Chapter 10

Everything is in place. In the next few minutes, people may die. Hopefully that won't be the case, but you can't predict what will happen in this kind of situation. Normally, preserving life is a top priority for me. I'll shoot to wound if there's any option.

Today? Today I'm in that mode I haven't allowed myself to be in since I left the service. Today I'll kill anyone who threatens Conner. I am getting him out safe and God help anyone who gets in my way.

And then? Then I'll face his wrath when he discovers what I've done. He may hate me. May turn his back on me. Can I live with that? I guess I'll find out. If it comes to that.

Jazz was parked outside the towering edifice of glass and metal when the Jaguar stopped in front of the building. The day had been one of unexpected developments. Two hours earlier Conner and Barnette had entered a Bank of America in D. C., and Conner had transferred five million dollars into an account in Barnette's name in the Cayman Islands.

Everyone assumed he was buying Barnette off. But when he'd continued toward the destination with Barnette, the team had been confused. What was he up to?

Severin was equally confused but assured her that he'd have people in place before Conner stepped into the building. He asked if she had any clue what Conner was doing.

Jazz had no idea, but assured him she'd do everything she could to protect him. She was not at all sure her plan stood a chance of working but she'd run out of options so now all she could do was proceed as planned.

Now it was almost time to set the plan in motion. She watched Conner and Barnette enter the building, waited exactly two minutes then spoke into her comm unit. "I'm going in."

She got out of the SUV, straightened the black coat to make sure her guns weren't visible and entered the building.

*****

Conner and Barnette were greeted by a woman in the reception area of Mindleton's office.

"Who're you? Where's Annette?"

"She had to leave. I'm her replacement."

"Tell him Barnette's here."

She nodded and picked up her phone, punched a button and then spoke into the receiver. "Mr. Barnette is here to see you, sir."

When she hung up, she gestured toward the door. When Rock walked passed her she gave him a nod. He found that strange, but dismissed it. They entered Mindleton's office and the secretary closed the door behind them.

Fred Mindleton looked up at them. "Well, well, Dr. Burns. And I believe you said it would be a cold day in hell before you stepped foot in my office again."

"I hear it's snowing in Florida," Conner replied. "Plans have changed, Fred. Your buddy Barnette is working for me now."

"Oh?" Mindleton's eyebrows rose.

Conner looked over his shoulder to find Barnette's gun leveled at him. "Guess this means the deal is off. Do I get my money back?"

"What money?" Barnette grinned.

Conner turned his back on Barnette, focusing on Mindleton. "Whatever you want, the answer is no."

"Oh, I don't think so. You see, that little deposit you made into Barnette's account will be what puts you behind bars. Seems that you, smart fellow that you are, hacked into my company computers and diverted five million dollars of my money into your own account over the last two years. When Barnette uncovered what you'd done, you tried to buy him off. Only he did the honorable thing and brought you here to me so I could turn you in to the authorities."

"That bird won't fly."

"Oh it'll fly, all right. I've got enough power and influence to make sure of it. Not to mention bank transactions and computer records both here and on your computers in Florida.

"And I've got an ace in the hole. I can pin you with treason. Seems that not only have you been stealing from me, but you've been in cahoots with the Seven."

That put Conner on alert. Did Mindleton know he was Seven? "Pardon?"

Mindleton grinned. "No grass grows under my feet boy. I know which way the wind blows, and despite the trouble between the Seven and the government, there are some of the Seven who wield damn big guns. Like Asha Iltani."

"Iltani?" Now here was news Augustus and the others would be interested in.

"None other than the fucking queen of the vampires, boy. Seems she's got a hard on for you. So, I've got two choices here. See you rot in jail, or turn you over to her and let her do whatever the fuck she wants to do with you. After I get what I want, of course."

Conner could feel his body tighten, his fingers flex the way they did before he fought. He wanted to drive his fist into Mindleton's face hard enough to punch through his head. But now wasn't the time for anger. He had to get it under control and think his way out of this mess.

"What exactly is it you want?"

"Everything. Your research, your—"

A thud from beyond the door had them all turning to look. The door flew open to reveal Jazz, weapon in each hand and an evil smile on her face.

"You twitch you're dead," she said to Barnette. "Toss the gun."

He lowered the weapon as if to lay it on the ground then reversed his move, squeezing the trigger. His shot went wild as he stumbled, screaming from the two shots from Jazz that found their marks in each of his kneecaps. He raised his gun again and a third bullet found its mark in his shoulder.

Barnette fell back, moaning in agony. "Get his gun," Jazz ordered Conner.

Instead of picking it up, Conner kicked it under the sofa. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Royally fucking up," Mindleton said calmly." As we speak my security is closing down this building and converging on us. In two minutes you'll either surrender or die. You choose, Miss...?"

"Boudreaux. And that's not gonna happen. Gentlemen, is the building secure?"

She smiled and marched over to Mindleton. "Stand up."

"I beg your pardon but I do not take orders—"

A bullet passed close enough to his head for him to feel the heat and yet he didn't move. "On the floor, hands behind your head. Now!"

Mindleton stood and smiled. Jazz involuntarily took a step back at the sight of the fangs in his mouth. He laughed. "Go ahead. Fire. You can't kill me."

She cut a look at Conner to see him watching with a scowl on his face. "Step away from him, Jazz."

Jazz kept both guns trained on Mindleton. She might not be able to kill him, but she could pump enough lead in him to slow him down. "I said on the floor."

Mindleton laughed and flew into motion. Before she could fire, Conner was between them, his hand wrapped around Mindleton's neck. "You might want to do as the lady requests."

"You—can't—kill—" Mindleton's words ceased at the pressure from Conner's grip.

"Kill you? I don't want you dead. I have some friends who are going to want to talk to you."

Jazz watched in astonishment as Conner snapped Mindleton's neck. He let the body fall to the floor.

"Is he dead?" Jazz looked at Mindleton.

"No. You have handcuffs?"

She hurried to dig out wrist restraints, two sets, and hand them to Conner. "Are you sure he's not dead?"

"No. He's vampire." Once Mindleton was secured, he rose to face Jazz. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Trying to save your ass. Conner, listen to me. This thing you're working on. It's big. Big enough that guys like Mindleton aren't going to stop coming after you to get it."

"They can try."

"And they can succeed."

"I'd never give them—"

"You won't have to. Conner, please. Once you reach a certain point in the research there are others who can step in and finish it. You know that. And when that happens you're expendable. It's time to cut a deal."

"With who?"

She pulled the agreement from her pocket and unfolded it." Uncle Sam."

"You have got to be kidding? Jazz, they're as likely to bury the research as any for-profit corporation. If you consider the ties government has to—"

"I know the story. But we've got to trust someone."

"And you trust whoever had this typed up?"

"I trust them." She gestured behind him.

Conner turned to see five men who had entered silently into the room. "Who're they?"

"Let's just say they work for Uncle Sam. Like I used to. I trust them, Conner. Aside from you, they're the only people I do trust, and they helped me broker a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"Read the paper."

Conner read the document then looked up at her in disbelief. "Do you realize what it means if we sign this?"

"Yeah, I do."

"And you're willing to—"

"Yeah, I am."

"Why?"

She walked up close to him, looking into his eyes. "Because I love you, Conner. And I'll do anything to make sure you're safe. Nothing else matters. This is it for me."

He stared at her a long time, so long that an expression of anxiety came on her face. "Conner?"

"For you." He walked around her to Mindleton's desk, snatched up a pen and scribbled his name. "Who do I give this to?" he asked as he turned to face everyone.

"I'll take it" Adam crossed the room to him to take the paper from his hand. He folded it and put it in his pocket then extended his hand to Conner. "You made the right decision, Dr. Burns." Adam cut his eyes at Jazz. "On more than one level. You're a lucky man."

Conner stared at him for a moment then took his hand. "I think I'm going to want to hear details on how all this came about."

Adam smiled and released his hand. "You've plenty of time for that. Now, if you'll please come with us. We have transport waiting for you and Jazz."

"What about them?" Conner gestured toward the two unconscious men on the floor.

"Don't worry. They'll be attended to."

Conner looked at Jazz. "Our—my people need to question Mindleton. He's a vampire, Jazz and not one we knew about and that means—"

"Call Severin."

"Why?"

"I've already talked with him."

Conner pulled out his phone and made the call. "He said to speak with the secretary."

"Say what?"

"Come on."

They went into the reception area. The secretary was standing beside her desk. "I'm supposed to—"

"Yeah, I'm on it." She gave him a smile, displaying elegant fangs.

Conner chuckled and Jazz looked from him to the woman in confusion. "Someone want to tell me what's so amusing?"

"Your boys are about to forget the deal you made."

"Excuse me?"

"She's going to charm them. Change their memories."

He looked at the female vampire. "They can't remember Jazz either, and we'll need to know who they made the deal with and have someone make contact."

"Understood."

"Then we're done here." He turned his attention to at Jazz. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded. "Yep."

"Then how do you feel about taking a little trip. I'd like to take you home."

"To Florida?"

"No, home. Where my people are."

She grinned and gave his hand a squeeze. "I say let's get it on, stud. New adventures await."