“Hix is a criminal. That generally renders someone unfit to be a parent.”
“According to the file, he was granted custody of the girl initially,” she clarified. “He left the military to raise her. Special forces soldiers don’t just leave the military. I see that as a real sacrifice. It also seems that the Seavers were only granted custody after they sued Hix again, after he left the country.” She glanced at the men’s table. “Doesn’t anyone else see a problem between the intel and the facts?”
“What kind of problem?” Gianna wanted to know.
“Inconsistency, for one. If he was dishonorably discharged, why did a court give him custody in the first place? If they thought he was guilty of a crime—or crimes—why wasn’t he ever court-martialed? The offenses cited were significant. Gunrunning to opposing governments rises to the level of treason, yet Hix was never tried for any crime. For two, it seems a little chicken shit to file for custody after he’s left the country. The Seavers had to know how hard it would be for him to defend himself from Costa Rica. He certainly wouldn’t feel safe bringing the girl back to the US after the Seavers tried to steal her once before.” She cut a look at the guys. “Tell me if I’m way off here.”
“The Seavers love that child,” Gianna said. “They may have made some mistakes in their attempt to keep Mirabella safe, but they cared for the girl while their daughter was in drug rehab and after she died.”
“Until Hix came home from doing his patriotic duty and took over.” Everly shook her head and glanced at all three of them. “I take issue when the rights of soldiers are overlooked while they’re out fighting for our freedom. And I’m having a hard time seeing the reason behind ripping this kid away from her biological parent, in a country where we have no enforceable legal standing.”
Clearly frustrated, Gianna looked at Roman. “It looks like we might need a different undercover.”
Everly’s hackles rose. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “If I’m sent to do a mission, I’ll do the mission, regardless of my personal feelings. You may be used to working alone,” she told Gianna, referencing her background as a CIA operative, “but we work as a team. That’s what these meetings are for, getting clear on the what and why so there’s no second-guessing when we go in. I’ve met him. I’ve spoken to him. I’ve seen him with his daughter and his employees. And I expect more from you than a snap judgment on my assessment.”
“Everly,” Ian said. “Easy.”
“No,” Gianna told Ian. She exhaled and offered Everly a contrite “I apologize. You’re right.”
“Hix is painted as a manipulative narcissist out for personal gain in the shape of money and power,” Everly said, still annoyed. “But that’s not what I observed this afternoon, which brings me back to my initial question: How good is the intel?”
Gianna paused before she answered this time. “I can tell you that the intel came from the highest level of the DOD, and that I trust the source.”
Everly’s sixth sense kept firing warning shots across the bow, but without any solid information or proof to the contrary, she had to fall back on her experience with Gianna in the past. The woman had always been forthright and scrupulous.
“Okay, then,” she conceded. “His true colors will eventually show.”
The waiter brought their drinks, and Everly paused until he was out of earshot to continue. “I’m signing an employment contract and an NDA tonight, and I start work tomorrow. It’s a tightly controlled live-in situation, which will hinder communication and the flow of information. Given his experience, I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a com twenty-four seven. It’s hard to see, but it’s not always invisible.”
“We’ll set up regular check-ins,” Roman said. “You can use the burner, email, and messaging. Sam’s got you set up on secure Wi-Fi.”
“The faster we get her out,” Gianna said, “the less you’ll have to worry about communication. What’s the security look like on the inside?”
“Tight. Probably even tighter than I can assess at a glance. The cameras and alarms can ultimately be dismantled long enough for a well-choreographed abduction, but he’s got four ex-military guys on duty around the clock, not to mention a gaggle of special forces guys there training. And the girl’s bedroom is right next to Hix’s, with an adjoining door. He’s never far from the kid. As much as I’d love to make this an easy in-and-out, I know one thing for sure, a grab-and-go would have serious—as in deadly—consequences. This guy is going to fight for her. Hard.”
“We’ll figure it out.” Roman looked at his watch. “Right now, we need to get Gianna to the airport.”
“You’re leaving already?” Everly asked.
“I have another operation that needs my attention,” she said. “But Roman will be able to reach me.”
“Ian,” Everly said as Roman stood. “Can you stay a minute?”
Ian remained in his seat while Gianna and Roman exited the café separately.
Everly put her phone to her ear, pretending to make a call. “I need some pointers for the kid. You were really great with Jamison,” she said, referencing the boy from a past mission. A boy who Ian was in the process of adopting. “Won him over right away. If this is going to work, I’m going to have to get this kid to trust me, and I’m going to have to make it happen fast.”
Ian sipped his drink. With his back to most of the restaurant, he could talk without notice. “Depends on the kid. Is the girl happy?”
“Not-a-care-in-the-world happy.”
“Is the dad engaged?”
“Overly.”
“Does she like him, or is she afraid of him?” he asked.
“Adores him.”