trygg is involved.”
Quamar grunted. “Go on.”
“Booker had been called away at the last minute to deal with another security matter off-site. Emily didn’t know that, of course, and the guards failed to tell her. By the time anyone realized she’d breached security, Trygg had already pumped the area full of CIRCADIAN.”
“I saw what the coroner reported.” Quamar stared past Aaron’s shoulder for a moment, processing. “She died sixteen hours later. First, she miscarried. After, the doctors could not stop the hemorrhaging.”
“That part was true. The CIRCADIAN caused them both.”
Silence filled the air between the men. Quamar studied Aaron for a moment, trying to figure out his motivation for sharing this information.
“Did you notice who the coroner was, Quamar?”
The giant glanced at the signature. His gaze darted back to Aaron. “Omar Haddad.”
“A close personal friend of Senator Harper. And missing in action, as of three hours ago,” Aaron stated, his tone grim.
“Omar has disappeared?”
“He and I were supposed to meet up earlier and approach you together,” Aaron replied. “He never showed. Could be he’s switched sides.”
“His disappearance does not confirm Omar is guilty of conspiring with Trygg, Sabra—”
“I’m not done,” Aaron interrupted, his voice hard. “Booker wasn’t on base at the time of the poisoning, because he received last-minute orders. Orders to escort Omar Haddad back to Taer.”
“For what reason?”
“A personal favor for General Trygg.”
“What are you saying?”
“Trygg used Sandra to control her father.”
“Booker knows of Sandra’s involvement,” Quamar stated. “If Omar thinks Booker would harm his daughter, he’d stop him.”
“Booker knows. Somehow he got ahold of Trygg’s file,” Aaron admitted. “I haven’t figured out how yet. It had been a closed military trial. No one except essential military personnel were allowed access. And all were ordered to remain silent.”
“People talk, given the right persuasion. And files can be stolen,” Quamar stated. “Booker had five years to do both.”
“It took him less than two months.” Aaron laughed with derision. “Booker found out almost immediately. He joined Labyrinth and headed over here within the first year after Emily’s death.”
“You and he could have had the same source. Who did you get your information from, Sabra?” Quamar demanded. “This kind of information just does not land at your feet.”
Aaron’s lips twisted into a wicked grin.
“I sold an airbus to a very important person in the United States government. An airplane that has a tracker located in its belly.”
“How in the hell did you get ahold of an airplane?”
“It just so happens that I am a close personal friend of the President of the United States.”
“The man who sent