The Devil's Triangle (A Brit in the FBI 4)
Nicholas said, “Here’s our chance to be both.”
Savich called up the theft on his laptop MAX. “It’s a pity Kitsune’s a criminal, she is remarkably talented. What happened? The deal went south? Why?”
Nicholas said, “She told us she didn’t know who her clients were, but that didn’t matter. She said everything went shipshape until they tried their best to kill her. She has no idea why. Then they kidnapped her husband. For leverage.”
Zachery rubbed his chin, thinking. Finally, he said, “All right, find out who paid the Fox to steal the staff, and why, and what it all has to do with the Ark of the Covenant. And how all of it ties up with engineering a freaking sandstorm in the Gobi Desert. This is your first assignment. Make it count. You don’t need the entire team to go with you to Venice, it would be too unwieldy. I need both Gray and Ben here in New York. If you need their expertise, you can tap into the secure video con.
“Now, I know you’ll want to rescue her—”
Mike said, only a quiver in her voice, “—and her husband—who happens to be a Brit.”
Savich laughed. “Right. To make this legit, let’s plan on you bringing her back here for a nice long stretch in jail, if you can manage to keep your hands on her, which could be a bigger challenge than engineering the weather.” He nodded at Nicholas and Mike. “Good luck with that.”
Nicholas said, “I’d like to take Adam Pearce, our young über hacker. He’s staying with his sister here in New York, so it won’t be a problem getting him to the plane. Lia and Louisa should come, too.” Actually, he’d already texted Adam. He’d meet them at Teterboro.
Zachery said, “Fine. I see this as a quick in-and-out. Keep it simple.”
When the door closed, Zachery said to Savich, “Those two are like puppies. If they don’t have something death-defying to do they’ll chew up all the shoes and tear the stuffing out of the couches.”
Savich laughed. “I’d say this assignment could qualify.”
“As for the Fox, this Kitsune, I think they’ll do what’s right in the end. I’d better call Callan Sloan to get her approval. The vice president’s agreement will mean we’re all covered.”
Savich looked at his Mickey Mouse watch. “It’s time I headed out.” The two men shook hands.
Zachery said, “Have a good flight back to Disneyland East. Savich, do you think they told us everything?”
“Of course not.” Savich paused. “But I’d trust Nicholas Drummond and Mike Caine with my life. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, it’s them. Also, I have a feeling that if we want to know what they’re up to all we’ll have to do is turn on the TV for the news bulletins.”
CHAPTER SIX
At Teterboro, there were three Gulfstreams on the tarmac, two painted white with blue stomachs, the American flag on the tail, and UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT printed along the side above the windows. Mike knew one of the blue-and-whites was meant for Savich to travel back to D.C.
They walked past the fancy ones to the Covert Eyes plane.
Mike said, “I like ours, it’s more down and dirty. Look at the white with the red racing stripes—gets me all revved up.”
“At least it doesn’t look like a cargo plane.”
Their FBI pilot was standing by the stairs, Adam grinning at them over his shoulder. The pilot was several years older than Nicholas and looked like a fireplug with a big smile. Nicholas didn’t think he’d like to go three rounds with him.
“Greetings, Agent Drummond, Agent Caine. I’m Agent Robert Clancy, your new pilot, call me Clancy. I come to the FBI by way of the Air Force. I flew sorties over the Middle East for ten years until I mustered out and came on board with the FBI.”
He patted the fuselage like a proud papa. “This puppy isn’t quite Raptor status, but she can barrel-roll if I need to wake you up from time to time. Welcome aboard.”
Nicholas saw another pilot coming around the edge of the plane, running her hands along the hull—a tall, lean woman with short dark hair. Clancy gave a loud whistle, and she turned. “That’s my copilot, Agent Kimberley Trident, doing a final check.”
She called out, “Call me Trident or Poseidon, makes me feel superior.”
“She’s been with the FBI longer than I have,” Clancy said. “The director believes she could fly in and out of a teacup in a pinch. We’re both excited to take on this detail. I hear we’re headed to Venice today?”
“That’s right,” Nicholas said. “How long is the flight?”
Clancy was bouncing on the balls of his feet to get going. “About eight hours, unless you’re in a rush, then I can shave off thirty minutes or so. Let Trident and me show you the plane. Ah, I see the rest of your team is here. Why don’t we all go inside for introductions?”
The inside wasn’t Raptor status, either. Mike took in the dark brown leather seats, the rounded windows and natural wood. It looked pretty swank to her. She gave Nicholas a grin. “Slumming it, are we?”
Trident, along with Lia and Louisa, go-bags in hand, joined Mike and Nicholas and Adam in the cabin. They all shook hands.