The Polaris Protocol by Brad Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

patch, but they had over ten thousand locks in use around the world, and Knuckles figured this backwater country wasn’t high on the list for getting fixed. The hack would still work here.
    Knuckles said, “It’s not that simple. We’re going to have to come up with another solution now.”
    Jennifer came down to the lobby with her luggage, and he said nothing else about the mission. When she reached us, he said, “Hey, your brother’s going to be okay. It’s probably just a miscommunication.”
    She said, “I sure hope so.”
    I said, “I called your cab. It’s outside.”
    I led her out, carrying her luggage and giving her a little pep talk. Before she entered the cab I admonished her about not doing anything stupid.
    “Hey, I know you’re worried about Jack, but don’t go hot-rodding to Mexico, no matter what you find. It’s probably just bad communication, and I don’t want you jumping to conclusions. I’ll be back in three days. Four at the most. Promise me you won’t run off like the Lone Ranger.”
    Her eyes held nothing but pain and dread. She said, “Pike, I’m sorry I’m leaving. I know I’m hurting the mission. I . . . I know I’m letting you down. Letting the team down. It’s just not like him to call like that. Something’s really wrong.”
    I squared her to me, hands on both arms. “Screw that. Let me handle the team. Nothing here we can’t accomplish without you.” I poked her in the eye to lighten the mood. “Contrary to what you might think, we aren’t all wondering how the hell we’re going to execute if you leave. Just don’t do anything stupid. I’ll contact the Taskforce. Get them to track his phone and send you a grid.”
    She said, “You can’t do that. For one, it’s illegal. For another, it’s personal. Don’t get in any trouble over this. It’s not their problem.”
    “Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry about it. You’ve given enough to the Taskforce to earn a little payback. Just promise you won’t go off half-cocked. The trace will probably show up in Dallas.”
    She shook her head and said, “You never listen to anything I say.” She put her arms around my waist and stood on tiptoe. “You’re a good man. I won’t do anything stupid. I’m looking forward to seeing you away from the team. These separate rooms suck.”
    Then she kissed me full on the lips. I returned it at first, bringing her close and savoring the connection. Then I remembered where we were. Who was watching. I broke it off and said, “Get out of here.”
    I watched her drive away, praying Knuckles wasn’t in the lobby. When I turned around, he was still standing there.
    Maybe he didn’t see anything.
    When I got inside he said, “What. The. Fuck. Was. That?”
    Damn it.
    “What?” I asked.
    “That kiss . . . what was that?”
    “Nothing . . . that was just a peck on the cheek. She’d have done the same to you.”
    “I’ve never had a peck that involved my tongue.” He squinted his eyes at me and asked, “Are you
sleeping
with Jennifer?” I felt my face flush like I was a teenager caught in the backseat of a car, and he exclaimed, “Holy shit. You
are
sleeping with her, you damn liar!”
    The anger was real, because he thought I’d broken the trust of a teammate. We’d had long talks about the loss of my family, my life, and how I felt about Jennifer, but the conversations were all the same: I was torn apart by their death; I wasn’t ready for a relationship; Jennifer was a teammate, period; nobody could replace my wife, Heather; yada, yada, yada.
    All of that was true, except for the last part. While Heather’s death had left a hole that would never be filled, Jennifer had covered it over long ago, hiding the scar tissue and burying the rage that Heather’s loss had engendered. I had realized the connection, but I had been too afraid to admit it. Afraid of rejection. I’d finally worked up the courage, and because of my incredible charm, my fear of rejection had