“The three men are under a suicide watch,” Smithers replied. “We haven’t found any cyanide capsules on their person, which leads us to believe the directive of their mission has changed. Are they even as committed to their cause or are they just hired goons with no loyalties?”
Moore took a step toward Caitlin. “What are you hiding?”
Travis detonated. “Not a step closer, Detective, or I’m throwing you out and you can charge me if you want. Let me remind you that you’re in my home. Without a warrant.” He pulled Caitlin behind him, ignoring the glare she shot his way. “Caitlin is the victim here.” Hopefully the CIA would scoop up Pavlo’s thugs straightway. “As I’ve said before, this is over your head and mine as well. Take my advice.”
“I’d hate to see you lose your wife for real, Mr. Blake.” For the first time since he had butted heads with the detectives, there was no malice in Moore’s voice. “You and I both know her disappearance the first time is linked to what’s happening now.”
“Your concern is appreciated,” Travis said curtly. “Anything else?”
“We just wanted to warn you both,” Smithers said. “I agree. This problem may be a job for the other alphabet agencies. If the perps are far reaching enough to put a man inside our department, we’re compromised.”
“You don’t know whom to trust,” Travis said, and he noted grimly, neither did he.
Smithers nodded. “Now may be a good time for both of you to take a vacation, until whatever this is blows over.”
When the detectives left,Travis called Porter.
“I got the news, Travis,” the admiral said when he answered the phone.
“Tell me you had nothing to do with this,” he growled. His molars were grating against each other in repressed anger.
“I have nothing to do with Pavlo Milekhin’s disappearance,” Porter replied immediately. Then added, “Watch it, Lieutenant, lest you forget who your allies are.”
“Are you?” Travis challenged. “Still my ally?”
“You don’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust anyone right now.”
“That may be a good thing.”
“Are you saying I shouldn’t trust you?”
The admiral sighed. “I’m saying, Blake, with Pavlo Milekhin at large, you should be careful.”
“What’s your plan of action?” Porter inquired casually. Too casually. Travis’s hand tightened on his phone as he contemplated what to say.
“Caitlin’s on lockdown. No one gets to her except through me. That includes you and anyone outside BSI,” Travis told Porter. “Don’t even think of using Beatrice.”
“I understand.”
Travis didn’t know what to make of the admiral’s quick acceptance. Fuck. It was screwing with his head. He had no patience for mind games, which was probably why he’d never make it as a spy. While he knew Porter had no qualms lying when the situation arose.
“Good. Later, Admiral.”
Travis disconnected and turned his attention to Caitlin who was looking extremely troubled.
“I’m on lockdown again?” Caitlin asked sadly. “Can I at least go to the office with you? I love this house, but I’ll go nuts in here by myself.”
“I have a better idea,” Travis said. “I’m taking you out of town.”
Their black ChevySuburban flew past the lush pastoral lands of Southwestern Virginia. They had been on I-81 for a few hours. They left DC a little after 3:00 p.m. According to Travis, they should make it to the town of Iron Ridge near Virginia’s border with Kentucky by nightfall. Caitlin got to witness firsthand how careful Travis was about covering their tracks. After packing enough for a week or two, he loaded up her Audi in the garage and left for the office. In the underground parking garage, they switched cars with Nate and drove back to Nate’s house where the Suburban was waiting for them in the garage. The car was rented under one of BSI’s undercover IDs, and Travis had matching credit cards to use.
Still, for a good distance from the nation’s capital, Travis remained vigilant, checking the rearview mirror for any tail.
It was only when they made the transition from I-66 to I-81 that he started to relax, and his jaw unclenched from its grim line.
“You doing okay, sunshine girl?” he asked, glancing over at her. His hand drifted over the console to find hers, intertwining their fingers. Caitlin always found it so sweet that Travis loved to hold her hand while he drove.
