Armed and Dangerous (The IMA) by Nenia Campbell Read Free Book Online

to England.”
    “ More retraining?” I spat.
    “ No, no, no. You've been stationed in Scotland, as you've said. That particular training is done. This is more for convenience's sake. You're already acquainted with the exchange rates and all those other mettlesome cultural details — unless you feel further tutelage is necessary.”
    I set my teeth. “Perhaps you have forgotten that the Scots don't like the English. They are still embittered about the Battle of Culloden and the Jacobite uprisings.”
    “It's a small island. You'll learn your way around it.”
    Maybe the BN conflict was really a set-up to take out some of his old enemies. Rumors were circulating afresh about his mysterious origins. Supposedly both his parents had been involved with the IRA, and the IRA was notorious for harboring anti-British sentiments. Membership with that group would explain why Callaghan was unwilling to make the trip to England himself. If he had been expatriated from the United Kingdom for acts of treason, he couldn't.
    Keeping this information in mind as something to look into when I got back, I said, “Your men don't listen to me. They still regard me as a traitor. Due to rumors that you have done nothing to discourage, I might add.”
    “ If I tell them to listen to you, they will.”
    “ I had no idea you were so popular.”
    “ Their loyalty is to their paycheck. What about yours?” Upon seeing my expression, he added, “By the by, I've started having the girl watched. You wouldn't know yourself, not being a graduate, but university can be very taxing upon its students' readily available cognitive resources. Some students find that they just can't cope.”
    “ Lay a finger on her and I blow you straight to hell.”
    “ Are you threatening me?” he asked, amused. “Perhaps Watson didn't train you as well as I thought.”
    “ I'm not threatening you,” I said. “I'm making you a promise. Touch her and die.”
    “ You're a powerful man, Michael Boutilier, but even you couldn't take on fifty men without kevlar. Try, and I'd have you gunned down where you stood. Oh, but that would be a blessing for you, wouldn't it, dying a hero's death? I couldn't have that, no. I'd be sure you saw her killed first, knowing your death would be in vain.”
    It took me a moment to speak. “I see,” I said.
    “Blackmail for a blackguard. Rather fitting, wouldn't you say?” He paused. “I assume this is a hypothetical case. An exercise in power — a war game, if you will. Yes, that must be it. Because I'm sure even you, with your brute intelligence, wouldn't do something so utterly stupid.”
    “ No.” I turned on my heel to leave before I could do or say anything that would leave me in a state of further disgrace. My pulse throbbed in my temples, sending white bursts flashing up like sparklers in my periphery.
    “ One more thing.”
    I didn't turn around this time. “What?”
    “From now on, keep your safety on when you're dealing with my men. You aren't the only one who can cause accidents, Michael Boutilier.”
    With that threat hanging in the air like a bullet suspended in time, I left to sleep the sleep of the dead. When I woke up, I would find myself covered in sweat.
     
    Christina:
    Dad wired me some money before he left for Napa with Em. “Just make sure you keep a budget,” he told me. “Record all your transactions in an excel spreadsheet, and break them down into food, utilities, school, and personal use. I want to be able to see where your money is going.” I agreed — it was a good deal — and when I checked my account online I had a shock. Dad must have felt guilty about not helping me move. That was the only explanation. That, or he'd added an extra zero somewhere.
    With my funds in place I set up accounts with PG&E, AT&T, and all the other acronyms responsible for basic utilities. The apartment came with free wi-fi, or so it said on the board outside, but I didn't trust it. Not after eyeballing the