Read Online Longing and Lies by Donna Hill - Free Book Online

great at it because I was always looking for the next challenge.” Ashley grinned. “I was intrigued. She said it was like being in a secret sorority with cool gadgets to play with. But that the work was serious and when government agencies didn’t have the manpower, the interest or the time, The Cartel steps in. She introduced me to Jean and—” she shrugged her right shoulder “—the rest is history.”
    Elliot leaned back and took a long swallow of beer. “Where is Mae Lin, now?”
    Ashley smiled. “She’s a news correspondent on CBS News .”
    Elliot’s eyes widened in surprised amusement. “Say what? That Mae Lin?”
    Ashley bobbed her head. “Yep. Cartel members are everywhere, doing everyday jobs and no one is the wiser. That’s the beauty of the organization. Some of us know each other, but most of us don’t, unless we meet during an assignment.”
    â€œJean definitely runs a tight operation. The honchos at The Bureau and CIA headquarters think very highly of her.”
    â€œWhat is your story?” Ashley said.
    His expression sobered. “Went to the navy after high school. Figured it was the only way I could afford a college education and get off the streets. I grew up in Baltimore, around where they used to film The Wire .” He drew in a long breath and gazed off into the distance. “The things I saw in combat couldn’t compare to life on the streets of Baltimore, especially back then.” His hand tightened around the bottle neck. “I signed up for Special Ops. Stayed there for five years before I signed up with the FBI, which is where I met Bernard.”
    â€œI didn’t know that the FBI handled cases outside of the U.S.”
    Elliot’s dark eyes flashed at her. His body coiled as if ready to strike, making her heart lurch. In that instant she again witnessed how volatile Elliot could be with just a flip of the switch. “Jean and Bernard told me you were returning from an assignment inEurope…” she quickly added, hoping to snuff out whatever fire she’d lit.
    By degrees she watched him physically relax, but his eyes remained wary.
    â€œLet’s say that I’m freelance and leave it at that. Okay?” He finished off his beer, pushed back from the table and took his dishes to the sink, rinsed, and then put them in the dishwasher. He turned to Ashley. “I’m going out for a while.” He left without another word or a backward glance.
    â€œWell, damn,” she muttered in concert with the closing front door.
    Â 
    Elliot got in his car with no real destination in mind. All he was sure of was that he needed some space, some air between him and Ashley. He could feel the powder key of his emotions getting ready to explode and Ashley didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of that.
    He glanced at the digital clock on the dash. It was still early. He hit speed dial on his cell phone. After three rings, Carmen Santiago’s throaty voice filtered through the lines.
    â€œHello Carmen, it’s E. You busy?”
    â€œNo. You in the vicinity?”
    â€œI can be in about thirty minutes.”
    â€œI’m here.”
    â€œSee you in a few.”
    He made a turn onto the West Side Highway and headed to Brooklyn.
    After cruising around for about ten minutes, Elliot found a parking space and then walked back the half block. He jogged up the steps to the parlor floor apartment of the three-story brownstone and rang the bell. Moments later the glass and mahogany wood door opened and Carmen stood in the doorway. He felt suddenly lighter.
    â€œCome on in, babe.” She welcomed him on tip toe and embraced him in a warm hug.
    Elliot kissed her cheek and gave her a squeeze. “Girls asleep?”
    â€œThey’re at a sleepover down the block. Friends from school.”
    â€œWow. Sorry I missed them.”
    â€œNext time. Can I get you anything? I