Torn (Deep 8, #5)

5. Roger

FIVE

Roger

The rain pelts the glass as thunder shakes the windows. A perfect day to stay inside and watch the video of my father’s abduction. The cool glow of the screen bathes the room in an eerie light as we watch the video playback.

The image of my father collapsing is etched into my mind like a haunting dream. The whirr of the helicopter blades, the panicked voices in the background, and the rush of his security—it's a symphony of chaos that has become the soundtrack to my sleepless nights.

The video starts with my father giving a speech with the backdrop of an aircraft carrier. He makes references to economic advantages as his hands rest on either side of the podium. His confidence remains at the forefront as the audience becomes entranced by the delivery of his agenda.

"Look, his hands drop off the podium right before he collapses." Harlow points out.

"I’m not sure that’s significant." I counter.

"Everything is significant. Every detail may count toward something bigger." Her eyes hold worry and I nod.

"Just like you thought he was in on his abduction. After what we learned from the laptop, he is not part of Deep 8. Quite the opposite." The gravel in my voice is meant to intimidate her.

Harlow focuses on her fingers. "I’m sorry. I was wrong." When she looks up, her gaze is intense and she’s not backing down. "I try to look at both sides of every situation. If there was a chance he was into some shady shit, we needed to be prepared for that. Otherwise, we lose perspective."

I blow out the breath I’m holding. "You’re right. This case has me on edge for many reasons. You make a good point. I’m glad you’re here to help give me another point of view."

Without another word, our eyes return to the video of when and where my father was last seen. He crumbles to the space behind the podium as his security detail draws their weapons and leans over him, but it’s hard to see what’s going on from the camera angle. The helicopter comes in fast with a cable down ready for hookup. I press the pause button, freezing my father's fallen image on the screen.

"Where were you that day?" Accusation laces my voice. Part of me wants to blame someone for his disappearance. I watch her face with intensity.

Harlow winces and doesn’t make eye contact. "That was my day off."

"Who are these guys? They were supposed to protect him not help with the abduction." I’m not letting her off without an explanation.

Her hands tighten into balls. "I don’t know. I’ve never seen them before. They are not part of the security team at the embassy."

"They weren’t assigned to him by the consulate?" My frustration shows.

"He told me he was covered for the day, and I left it alone." She shrugs. "He often made decisions about his security detail."

I pinch the top of my nose. "I’m sorry. Of course, he did. This becomes more complex and foggier at every turn without clear answers."

Harlow sits beside me on the couch, her eyes reflecting concern and curiosity. Her warmth and comforting presence amidst the storm raging in my mind settles my nerves. She’s the balance I need to navigate the information coming at us at the speed of light.

"I feel the same way, but this is more personal for you." She lets out a breath.

I hit the play button as the video shows him being lifted through the air, with his arms and legs dangling. His body had to have been put in a harness so they could hook him up. One or all of his security team must have attached the cable.

"Do you know if there are any other angles? Did someone in the audience take a video with their phone?"

"Not that I know of. The camera angles were limited due to the location. This is being handled by Scotland Yard, and they said they would update me as information became available." Harlow’s voice is soft and soothing.

My knee bounces and I blow out a heavy breath. "This was the perfect kidnapping at the right location and time. I feel like I don’t know him at all. He was gathering information on Deep 8, and they want these puzzle pieces but none of this makes sense. What do these pieces do?" My head hits the couch, and I stare up at the ceiling.

Harlow leans closer, her fingers brushing against my arm. "Maybe it's time to dig deeper, Roger. Find out what he didn’t tell you in that letter."

My jaw clenches. "I've tried over the years. But he's a master at dodging questions and keeping me where he wants me. Always has been. I wouldn’t know where to start. I may be the wrong man for this op."

She grabs my arm and squeezes. "You’re the right man for the job. Together we’re going to find him for both of us."

As we continue to watch the video repeatedly, the room fills with a heavy silence. Shadows dance on the walls, mirroring the uncertainty lingering between us. Harlow's presence is a balm, but the questions about my father weigh heavily on my shoulders.

"I feel like we’re missing something," I admit, my gaze fixed on the frozen image of my father being airlifted. The last shot is two masked guys hoisting him into the chopper. "Did they speak with the security team?"

Harlow’s eyes study me for a moment before responding. "No one can find them, and they aren’t in any database. Do you think your father has an ulterior motive in this?"

I nod, my mind racing. "How did he or anyone know we would find that laptop or know how to get into it? Were they the ones who loaded the information on it, or did he tell them to buy himself some time? Why are they sending Sean and us back to Afghanistan? There’s something else going on here."

Harlow's eyes widen with understanding. "Do you think they have control over him? Maybe they are threatening him with your death. That would explain the shots fired at his office."

I rest my arm over my eyes. "I doubt anyone has control over my father. He’s always the one making the final decisions. I need to get to the bottom of this and find out what he's hiding. I can't just stand by and watch."

Harlow's fingers gently trace circles on my arm, a comforting gesture, but leaves behind a tingle. "You won't be alone, Roger. We'll figure this out together."

A spark of gratitude ignites in my chest. Harlow's unwavering support is a lifeline in the storm of uncertainty. I turn to her, my eyes locking on to hers. The unspoken connection threads between us. This screams the wrong time to have any romantic ideas.

"You're not afraid, are you?" I tease.

Harlow smirks, a playful fire lighting up her gaze. "Afraid? Please, I eat danger for breakfast." She moves away from me, propping her feet on the coffee table.

I chuckle, noting how she flops back and forth between a tough agent and a soft place to land. The tension in the room momentarily lifted. "Well, lucky for me, I enjoy a good challenge."

Our banter is a dance, a rhythm that has a life of its own. The magnetic pull between us is undeniable, like two planets orbiting each other in a cosmic ballet. I can't help but be drawn to Harlow's wit, her strength—a force I never expected but desperately need.

As we continue to play the video from beginning to end, day turns to night. We take copious notes down to the seconds. The scene seems too controlled. Whoever staged his abduction knew exactly what they were doing. Harlow calls Scotland Yard to get an update. Maybe someone has stepped forward with a video from another angle. She has no luck.

My eyes blur and we take a break to eat. We pick at our food and sit quietly with our thoughts. There’s been no word from Sean. He should be in Afghanistan at this point, following the instructions from the document. No mission is easy and that’s why he went with backup.

I put the dishes in the sink and pace the living room. Harlow sits on the couch to watch my parade. Her smile lights up the dim room and warms the center of my chest.

"I think we should call it a night. We may be too close to it to see the forest from the trees." She tries to talk me down.

"We have to be up early tomorrow to catch our flight. Pippa and Beck are back in the States and Sean left the jet for us. We need to stay under the radar." I try to take control of what little of the situation I can. "I’m not clear on what Sean found in Afghanistan last time he was there, but it’s got to be important."

I hope Afghanistan will give us more answers to the rules of this game. We’re operating in the dark without a flashlight and it’s unsettling.