The Puppeteer (27 page)

“Great,” Fawkes drawled. “We've got ourselves a grade-A mother-fucking psychopath arming a group intent on making an explosive statement somehow, somewhere, and that's all we know about him?”

“That about sums up the situation,” Drew conceded with an annoyed shrug. He wasn't annoyed with Fawkes, but with the situation. It irritated him to no end that Frey had been operating for decades without so much as a by-your-leave from the CIA. It made his skin crawl thinking about all the things this guy might have done, might have been involved with. Things they might have been able to put a stop to had they put two and two together earlier. And while he hedged his bets with the team, there was no doubt in Drew's mind that Frey was pulling the strings and everyone, including Dani's parents, were nothing but puppets to him.

“And the plan?” Marmie asked.

“Now that we've got an ID on Frey, we've got someone on him,” he began to answer.

“Are we confident he won't tag the guy?” Spanky asked.

“It's Kapitany,” was all Drew needed to say to his team. They all nodded in approval. Ty, Jay, and the others looked to him for explanation.

“Ethan Kapitany?” Jay asked. When Drew nodded, Jay nodded back in recognition.

“Jay?” Ty said. Ty didn't say anything else, but he looked to his friend for assurance on Kapitany.

In response, Jay gave Ty a sharp nod. Drew saw Ty's shoulders relax and then send Roddy and Fawkes a single look. At this, they relaxed as well. Though Kaps was a company man through and through, it didn't surprise Drew that Jay knew of him. He was a legend among those who had ever touched his world—which, apparently included Jay.

“So what now?” Roddy asked.

“Now we rest. We wait. Cotter, I have a few things I'd like you to look into with respects to Frey's time in the army?” And, just like
that, the meeting ended. Everyone but Cotter filed out and within minutes, Drew and the Cotter were alone.

When the door closed behind the last person, Drew turned and spoke. “Find out what the hell happened to him in Vietnam. He was a kid from nowhere when he went in and the minute he comes out he disappears and then shows up like this? Something happened, find out what.”

It wasn't a request and, though he didn't often give Cotter orders, even though he had a right to, he did so now—without hesitation. Cotter studied him for a long period and then, giving a curt nod, he left, leaving Drew to contemplate what Frey was involved in and how he was going to keep Dani out of it.

*   *   *

By unspoken consensus, everyone but Drew and Cotter moved from the library to the kitchen. Drew had dumped a lot of information on the team and they needed some time to process it. Ty smiled, watching the team's personalities surface as they did so. Marmie went straight for the pastries Fawkes had brought in earlier that day. Spanky proceeded to make some god-awful thing that Ty supposed could, on a stretch, be called a sandwich.

Fawkes, Roddy, and Jay, as the relative outsiders, observed the subtle actions from various places around the kitchen. Dani touched Ty's arm and asked if he would like some coffee. He smiled at her gesture, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and shook his head. He was tired and he knew Dani must be exhausted.

He accepted a glass of water instead and leaned against the counter, Dani at his side. The silence stretched and, though it wasn't uncomfortable, there was a definite undercurrent. Then Spanky tossed his sandwich down and swore.

“Christ, Mack,” he said. “I had no idea. I'm so sorry,” he added. And then, taking everyone by surprise, he walked over and gave Dani a hug—a hug she returned.

Marmie walked up and moved Spanky to the side. She gave Dani a look communicating that she seconded his statement. “I'm so sorry about your parents, dear,” she said before enveloping Dani in yet another hug.

Ty watched the team rally around Dani and he felt himself relax. He hadn't even realized he was tense, but he had been, on Dani's behalf. She'd been through enough today that he didn't want her teammates to question her father's motives or actions or give her a hard time about keeping something from them. When they showed nothing but support, he allowed himself to let down his guard a little bit. Not much, but a little bit. Still, he was ready to step in and run interference which, judging by Dani's body language, he would need to do soon. She appreciated the support, and even let herself be comforted, but he could see all the attention was beginning to make her uncomfortable.

Fawkes must have noticed, too. “Fawkes, don't even think of coping a feel,” Ty all but barked as Fawkes stepped forward to offer his condolences with a big hug.

Fawkes shot him and Dani an unrepentant grin. “A guy's gotta keep trying. Didn't you teach us that lieutenant? Failure is not an option?”

Ty rolled his eyes and Dani laughed. If nothing else, Fawkeshad accomplished his goal. Within minutes, sensing Dani's need to be alone, her team had disappeared into their own little worlds scattered about the house. Jay and Roddy headed out and Fawkes dragged his feet up the stairs with one last offer to let Dani share his room.

When the kitchen was empty but for Dani and Ty, he put his hands on her shoulders and turned her toward him. He massaged her neck. Her head fell back in appreciation and she closed her eyes.

“How are you?” he asked.

For a long moment she remained silent.

“I'm tired, Ty. Just…really tired.”

“You've been through a lot today.”

“It's strange,” she said. “I haven't told anyone about what happened in almost twenty years, and then to tell it twice in one day…” her voice trailed off.

“How did it feel?”

“Tough,” she said. “It was tough. But it was also the right thing to do. It was time. Probably way past time, if you asked a shrink,” she added with a small smile.

Ty pulled her against his chest and ran a hand down her back. They stood that way for a long time before either of them moved.

“I'm so tired, Ty,” she said again, this time the sadness was thick in her voice.

“Go on up to bed,” he replied, his voice quiet.

“What about you?” she asked.

“I have to run home and get a change of clothes. I'll be back as soon as I can.”

“Good,” she said, burrowing gently against him. “I don't want you to leave me.”

“I'm not going anywhere. Not tonight.”
Not ever
hung in the air between them, but he didn't say it because he didn't need to.

*   *   *

The house was quiet when Ty returned—showered, dressed in clean clothes, and carrying a small bag. It was quiet but he wasn't fooled. He had no doubt the house was buzzing with activity—well, silently buzzing anyway. If he poked his head downstairs, he'd see Marmie's team sifting and sorting through information. Cotter's men would be out watching the compound, and Spanky's team would be plugged into their electronics.

As he headed for the stairs, the door to his right opened and Drew stuck his head out.

“Ty,” he said.

“Drew.”

“Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Ty turned and walked into the study. He set his bag down and waited for the team director to speak. Drew's eyes went from Ty to the bag at his feet and back again.

“How's Dani?” he asked.

“Tired. I hope asleep by now,” Ty answered, wondering why Drew hadn't asked her himself.

Drew's eyes flicked to the bag again.

“I'm staying, Drew,” Ty said in response to Drew's unspoken concern. Drew studied his face for a long moment before sighing and turning back to his desk.

“The day's been hard on her,” he said, pulling out a file. It was a massive understatement and Ty didn't bother responding.

“Here,” Drew said, handing Ty the file. “That's the picture of Frey Dani recognized on top, and a few more that Adam sent today from Miami.”

Ty flipped through the pictures, not needing much time to burn the image into his memory. He flipped the file closed and handed it back to Drew, waiting for whatever Drew needed to say next.

“He's on his way up here,” Drew said. Ty raised an eyebrow. “Booked himself a flight. He arrives tomorrow in Portland.”

“And it's legit?”

“The ticket's booked. Whether or not he gets on the flight, we'll have to see.”

“And if he does?”

“We've got a plane on standby. Kapitany will take it and make it here ahead of Frey so he can pick him back up at the airport.” Ty mulled this over, knowing now why Drew called him into the office. He wanted Ty to break the news to Dani.

“And Sonny?” Ty asked.

“He's headed back to Eagle's Wing tonight. And they're all booked on a flight to Toronto tomorrow.”

“So it's happening,” Ty commented.

“In the next few days is my guess,” Drew concurred.

Ty nodded and reached for his bag.

“When are you going to tell her?” Drew asked, the sadness and memories of all those years still heavy in his voice.

Ty sighed, “Tomorrow. She's tired, she needs a good night's sleep, and nothing can be done about it now.”

Drew managed a half smile. “She's not going to like being the last person to know.”

Ty chuckled, “I know. That's why you gave me the dirty job.”

Chapter 19

DANI WAS RELENTLESS.
But then, after knowing her for her entire life, this didn't come as a shock to Drew. But still, even he was surprised at the extent she interrogated Adam about his trip to Miami and every little detail he could remember about Nicholas Frey.

Dani was hovering over Adam's desk and, though Drew couldn't hear everything they were saying, he did catch the occasional ‘save me’ glances Adam was throwing in Ty's direction.

Drew turned his attention to Ty and saw he was deep in conversation with Roddy, Fawkes, and Jay. All of Adam's pleas where going nowhere. Even when Ty did glance in the direction of Adam and Dani, all of his attention was focused on her.

As he approached Ty, Drew could hear the men talking about currents, drop times, swim times, and other SEAL-related topics. As he came closer, the men stopped talking and looked up at him expectantly.

“You need to call off the dogs,” Drew said to Ty with a jerk of his head in Dani's direction. Ty smiled.

“No way. I did your dirty deed this morning and kept her from coming after you for withholding the information last night
and
the information about her father's files being in your possession. Don't think she's forgotten about that,” Ty offered in warning.

Drew grimaced. She'd get over his little omission, he knew she would, but she wouldn't be graceful or gracious about it.

“Drew?” Marmie said, walking toward the group carrying a stack of files. “Ready?”

He nodded and moved to the center of the room. “Guys,” he called. The room went silent. When Drew was sure everyone was listening, he continued.

“As you all know, Nicholas Frey arrived in Portland about an hour ago and made his way to Getz's compound. Sonny's schedule changed and he is expected to land in Toronto within the hour and several of his Eagle's Wing cohorts are already there.

“Martin Cassidy, the cousin in New Brunswick,” Drew reminded everyone, “procured a couple of boats this week. Long range sport cruisers. The kind of boat that, if it launches tonight, will be down here by the day after tomorrow.”

“Which means we go in tomorrow night,” Fawkes interjected.

“Which means you go in tomorrow night. Early morning to be exact,” he added, confirming the plan they'd already set. Fawkes and Roddy would lead the water assault by taking in a team in the dark hours of the early morning so they had a higher chance of emerging from the water onto the land without being seen. Once on land, the team would get in place and stay that way until the action started.

“What about the drugs?” Dani asked. “Do we know if the Eagle's Wing has them, or is getting them somewhere on the way? And if they're getting them on the way, where?”

“They idn't have them when they arrived in Toronto,” Drew answered. “Canada agreed to let us handle customs and we ran a couple of extra-high tech searches. Nothing came up, so we know they're clean for now. It's looking like Cassidy might have acted as the intermediary, receiving the goods and storing them until they are shipped down to Getz.”

“Or?' Ty prompted. Drew didn't even bother to hide the fact that he hadn't wanted to share his own opinion on what he thought might take place. He didn't have any evidence to support his new belief, but his instincts told him it might not be drugs Getz was going to be receiving from the militia.

“Or,” he started, taking a deep breath. “Or, it's not drugs they'll be exchanging at all. It's possible Sonny has something else, maybe information, they will be handing over instead. Something passed to him from Frey.”

“What kind of ‘something’ and why wouldn't Frey pass it on himself? He's there already,” Spanky pointed out.

“Manipulation,” Ty replied. Drew nodded.

“For some reason, Frey wants Sonny involved with both Getz and the Eagle's Wing. Again, we don't know why, but he seems to be setting Sonny up for something. As for what that ‘something’ is, I'm not sure. But, a couple of months ago, Frey was in South America when the oldest son of a prominent drug lord, one of Getz's suppliers was killed. My guess is, he has information about this. Information Getz could use to secure access to more drugs and expand his growing empire.”