Expectation (Ghost Targets, #2) by Aaron Pogue Read Free Book Online

airport."
    She saw him frown, brows knitting together. "She is?"
    "Got a message mid-flight. She got us clearance to visit the clinic tonight, which is apparently something of a feat." She watched him run a hand through his hair, eyes bloodshot and a little panicky, and her heart went out to him. "Miles to go before we sleep, sir."
    "Thanks, Katie." He nodded to her, then settled back into his chair, running his hand through his hair again. "Goodbye."
    By the time they reached the terminal, he looked better, and when they stepped out into the winter chill, he seemed himself. His shoulders were square, his suit hung easily on a powerful frame, and his emerald eyes captured those of Dora Hart,waiting for them by her black-and-white cruiser. She wasn't tall—maybe an inch taller than Katie—but the woman wore strength like a tailored suit. Her uniform jacket hung open over a tight-fitting white T-shirt that showed off her muscle tone. She flashed a confident smile when she saw Reed looking her way.
    She called to him, "You my man?"
    He nodded back, and smiled as he stepped up and extended a hand. "I'm Special Agent Reed, FBI."
    "Of course you are," she purred, then cast a fleeting glance on Katie. "And this is?"
    Katie nodded back at her. "Katie Pratt, also of Ghost Targets."
    "Well," Hart said, her full attention back on Reed's eyes. "I'm glad you could make the time to visit Boulder. I'm sure we won't disappoint." She glanced at Katie again, and her mouth turned down. "Oh, you poor thing," she said. "Let's get in the car. You look miserable."
    Katie's lips tightened, but neither of the others noticed. All three climbed into the car, and as soon as the doors were closed Hart said, "Dispatch, send us to the De Grey Clinic, private entrance. Thanks." The cruiser was a six-seater, two benches facing each other, and Chief Hart settled in facing Reed, sitting in the center of her bench with both arms up on the seat back. "I do apologize for the abrupt change of plans, but we got lucky finding an opportunity at all. I understand the assistant is resuming Eric's research at eight tomorrow morning, and it would be a real bitch to try to get in once they're operational again."
    "The assistant," Katie said, trying to cue Reed in. "That would be Meg Ginney? She's been with the De Grey clinic for four years now."
    "Yes, dear." Hart threw her a condescending look for stating the obvious. "You've done your research, I see."
    Reed missed the exchange. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and said, "What do we know about his condition?"
    The police chief looked away, some of her bravado suddenly gone, and shrugged one shoulder. "He's comatose, unresponsive. Doctors say there's nothing they can do for him. His wife has him on machines."
    Katie spoke up. "There are signs of normal brain activity," she said, and got a withering look for it. She tilted her head, confused at the reaction, and said defensively, "He's been out long enough that his odds aren't good, but he's not exactly a vegetable."
    Reed shook his head. "Sounds complicated. What makes you think there was a crime involved?"
    The chief hesitated for a moment, her breath caught in her chest, then let it all out in a whuff . "It's the cover-up," she said. "I don't have anything to go on but that. But they're hiding something, and that much is plain as day."
    Reed tried to sound diplomatic. "Chief Hart, I can't force an investigation within a military restricted area based on your hunch—"
    "You don't have to," she said, pulling her chin up and meeting his eyes. "That's what this is for. That's exactly why we're going there now, so you can see for yourself. And you will see. Something strange is going on at that lab."
    "Yes," Katie said, a little more bitterly than she intended. "They're putting the last nail in the coffin of aging. That's a miraculous thing."
    "And every man, woman, and child in the country is waiting with bated breath for their chance to take the drug," Hart said,