Read Online EDGE OF SHADOWS: The Shadow Ops Finale (Shadow Ops, Book # 3) by C.J. Lyons, Cynthia Cooke - Free Book Online
Authors: C.J. Lyons, Cynthia Cooke
Tags: FICTION/Romance/Suspense
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the explosion on the Mall, he understood her frustration and concern. He decided diplomacy was the best approach to soothe her ruffled feathers. After all, the Team needed all the friends they could get right now. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Susan. I’m on my way.”
As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. Billy didn’t bother muffling his curse at the intrusive technology, but quickly damped his irritation when he saw it was Teresa, the Team’s communications tech.
“What do you need, T?” he asked.
“A little advice, boss. Like what to do when you’re sitting around, minding your own business, all your co-workers out doing Lord only knows what, but probably something to do with a school bus blowing up near the Capitol, and suddenly there’s a squadron of Homeland Security, FBI, and something called the National Security Division descending on your tiny little cubicle, waving federal subpoenas.”
Whoops. “Ah, sorry about that. One of us should've given you a heads up.”
“You think? So how do you want me to handle these guys? Besides letting them gorge on the brownies I baked for Chase’s homecoming? By the way, KC says he’s doing fine, and they are letting him go home today. I just hope that boy learns to take it easy before he hurts himself again.” She paused for breath. Teresa was STR’s resident worrywart. “Anyway, want me to play dumb? Not hard since no one has bothered to tell me anything.”
Her tone, usually cheerful, was edged with pain and a touch of recrimination.
“We were trying to protect you,” Billy explained—without telling her there was a traitor among them. Should he? It might prevent Teresa from saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. But what if she was the traitor? If it was the person they least expected, that sure as hell would be Teresa.
“I know that,” she said with a sigh. “Just wish I could be more help—”
“You are, always.”
“Thanks, boss.” Her sunny nature reasserted itself. “Don’t you worry about these paper-pushers. I’ll keep them stewing until they get tired and go home, give you and Rose some breathing space.”
“Thanks. I—we—appreciate it.”
“Just doing my job. Call me if you need anything.”
<><><>
Jay wasn ’t sure whether to be frightened by all the fuss KC was making or angry. She and Chase were treating him like he was a kid, unable to take care of himself. Making him promise to follow them out of the city to a place he didn’t even know they had all the way out in Laurel, Maryland. Telling him to stop only after he was outside of DC, to go someplace where he wasn’t known—some big old Wal-Mart or the like and stock up on supplies, then ditch everything he owned back at his dorm.
Like hell he was. Did they have any idea how expensive textbooks were? Besides, if he didn’t want to fall too far behind, he’d need them to study while they were stuck out in Laurel. Not to mention his laptop. Vital supplies, as far as he was concerned—not that anyone asked Jay’s opinion—much more important than anything on the shopping list KC had given him.
Still, he knew enough about the Preacher and the kind of danger his crazy followers could pose to take KC’s warnings seriously. He’d ducked into his dorm through the rear entrance, made sure no one was on the floor before racing down to his room, grabbing his stuff and leaving again. Now he was sneaking across the Georgetown campus, trying to look normal and blend in but also taking lesser-used paths so he could see if anyone was following him.
He’d just passed the fountain in front of the Dahlgren Chapel when he spotted a familiar figure at the chapel’s entrance alcove. It was Rose, Chase and KC’s boss. Had they sent her here to follow him? Damn, he’d never even spotted her.
Guilt flooded him—Chase was going to be pissed that he’d disobeyed orders. Worse would be the look of disappointment from KC. Deciding to take his punishment
As soon as he hung up, the phone rang again. Billy didn’t bother muffling his curse at the intrusive technology, but quickly damped his irritation when he saw it was Teresa, the Team’s communications tech.
“What do you need, T?” he asked.
“A little advice, boss. Like what to do when you’re sitting around, minding your own business, all your co-workers out doing Lord only knows what, but probably something to do with a school bus blowing up near the Capitol, and suddenly there’s a squadron of Homeland Security, FBI, and something called the National Security Division descending on your tiny little cubicle, waving federal subpoenas.”
Whoops. “Ah, sorry about that. One of us should've given you a heads up.”
“You think? So how do you want me to handle these guys? Besides letting them gorge on the brownies I baked for Chase’s homecoming? By the way, KC says he’s doing fine, and they are letting him go home today. I just hope that boy learns to take it easy before he hurts himself again.” She paused for breath. Teresa was STR’s resident worrywart. “Anyway, want me to play dumb? Not hard since no one has bothered to tell me anything.”
Her tone, usually cheerful, was edged with pain and a touch of recrimination.
“We were trying to protect you,” Billy explained—without telling her there was a traitor among them. Should he? It might prevent Teresa from saying the wrong thing to the wrong person. But what if she was the traitor? If it was the person they least expected, that sure as hell would be Teresa.
“I know that,” she said with a sigh. “Just wish I could be more help—”
“You are, always.”
“Thanks, boss.” Her sunny nature reasserted itself. “Don’t you worry about these paper-pushers. I’ll keep them stewing until they get tired and go home, give you and Rose some breathing space.”
“Thanks. I—we—appreciate it.”
“Just doing my job. Call me if you need anything.”
<><><>
Jay wasn ’t sure whether to be frightened by all the fuss KC was making or angry. She and Chase were treating him like he was a kid, unable to take care of himself. Making him promise to follow them out of the city to a place he didn’t even know they had all the way out in Laurel, Maryland. Telling him to stop only after he was outside of DC, to go someplace where he wasn’t known—some big old Wal-Mart or the like and stock up on supplies, then ditch everything he owned back at his dorm.
Like hell he was. Did they have any idea how expensive textbooks were? Besides, if he didn’t want to fall too far behind, he’d need them to study while they were stuck out in Laurel. Not to mention his laptop. Vital supplies, as far as he was concerned—not that anyone asked Jay’s opinion—much more important than anything on the shopping list KC had given him.
Still, he knew enough about the Preacher and the kind of danger his crazy followers could pose to take KC’s warnings seriously. He’d ducked into his dorm through the rear entrance, made sure no one was on the floor before racing down to his room, grabbing his stuff and leaving again. Now he was sneaking across the Georgetown campus, trying to look normal and blend in but also taking lesser-used paths so he could see if anyone was following him.
He’d just passed the fountain in front of the Dahlgren Chapel when he spotted a familiar figure at the chapel’s entrance alcove. It was Rose, Chase and KC’s boss. Had they sent her here to follow him? Damn, he’d never even spotted her.
Guilt flooded him—Chase was going to be pissed that he’d disobeyed orders. Worse would be the look of disappointment from KC. Deciding to take his punishment
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