Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(50)

He watched me with cautious scrutiny while I finished my coffee. I was resolved to send a photograph of my CIA confederate to Corinne soon. I'd learned early never to trust anyone.

That's when the text came. Pulling out my phone, I read the message. The cabbie in Dublin had been shot dead in his cell. Nobody had seen anything, or so they'd claimed.

Hunter had told me what Corinne said about the man—that he might not live long. Likely, someone didn't fancy him talking about some of his activities. Too bad he'd already talked to me; it just wasn't on record. It made me wonder if Mary Evans had returned to Dublin after her assignment in Edinburgh was completed.

"Ready?" I asked, standing abruptly.

"Whenever you are," Nelson rose from his seat. "Let's take a look at bombed rubble, shall we?"

*

Corinne

"What can you tell me about this one?"

"Auggie?" I took the printed photograph from him.

"Just curious."

"Okay." I studied the man. "He isn't using his real name. Works for a government agency. Somebody wants info from him bad." I stood in alarm. "Auggie, get Rafe away from this guy. He's connected to Cutter."

August was on the phone so fast he was a blur.

*

"The President wants us on a plane to Scotland tonight," August said. He'd run out of my office earlier to report his findings to the President. He was back, now, James right behind him. "Pack your bags, Cori. We'll be out of here the minute you're done."

*

I remembered the last time I'd been on a flight to Europe. My ankles had swollen, I hadn't been able to sleep and I felt miserable from jet lag for two days. Back then, I hadn't been to Scotland. It wasn't on the itinerary.

Now it was, only I didn't think for a moment that any touristy things were on the agenda. I was going there to study the one currently known as Gerald Nelson, CIA. This time, Dr. Leo Shaw sat next to me on a military jet, while James sat across the aisle and Auggie had a row to himself farther back so he could work on his laptop. None of that happened during my last trip, either.

"Are you all right?" Leo asked. "Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine," I assured him. "Will Maye and Nick be okay while we're gone?" Jeff, Maye's handler, was doing double duty, taking Nick on after Preston's death. He had his hands full—Nick liked Preston—a lot. He was so angry with Becker and Gene for causing Preston's death that he might explode, too. He and Maye needed a distraction—in the worst way.

"The President has a function—they'll be there in the background and away from cameras," Leo replied. "We'll be in contact with the President and Vice President if there's anything you should see."

"Good enough," I sighed.

"Corinne, what troubles you the most in all this?"

"That we won't find the one behind all this in time," I said.

"Will you tell me why you were reluctant to come to us with your abilities earlier?"

"I wasn't needed by the Program before. Living on the outside let me get research done that I can't do inside the walls."

"I think we might be able to lift restrictions on much of that, now. I'll speak with Colonel Hunter and the President."

"That would be nice, as long as I know the people who will be checking on my research."

"You need to see them?"

"Yes."

"I see. Is there anything you might tell me about Becker?"

"Becker is being brainwashed and Gene is being paid. Becker is a tool in the hand of the enemy, now. Even killing him won't mitigate the harm he can do. They'll just preserve his body to get what they want."

Leo stared at me for several seconds, as if he were considering how I knew what I did. "I'll go speak with Colonel Hunter immediately." He unbuckled the seatbelt and heaved himself out of the narrow chair beside mine.

*

Notes—Colonel Hunter

"Shaw?" I moved my laptop bag so he could sit beside me.

"Corinne says Becker is a tool in the hands of the enemy, now."

"That's what the President and the rest of us are afraid of."

"I believe her. She says it doesn't matter if he dies—they'll preserve his body to get what they want."

"Fuck. I didn't realize Cutter knew so much."

"He likely has spies everywhere. Gene probably spilled everything he knew."

"Do you remember the nurse who gave Corinne too much medication the first night she was at the Mansion?"

"She died in the explosion."

"I think we should research her background—bank accounts and such."

"Can we do it from here?"

"I'll start the process now. James!"

*

Corinne

The moment Auggie yelled for James, I pulled the jacket I'd brought with me around my shoulders, leaned back and closed my eyes. They could do part of my research for me while I slept.

*

Notes—Colonel Hunter

"Look what we have here." James handed his tablet to me. A photograph was displayed. I recognized both people in the picture. Nurse Shelbi Oaks and Gerald Nelson, CIA—having dinner at an upscale restaurant two months earlier. She'd posted it on social media, probably without Gerald's knowledge or consent.