Part 16 (1/2)

As an agent he knew the rules going in, but the alternative was death. He'd take whatever they threw at him. ”Yes, sir. I'd like the opportunity to tell the truth and that's all I'm asking. I think there may have been some confusion, and I believe I have information that would be beneficial to the Company. Intel that could shed light on my situation as well as save some lives.”

There was silence on the other end. So he continued. ”It's always been my plan to turn myself in, sir.” If something happened between this call and him making it back to Langley he wanted the deputy director to know that it had never been his intention to go off the grid.

”Then why did you run?” The other man was good at what he did and there was no emotion behind his voice.

”Sir, you and I both know this line isn't secure. But I had no choice. At least I thought I didn't, since the Company blacklisted me.”

”What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?” the deputy director demanded.

”My handler said I'd been disavowed and accused of treason. That's why I went off the grid.”

”I see,” the deputy director said. ”We have a great deal to discuss. We've already arranged for transport. You'll be made aware of the arrangements in a few moments.”

”Yes, sir. Thank you.”

There was silence on the other end.

”Jackson, are you there?” Chi asked.

He had to clear his throat before he spoke to her, emotion weighing down his vocal cords. He had a chance. ”Yes, I'm here,” he said. ”I don't know how the h.e.l.l you did that, but thank you.” Mar's friend really was a miracle worker. In fact, Jackson was already wondering if maybe he was in a dream and that the conversation with the deputy director was a part of it.

She grunted. ”It wasn't easy. Luckily I have some history with his family or I doubt he would have taken my call, though when I told him that you were involved he suddenly became very interested.”

”I bet he did.”

”How's my girl doing? Are you keeping her away from those mobsters?”

”Absolutely. Nothing is more important to me right now than her safety. I wish you'd convince her to get on a plane.”

Mar slapped at his arm and tried to pull the phone away. He held up a hand.

”Until she knows you're safe, she wouldn't listen to the Pope. But I think we have-Hold on a second. The deputy director is finalizing the plans. Give me a minute.”

He could hear Chi talking on another phone, but not what she was saying. His mind reeled from the fact that he'd had a discussion with the deputy director. There were agents who had entire careers without ever speaking to the man.

A second later she came back on the line.

”Okay, a military transport plane is going to meet you at the p.h.u.ket airfield. Wherever you guys are, you need to head there directly. Lt. Colonel Scott Owen will be there to meet you in about an hour. I can't tell you how lucky we are with that one. He happened to be there doing military training on new systems hardware.

”The transport has to make some stops, but you two will stay on that plane until you reach Virginia, where the lieutenant colonel and the deputy director will escort you to Langley.”

”Okay,” Jackson said unbelievingly. He had a ride home, and Mar would be safe. It was too much. This wasn't the way his life usually went.

”Listen,” Chi said, ”it's going to be tough on Mar, to watch you walk away in handcuffs. I'm arranging it so that she is taken off the plane first when it reaches Virginia. Then I've hired a private jet to bring her back here. She cares about you, and you better make this as easy as possible for her. Do you understand me?”

He couldn't help but smile. He liked that her friends were so protective. ”Loud and clear. For the record, there's nothing I want more than for her to be happy.”

”I have a feeling it's going to be a while before that happens. It kills me that she's fallen for a guy she may never see again.”

Jackson gazed into Mariska's beautiful green eyes. ”I'm going to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen.”

”As long as we understand each other.”

”We do.”

”Good.”

He could have been offended by Chi's words, but he understood exactly what she meant. Letting go of Mariska would be the hardest thing he'd ever done, but he'd make it as easy on her as possible, and he'd fight to be back in her life if he was ever able to clean up the mess he was in.

”I still can't believe you did all this in a few hours. I've been trying to get home for two months, and I'm a trained operative.”

Chi laughed. ”You should see what I can do when I haven't just run six miles on the treadmill. Be safe, and take care of our girl.”

He hung up.

”It can't be that easy.” Jackson stared at the phone. ”I mean. I had a conversation with the deputy director. That doesn't happen. Do you understand what I'm talking about?”

Mar gave him the sweetest smile.

”I told you I know people. Well, technically in your case, I know people who know people. I can't promise that it'll be daisies, but at least you'll have a chance to plead your case, or whatever it is you guys do.”

She really was his angel. He didn't know how or why they met in that bar, but he would be forever grateful.

”And for the record, Jackson,” she said. ”I would do anything for you. Hurry up and get this mess straightened out. I can't wait to introduce you to Mississippi mud pie, peach cobbler and my personal favorite, cherry chocolate cake, with a creamy center.”

Jackson pulled her into his lap and hugged her.

”Baby, I have no idea what the future holds, but you're all the dessert I'll ever need.” He didn't know if he would ever see her again, but he would remember the sight, smell and touch of her for whatever life he had left.

21.

Two months later MAR SAT AT HER DESK at the SIA and wondered if there would ever be a day when she didn't think of Jackson. It had been two months since he'd kissed her on the military transport and then she'd been forced to walk away from him.

Her stomach still fluttered when she thought about that kiss and his last words to her. ”You're my reason for living. No matter what happens I'll never stop thinking about you.” The way he'd said the words had seemed so ominous and final. As if he believed he would never see her again.

She'd refused to believe it. Each morning she opened her eyes and prayed it would be the day Jackson walked back into her life. But so much time had pa.s.sed she wondered if it would ever happen. If he wasn't able to prove his innocence he could be spending the rest of his life in prison.

Mar's heart was heavy with anxiety.

She and Chi had tried to get information about what happened to him once he walked off the plane, but it was cla.s.sified, and the deputy director wasn't talking. He told Chi it was an ongoing investigation, and there would be no discussing it with her.

Mar had thrown herself into her work. While she had put in long hours before her time in Thailand, now she only went home to sleep a few hours and change clothes. The cases kept her mind busy so she couldn't think of those steamy nights on the beach with the man of her dreams.