Harlequin Nocturne March 2014 Bundle: Shadowmaster\Running with Wolves (16 page)

Patterson straightened, his nostrils flaring. “I have nothing to hide.”

“Perhaps it's simply a matter of Fringe politics, a bet, a challenge to other Bosses that he's willing to take such a risk.”

“Or he wants to kill me because I did my job when I was commissioner!”

“Is that the only reason he'd want it?” Phoenix asked. “Maybe you did your job too well.”

Chan spoke before Patterson could do more than gape at Phoenix in astonished outrage. “We have no way of knowing, Senator,” she said, “but our security measures will be extremely thorough. No one will hurt you. And since, as you said, you have nothing to hide, the only harm you will suffer is to your pride.”

“I'll have your job for this, Chan. I'll have you broken. And I'll have
this
one—” he jabbed a finger toward Phoenix “—deported for treason.”

“We'll see, Senator Patterson.” Chan shuffled files around on her desk as if to indicate how busy she was. “All I can say is that we'll keep you informed of any change in the situation. Now, if you'll excuse us...”

Patterson stared at Chan as if he were unable to comprehend the sheer nerve of anyone daring to address him in such a manner. He took a step back, nearly crashing into Phoenix. “I'm warning you, Director,” he said. “If anything happens to my boy...”

“Goodbye, Senator.”

He cast Phoenix a final glance and stormed out of the room.

“That wasn't smart, Stryker,” Chan said when he was gone. “It's never a good idea to wave a red cape at a charging bull.”

“I'm sorry, Director,” Phoenix said, standing very straight.

“Normally, I wouldn't be worried. But if we hadn't acted immediately on your request for his records and gained access to certain files that he couldn't manage to destroy in time, he'd already be tearing the Records Department to shreds with his bare hands. He's going to be working on every conceivable way of justifying what we've found or making it appear as if someone's tampered with his files.”

“Like the mayor?” Phoenix asked.

“He could make a case for it, at least with his faction and certain senators. This is a highly volatile situation, Stryker, and I think if he could let his son die without turning everyone in the Enclave against him, he'd do it rather than agree to the meeting.” She slapped the folders down on the desk. “We could be facing something very ugly. But if it's between possibly ruining Patterson or saving the mayor, Aegis's position is clear.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“But you're far from out of the woods, Stryker. You'd better justify my faith in your ability to see this through and find what we're looking for. Quickly. Convince Sammael to let you stay with him. You find that contact in Sammael's Hold and locate at least one of the Opiri spies. When you do, I'm going to advise that we send our people in and take him.”

“For interrogation?” Phoenix said, suppressing a shiver. “Even if stringent measures are necessary to make him expose the assassin?”

Chan didn't look at her.
“We don't use torture,”
she'd said,
“unless it is an immediate matter of life and death.”

In this case, it certainly would be.

“Why is that important to you, Stryker?” Chan asked, her chair creaking as she leaned back. “I wonder if you're holding something back.”

Phoenix stood absolutely still. “Ma'am?”

“When you speak of this Sammael, you might as well be describing a rock formation. Objectivity is vital, but it's almost as if you're trying too hard.” She leaned forward again. “Are you emotionally involved in some way, Agent Stryker?”

“No, ma'am.”

The director nodded slowly. “Don't try so hard to prove yourself, Stryker, or you may make a mistake that will destroy this city. I'm not mincing words. It's all on you and the decisions you make now.”

“Yes, ma'am. Thank you for giving me this chance to make it right.”

“Dismissed.”

Phoenix turned to leave, but Chan called after her. “We'll need to go over all the details again,” she said, “everything you know about Sammael, everything he's done and everything he's said in your presence. I'll meet you in the debriefing room in one hour. I have a few ducks to line up first.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“And get yourself something to eat. It's never good for a dhampir to starve herself. Even a half-breed like you.”

Phoenix left the room, trying not to think. Thinking brought doubt. Of herself, of what she had chosen to do. And of Drakon, most of all.

Determined to remain firmly in the present, Phoenix left the office and took the series of corridors and elevators to the agents' mess.

She was only halfway there when she ran smack into the Most Honorable Mayor Aaron Shepherd.

Chapter 16

“A
aron!” Phoenix blurted out without thinking, immediately aware that even a former lover didn't address the mayor by his first name. At least not in public.

But Shepherd only grinned at her, steadying her with his hands on her shoulders as if they were still young and very much in love: she, a ward of Aegis; he, a son of an influential and moderately wealthy citizen with strong ties to the government. She, who wanted to prove herself worthy, in spite of her very mixed heritage; he, always ambitious, urged by his father to climb the political ladder at a speed very few had ever achieved.

They'd still been in love when, at the age of twenty-nine, he had won a place on the government committee overseeing Aegis operations. She was just at the beginning of her career with the Agency.

Now, one of the youngest mayors of the Enclave at thirty-three, Aaron Shepherd was a highly attractive man of great power, charisma and influence, beloved by the citizens, with a higher trust rating than any other member of the government.

Everyone loved him. Everyone, except Patterson's aggressive supporters. And Phoenix.

“Nix!” he said in a delighted voice, dropping his hands. He looked her up and down. “How long has it been? A year? Two? You haven't changed a bit.” His voice slowed, grew more serious. “I was hoping to speak with you alone before you return to your duties.”

“I'm not permitted to discuss my work, Mr. Mayor,” she said, carefully respectful.

“Not even with me?”

He was half joking, but Phoenix saw the harder gleam in his eyes—the gleam she had seen more and more the higher he had risen.

“No, sir,” she said, staring at his starched, white collar.

All at once he seemed to relax. “Of course,” he said. “But at least come join me for a drink, Nix. I've missed our conversations.”

Phoenix didn't believe it. Not for an instant. But one simply didn't turn down the mayor, even if he was a man you never wanted to be in the same room with again.

He gestured her ahead of them, and—trailed by a team of four beefy bodyguards—they went to an empty office on the highest level of Aegis Headquarters, reserved for the use of visiting dignitaries or other special guests. There was a bar, a full-size dining table, a furniture setting with a couch and chairs and a door leading to a bedroom.

Aaron gestured for Phoenix to take a seat and nodded to his bodyguards, who took their places near the doors and huge, heavily paneled picture window. He poured himself a drink and brought another to Phoenix, who stood stiffly near the couch.

“Sit,” Shepherd said, handing her a glass. She did as he commanded, but quickly set the glass down on the coffee table, untouched.

Shepherd clucked. “So formal, Nix. We used to be such good friends.” He grew serious. “My name is Aaron,” he said softly. “It always sounded best when you said it.”

“Until hearing me speak it became inconvenient.”

“Nix.” He set down his drink and reached toward her in silent plea. “I've missed you.”

She wondered how he could possibly say such a thing. Once, in his embrace, she'd felt accepted for who she was. Until Aaron had opened his arms and let her fall.

“I didn't know you hated me so much,” he said, reading her face.

“I've never hated you,” she said.
Until now
.

“Then just talk to me.”

Realizing that she wasn't going to get out without paying the toll, Phoenix moved over so he could sit beside her. He sighed and crossed his legs. “Nix, it's true. I've never stopped missing you.”

All that charm,
Phoenix thought. It had lost none of its potency since he had become mayor and lavished it on so many. So different from Drakon, though it wasn't just the smell of expensive cologne or the polished urbanity of the Mayor of San Francisco. Drakon had lost people he'd loved to violence and hatred. He'd suffered, had his whole life stolen from him before he'd gone completely over to the other side.

Could Aaron have survived those same trials?

She met his gaze. “Did you bring me here to play games, sir, or is there something you wanted to know?”

He leaned back, swirling his drink in his glass. “Informally, Agent Stryker...how is the mission proceeding?”

“I assume you've had your own private briefings, Your Honor,” she said, staring fixedly at the lush white carpet.

“Briefings,” he said with a snort, and took a sip of his drink. “I want your opinion, Nix. It was always sound before.”

Before you decided I was more a liability than a help to your ascent,
she thought.

“Everything is being done that can be done,” she said. “If necessary, I'll give my life to protect our government from the Opiri.”

“And for me?” he asked in that seductive voice that could make anyone do whatever he wanted. No force, no command, just the gentlest, most sincere persuasion.

“Yes, Your Honor. You
are
the government.”

“I might not be so much longer, if Patterson wins the election.” Shepherd finished his drink and set down the glass. “But it seems there may be an impediment to his possible success. Files from his years as captain and commissioner of the Enforcement Bureau. Even I haven't seen all of them. He's not happy about having them revealed to the public, Nix.”

“He's made that very clear, sir.”

“And you have no idea why this Boss wants the information revealed?”

“No.”

He leaned toward her. “It's all right, Nix. You can confide in me.”

It was far more difficult to lie to Shepherd's face than Phoenix had imagined. Almost as hard as when she'd lied to Chan.

“I don't know,” she said. “I'm sorry, sir.”

“I know you are. But what doesn't make sense to me is why any Boss would want Patterson ruined. The people in the Fringe hate the government, and with good reason. Patterson would maintain the status quo. But if I win and deportation ends, they'll have nothing more to fear. We'll integrate them back into society. The Bosses will find it much more difficult to operate so profitably after that.”

“That would be the ideal result, sir.”

“On the other hand, Patterson may gain something out of this, even if his reputation is put on trial. Many citizens probably agree with Patterson's former actions as commissioner, and he may look better to them because of his willingness to share the files to save his son.” He leaned back again. “In any case, this sets a very bad precedent. If any Boss thinks he can kidnap an influential man's loved ones and use threats to expose Enclave secrets...this is obviously something we can't have repeated.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Then any future attempts will have to be strongly discouraged. And this business of demanding a week...my security is having fits over it.” He searched Phoenix's eyes. “Did this Boss of yours think it would take so long to access Patterson's old files?”

“He didn't say, Your Honor.”

“But I've been told you've established some kind of rapport with him.”

“That's why I think I can get more out of him.”

“At the risk of my life?”

“If I suspected you were at immediate risk, sir...”

“I was told it was necessary to instigate these
false sweeps
in the Fringe to allow you to find information that might lead to the assassin. But we've obviously given the Fringers a little too much leeway by leaving them alone to plot. Surely you can find a way to bring this Sammael in before the meeting. I'll see that you get all the help you need.”

“Sir...” Phoenix shifted, wondering how she would get out of this one. “Aegis believes it would be unwise to move too quickly.”

“Then my advisers may have to take a little more time to explain the situation to Aegis. You understand, don't you, Nix?”

“And if Matthew Patterson suffers because of this?” Phoenix got to her feet, wondering what would happen if she spat on his nice, clean suit. “I have an appointment with the director. If you'll excuse me, Mr. Mayor...”

“Wait.” Shepherd waved his hand, and with obvious reluctance his guards left him and Phoenix alone. Suddenly Aaron was very close, gazing into her eyes, his own bright blue and shining with passion she hadn't anticipated.

“We were good together, weren't we?” he asked. “We always understood each other.”

“For a while,” Phoenix said, turning her face aside. He caught her chin in his hand and forced her to look back at him.

“It took me a few years,” he said with a wry twist of his lips, “but I finally realized what a mistake I'd made. I see it more clearly now than I ever have before.” He stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “Don't you know, Nix? I'd never let any harm come to you. I still love you.”

His words were like Nightsider fangs sinking into her throat, not merely to feed but to kill in the ugliest possible way. They ripped at her flesh and tore at her heart. The heart he had broken.

Phoenix jerked away. “I don't believe you. You want something else from me.”

He sighed. “Then let me be completely honest, Nix. You do realize that Patterson would trade my life for his son's in a heartbeat. It would be very convenient for him if I were to meet with an...accident.”

“You think he could be working with the Opiri?” she asked, startled by the idea. “Why would they help him?”

“To keep the goods—our human convicts—flowing,” Shepherd said. “It has always seemed strange that these rumors of assassination coincide so closely with the approach of the election.”

Because it wasn't a coincidence, Phoenix thought. But the idea that Patterson was involved was ludicrous. Drakon would never work with the man responsible for the death of his family.

“I need you to help me, Phoenix,” Shepherd said, cutting across her thoughts. “Whatever he says to Aegis, Patterson will be glad to give the assassin a chance to kill me, even if his son pays the price.” Aaron tapped his heel against the carpet in a nervous, staccato beat. “My security won't let me go anywhere but the Capitol building or Aegis. I sleep in the suite next to my office. I don't want to sit around waiting for someone to take a pot-shot at me, high security or not.”

“And what would you like me to do about that, sir?” Phoenix asked, disgusted by the self-pity in his voice.

“Work for me, Nix. Not for Aegis, not for the committee. For
me
. Report anything suspicious, no matter how trivial, directly to this office. My Chief of Security will send you to me any time you need me, at any hour.”

Immediately, Phoenix understood the very real danger of refusing. Aaron could have her completely removed from the mission if she stood against him. The mayor didn't trust anyone—not Aegis, not the Bureau, not the Senate.

And yet he trusted
her
. That was how sure he was of her loyalty, of her undying love, no matter what she'd said to him.

“I understand, Your Honor,” she said, backing toward the door.

“Then you agree?”

“I promise to do my best.”

“Of course.” He rose. “And I know, Agent Stryker, that you will do whatever is necessary to protect our city from enemies within or without. Take great care.” He offered his hand, and she took it as briefly as possible. “I hope to have another, perhaps more intimate discussion with you as soon as your work is complete.” He spoke into his wristcom. “Behr, will you escort Agent Stryker to her destination?”

“That won't be necessary,” Phoenix said. “I'm very familiar with this building.”

She met Behr as she was leaving the room, and he automatically stepped aside to let her pass. She strode through the door and closed it behind her, deliberately repressing her deep sense of betrayal.

Of one thing she was certain: Shepherd had something more up his sleeve than wanting his own private Aegis operative, who happened to be standing in the thick of a very volatile situation.

But she couldn't report this to anyone. Not until it was all clear to her.

Shaking her head, she decided to skip the mess hall and continued to the debriefing room. Chan was already there to meet her. Once Phoenix was inside, Chan spoke to four security personnel outside and made certain all the doors were locked.

“Here are the files,” the director said, slapping a locked case of hard copies down on the table between them. “And some new intelligence you'll need when you go back in.” Her expression soured, as if she'd tasted something intolerably bitter. “I only just learned myself. There's another Aegis operative deeply embedded in the Fringe, working for one of the Bosses. Even I don't have the clearance to access the details of the operation, but he or she was sent in to monitor Fringe activity long before the assassin showed up. Word's been sent to them through some channel unavailable to me, ordering them to assist you in any way possible without blowing their cover. It'll be up to them whether to risk contact. Be on the lookout.”

“I will, ma'am,” Phoenix said, working past her shock at the new information. One image came immediately to mind.

Brita. The trusted lieutenant of one of the most powerful Bosses in the Fringe, so deep undercover that she hadn't been permitted to tell Phoenix who she was.

After they'd first confronted each other at the Hold, Phoenix had assumed that Brita knew what and who Sammael was, and vice versa. That the two were working together to facilitate the assassination.

Now she had reason to believe that everything Brita had told her had been in Aegis's service. If Brita were the undercover agent and was everything Chan claimed, had she always known Sammael was the assassin? Had she deliberately kept that information from Phoenix, either because she hadn't recognized her as a fellow operative or because she didn't want any interference?