Chapter Seventeen

Chip opened her eyes when she heard the door to her hospital room open. She expected Riley anytime, since he’d promised to return and explain the events leading to her and Fiona’s rescue. She reminded herself that was the main reason she wanted to see him again, but found she was looking forward to his arrival all day, just like returning home after her first deployment. Even the pounding headache didn’t detract from her anticipation.

Instead, the man who walked into her room wasn’t quite as tall as Riley, but carried himself with the same level of confidence and poise. He was also someone she had known for a lifetime.

“General!” She sat a little straighter, pleased the dry croak in her voice was gone.

“Lieutenant.” Her father addressed her with the same pride in his voice he’d had when she’d completed officers’ training.

General Marion Anderson strode over to her bedside and placed a gruff kiss on her forehead. He smoothed a stray lock of hair away from her eyes and looked fondly at her. “Looks like you took another trip through boot camp.” His wry comment didn’t hide the emotion glittering behind his eyes.

“I’m a little banged up, but they tell me I’ll be fine.” Self-consciously, she touched the small bandage on her cheek that covered the cut. “Why are you here?”

“Don’t you remember what happened?” Her father settled into the chair next to her bed and gave her a concerned look.

Chip closed her eyes, recalling the last twenty-four hours. So much of it was fuzzy, except for Riley’s tender visit last night. “I know they took me hostage with Fiona. The rest is still a bit vague.” Then she remembered the video camera and a realization hit her. “The kidnappers tried to force you to do something, didn’t they?”

Her father’s silence was proof enough she was right.

“What? What did they make you do?”

He remained silent. “Daddy, you can’t keep the truth from me. You know I’ll eventually find out. I’d rather hear it from you.”

General Anderson stared at her, then gave her hand a squeeze before he stood. He walked over to the second floor window, his posture tense, as though trying to avoid the inevitable. When he spoke, the words came slowly. “It appears your assignment played right into the hands of the very people you were trying to find.” He turned to look at her.

Chip shifted on her bed, unclear what he meant. He continued, “You and O’Neal did a damn good job of finding the people who were blackmailing the Senator. But at some point in the investigation, your cover story was discovered. The kidnappers knew I was the military advisor on the UAS project—and that you were my daughter.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Riley and I were sent into that trap on purpose?”

He looked appalled at the suggestion. “Of course not! I would never give my permission for something like that.” He cleared his throat and seemed to slip back into officer mode.

“Why was I abducted?” Chip stared her father straight in the eyes.

“The people who abducted you and Fiona were desperate to stop the bill. They threatened to kill you both if I didn’t rescind my support during last night’s debate.”

She was speechless as the implications settled over her. Because of her officer’s status, she personally took on important responsibilities within her unit. Even on the job at Youth Corrections, she maintained strict accountability while working with the juveniles. Yet, never had the balance of the nation’s security been placed squarely on her shoulders.

She studied the face of the man before her. A father’s face. But more than that, the face of a general in the United States Army, sworn to protect and serve the U. S. Constitution and if necessary, lay down his life for it. Or the life of his daughter.

She finally asked, “You didn’t give in to their demands, did you?” She knew her father’s convictions ran deep. Her own feelings of patriotism came from the same roots. His example of sacrifice to God and Country was one of the reasons she had wanted to serve. How did a man choose? How did a father choose between his duty and honor, and the life of his daughter?

Chip had never seen her father shed a tear in her twenty-six years, until now. The old man’s eyes glistened.

“He didn’t have to.” A voice from the doorway saved the general from answering. Byron O’Neal’s lopsided smile was warm as he walked into Chip’s room and came to stand on the other side of her bed.

Chip didn’t miss the look that passed between the two men. A silent promise had just been kept. In that moment, Chip gained an insight regarding the relationship between two old soldiers.

“Byron’s right. Riley and the troops rescued you and Fiona before the debate took place. The bill passed today with a nearly unanimous vote. Byron flew here with me as soon as we could get away.”

To make certain his friend’s daughter was safe, or to make sure the assignment was on track, Chip wondered?

She knew part of these two men’s story. A relationship born of trial and triumphs from their days in Vietnam where they’d served together. After the war, Marion Anderson had remained in the military to carry on a life of service, while Byron joined the CIA before switching to a career in personal security.

Chip looked from her father to Byron O’Neal, who nodded in agreement with her father’s statement. Nothing more would ever be said about the circumstances the general had been forced into. The file was locked and both men had thrown away the key. They stood across from each other like sentries guarding age-old secrets. She studied their faces, wondering what other things she would never learn.

“Where’s Riley?” She switched to a topic she might get answers on. One that had bothered her all morning. He’d promised her details about the rescue. Had he decided now that she was safe, she wasn’t a priority after all?

Byron answered her. “I’ve sent him to finish the job. We still have to find the mastermind of this whole operation. And we suspect there’s an informant—someone who knew you and Riley were investigating the kidnapping and blackmail. I want him found.”

“This is my assignment, too.” She lifted the covers to get out of the bed. “I should be helping him.”

“You’re not going anywhere, young lady.” Her father gently grabbed the sheet and held it in place. “You’ve had enough adventure for one week. When the doctor releases you from the hospital, you’re coming home with me.”

Chip pushed herself straighter in the bed to protest, but the stabbing pain from her headache reminded her how difficult it would be to carry out her objections. Difficult, but not impossible.

“Your father’s right.” Byron joined the conversation. “Your cover story isn’t required any longer. Riley can finish the job on his own.”

Chip’s disappointment added to the discomfort of her headache. “I let you down, Byron. I let Riley down, too. I’m sorry.”

“Nonsense.” Byron looked surprised that she’d think such a thing. “Thanks to you and your good work, we’ve got a lead on who’s behind all this.”

“I let myself get kidnapped. That’s not what I would call helping.”

“We apprehended a roomful of bad guys. Mrs. Burnsworth and Lorraine Voras are safe. If you hadn’t been on the case, we wouldn’t have anything. The men we took into custody will soon be singing a very lovely song.”

“I should be doing more.” She should be next to Riley, apprehending Weston.

“You’ve done more than you realize,” Byron replied. “Consider your participation in the assignment completed with flying colors.”

“Won’t there be a trial? You’ll need me as a witness.”

“We can spare you that ordeal. When you were rescued, all the proof of the abduction was right there on the premises. We hope we’ve given the ringleaders second thoughts before they try something like this in the future. And by sticking to our guns and passing the vote, we’ve put a huge dent in the drug trade.”

“I know Dean Weston did the actual kidnapping, but do you know who’s behind the blackmail?”

“We don’t know who called the shots yet, but we’re getting close.” Byron stepped to the bed and laid a hand on her shoulder. “You can relax, Chip. We’ll do the rest.”

In other words, you don’t need me anymore. I wonder if Riley feels the same.

General Anderson had been quietly watching the exchange and joined the conversation. “Remember Lieutenant, you still have an obligation to the Army to complete. Take Byron’s advice, and let O’Neal finish the assignment so you can return to your duties.”

“His name’s Riley, Daddy.” She gave her father a sharp stare. “And he saved my life.”

Her father raised a brow at her outburst. “I’m aware of his name, and I’ll never forget what I owe him.” He took a deep breath and settled his gaze on her. “Our immediate concern is for your well-being. Stop being stubborn. This assignment is over for you, do I make myself clear?”

Chip felt ashamed for accusing her father of not being grateful. She gazed at the resolute faces of her father and Byron O’Neal. They presented an unyielding wall and she’d never scale it in her weakened condition. She retreated for another day. “Yes, Sir.”

She lowered her gaze so neither man could see the determination on her face. A retreat wasn’t as good as a win, but she’d take it for now.

****

Riley paced the resort’s cabin floor in front of the recliner where Chip had slept. He’d returned to retrieve their luggage. His father had assured him Chip would be well cared for by the general and had stressed that Riley’s duties lay elsewhere. Those assurances didn’t erase Riley’s desire to be with her. But he couldn’t. Not until he’d found every last person who was involved in the plot to hurt her.

His father was right, of course. He was better off keeping his commitment to finish the assignment. The interrogations hadn’t gone as well as he’d hoped. There were rules to follow and no one had let Riley in the room since they realized he wanted to beat the answers out of the prisoners. They hadn’t yet learned where Weston had disappeared to, but they had confirmed the prisoners worked for the upstart cartel, El Rey del Sur.

It seemed the cartel was impatient to climb the ranks in the drug business and had found a weakness to exploit in Weston. It apparently hadn’t taken much to twist Weston’s arm for cooperation. But as much as they had learned, they still didn’t have the leader. Riley believed Weston was the one person who could give them the head of El Rey del Sur.

Unfortunately, Weston had disappeared right before the raid on the cabin in New Mexico. He wasn’t in Washington, D.C., where he should have been with Pomeroy. Surveillance on his mother’s house had been a bust as well. It was as though he’d disappeared off the face of the earth.

For security reasons, as well as for the protection of Senator Burnsworth’s reputation, they couldn’t ask for the public’s help by broadcasting Dean Weston’s face over national television. The blackmail and kidnapping had to remain under wraps. Riley was on task to find him. But now that the senate session was over, Northstar was able to call in the local police as well as other agencies. A BOLO, be-on-the-look-out, was broadcast for Dean Weston as a person of interest wanted for questioning. And Riley wanted to ask the questions.

He stopped pacing and gazed around the cabin. If he couldn’t get the answers he wanted from the prisoners, maybe he could get more information from Senator Pomeroy about his aide. The man had to know some details about his own staff. Surely they had done a background check, knew of extended family or associates. Something. Anything.

Riley’s things were already packed and ready to leave, but he hadn’t touched Chip’s belongings. The act seemed too personal, too intimate, and he wasn’t sure he was up to the task. He wanted intimacy with her, but he was also afraid of losing himself so completely to another person that he’d become half a man. He was afraid of the loneliness he saw in his father’s life after his mother’s death. He’d sworn never to subject himself to that kind of anguish—especially knowing he’d already failed to protect her once.

Regardless, Chip had come into his life and turned it upside down. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, only that he thought of her constantly. With her face in the back of his mind, Riley walked over to Chip’s duffel and carried it to the bed.

****

Chip flew back to Washington, D.C. with her father. It had taken some doing, but she convinced her parents she was well enough to stay at her own place to rest. Two days in the hospital had been enough to drive her insane. She was through staring at four walls. The minute her father left the apartment, she called a cab to take her to Northstar to retrieve her car.

When she arrived at the firm, she searched out the lab techs to thank them for their help in her rescue. Allison was on the phone when Chip walked over to her desk, so she waited for her to finish the call. When Senator Burnsworth’s name was mentioned, it was hard not to listen in.

“The Senator and his wife are doing well. In fact, he’s decided to seek re-election at the end of this term.”

There was another long pause before Allison spoke again. “Everything is in place. We have a go for oh-eight hundred tomorrow…that’ll be six in the morning, your time. Be careful.”

Allison hung up the phone and smiled at Chip. “You’re looking well, considering what you’ve been through. How are you feeling?”

“Much better now that I’m home.” Chip leaned on Allison’s desk. “Was that Riley you were talking to?”

Allison nodded. “He’s wrapping up the case now.”

“Where is he? It didn’t sound like he was in Washington.”

“Heading to New Mexico.”

Chip raised her eyebrows. “What’s he doing there?”

“We’ve finally located Dean Weston.”

“That’s great news. So he’s in custody?”

“Not yet. But they’re closing in.”

“Who’s ‘they’?”

“The DEA is setting up a raid on Weston’s hidey-hole.”

Chip pulled a chair up to Allison’s desk and sat. “You have to tell me how you found him.”

Allison slid a folder to the side and propped an elbow on her desk. “Riley re-interviewed Lorraine Voras and she spilled the beans. She kept Weston up-to-date on their location. She even let him in the room at the resort, knowing what he was planning to do.”

Chip leaned back in her chair and let out a low whistle. “I had a feeling she was keeping something from us. Poor Fiona, she must be devastated.”

Allison nodded. “I don’t know if it was ultimately a sense of obligation, or a desire to save her own skin, but Lorraine agreed to a plea bargain. She confessed to tipping off Weston about you being General Anderson’s daughter.”

“Now it makes sense how Riley and I walked into that trap. Lorraine must have known about the general’s involvement with Senator Burnsworth’s drone program.”

“You guessed it.” Allison touched the tip of her nose. “The kidnappers grabbed you during the exchange to gain additional leverage to sway the vote.”

“That was a brazen move that ended badly.” After learning about Lorraine’s involvement, Chip realized she and Fiona were lucky to still be alive. “So Lorraine gave up Weston’s location?”

“No. The BOLO came through earlier today.” Allison gathered some papers on her desk and tapped them into a neat pile before sliding them into the folder. “In fact, the DEA learned that Weston used his cover as a senator’s aide to make trips to Mexico. That’s when he was contacted by the cartel and found a supplier for his own business in D.C.”

“Seems like Weston has quite a reckoning coming.”

“You don’t know, do you?” Allison tipped her head to the side.

Chip frowned. “Know what?”

“Remember that gang house raid last year?”

Chip nodded. How could she forget? That first meeting with Riley was imprinted on her brain.

“We’ve tied Dean Weston to the gang running the place. He was the supplier. If the cartel hadn’t used Weston to derail Senator Burnsworth’s UAS program, we might still be looking for the person who supplied the drugs.”

“It’s all come full circle,” Chip whispered. The only thing missing was for her and Riley to finish this assignment together. “So, Weston’s in New Mexico?”

“The DEA found him holed up in a little house in a suburb of Albuquerque. They were instructed to hold on the arrest and allow Northstar in on the bust, per Senator Burnsworth’s instructions.”

“And Riley’s in Albuquerque?” Chip tried to make the inquiry sound casual.

“He’s on the way,” replied Allison. “The raid is set for six a.m. local time.”

Chip leaned on Allison’s desk. “I have to be there. Can you help me with the arrangements?”

Allison shook her head. “You can’t go. You’re still recovering.”

“I’m fine.” Chip stood, stepped closer, and put a hand on the other woman’s shoulder to make her understand. “Weston is responsible for kidnapping my best friend. He caused humiliation and distrust on Capitol Hill, and he put the nation’s security at risk. Please, Allison, help me finish the job I started.”