Marine's Mission - Rebecca Deel Page 0,50
silent agreement. “Someone leaked information about the project.”
“Was the project sanctioned by Huntington Tech?”
“They have a leak. The DOD told Matthews to develop the software on his own time.”
Owen’s eyes narrowed. “The military brass tried to do an end run around the traitor.”
A nod. “The strategy was an epic fail. Someone close to Matthews knew or guessed what he was working on and sold him out. Best place to begin the hunt for the traitor is with Matthews’s coworkers.”
“Zane is already looking into the backgrounds of Ellis’s friends and boss.”
Jon Smith stirred. “I’ll talk to Z. Who should I look at first, Owen?”
“Addison Cramer is head of the software development division. I don’t think he’s our man, though. He’s after promotions, prestige, and power. Cramer came off as self-centered, not a mercenary.”
“Money can bring out the worst in people.”
“He wouldn’t risk serving time for treason.”
“Anyone else who should be at the top of my list?”
“Chaz Banks. He knew more about Ellis than the rest of his coworkers. While Gigi and I talked to the rest of the department personnel, Banks left work early. It’s out of character. I planned to follow up with him today.”
“Could be a coincidence,” Rafe pointed out.
“Or not,” Jon murmured. “I’ll find out.”
“Cover your tracks, Jon,” Maddox said. “Banks and the others are computer geeks.”
“Banks knows we’ll look at him.”
“If he’s our man, Banks is already in the wind,” Cal Taylor said. “He’d be a fool to stick around, waiting for the authorities to scoop him up.”
“He’s probably on some cushy island in the Bahamas, living under a new name,” Jackson muttered. “I’d like to be sleeping on a beach, soaking in the rays.”
“Same here,” Rafe said.
“You’ll have your chance to catch more rays than you want soon,” Maddox said. “I don’t want this traitor to crawl into a hole and disappear.”
Owen frowned. The boss knew more than he’d shared about the terrorist group holding Ellis and Toni.
“I’ll find Banks.” Jon folded his arms. “It’s harder than people realize to cover their tracks. He’ll make a mistake. When he does, I’ll have him.”
“We can’t wait for him to screw up,” Maddox said. “We don’t have enough time, and neither does Matthews.”
Owen’s hands fisted. “Toni is as important as Ellis.”
“You heard the president. Matthews is the priority.”
“We’ll rescue both of them,” Eli insisted. “What’s the plan?”
Maddox pinned Owen with his gaze. “It involves your girlfriend.”
“No.”
“Hear me out.”
“Would you risk your wife’s life on an op?” Dead silence filled the room. Owen had crossed a line, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to put Gigi in the line of fire. Owen loved with her, and he’d do whatever it took to protect her, including walking away from Fortress.
“Gigi isn’t your wife.”
Owen flinched at the tone sharp enough to cut like a knife. “She will be when I convince her I’m worth the risk to her heart.”
“Like it or not, your woman is already involved. Taking down the organization that ordered the kidnappings is the only way to ensure her safety.”
Fair enough. “What’s your plan?”
“Take Gigi on a date.”
“That’s on my agenda tonight.”
“Archer’s a small town. Spread the word about your date.”
“How will that help?”
“Kilgore’s partner is nearby, waiting for a chance to complete his task.”
Owen stiffened. “I won’t let him take Gigi.”
“Give him the flash drive.”
Eli whistled. “Are you sure about this, boss?”
“Time crunch, remember?”
“The file is the key to the software program Ellis created,” Owen said. “We can’t give that file to terrorists.”
“Zane and Caleb are creating a similar file, one with a flaw in the code. You’ll give the thug the new file.”
He didn’t want more military or civilian deaths on his conscience. “That’s not good enough, sir. When the terrorists discover the key is flawed, they might decide they have no further use for Ellis or Toni.”
“You or Gigi will plant a tracker on the kidnapper.” Maddox raised his hand. “Hear me out before you shoot down the plan, Montgomery.”
Owen gave a slight nod, seething at the increased risk to Gigi.
“The kidnapper must have access to a private plane.”
“Just because the kidnappers’ SUV is an airport rental doesn’t mean they flew her out of the area.”
When Maddox didn’t respond, Jackson said, “You know the location of Ellis and Toni, don’t you?”
“Not exactly. I have a general idea where to start the search.”
“Don’t tell me we’re headed to the Chihuahua province in Mexico again,” Rafe said.
“The coast of Costa Rica.”
The members of Wolf Pack exchanged glances, their expressions grim. “We’re headed to Chacala?” Eli asked.
“Very good, Wolfe.”
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