Page 12 of Code Name: Outlaw

Page List


Font:  

“No, not Mosaic,” Callum replied. “But it’s another group using similar methods.”

Ian relaxed slightly, but Jenna didn’t. “What do you want from me?” she asked. “I can’t go out into the field.”

“Nobody—at least no good guys—know this research better than you.” Mark caught Jenna’s flinch. Callum hadn’t meant to, but he’d just lumped her in with the criminals. “We need you to look at the data—medical tests, autopsy reports—and tell us what we’re missing. Tell us how we can stop what’s happening. The data can be sent to you for you to work remotely.”

“You don’t have to this,” Craig told his sister when Jenna didn’t respond.

Callum narrowed his eyes. “You should also know—”

“Shut up, Webb,” Craig said again.

“—that as thanks for your assistance, your brother would be reinstated as an active FBI agent. He’d no longer be relegated to data analysis.”

Jenna’s eyes flew to Craig’s. “Is this true?”

He leaned forward. “What it is, is irrelevant. I’m happy in my job as an analyst. I’m doing good work there. Important work. I won’t let them blackmail you into doing something you don’t want to do.”

All information now on the table, everyone looked at one another for a long moment.

“I’ll do it.” Jenna’s voice was much calmer than Mark expected.

Craig shook his head. “Jenna, you don’t—”

She held up a hand to stop her brother. “No, I’ll do it. You getting reinstated as an active agent is a bonus. I helped make this mess. I need to help clean it up.”

“Thank you,” Callum said. “Your expertise will make a huge difference. The terrorist group we’re up against—”

She held up her hand once more. “No offense, but I don’t want to know. The last time yourteamneeded my help they didn’t give a shit about what it cost me.”

Callum grimaced. “You’re talking about what happened with Agent Wilson.”

Callum continued when Jenna didn’t respond. “Look, Wilson went off on his own with that stunt. I would never condone the measures he used to—”

Mark clenched his hands into fists. He’d been there for what had happened with Wilson. He’d seen how much it had cost Jenna.

“I don’t care if you condoned it or not,” Jenna said. “I’ll look through the intel you provide and give you my report on the physical findings. But beyond that, I want nothing to do with you or the case.” She turned to Ian. “Excuse me, I need out of this booth.”

Ian got up so she could slide out, and Jenna walked to the other side of the bar.

“She’s tying all our hands by refusing to look at the big picture,” Callum muttered.

“You got what you want, Webb, so count your blessings.” Craig stood up. “I’m going to talk with my sister.”

Ian slid over so Mark could sit beside him. They both looked over at Callum. He was a good guy, but right now, that wasn’t evident.

“Craig is right,” Ian said. “Even only focusing on some of the intel, Jenna will provide you more assistance than most people could with every bit of the information.”

“If you say so.” Callum rubbed his eyes. “It seems like she’s overreacting. I know she has trauma from her captivity and doesn’t like to be around other people or go outside. But it’s not like Wilson dragged her out of her house at gunpoint.”

Mark glared at the man. “I saw it. You didn’t. That fucker Wilson did a lot of damage, even if it wasn’t physical.”

Ian nodded. “Jenna hasn’t been actively working for Zodiac since then. She wanted extended leave.”

Callum leaned against the back of the booth. He looked exhausted. “Look, I’m not trying to be the resident asshole. I don’t want to see anyone traumatized, but we need help. People are dying. I came to you because I knew you were invested because of what happened with Wavy and Bronwyn. I thought Jenna would be too.”

Mark looked over at where Jenna was talking to Craig. Her features were still pinched and pale. “She is invested. But her involvement comes at a high price. Nobody should forget that.”

“Tell us what you know about the traffickers,” Ian demanded.


Tags: Janie Crouch Romance