Wanna Play (Ghost Unit, Book Three) (22 page)

“That’s only
one
reason you see the warriors gathered here. The other reason is as powerful. What happened to you ladies is wrong. This man—Harry Kauffman—is a sick predator who must be stopped. He offends us at the core of our value system as humans and as military men. Given the opportunity and information, we
would
do this for strangers, Liana. We’d damn well enjoy it too. That’s how deeply we’re offended by this bastard.”

Liana nodded and smiled shyly. “You should be a lawyer. You make a hell of an argument.”

Jas took Liana’s hand in hers as she chuckled. “He does, doesn’t he?” The two girls sobered looking at each other. “You willing to trust them?” Jas asked softly. “We’re going to finish this and get Carmen back. They make the job a hell of a lot easier but you and I could throw on fatigues and get the job done, ya know. We’re Marines. We can take care of this pissant.”

Liana’s face was serious as she leaned into Jas and said in a stage whisper, “You don’t think for one minute that they wouldn’t be there, do you?”

Jas’ smile was slow and wide. “No,” she whispered just as loudly. The two of them laughed as they sat back and looked at the men who’d all stopped what they were doing to watch the exchange.

Movement around the kitchen resumed as a massive amount of eggs, bacon, sausages and potatoes were in frying pans and the oven. The room was filled with comforting smells and the low rumble of male voices as food was prepared.

“Good, that’s settled.” Gray nodded, his pale eyes strangely warm. “Miss Allacosta, can you tell us what Kauffman said to your mother in the message he left with her right after you left L.A.? He obviously thought it was enough to get you in and viewed your remaining on the run as defiance.”

“Ah, I can tell you what my mom told me but I don’t think it’s a word-for-word replay. She was upset when I called her from the road and wouldn’t tell her where I was or where I was going. In the phone call to her, a man identified himself as a close friend of mine and told her I’d know who it was from his message. He said I would want to keep our friendship private as we were both public figures so he wasn’t leaving his name. Then he offered condolences for
both
my losses. Now that I was free from the two who controlled me, I was to feel confident in his protection since we had a mutual interest that he needed to discuss with me. Please call him immediately and that I already had his number.”

Liana spread her hands in a shrug. “It was confusing. His using the phrase ‘both losses’ and calling me ‘free now from the two who had controlled me’. That told me the other death had to be the only other person who knew what Cable knew. That was Jas. I was sure she was dead because there was no question Cable was dead. I had no idea what he meant by his protection and that I had his number.”

“Gezzzus,” Rem growled from the stove where he was making scrambled eggs that smelled suspiciously gourmet. “Filter that through a sick mind and you come up with a bast…jerk who needs a new pimp.”

“What?” Jas and Liana said at the same time.

“Amazing.” Gray’s face was grim.

“It’s logical.” Jackson spoke as he turned hash browns on a large sheet that he shoved back in the oven. “She has access to hundreds of his favorite flavor in women.”

“Yeah,” Charlie agreed, “and he just blew up his old pimp. He needs a new supplier and cleanup crew.”

“Freakin brass ones,” Blaster whistled a low exclamation. “Can he be that delusional? Obviously Larkin never mentioned our involvement to this idiot.”

“Fits his profile,” Gray confirmed. “He lost any sense of right and wrong long ago and has been ‘acting’ for a very long time. Mimicking normal people to fit in.” Gray scowled as he went on. “Larkin had to know Kauffman was getting close to an edge. That’s why Larkin was cleaning house. He was getting rid of evidence that would connect him to Kauffman. I don’t believe he went to the cabin expecting to die.”

“When I was looking into Robert Larkin I found he comes from Hoffman’s hometown. They joined up together but went to separate branches. It doesn’t look like they hooked up again for quite a few years. Then they were both stationed in Germany. As you know, the profile on Larkin says he’s a victim who became his abuser’s accomplice. He displayed the classic drives, always striving for approval and always expendable. I think whatever brought these two together happened long before they joined up. There hasn’t been time to fully investigate.”

Gray continued to explain. “Think of Kauffman as a junkie. He’s been sinking deeper and deeper into his habit for years. The reality he perceives is no longer what the rest of us see. Now he needs to know where his next fix is coming from. Until he has that securely nailed down, he will continue getting more and more out of control. He also believes he’s invincible. Look how long he’s gotten away with his lifestyle. Those delusions make him an idiot and he doesn’t know it.”

“His next fix?” Liana asked. “You think he is setting me up to…” She trailed off. “Ohh!”

“Yes,” Gray confirmed her exclamation. “You run a woman’s shelter. You have access to hundreds of women with no one to run to. You are a perfect supplier. He obviously perceives you as weak and alone. He feels he has you right where he wants you.”

“Surprise, surprise,” Jas murmured. “This is going to be fun.”

“Given all that, there are a few things that are a nuisance,” Gray continued. “Even though he’s unbalanced morally, he’s extremely intelligent. Even brilliant. So the hard, messy push to eliminate Carson, Larkin and Bourne, your attorney, seems hasty and way too public. Blowing up a plane full of important people is a high-risk operation. Blowing up a cabin, not as much, but still state and local officials get involved on the scene.

“He always intended to use the cabin as a trap, though I doubt he knew exactly who it would be for. He had it wired and armed, ready for use, but the lack of follow through on that event indicates a hasty operation. If it were planned, there would have been someone following you away from the site, Jas. At the very least, he should have had a sniper at the airfield where our plane was parked.”

“Blowing up a cabin?” Liana asked. “Larkin is dead?”

“Yeah,” Jas explained. “Kauffman led me to believe Larkin had tortured and killed you to get me up to the cabin outside of Atlanta. I was supposed to die in the trap he’d set. He managed to get Larkin. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

Gray continued. “Taking down the plane in Florida was done fast and dirty but still a smart kill. Eliminating everyone on board was cover ensuring no one will know there was only one mark. My question is, why do that one so fast? What is he worried about? He didn’t want the evidence released, but logically he had a scapegoat in Larkin’s death. If the evidence you took from the original scene is as indistinct as you say it is, this level of malice would not be needed.”

Platters of food were placed in middle of the table as Gray talked. Plates and utensils were handed out mess-hall style, fast as possible. A couple of chairs were dragged in from the dining room and everyone sat. They all filled plates in silence.

“So you’re wondering if there is something else on the disk?” Jas asked after she’d taken a few bites.

“Yeah. Maybe something that has nothing to do with the event you were involved in. Since you took the disk, Kauffman might not be sure if whatever he’s worried about is on it or not. That would explain his being unwilling to stir this pot if he doesn’t have to for this many years. He may not have been the one behind the attacks on the set. Those were generic compared to the action after Miss Allacosta recognized him.” Gray agreed with her.

“I see where you’re going with this,” Blaster added thoughtfully. “Larkin could have been the one getting worried about Jas’ position for his own reasons. She knew who he was. She could hurt his career. Kauffman didn’t have a reason to be concerned until Liana made him. The hard push and attempt to recover the evidence came within twenty-four hours of Liana shaking Kauffman’s hand.”

“Did you see or hear anything out of place when you reviewed the disk?” Rem asked.

Jas glanced at Liana, who was barely picking at a few bits of food on her plate. “I’m the only one who looked at the disk. I didn’t view it all they way through.” Jas took a long drink of coffee that had been passed around the table. “It opened after we’d been restrained. I watched a minute of it. I don’t have memories of the events and I didn’t want them. All I did was confirm it was what I thought it was, dupe it down and stash the original.”

“You have the disk you took from the scene? You didn’t give it to Bourne?” Gray asked sharply.

“Not on me, but yeah. I kept it,” Jas confirmed.

“Good. Prints.” Gray didn’t need to explain his bark of approval to this crowd. “Where’s the disk?”

“Safe-deposit box in D.C.”

“So the ones Bourne had were the copies?” Gray pressed.

“Yeah. I’d guess they’re now in Kauffman’s hands,” Jas continued. “I bet he had someone get them from Cable’s office. Just killing Cable wouldn’t erase the evidence. He’d have to know were it was and believe he could get his hands on it for the killing part to do him any good. Whoever handles Cable’s estate would have followed the written instructions on the envelopes. So if he has them, he might think they are the originals but I doubt it.”

“Actually, no. Kauffman doesn’t have the copies from Cable Bourne’s office.” Gray’s eyes warmed in an interesting way. “I know a uniquely talented guy in D.C. who happened to owe me a favor. Since I had the location of the evidence because of the plane crash and you identifying the lawyer it was aimed at, I took steps to ensure chain of custody didn’t leave your control.”

Jas sat back from her plate in mild surprise. “Does all that translate to breaking and entering?”

“Hardly. I know for a fact my associate didn’t break a thing.” Gray grinned. “However, he did observe someone else enter the building as he exited. Someone he felt was capable of doing the job he’d just completed. As I said, he’s uniquely talented. He left an eye behind. The gentleman who followed him did enter Cable Bourne’s office and knew exactly where the wall safe was. Eventually that individual had to leave quite frustrated.”

“Did this other uniquely talented guy see your friend?” Jas asked.

“Of course not. My associate wouldn’t be so unique if that were the case. I have five sealed envelopes that belong to you ladies.” Gray smiled.

“Impressive.” Liana put down her fork, giving up the pretense of eating.

“You want to go over the disk?” Jas asked quietly.

“I think someone should,” Gray confirmed. “It’d be your choice who, but I’m certain there’s something else on that disk. Kauffman is working too hard to obtain it. He’s cutting corners and incurring risk. He seems out of control, but more than that, panicked.”

Jas nodded as she looked at Liana. “You okay with that?”

“Just one person,” Liana said quietly.

Gray nodded curtly. “I’ll take care of it. Nothing on that disk will ever be seen if it doesn’t have to be, Miss Allacosta. You have my word on it.”

Liana search Gray’s unusual eyes for a few moments then nodded. “Thank you. Thank you for understanding, Mr. Winston,” she conceded.

Gray’s smile was a little sad. “You’ve come a long way Miss Allacosta. If anything, I’m a fan of yours. Of the way both you and Jas chose to survive. Of the work you’ve done for women who can’t help themselves. I’d do this for strangers, but I’m exceptionally proud to assist you and Miss Carson. Know that whatever is on that disk is evidence of a battle fought and won. I respect it as I do the life totems of my forefathers or the scars of my brothers in this room. Please try to get some rest while I do this. By the time you’re up we’ll have a plan.”

Liana nodded and smiled. “Please call me Liana. All of you.” She looked around the table at the men gathered there. “Thank you all for being willing to help us.”

Chapter Ten

Jas insisted on helping with the clean up after breakfast. The same thing Blaster had seen on the movie set occurred. Her talent for integrating into a group made everyone around her comfortable. In this setting she was moderately subdued but still at ease with the other men. She wasn’t exactly a buddy, but she wasn’t a movie star either.

Gray had left the kitchen to open one of the manila envelopes and go through the evidence. He was sitting in the living room with his laptop watching the disk, using headphones.

After the kitchen cleanup was complete, everyone migrated to the deck overlooking the lake. Part of it was to stay away from Gray and also to move the noise of their chatting out of the house so Liana and Jose could sleep. Charlie had shown them to a guest room, leaving them to rest.

Blaster and Jas were standing at the railing a little apart from the others. Jas fidgeted as she looked at his Unit and then out at the glass-smooth surface of the lake. The better she knew this man, the more questions bothered her. Things she’d never thought about this clearly before. He’d mentioned the power dynamic between lovers more than once, prodding her to look for the reasons behind her actions.

“If you’re still uncomfortable with Gray reviewing the disk,” Blaster murmured, “we could go down to the garage so you don’t have to be around him as he does it.”

“What?” Jas was a little confused at Blaster’s suggestion. “No. I’m fine.”

“Then why are you actin’ like a fly at a church picnic? Twitchy.”

“I’ve been thinking.” Jas turned to face the lake and grasp the balcony railing. Forcing herself to stand still. “Why do you let me call you boy toy?” she asked quietly.

Blaster turned so his hip leaned on the rail. He was facing her as she continued to look out at the water. “Why shouldn’t I?” he countered in the intimate tone that kept the conversation private.

Jas glanced at him. “Because you’re a macho beast and this is your crew. What’s up with that?”

“So?” Blaster grinned and shrugged wide shoulders as he crossed his arms over his chest.

Jas frowned. “You know what I’m asking. Sometimes I push you. You let me.”

“I don’t care and mostly I like it,” he answered her scowl. “Baby, what you say is usually damn funny. You’ve got great timing.”

“How can you not care? I know you have an ego like everyone else. Why do you let me get away with that?”

“Jas, it doesn’t matter. What you think of me, how we are when we’re alone, well, it’s private.” Blaster shifted so he leaned on the railing with his back to the lake. “These people, the ones you’ve used the boy-toy term in front of, know me. You being that comfortable, trusting me enough to play hard, that tells them more about our relationship than any declaration from me.” He smiled as he continued. “You might as well be saying you love me.”

Jas raised a brow as her eyes left the lake to regard his smug expression. “Oh really?”

“Yep, sorry. You’re pretty much engaged to me now.”

“All from calling you my boy toy?”

Blaster nodded gravely. “I think Rem is gonna want to know our china pattern soon. He’s very good with details and all that proper procedure stuff. I’m pretty sure Jackson expects to be best man. Seriously, I’d like to dress the groomsmen in purple if you don’t mind. I need to put Jackson in a purple tux with something like a school-bus yellow shirt. It’ll look funny but the opportunity to drag out wedding pictures and piss him off for the rest of our lives is just too good. I’m willing to beg on that one.”

Jas was laughing. He’d done it again. Put her at ease by handing her control when she was feeling shaky. The sneaky bastard was also introducing the subject of a wedding as if it were a natural topic of discussion for them. He did it by employing slightly self-deprecating humor and a visual she couldn’t resist. It was impossible not to touch him and she stepped in front of him. His hands glided around her waist as she moved between his legs to lean up his body. Her fingers combed through his short hair in a light caress as they settled into the full body contact while smiling in shared humor.

“You are a very bad man, Samuel Callaway,” Jas whispered as her eyes sparkled into his. “I’m on to you though.”

“And you’re a truly wicked woman, Jasmina Carson,” he murmured. “I’m willing to work at making sure you’re
on
me as often as possible.”

Jas’ hands on his skull pulled his head down so she could meet his mouth. The kiss was immediately deep as open mouths met. Blaster’s hands tightened on her, one spanning the small of her back to press her into him, the other cradling the back of her head.

Sucking on his tongue, Jas mewed softly as her hips rocked in minute caresses.

Blaster lifted his lips from hers to smile down at her with lazy-lidded eyes. “If you’re thinking of seducing me, Miss Carson, you should know that I’m too shy to do it in public.”

Jas smiled indolently. “You are not shy, Mr. Callaway. What you are is a shitty actor and a piss-poor liar. How many times do I have to tell you that?” Her voice purred intimately as her body continued to move, rubbing from crotch to neck.

“Okay, I lied. I’m too possessive to lay you down on the deck,” he conceded softly. “If you keep rubbing up me like a hungry cat, I’m gonna have to take you down to the garage anyway. I saw a mattress against the wall. Throw that thing in back of the pickup and we’re in business. Course, you’ll have to be quiet this time, baby. I don’t share, not even your screams.”

Jas stopped moving, simply leaning against him as she looked into his eyes.

“What?” Blaster asked after a minute, his hands moving up and down her back but not dipping below her waist.

“I’m enjoying,” Jas responded as she smiled at him.

“What exactly are you enjoying?”

“I just gave you an opportunity to prove to your buddies that you’re in control of your woman. You know, get all caveman and drag me off for a fuck. You refused it in favor of treating me with respect. I’m enjoying trusting you,” she told him softly.

Blaster’s head tipped back to chuckle. “A test? All that rubbing and purring was a test? Damn woman, can we arrange for you to test me every night and most mornings? I told you, I didn’t care what they thought but you needed more than the words?”

“Yeah, I did. Words are cheap. Face it. I have deep trust issues.”

Blaster leaned down, putting his lips to her ear. “I do want to drag you off for that pickup-truck fuck, but I’m not civilized enough to do it for any other reason than you turn me on. Proving anything to these guys is way damn far down on the list of what I need.” He ended by licking down her neck as Jas hummed in pleasure.

Her body pressed up at him in response to the licks. Blaster’s large hands gripped into her back. His powerful legs tightened on the outside of hers in a full body hug.

“Stop it you two,” Jackson snapped behind them from the seating arrangement. Charlie and Rem chuckled as he continued. “You need a keeper, for God’s sake. Come over here and behave like adults.”

Jas was openly laughing as she turned in Blaster’s arms to face the men lounging on the large furniture that served as patio chairs. “We are acting like adults. Didn’t anyone ever show you the S.E.X. tape in high school?”

“See, even you admit you’re acting like teenagers again,” Jackson responded with a superior smile.

“And you’re being daddy again. What’s with that complex of yours?” Jas shook her head.

Blaster was chuckling as he picked Jas up, draping her legs across his arms and strode to a chair. Settling with Jas in his lap, he seriously shook his head. “I told you he’s the baby of the Unit, innocent and everything. It’s been hell trying to shield him from wicked women over the years.”

“Is that what we’ve been doing?” Charlie marveled. “I just thought there was never enough wicked woman to go around. Now I feel much better about not waiting for his slow ass to think of something to say to a woman.”

Rem snorted. “Like you ever felt guilty about anything?”

“Never said I felt guilty, ’zactly. I just feel better now.”

“No need for guilt, buddy. I was busy feeling sorry for you and your poor choices in companionship.” Jackson shot back at Charlie. “I had no idea you were under the misconception that those were the only women out there. Damn, that must be rough.”

Charlie leaned back on the big couch glider he was sharing with Rem. His long-muscled body relaxed as he grinned. “I’ll struggle with my misconceptions and the bad girls they lead me to. Thanks anyway.”

“Protect him? Damn, he needs an intervention. Not protection,” Jas scoffed from Blaster’s lap. “I know this chick in D.C. who has an awesomely complete toy bag. We need to tie him up and dump him on her doorstep.”

“Toy bag?” Rem raised a brow. “Tie him up?”

“Only to get him there,” Jas clarified. “I’m sure she’d untie him. Course we’d have to gag him too or he’ll bother the neighbors.”

“Jas, you’re a menace. You know that?” Jackson drawled.

Gray’s voice interrupted, “Gentlemen, we have something we can work with. Time to set the trap.”

The group was instantly alert, joking banter forgotten as Gray stepped onto the deck and sat down.

“It’s a phone conversation. The audio is clear enough without enhancement to make it damning. Idiot was standing beside the camera. Apparently the attack happened soon after his promotion to Homeland. Kauffman was altering his deal with a person of interest and the activities they discussed make Kauffman a traitor at best. More likely he’d be charged as a spy. His interest was monetary, but if he were to rise higher in his profession, the threat to national security becomes critical. It’s difficult to gauge the damage he’s already done. That’s the director of Homeland’s job.

“In any case, we have all the evidence we need to hand him over and ensure his activities end.” Gray continued. “The job is capture and delivery. It’ll be a standard acquire mission.”

“What?” Jas interrupted. “That’s it? I know you’re professionals and all, but personally, I’m not satisfied with just grabbing him and handing him over.”

Gray sat back and regarded Jas for a moment. “What would satisfy you?”

The planning became creative and left most of the Unit shaking their heads in wincing amazement. Blaster and Jackson were unfazed at Jas’ additions. In the end there wasn’t a good reason not to give her most of the satisfaction she wanted.

They split into three groups to travel. A precaution that was natural but in this case required. Kauffman had taken down a plane and his ignorance of this Unit’s existence was only an assumption.

No shortage of pilots, they rented light planes from three separate charter services, declining the provided pilot. Rental was higher but they didn’t want anyone close enough to question the contents of duffel bags as they loaded in. The Unit used dummy companies that had been established long ago for this type of operation, making it difficult to trace the rentals back to the real user.

Jackson, Blaster and Jas left immediately. They had supplies to secure in D.C. Charlie and Gray didn’t have to be at the designated area until later in the evening. Rem was bringing Jose and Liana but there was no need to wake them. They didn’t have to be in D.C. until tomorrow morning.

Jackson took the pilot’s duties again, doing the walk around, checking every possible item that could be checked for preflight. Jas and Blaster stowed gear and strapped in to passenger seats.

“I could get used to having staff,” Jas commented as Jackson completed preflight. “Handy to have a pilot at our beck and call.”

“Unfortunately you’ve secured one,” Jackson responded absently, concentrating on his duties. “But it ain’t me.”

Jas raised a brow at Blaster. “You fly?”

“We all do,” Blaster confirmed. “Required training. Jets, helos, private planes and a few other things. Jackson has been piloting because I have better things to do.”

In the plane they were wearing headsets. Unlike the Winston jet, here engine noise was hardly muted by the cabin walls.

“I want to,” Jas stated firmly.

“Want to what?” Blaster questioned, confused as they began the taxi to the correct runway.