It sounded as if Toro was coming around to his way of thinking, but Vega’s total lack of response did not bode well. She hadn’t uttered a word since he had outlined his idea, and her silence spoke volumes. Too professional to criticize him in front of their prisoner, she clearly had reservations, but if she had known the truth behind his suggestion, she would not have held her tongue.
When he had assured Vega she was the correct person to conduct the interview, he’d referenced the fact that Toro had appeared upset at being bested by a woman. What he didn’t share was the litany of observations he’d made watching Toro’s body language. Increased respiration, flushed skin, and dilated pupils when he looked at Vega betrayed his attraction to her. Tense muscles and a deep scowl also indicated his feelings were conflicted.
Undercover investigations were among the most dangerous in law enforcement, and Wu was gambling that sending Vega in with someone who viewed her differently than he would a male agent might make Toro hesitate if the Colonel gave the order to harm or kill her. For someone with Vega’s training, a moment’s hesitation on Toro’s part was all the edge she needed.
“There might be an opportunity for me to introduce her,” Toro said, cutting into his thoughts. “I’m supposed to meet with the Colonel and the rest of the team tomorrow.”
“When were you going to drop this little bomb on us?” Wu said, exasperated. “If that’s our timeline, we need to plan. What’s this meeting supposed to be about?”
“The Colonel got us a different kind of gig,” Toro said. “We’re supposed to go through a series of virtual exercises.”
Toro was either lying, or he was leaving out important facts. “Explain,” Wu said to him.
“All I know is we’re headed to a studio that will record everything we do in a VR format.” He shrugged. “Maybe someone who makes video games wants to see how real people will react in order to create realistic scenarios.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t know. Don’t care. It pays well. That’s what matters.”
Wu could hardly believe it. “There won’t be any criminal activity involved?”
“The Colonel said it’s just an exercise. There won’t be any real people there except us.”
“Where is this VR exercise going to be?” Vega asked.
“No clue,” Toro said. “The Colonel organizes everything. We just show up at the pickup spot with all our gear.”
“Where’s the pickup spot?” Wu asked.
“Somewhere in the city,” Toro said. “He’ll text me with the location right before I need to be there.”
Classic countersurveillance maneuvers. Perhaps this so-called colonel was the real thing. If he was, Johnson and the military intelligence personnel helping her would put a name to him soon enough.
“Who’s the client?” He wanted any drop of information he could squeeze out of Toro. “And how long will it take?”
“Have you been listening to me?” Toro said. “I don’t ask questions. The Colonel takes care of logistics. I’m paid to know just enough to get the job done. That’s it.”
He wondered how Vega was taking the new information. She’d taken an oath to defend her country and the Constitution. She’d risked her life for both. Could she ally herself—even on a temporary basis—with someone who had no loyalty, no allegiance, and no moral compass?
“Agent Vega?” he finally said to her.
“I’ll do it,” she said quietly. “But let me make one thing crystal clear.” She narrowed her eyes on Wu. “Whatever fake military background you construct for me will not include the 75th Ranger Regiment.” She crossed her arms. “That’s nonnegotiable.”
He understood honor. “I have nothing but respect for your service in such an elite position,” he said to her without hesitation. “We’ll fabricate a history that won’t damage the reputation of your former unit.”
“If this so-called colonel was ever actually in the military, he would know that no Ranger would ever use their training to become a contract killer.” She flicked a hard glare at Toro before turning back to Wu. “We take mental and psychological assessment tests to make sure we’re fit for the assignment. We pass background checks and hold security clearances. We’re not heartless killing machines released on the battlefield to wreak havoc.”
Vega was breathing hard, something he had never seen her do before. Was she trying to convince herself, or everyone else?
“The scrolls are something you earn every day,” she continued. “None of us would do anything to dishonor the regiment.”
He’d struck a nerve, so he asked her a question to redirect the conversation. “What scrolls are you talking about?”
She looked up as if searching for patience. “Soldiers who complete both parts of the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and serve in the 75th Ranger Regiment wear a tan beret and a uniform patch with a scroll.” She met his gaze. “They’re part of the Army’s Special Operations Command. It’s an honor and a distinction.”
“Hold up a second,” Toro said, eyeing her again. “I didn’t think women could be in special forces.”
Vega rounded on him. “Get your knuckles off the ground, Toro. Women have been in the 75th since 2017, and the first female infantry officer led a Ranger platoon into active combat back in 2019.”
“Whoa.” Toro raised his hands in mock surrender. “Didn’t mean to offend.”
“I would have to give a shit what you think to find anything you say offensive,” Vega shot back, the flush climbing her neck belying the words. “And I don’t.”
Wu changed the subject again. “When we backstop your cover, I’ll make sure it says nothing about special forces,” he said to Vega.
“So you’re a badass soldier,” Toro said to her. “But can you bullshit your way out of a jam?”
“I did undercover work in the military,” Vega said. “I can handle myself.”
Wu was aware of her brief stint in Signature Reduction, one of the largest covert programs ever devised by the Pentagon. Her work had been classified, but he had the clearance for a briefing on several of her assignments, which was one of many reasons he had requested her for the JTTF.
“Her record speaks for itself,” he said as much to Toro as to the unseen audience watching in the conference room. “She’s got plenty of UC experience.”
Before leaving the Army, Vega had served in their most elite combat unit, where she had smashed through closed doors, glass ceilings, and preconceived notions. Wu had no doubt she was more than qualified for this assignment. Her only challenge would be dealing with Toro, whose loyalty was only to himself.
CHAPTER 16
Dani followed Wu from the interrogation room with every intention of questioning her orders. New agents dreamed of working a high-profile case in an undercover capacity. On the other hand, she was being partnered with someone depraved enough to murder a child to save himself. He would have no issue stabbing her right between the shoulder blades if it meant escape.
Wu had his reasons for selecting her for this mission, and she wanted to know what they were. She waited for him to enter the observation room where he had watched with the Assistant US Attorney before joining the interview. With the AUSA gone and the room empty, she launched into her primary area of concern.
“Sir,” she began. “Toro is—”
She stopped when he put his cell phone to his ear. “SAC Wu.” His eyes widened. “I’ll put you on speaker. Agent Vega should hear this.” He held out the phone and tapped an icon.
“We ID’d the Colonel.” Jada Johnson’s excitement was contagious.
“Who is he?” Wu asked.
“Retired Colonel Xavier Treadway,” Johnson said.
“What branch?” Dani asked.
“Served twenty-eight years in the Army. Retired and now represents defense contractors.”
Wu’s brows shot up. “Represents them how?”
“He’s a lobbyist,” Johnson said. “Private companies looking to score lucrative DOD contracts hire his firm. He’s brokered billion-dollar deals.”
“That could be how he knows Senator Sledge,” Dani said. “Lobbyists meet with elected officials all the time.”
“Access the Congressional Record,” Wu said to Johnson. “See if you can find a nexus with the senator and any bills he supported that might benefit a defense contractor that hired Colonel Treadway’s firm.”
“On it, sir,” Johnson said. “I reached out to my counterparts with military intelligence for some more background,” she continued. “Treadway was trying for brigadier general but never got that promotion. Instead, the Army quietly forced him to retire.”
That got Dani’s attention. “Was his last assignment at the Pentagon?”
“How did you know?” Johnson asked.
“It’s logical,” she said. “He probably knew he wouldn’t get promoted and made every contact he could inside the Beltway during his last assignment so he could cash in later.”
Wu gave her an appreciative nod. “He set himself up to become an influencer in DC and a conduit for government contractors. After he left, the same generals who had blocked his promotion had to come to him for access.”
She had seen the type. There were some who had managed to claw their way into leadership positions who had no business being there. Such people stewed in their resentment when they could climb no higher, determined to make everyone around them pay homage. What she didn’t know was exactly when Treadway had sold his soul.
CHAPTER 17