Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations (33 page)

She’s going to be my wife. She’s truly, irrevocably mine. Mine to love. Mine to protect.
His hand moved down her body, resting on her stomach, fingers splaying out.
And so are you, little one.

“W
hat have you
got?” Jack asked Luke as he met him in the command center.

Luke looked up, his face showing his surprise. “You’re not going to believe it, but I’ve got nothing on Jahfar’s computers that indicate he’s had any contact with any of our known terrorists other than two with Fazan. Not his work…nor his home computers. And neither one of those emails have anything incriminating in them. I ran them through decoding programs…nothing.”

“So the only thing the FBI’s got is that his name was mentioned with Fazan’s and he’s had a couple of emails.”

“Yep. So whatever he’s doing, he’s hiding it well.”

“The connection’s too much to ignore…Jahfar having any communication Fazan, a known associate of a terrorist. And Jahfar works in an ammunition plant.”

Nodding, Jack poured some of Luke’s high-octane coffee in his cup and said, “Get whatever you’ve got to Mitch.”

Luke leaned back in his chair and said, “You think we’re getting this all wrong?”

Blaise, turning the corner at the bottom of the stairs, stepped into the room hearing Luke’s comment. “Getting what all wrong?”

Shaking his head, Luke said, “I don’t know, but the puzzle pieces aren’t fitting together at all. That usually means we are missing a piece.”

“Or something is staring us in the face and we just haven’t figured it out yet.”

The other Saints trickled in and they meticulously reviewed the intel again, moving the players around on the large board on the wall. Jahfar. Fazan. Muhammad. Abdul. Marsden Energy Systems. Adam.

As Chad stared at the board, it was the last two that caused his heart to pound.
Too many unknowns…too fuckin’ close to Dani.

*

Aaron and Cybil
sat in Dani’s office, discussing the new project. “Are you going to be able to finish before you go on maternity leave?”

Dani looked up, seeing Aaron smiling in his teasing way. “Yes, boss. I promise to have all my homework done.”

The trio laughed as they continued to work.

“I have to admit I’m envious, Dani,” Cybil said. “I know you suffered tragedy before you came to us, but now you have your baby to look forward to and a man who wants to love your baby as much as if he was his own.”

Smiling, she admitted, “He’s really good for me.” Staring at Cybil, she said, “But what about you and Ethan?”

“Oh, we’re fine…just no wedding bells yet.”

Dani noted Cybil sounded wistful and cast a glance to Aaron, but his attention was at her door. Looking up, she noticed Jahfar standing there.
He is so sneaky!
“Can I help you?” she asked, trying to keep the snarkiness out of her voice.

“I was just wondering if you had any information on the latest detonators. I am working on my report, and could use any insight you have.”

“When we’re finished here, I’ll come see you.”

Nodding, he bowed his head in a conciliatory motion as he left her office, his heels sounding his retreat on the tile floor. She looked back at Aaron and Cybil, seeing both of them staring at her strangely. “Um…what is it?”

“You just seem out of sorts when talking to Jahfar,” Cybil said.

“No, no, um…I just hated being interrupted.” Forcing a smile back on her face, she was determined to keep her suspicions to herself. Cybil accepted her explanation but she felt Aaron’s gaze stay on her.

Before they were able to continue, Ethan popped in, asking to speak to Aaron, who excused himself. The two men headed down the hall as well.

Cybil huffed, “See what I mean? Ever since Ethan became Head of Production Security he barely has time for me…and certainly not at work.”

“I think he’s just protecting his professionalism. His promotion is really important and I’m sure he doesn’t want it to look like he only got the job because he’s dating the company owner’s daughter and Vice President.”

“You think?” Cybil asked, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Well, thank your lucky stars that you and your man don’t work together. Workplace romances can be tricky.”

With that, Cybil left as well, leaving Dani reminiscing about when she, Adam, and Chad had all worked at the ATF.
What if I had worked in the same field office as those two?
Sighing heavily, she wondered how different her life would have been.
Would Chad have approached me sooner?
Shaking herself, she realized it was pointless to wonder how the past could be different.
Take your lot in life and make sure it’s the best it can be,
her grandmother used to say.

Standing, she headed to Jahfar’s office to find out what he needed. Knocking on the doorframe, she entered as he motioned.

“I am so sorry to bother you, but I am working on the latest report for triacetone triperoxide and wanted your input. You had some experience with this when you were with the ATF, I believe.”

“Why are you looking at it?” she asked, a burning sensation beginning in the pit of her stomach, as she recognized the material.

“I think its potential is unlimited,” Jahfar replied, his eyes lifting to hers.

Her voice halting, she continued holding his gaze as she said, “It’s often used in terrorist attacks. Easy to create in rough form, the destruction from such a small amount makes it worthy to those who wish to do ill.”

“But think of the potential for the military?” he insisted.

Pressing her lips tightly together, she just nodded, afraid to speak.
Yes, but whose military?
“I did have some experience with it when with the ATF, but I’ll have to look to see if I can find it.”

“There is always someone who will use something for ill, Danielle. But you may be surprised to know who the enemies are.” His words, now filled with innuendoes, slithered over her.

Turning, she walked out of his office, fuming as she made her way back to hers. Halfway down the hall, she stopped.
No, I’m going to tell him straight up that I’m uncomfortable with what he’s proposing. That compound is too volatile.

Approaching his door, she noticed it was almost closed this time. Lifting her hand to knock, she heard him on the phone.

“I think I pushed too hard. I’m sure she suspects something. Yes, yes…I’m being careful, but will still keep an eye on her.”

Backing away soundlessly, she tiptoed back to her office. Heart pounding, she sat heavily in her chair, her hand protectively on her stomach. Checking her watch, she decided to leave.
It’s only fifteen minutes until the end of my day, anyway.
Heading out, she entered the elevator, seeing Ethan.

“Hey, are you all right?” he asked. “You seem rather pale.”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just not feeling well, so I thought I’d go ahead and leave.” She hesitated, chewing on her lip in indecision.
Do I say anything about my concerns?

“Dani, I can tell you’ve got something bothering you.”

Looking up into his concerned face, she said, “What do you know about triacetone triperoxide?”

A surprised expression crossed his face. “TATP? Peroxide-based chemicals are highly unstable and are extensively used by terrorists to make bombs; they’re too volatile to handle safely. Why?”

“It’s just that Jahfar is asking me about it, so I wondered since you’re now Head of Production Security, if it was something we were moving into. If we were working on either TATP or HMTD, I was just surprised that I hadn’t heard of it yet.”

“Or…you’re also wondering if Jahfar has something going on the side?” Ethan asked pointedly.

Hanging her head, Dani stared at her toes for a silent moment, her thoughts rushing. Lifting her head, facing Ethan squarely, she said, “Something’s going on, and I’m trying to figure it out. I’m not saying Jahfar is doing anything wrong, but you confirming that MES is not actively working with TATP, has me now convinced more than ever that he’s up to something. What, I don’t know.”

“Do you think I need to talk to him?”

“I’ve got no proof that anything is happening and to throw around false accusations would be professionally, as well as morally, wrong.”

As they reached their cars, Ethan placed his hand on her arm. “Take care of yourself, Dani. If things are happening, make sure you stay safe.” He glanced back toward the building they just left. “I think I’ll keep a closer eye on Jahfar as well. I won’t say anything to Cybil or Todd yet. But if he’s working on TATP, we need to be aware of that.”

Smiling, she added her own warning. “Ethan, I know what they’re capable of. You make sure you’re safe as well.”

Parting, the two walked to their cars. Eyes watched from a window above, before making a phone call.

*

Mohammad walked into
the small neighborhood house with Abdul and Habib, finding Fazan overseeing the two men and woman in the kitchen with supplies all around.

“How are they working out?” Mohammad asked.

“Good,” Fazan answered. “The material is difficult, but I’ve been training them on how to handle everything carefully. They have zeal…not always patience.”

Mohammad glared at the trio of recruits. “If you cannot do the job properly, we will find someone else who can…and you will not live to see the morning sun.”

Their eyes widened in fright as they nodded emphatically, babbling quickly. Mohammad silenced them with a raised hand, then turned and moved from the room. Abdul, Habib, and Fazan followed him into the living room, silently waiting to hear what their leader wanted to discuss.

“I’ve heard from our friend at MES. We hope to get more detonators soon, but they have to be extremely careful. We don’t want any problems there or our special materials pipeline will dry up. Our computer recruits have started working on the codes for long range detonation with what we have so far.”

“What about the Turner woman?” Habib asked.

“She’s becoming a problem and may have to be eliminated. It appears she is now getting curious. I’d rather not have anything happen…the time is not right for our publicity, but I won’t have the infidel bitch create a problem. I have given our contact the go-ahead to take care of her, if needed. And if necessary, we’ll take care of her by making a big statement.”

The other three men nodded, knowing Mohammad was deadly serious. Deadly.

*

Early the next
morning, Luke stared at his computer screen, blinking, uncertain for a moment at the information. Running emails through several decoding programs finally produced a hit. Picking up the phone, he called Jack. “We’ve got to meet. Now. Yeah, everyone. Including Mitch.”

An hour later, the Saints sat at their conference table as Monty pulled Mitch up on the screen. As soon as the FBI agent was patched in, Jack turned to Luke and said, “Okay man, it’s your show.”

“There was nothing about Jahfar’s computer records that turned up anything concrete, other than the two emails to Fazan, and they did not mention anything that would seem out of the ordinary. I kept running them through various decoding programs because I was certain there had to be something. I finally got a hit. But you’re not going to like it.”