Torn (Deep 8, #5)

35. Harlow

THIRTY-FIVE

Harlow

This can’t be happening. The room spins as if it’s been tossed by a storm, and I grasp the table for support. Roger’s arms wrap around me, steadying me, and I collapse into a chair. I have the sensation of the floor vanishing beneath me, my entire world in free fall.

Everything I’ve ever known is unraveling. Years spent hunting for clues about my father’s murder and now it seems he may have been tangled up with dangerous people.

Roger's touch is gentle as he rubs my back, his voice a distant echo. "How are you doing?"

I can barely hear his words. "Okay. I need time alone to process this."

My legs are like jelly as I drag myself upstairs, clinging to the railing. The only solace I can imagine is a long hot bath with Epsom salt. Steam billows from the tub as I pour in three bags of salt, hoping the water will soothe my frayed nerves. My clothes lay in a heap on the floor. I sink into the bath, the water envelopes me, and I close my eyes.

Questions bombard me from every angle. I’m desperate to know who killed my father, but equally troubled by the Pierce Holdings chip in the technology that Deep 8 wants to get their hands on. We need to investigate what makes this technology so special.

My eyes open as Roger shakes my shoulder. "Hey, you fell asleep. Let’s get you out of there and into bed." He pulls me up and wraps me in a fluffy robe.

The bed awaits with its covers folded back, and I can’t wait to feel the softness of the sheets. He slips the robe off my shoulders. "Arms up," he says softly.

I comply, as he pulls a large T-shirt over my head. I crawl into bed, and he covers me, kissing me on my temple. He’s been unwavering, supporting me through every crisis, never turning away. Most men would run for the hills, escaping a woman with one too many issues. Roger is steadfast in being by my side. Is this the turning point for him with my omissions and my father’s possible connection to Deep 8?

Sleep overtakes me, and my last thought is of him. There are still honorable men left in the world, and this team is filled with them. The outliers are the questionable ones.

Morning arrives too soon as sunlight streams between the openings in the blinds. The cold seeps into my feet from the floor. My body and mind are well rested. Roger and I need to mend things between us, regain our momentum, and take action. We need our mojo back.

This morning looks like every other morning, but the energy is different, more intense. Dean and Pippa huddle over the computer, and everyone else scatters around with drinks. I fill my plate with food and grab a cup of tea.

Dean sits next to me. "We’re going to meet my dad on his turf. I’ll turn myself into the ASIO headquarters. It’s our only way in. We’re running out of time, and I’m running out of patience."

"What does the timer say on the computer?"

"It just keeps running." Dean shrugs.

Roger takes a seat across from us, listening to our plan. "You don’t need to sacrifice yourself for my father. None of us has the full story about our fathers." There’s no anger or judgment in his voice.

I offer another solution. "I’ll make an appointment to see him and bring you with me. We can talk to him together, and I can keep you from killing him."

"The three of us will go," Roger states. "I can provide backup."

Dean nods. "Make the call and tell him you need to see him ASAP. I’ll get the laptop to take with us. I want answers." He squeezes my hand and leaves.

I cradle my mug, the warmth contrasting with the chill of uncertainty. "Thank you," I mouth to Roger.

"You’re welcome. I wasn’t going to send you in alone with a madman." I roll my eyes. "It was quite a shock, and I’m not sure what it means." He moves closer, and I rest my head on his shoulder.

"It means my father made a piece of technology Deep 8 wants and probably stole. He might have been killed for it either by Deep 8 or Nick." I sigh.

"Does that give you closure?" he murmurs into my hair.

"No. It adds another layer of mystery to this op."

"Guys, we’ve got another message," Pippa shouts from the dining room.

We gather around the oval table as she spins the laptop in our direction. A timer on the screen counts down forty-eight hours, and a message underneath that says, "Bring Nick Wagner."

"We’re running out of time," Mac mutters.

My fingers dial the familiar number I know so well as I move into the kitchen. An operator answers, and I give her my code. A female voice comes on the line I don’t recognize.

"Hello, who is this?" I ask.

"This is Lilah. I’m filling in for Penny until she shows up this morning. How can I help you?" I don’t have the heart to tell her she might be filling in for a while.

"I’m trying to get an appointment with Nick Wagner. It’s an urgent matter requiring his immediate attention," I reply.

"I’m sorry. Mr. Wagner has taken a leave of absence. I don’t know when he’ll be back. Can I put you in touch with the deputy director?" she offers.

"No, thank you." I end the call.

My body stiffens. In all my years with the ASIO, Nick has never taken a leave. I relay my conversation to Dean as his face turns pale and his fingers grip his hips.

"This is not good. He rarely goes on vacation let alone a leave of absence. There’s only one place he can be—the beach shack."

"How do you know?" I ask, never having heard about the place at the beach.

"From the time I was old enough to understand, he told me that if I ever called the office and they said he was on leave, I could find him at the beach house. This means he’s in trouble. We need to get to him before someone else does, or he could end up dead."

Dean rushes toward the laptop, slams it shut, and heads out the door toward the truck. Roger and I follow, jumping in. Dean turns to us with a puzzled look on his face.

"You’re not going in alone. We're your backup. You can’t take on your dad by yourself. This is too close for you and too dangerous." I pull my seat belt across my shoulder and click in.

"Your father has a lot of explaining to do and he may have answers to where they are holding my father," Roger adds.

"I’m only going to say this once. Don’t get in my way. We may have to force him to come with us when we get the next location from Deep 8. I will exchange my father for yours if I have to," Dean snaps.

"The only way we’re going to pull this off is if we work together. Cut the macho bullshit. We all have a stake in finding Nick alive and getting answers." I shoot back.

Dean starts the engine as we tear down the dirt road. "You may not like the answers you get. My father has been part of the firm for a very long time. We may be heading into a kill-or-be-killed situation, so I hope everyone is ready."