Deadly Games - Cate Noble [26]
“That’s only helpful if we know what Tran is up to.”
Harry would bet that Minh Tran had probably panicked when he’d learned that Rocco was in lockdown. If Tran’s pattern was the same as it had been in the past, he would cut and run, withdrawing to one of his jungle lairs until things cooled down. Or until he tracked down a new leverage point. All the more reason Harry needed to get to Gena.
Within days, Madison Kohlmeyer’s body would probably be recovered, a graphic message not to fuck with Minh Tran. And with the analyst being only a low-level peon, the Agency wouldn’t waste man-hours over her death.
“Recheck your intel, all of it. Find out where Dante Johnson and Max Duncan are right now and get back to me,” Harry snapped. “I need to know what I’m up against here.”
“I know for a fact those two are en route to Kentucky, chasing down a lead on Taz. I’m guessing Rocco’s on his own.”
“Don’t guess, confirm!” Harry disconnected just as Rocco came back out the front entrance with a woman.
Harry squinted at the woman. Gena? What had happened to his ex–trophy wife? He’d heard she’d fallen on hard times, but damn. Didn’t the town have a beauty parlor?
Harry called Edguardo, who was covering the ER entrance. “Our subject’s out front, but she has company. Stand by to follow.”
But instead of leaving, Rocco stood off to one side while Gena chatted it up with some old lady, pointing and gesturing as if giving directions. What the fuck was going on?
Rocco had his back to Harry, and Gena was in the shadows, so lipreading was out. What Harry wouldn’t have given for an electronic eavesdropping aid just then. Still, Gena’s body language came across loud and clear, her spine ramrod straight. She was pissed.
“That makes two of us, darling,” Harry muttered.
Harry’s phone vibrated briefly, indicating a text message. It was from Ian, confirming that Rocco’s official whereabouts were “unknown” and he was “believed unaccompanied.”
Sounded like Harry had one up on the Agency.
Watching Rocco and Gena made Harry think about that Marine’s sniper rifle again. Given the right angle, he could have lined up a shot and taken them both out with the same bullet.
Except that would’ve been too damn pain free.
On the other hand, if he only shot Gena …
Ka-pow. He would have made it a messy head shot. Lots of spray and splatter. Hey, Gena! Still wanna give Rocco a piece of your mind?
Harry’s cell phone vibrated again. This time it was Edguardo. Harry activated the wireless earpiece to answer.
“You still see them?” Edguardo asked.
“Yes. They got waylaid by some old biddy.”
“Now what?”
“Let’s hold our positions. They can’t stay here forever. Once they leave, we’ll follow at a distance, see where they’re headed. With luck, they’ll each drive their own car.” That would make it a little easier to separate Gena from Rocco.
“Keep me posted,” Edguardo said.
“I’ll call you when I see some action here.” Harry disconnected.
Rocco showing up by himself at least kept the odds in their favor.
Now Harry just needed to figure out how to get Gena alone.
Chapter Nine
Rocco had followed Gena out the front entrance of the hospital. An elderly woman, who seemed very confused, interrupted them, asking for directions. He stepped aside, allowing Gena to assist the woman.
He welcomed the break. Needed it to pull his mangled wits together.
Seeing Gena again had slammed a fist in Rocco’s chest. Certainly he’d expected an emotional punch; he had thought of little else since leaving D.C.
Their shared history spanned from supreme ecstasy to bitter strife to an unresolved ending. And it felt like he’d revisited every moment, good and bad, during his flight here.
What caught him unaware just now, however, was the tsunami of regret and its vicious, resentful undertow. All the things he wished he’d said and done differently collided with the brick wall of all the things he wished she had said and done another way. His way.
Gena also looked … not like Gena.
When Rocco had first arrived at