The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [96]
Trevor grinned. "Oh, you got to see her in action, did you?"
"Hell yeah, and I don't envy Drake one bit."
"Damn, what a mess," Alex Maxwell said twelve hours later, after everyone was briefed on what had happened. Abram Hawk had arrived after being pulled out of retirement by die Director of Central Intelligence. Also present were the directors of the DEA and the FBI. Alex wondered if there was ever a time when the heads of the three most powerful law enforcement agencies in the country had met in one location other than D.C. There was the murder of agent Tom Crowley to deal with and as a result, a number of their agents who'd been taken into custody were either suspected of murder, on the take or had totally abused their power. Casey and Chisholm had been relieved of their duties pending a thorough investigation by die Justice Department.
Needless to say all three organizations were reeling with embarrassment and trying to find a quick, easy, and quiet way to handle things.
"Cross is still out mere somewhere," Drake said as he angrily paced the room.
Hawk nodded his head. "Yes, and he'll go deeper into hiding once word gets out about his involvement in tonight's activities. He defied the cartel's orders to keep a low profile and they'll handle him as they see fit. It won't surprise me if they got rid of him."
"That's not a possibility I'm going to wait for, Hawk. I've lost too much because of him," Drake said, glancing across the room at Tori, who was being checked over by Justin Madaris.
"Well, the only way you'll get a crack at him is if he comes out of hiding," Hawk said, understanding how Drake felt.
Drake stopped pacing as an idea came to mind. He met Hawk's curious gaze. "I think I have good reason for him to want to come out of hiding."
Hawk lifted a brow. "And what reason is that?"
"Me and Tori. You saw how desperate he was to get us, and according to Horton, the only reason he wanted Tori brought to him was because he thought I was interested in her. What if he knew the truth? What if he knew that Sandy never died in that explosion, that she cheated death and the last laugh is on him?"
Hawk shook his head as a cold shiver slid down his spine and spread throughout his body. 'The man is demented, Drake, a bona fide psychopath. If he even suspected she was still alive, you and Tori's life would become a living nightmare. All hell would break loose. He'd finish the job."
"Yes, and he'd be so damn pissed he would want to do it himself this time. He wouldn't depend on anyone else failing him."
Hawk nodded his head. "Yes, that would definitely draw him out, but are you willing to take that chance with Tori's life?"
"He has no choice," Tori said, from behind them. She walked forward and stood next to Drake. "I can't continue to run and hide and look over my shoulder, Hawk. It's time that Drake and I confront Cross face-to-face. He wants us, so it's time that he come and get us."
Hawk sighed deeply and thought about what they were saying. Casey and Chisholm had been willing to use them as bait without their knowledge. Now they were volunteering to be used to draw out Cross in order to finally end this madness. "That means we'll have to leak the information mat Sandy Carroll is still alive."
"No," Drake said as a dark frown covered his face. "I have a better way. I'll call Cross myself."
Hawk raised a dark, surprised brow. "And you just happen to have his personal phone number?" he asked dryly.
Drake smiled. He then pulled out a slip of paper from the pack pocket of his jeans. "Exactly. I don't know where Cross is hiding out but thanks to Horton, I do know his private number."
"You have a call, sir."
Cross quickly took the phone from Miguel. He had been waiting for the call from Red Hunter.