operative dragged a hand down his face. “Has to be Paul Wagner and his merry band of mercenaries.”
Owen frowned. Elliot had texted him with the name seconds before Owen entered the conference room and hadn’t had time to do background research. “Who’s Paul Wagner?”
“Weapons dealer. You want a particular weapon, he’ll get it as long as you pay the right price. He and his mercs use any means necessary to reach their goal, including kidnapping and murder.”
“You’ve tangled with him before, Eli?”
“Unfortunately.”
“The guy is as slippery as an eel,” Rafe said. “The feds are after him, but the Costa Rican authorities, especially those in Chacala, won’t cooperate in Wagner’s capture and deportation.”
“In other words, he’s funding local coffers and lining pockets of the authorities.”
“Wagner is a local hero. No one will help us take him down. If they realize we’re in the area and why, they’ll warn him.”
“Someone paid Wagner to steal Ellis’s program.” Owen looked at Maddox. “Did Ellis complete the program?”
“Three days before he disappeared, Matthews reported he was within days of finishing. Once he did, he planned to test it on military drones at an undisclosed base.”
Owen grimaced. Ellis may have finished the program before he disappeared. If Owen and Wolf Pack didn’t arrive in time to free the programmer and his girlfriend, Ellis might recreate the key in a desperate attempt to save Toni’s life. If he succeeded, thousands of people would die.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Gigi stared in wonder at the painted plywood in the skeleton of a town. The buildings of Crime Town varied from single-story structures all the way to a four-story building, complete with creative names of businesses, like Heartbreak Hotel and Sugar Rush, a pretend bakery. “This is incredible, Rio. Too bad I don’t have hours to explore.”
The medic chuckled. “You wouldn’t say that if you experienced the drills our bodyguards and operatives endure within this little town. Each one would tell you they hate this place with a passion.”
“Owen said you use Crime Town to train for hostage rescues and guerrilla warfare.”
“Among other things.”
“Things you won’t tell me?”
“Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. This is one of those times. Do you know what Owen did in the Marines?”
“He hasn’t shared much.”
“Owen was Special Forces. His missions are classified as will be most of his Fortress ops.”
She leaned against the wall of Sugar Rush. “Your point?”
“The military trained him to survive alone behind enemy lines. His skills are lethal, and he’ll do what’s necessary to accomplish the goal.”
“I know,” she murmured. Gigi had read enough about Force Recon to have an inkling of the hardships Owen endured while he was away from the Rocking M, his family’s ranch.
“He can’t tell you specifics about his missions, but he can share some of his experiences when he trained for the Marines.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“PSI training is grueling. Take what he tells you about his training for the Corp and multiply that by five.”
Gigi stared. “Why make it so difficult if your operatives were Special Forces?”
“Some trainees are law enforcement or civilians who want to be in black ops or work as bodyguards.” He folded his arms. “Criminals don’t play by the rules. The difficult training regimen helps keep our people alive.”
Gigi smiled. “So, they enjoyed their time at Camp Cupcake?”
Rio chuckled. “A wicked sense of humor. I like it.”
He walked through the streets and alleys of Crime Town with her, ending the tour by exploring the inside of a four-story building. The sign over the entrance door read, “Posh Palace.”
On the top floor, Gigi peered out the window opening, her attention fixed on the main building. “I wonder when Owen and Jackson’s meeting will end.”
“Soon. Maddox doesn’t waste time.”
“Do you know what this meeting is about?”
He shook his head. “The information Owen and Jackson receive will prompt a detailed planning session. When they deploy, they’ll have even more intel to refine their plans and add several alternatives.”
“I’m worried about Toni,” Gigi said. “She’s pregnant. What if the trauma hurts the baby?”
He squeezed her shoulder. “Fortress will free her. Our teams are the best in the business, Gigi. If anyone can save her, they’ll get the job done.”
“Do you know which team will go with Owen?”
“Since Jackson’s here, I suspect Owen’s backup is Wolf Pack.”
Relief swept over her. She’d seen how good Wolf Pack was when Emma was on the run from the Hunt Club. Owen would have support from fierce, experienced warriors.
Gigi’s phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen, heart skipping a beat at the short