Point of No Return by Rita Henuber Read Free Book Online

friend.” He raised a hand with fingers parted between the middle and ring finger in a Vulcan salute. “I don’t want a thing except for you to live long and prosper.” He picked up a black nylon backpack from the seat next to him and placed it on the floor between them. “Lee and Becca’s notes. Becca’s personal info and as much as I could get on her duty reports for the last three years.”
    The alphabet agencies had taken everything when they swept the home. Weeks ago, he’d asked Neuberger’s help in getting personal items returned. He knew computer files were lost forever. He wanted their papers. His brother had a phenomenal memory and rarely wrote anything down. Becca, on the other hand, was an obsessive note maker. He was sure he’d find some link, some connection there. “Thanks.” He didn’t know how Neuberger had pulled it off and he didn’t care. He sat up and maneuvered the bag under his seat, feeling suddenly energized.
    “There are rumors you’ve overstepped your bounds,” Neuberger said. “Questions are being asked.”
    O’Brien swiveled his head side to side, looking around for other passengers. There was only one man, rows away. “ They dropped the ball on this. If they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be forced into doing this myself.” His temper built. “Or are they afraid I’ll show them up?”
    “When you left the agency you pissed some people off and scared others,” Neuberger said in an even tone.
    O’Brien crossed his arms and leaned back in the seat. He didn’t care how many people he pissed off, he would find who did this with or without their help.
    “Man, some shitty things have happened to you that shoved you off track. It’s time to quit the fucking mercenary and wild-man-of-the-hills act and get back where you belong. Langley . Let us help you.”
    He would love to be able to trust Neuberger and the agency. He knew not to trust anyone. They all lied or told a version of the truth they felt necessary. “For all I know this was Langley’s work. A botched job to take me out because, as you put it, they’re worried about who I work for.”
    Neuberger sighed. “It wasn’t us. It wasn’t MTAC. I hope you find something in those notes. None of us could.”
    Jack didn’t look at the agent. He cracked his knuckles and briefly wondered how the man had gotten into the passengers-only area with a bag.
    “DoD is sending someone to question you.”
    “Yeah. I know. I was notified.”
    Neuberger’s eyebrows came together to form a unibrow. “Notified?”
    “Nothing big. Reached out through my mom. Asked to meet. See if I remember anything before they close the file on Becca. Told them the cabin. Figured if they weren’t serious, they wouldn’t show. I can handle some DoD pencil pusher.”
    “Not a pencil pusher. A seasoned intelligence officer, who’ll be speaking with Ramsey and Saunders too. Someone may be on to what you’re doing.”
    “I said, I’ll handle it.”
    Neuberger stood. “Clean up, Jack. Come back where you should be and stop putting your friends’ jobs in jeopardy by helping you.”
    Jack glared up at him.
    “One other thing. The intelligence officer is a woman. A Marine Major H. K. Thornton.” He nudged the bag with his shoe. “Watch yourself. She’s more than she seems. Could be a honey trap.” Neuberger strolled away.
    Geesus. Honey? Jack leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs and burying his face in his hands.

Chapter 5
     
     
    Honey gave her name and code to the armed security at the entrance to the gated community where her sister Theresa lived. The man raised the bar blocking the way to exclusive estate homes. It reminded Honey of remote border crossings between third world countries and was just as ineffective. The difference here was if someone crashed the first line of security, they’d be stopped by a second, far more sophisticated setup twenty-five feet up the road. Literally. The gate guard would raise spike strips