Shattered Lies (Web of Lies #3)(43)

“Birch,” Tate said with warning in her voice. “The speech you’re supposed to give tonight?”

Birch shook his head. “It’s too good. I can’t do it tonight.”

Tate felt her mouth fall open. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, your speech is perfect, but we need all our ducks in a row before I give it. Tonight you release a generic press statement saying we’re back at the White House and settling back in. Tell them I’ll give a live primetime talk on all the networks soon. More information will be forthcoming.” Birch paused and held her eyes. “Once I read this, there’s no going back. Mollia Domini will know we’re talking about them and the threat level will increase.”

“I know. I thought about that, but it’s time to challenge them head on.”

“I agree, but it’s still a matter of timing.”

Tate let out a breath. “You’re right. I’ll make it happen.” Tate stood up on one foot as Humphrey hurried to her side and helped her into her chair. Birch stood up and slowly made his way around the desk. His left hand never left the desktop as he used it for balance and support.

“Get an advanced copy to Flint. Tell him he can publish it as soon as the speech is over. I’m sure he’ll have something to write about by then,” Birch said about the blogger who had been brought into their fold.

“Should I tell him about Sandra?” Tate asked.

“Yes,” Birch agreed. “But wait until we talk to Jason. I’ll have Dalton check on him. The man is walking on a precipice, and I don’t want him to fall. I thought giving him a mission to focus on, but—”

Tate knew exactly what Birch was worried about. Jason was blank. He had no emotion left but anger. It would be beneficial when it came to interrogation, but deadly for Jason if he decided there was nothing else to live for.

“Good idea. I’ll send everything to Flint as soon as I hear. I’ll see you at dinner. Don’t push yourself too much,” Tate chided as Humphrey pushed her out the door and handed her off to Jessica, Birch’s private secretary.



* * *



Birch slowly shuffled back to the desk. The pain in his side started once again, and he just wanted to sit down. Humphrey didn’t say anything as he came up and offered his arm for support.

Birch slowly lowered himself back in his chair, closed his eyes, and took some deep breaths. The pain began to fade, and he opened his eyes again. Humphrey was standing by the desk, looking at his phone.

“Sebastian is back,” Humphrey said with dread. Having your best friend involved in trying to kill you and take out the government wasn’t a subject he liked to talk about. “Alex said his GPS came on at a private airfield in Mexico. FAA records show his private plane just landed and has filed a flight plan to DC. He’ll arrive at five-thirty.”

“Pick him up at the airport. Take a couple agents with you if you think you can’t handle it. Although, after seeing you in action, I believe you could.”

“We all have our secrets, don’t we?” Humphrey joked, although it was true. “Mine just happens to be I enjoyed working out with the cadets I taught.”

“And I’m glad you did. Bring Sebastian to me, and let’s put an end to whatever game he’s playing.”

Humphrey nodded his bald little head and shoved his round wire-rimmed glasses up his nose with his finger. “You’ve got it.”

Birch watched him leave the room and closed his eyes. He didn’t know if they had time to wait or not. This mission with Gene’s kids had blown his timeline, but he couldn’t let them die. By saving them, he was defeating Mollia Domini. He didn’t know if this small battle was important to the war cause or only a distraction.



* * *



Valeria scanned the group on the beach from behind her dark, oversized sunglasses. It was the first time they had a moment to scan the guests. The second they had arrived, they’d been presented with the fake IDs in a sealed envelope that Alex had said one of his hacker friends had delivered, and immediately headed to the boutique to buy clothes. From there, they went to their room. Valeria had almost gasped as their concierge had shown them around the massive suite. There was a kitchen, a full bar, a living room, and a balcony that ran the entire length of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area. That was before they went back to the king-sized bedroom with electronic blackout shades and a separate balcony.

Their new purchases had been put away for them as Grant flipped on the television, and she’d made them lunch with the food that had been stocked in the kitchen. When all the attendants finally left, Grant flipped off the television and they ate before putting on their suits. Sadly, Grant had shaved, although he’d left enough scruff to show his wild Highland side.

He lay next to her in a couple’s cabana with his arms under his head. A tattoo of a Celtic trinity knot, with its horizontal and vertical lines combining in the intricate design, stood out on his left shoulder. Women were noticing, to say the least, considering his shoulders and chest looked to be sculpted from granite.

“Two o’clock,” Grant’s deep voice drew her attention from a twenty-something in a thong bikini who just dropped her sunglasses right in front of them. Val looked over at Grant and wanted to laugh. He wasn’t even looking at the woman. Instead, he was focused on a man on a lounge chair in the row behind Gene’s daughters.