Right. Though procrastination wasnt in his nature, Savino had a desperate urge to put this conversation off for a month or five. But the betrayal gnawing at his gut wasnt going to go away. And this situation was only going to get worse. So...
Fall in, men.
As expected, the quiet command had instant results. Lansky closed the laptop, got to his feet and waited with his hands clasped behind his back. Torres grabbed the bar with one hand to free his legs, then flipped to the floor. He didnt bother to grab a towel but stepped over to match Lanskys stance, pausing only to wipe a rivulet of sweat from his eyes before coming to parade rest.
Word has come down through sources I trust that were being investigated on the QT. The team in general, Poseidon in particular.
Lanskys minuscule flinch made it clear that he hadnt ferreted that much out yet. Good. He was one of the slickest hackers around. If he couldnt find it, others wouldnt, either.
Let me make this clear. I consider this a bogus investigation. But some of the brass are taking it seriously because, if my intel is correct, its happening at the behest of the CIA.
That got a frown from both of them.
Savino gave a satisfied nod. He wouldnt have to explain just how potentially FUBAR this situation was. The CIA digging its sticky fingers into Navy business was never good. But into Special Ops and the SEALs? Poking at the DODs classified protocols? That had the potential to be beyond fucked up.
Its been determined that classified information has been sold to the enemy. Information believed to be available only to those participating in Operation Hammerhead.
Believed to be? Lansky asked, his eyes sliding toward his notebook. At Savinos nod, he leaned over to grab it and started taking notes.
The information they intercepted could only have come from the compound in Kunar, he said quietly, referring to the base theyd infiltrated during Operation Hammerhead. The scientist you rescued had been close to a breakthrough on the formula for a particularly lethal chemical weapon when he was grabbed. Because he is also a member of the Russian government, every piece of information, every byte of data he produced during his capture, he covertly tagged.
He waited for both men to nod their understanding. Tagging the data didnt make it traceable. But it did pinpoint and time-stamp its source.
The chemical weapon formula was discovered in the hands of jihad militants. He named the faction, a particularly violent extremist group whod claimed responsibility for three European bombings the previous year, including an amusement park.
One of the militants could have sold it, Lansky pointed out, although he didnt sound very confident.
The electronic signature pins the data to a specific time frame. He ignored the clutch in his gut and continued. The CIA believes its unlikely to be one of them given that the militants themselves were under attack and their compound in flames at that time.
He waited a beat, then arched his brow.
The two men looked at each other, and he could see the messages pass between them. In just a look, they replayed the mission, they explored the options, they reached the same conclusion.
When their gazes met his again, Lansky seemed as if he were going to explode. Torres simply stared.
You think someone from our team stole the formula? That they betrayed the team, the country, by selling? Lansky asked, his words two shades from livid. You think one of us is dirty?
No. Hes telling us the damned CIA thinks that, Torres corrected, speaking for the first time since Savino had entered. There was no surprise in his words, making it clear hed been expecting something ugly. But the look in his eyes said he hadnt thought itd be quite this ugly.
I think that we have to consider every possibility, no matter how impossible it seems, Savino said slowly. It could be that whoever did this targeted this specific information. They could have targeted this specific mission. Or there was no target and it was simply opportunistic.
Which is it? Lansky asked.
Savino arched a brow at Torres. The other man rubbed his thumb over his forehead, took a long breath, then blew it out before meeting Savinos blank gaze.
He thinks it was mission specific. Thats why were rooming with roaches here in Hotel California. He had us lay low in case he needed us off base and off duty, so whoever is looking cant tag us if he sends us on special assignment.
And that was why hed groomed Torres for higher things. The man was good. Excellent even. That this could take him down, ruin his career, was fucking unreal. Fury reared its head for just a second before Savino slammed the lid again. It didnt matter. He prided himself on never letting his thoughts show. So his words were calm and his expression neutral.
In light of various pieces of information that have been filtered my way, I think this mission was targeted for a reason. I just dont know what it is. Yet. Neither does the CIA.
Are they looking at me specifically because I led the mission? Torres asked quietly. Savino had served with the guy for ten years. He recognized the pain and fury beneath the words.
The quickest way to put this to bed is to find out who is behind it, Savino answered. Who had the most to gain, and how would they pull it off.
Ramsey, Lansky said, the words coming almost faster than Savino finished talking. That dude thought he was so much better than everyone else on the teamhe never tried to fit in. He was Cyber, so he knows computers and could have pulled that formula before the place blew. And he had a major hard-on to take Diego down in any way he could.
Torres shook his head.
Youre reaching, man. You just want the guy to be dirty.
And you refuse to see reality because you believe in a code of honor that says a SEAL cant be dirty. Doesnt mean other SEALs follow that same code.
The guy is dead. Whatd he do, sell the formula from the great beyond?
The guy was slimy as hell. He probably staged that explosion and snuck out of there like the snake he is. Was. Is.
Cant decide? Torres asked with a smirk.
Is, Lansky shot back, his boyish features grim.
And this is what we have to find out, Savino interrupted. Word came down this morning that a large sum of money was deposited in an account attached to Ramseys name.
That son of a bitch got paid?
I didnt say that, Savino corrected Lansky. The account is attached to his name. His and his kids, with the mother as guardian. But shes not a signatory on it, and theres no record that shes ever used it. It could be a smoke screen.
Whoever did the deed had the money put in Ramseys account in case eyes were cast, theyd be cast his way, Diego summed up.
Yes.
Lansky rubbed his fingers over bloodshot eyes, then shook his head.
So youre saying it was someone besides Ramsey? He sounded like a kid whod just been told Santa had been arrested on Christmas Eve.
No, Torres said in a toneless voice before Savino could answer. Hes saying thats how the CIA is looking at it. Theyre gunning for one of us.
The CIA and NI, Savino confirmed, letting them know that Naval Intelligence was involved.
The CIA and NI, Savino confirmed, letting them know that Naval Intelligence was involved.
You have a plan, right? Lansky pressed his hands together. Tell me you have a plan.
I have a plan. He nodded toward the chairs. It was going to take a while and they might as well be comfortable.
Brilliant, Lansky said an hour later, his pen tapping a quick beat on his notebook. Except for one thing.
You want the woman, Torres said from the floor, where he was doing push-ups.
I want the woman.
Nope. Now that hed outlined the situation and given the orders, Savino was finally comfortable enough to step out of command mode. Youre volatile, MacGyver.
Me? Lansky pressed his hand to his chest and tried for offended. Kitty Cat is the one with the temper. Hes the one with the rep. Im the guy next door.
Your specialty is tech. We need you on the computer researching, digging. Prescott is our expert in information warfare, but hes still in the hospital, recovering. Torres trained under him for two years, hes got solid IW skills. Hes our best bet.
Savino considered the stakes. A chemical formula in the hands of militants whose mission was mass terrorism spelled every kind of ugly in the book of possibilities. The threat to US security abroad was high. The threat to the SEAL team, and especially Poseidon, was even higher. If they didnt reel this in and reel it fast, there was going to be blood on the floor. Too much blood to mop up.
So Savino added, Besides, youre biased.
He didnt add that Lansky was hitting the bottle a little too heavy these days.
Ramsey was an asshole, Lansky argued. He had a grudge against Torres because our boy is the best. Add means and opportunity, and thats realism. Not bias.
Right. You want him to be guilty.
So? Better him than one of us.
And thats your bias. Savino leaned back in his chair. Torres here is coming from the opposite end. Not neutral, but opposite.
Come again?
You believe Ramseys dirty, so youll work to find facts to support that premise. Torres wants Ramsey to be clean. Hell work to prove the mans innocence so he can clear the teams name. The truth lies somewhere in between, and by coming from opposite ends, the two of you will find it.
Yeah, but Kitty Cat gets to work his end with a great view chatting up a sexy broad in a fancy zip code. Me? Youre gonna stick me here, arent you. In bumfuck nowhere with orange drapes. Lansky gave the motel room a sneering look. Ignoring them both, Torres switched from push-ups to sit-ups.
Nobody knows youre here, so this is as good as any until we have a direction, Savino agreed with a nod. The bone-deep tension finally starting to loosen now that he knew things would be handled, he rested one booted foot on the opposite knee.
Bottom line, Torres is the one whose head is gonna roll farthest if we dont figure it out. Hes the one I want staking out the ex.
You think hell go to her?
Savino glanced at Torres, whod finally hit his wall and sat, arms draped over his knees, trying to catch a breath.
Everything Ive seen indicates that if Ramseys our guy, dead or alive, hed involve her.
The way he talked, they were a pretty hot item, Lansky agreed. Maybe thats why she didnt bring the kid to the memorial. She knew Ramsey wasnt dead and didnt want the boy blowing their cover.
Or maybe she simply didnt want to bring her kid to a bar to meet a bunch of strangers for the first time while they share stories of his old man going up in flames, Torres muttered.
Exactly. Savino knew Torress history, knew where the guy had come from. Just another reason he wanted him leading this mission.
If Ramsey was dirty and his girlfriend complicit, the kids life was going to be blown all to hell. Torres had been there himself; hed felt the betrayal of a selfish father whod put corruption ahead of his family. Whod put his personal vision of glory over his son.
Torres would take care not to point the finger and put another boy on the same painful path hed walked.
Which was something Savino was counting on. Not so much to protect the kid, although he wasnt indifferent. But because that care, that meticulous focus on detail, was what they needed if they were going to present a clean case to NI and clear Poseidons name.
Of course, if Ramsey was truly dead and they confirmed that he was whistle clean, SEAL Team 7 was up a creek. That would mean there was a traitor in their midst. That kind of thing was a black mark against the entire team. It could be a major blow to Torres, whod led the mission. It could result in loss of rank, loss of command, dishonorable discharge and quite possibly imprisonment.
At odds with Savinos usual cool, fury flamed hot and livid in his gut. NI already had it in for Poseidon, disliking their air of exclusivity and admirals auspices. This was all theyd need to disband and destroy the Special Ops group.
Savino wanted to lay that all out. To underscore the severity of this situation.
For each one of the team personally.
But thatd be indulgent.
Stating the obvious would show a lack of faith in his men. And itd waste time.
Your orders are to watch, engage if engaged, but dont give any hint that you believe Ramsey might be alive.
Mid-sit-up, Torres paused to give Savino a look that was clearly a pledge.
Watch, engage only if engaged? I specialize in recon and counterterrorism. That sounds like babysitting.
Distaste and discomfort were both evident in the mans voice. Sitting and watching, not acting, it was the antithesis of what they were trained for. And a man like Torres, who, as he said, specialized in action, probably thought an assignment like this was next to impossible. But thats what they were trained to do. The impossible.
Observe, blend, engage if engaged. Play nice and, if possible, earn their trust. Consider yourself undercover as a nice guy. Savino almost grinned at Lanskys snorted amusement. He couldnt stop himself from adding, Nailing this guy will put an end to this investigation. Otherwise...
The end of Poseidon.
Were clean. We fight the good fight. We fight the clean fight. Until we have to fight dirty. Elbows on his knees now, Torres shrugged. Poseidon is clean. Nothing they find can prove it any other way. But well do their job for them and prove it our way. Prove were crystal.
Exactly what hed wanted to hear.
And that was why Torres was the best man for the job.
CHAPTER FOUR
DIEGO HAD BEEN to a lot of places. Stinking slums and baking beaches, crowded cities and ice-crusted mountains. Hed served with people from all walks of life and had gone through most of the states in the union. But he couldnt recall ever actually bunking down anywhere he fit in less than the exclusive Riviera Enclave in Santa Barbara.
Throttling his Harley back from a roar to a grumbling purr, he prepared to stop as he neared the guardhouse. But for the first time in the three days hed been here, the orange-and-white-striped gate rose at his approach.
Well, well. How about that, he mused as he rolled right on through. Maybe it was a sign.