Page 48 of Rogue Voice
“We’re not staying here an instant longer than necessary. We’re just waiting for a way out of the country.”
“Out of the country? But I don’t even have a passport. I’ve never been out of Colombia.”
“We’re going to figure it out. You’re going to be safe.”
“This isn’t safe,” she whimpered, pressing his hand tight enough to hurt. “Nothing is out of my uncle’s reach.”
Rogue searched in his mind for the right words.I would die before I let anyone hurt you.Before he could say anything, the kitchen door opened again and Dark popped his head inside.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Rogue. I’ve got the DEA and Interpol on the line, and they’re not happy.”
“I take it Cruz was gone by the time they got there,” Rogue said. He’d feared as much.
“I can leave,” Bea said, starting to stand. Rogue put his hand on her shoulder to stop her.
His finger poised on the speaker button of his phone, Dark exchanged a long look with Rogue. Rogue knew what he was asking and nodded.
“Put them on, Dark. We can trust Bea.”
Dark pressed the button.
“You guys fucked everything up.” Rogue recognized Agent Jon Roberts’ nasal tone.
“There’s no need to be crude, Agent Roberts.” That second voice was female, the tone clipped and precise. Rogueremembered her, as well. Agent Claudia Rahmer. “I’ve got my boss in Virginia up my ass, and you tell me there’s no need to be crude?” the man insisted.
“Do you think my superiors are happy?” the woman asked, dismissively. “What we need to figure out now, is how to move forward.”
“We wouldn’t be in this situation if your guy hadn’t jumped the gun and rushed in. I thought you were all professionals.”
Slate slipped into the room just in time to hear that little quip. “What did you expect me to do?” he asked, his face twisting in anger. “You guys should have been ready sooner, as we’d discussed.”
“There were … unexpected delays,” Agent Rahmer said.
“But you,” the man sputtered. “You should have controlled your team better, Dark.”
Slate looked like he was about to say something else, but Dark held up a hand, silencing him. “My man acted on my orders,” he said firmly. “We couldn’t wait any longer without risking Rogue’s life. If we had to do it over, we would do exactly the same thing again.”
There wasn’t anything the two agents could say to that, but the silence on the other end of the line made it clear just what they thought of the choice Dark had made. Bea’s small hands curled into fists. Rogue’s heart swelled. He placed his hand on hers.
“It’s okay,” he murmured gently, so only she could hear, stroking the back of her hand until her fingers uncurled. He knew the agents were just doing their job. Hell, he understood their frustration. They couldn’t take this personally.
“What’s done is done,” Agent Rahmer said, finally.
“Who did you find there when you arrived?”
“Nobody of any relevance. Emiliano Cruz was gone, as were all his men.”
“And Oscar Aguilar?” Rogue asked, somewhat unnecessarily. He needed to hear them say it.
“Gone. They had time to burn some documents as well. We have agents going through the ashes now.”
So we have nothing.So close, and we have nothing.
“Are you sure Emiliano hasn’t logged into your system?” Roberts asked.
“Of course I’m sure,” Rogue said, striving for patience. “He’s smart.”
“He’s greedy, too,” Rahmer said. “If he can use any of what you built, he will.”
