Bestselling Authors Collection 2012(302)

Efraim pointed to the projection of his laptop display on the resort boardroom’s retractable screen. “This is where Fahad was getting his orders and making his reports. It’s a file-sharing website. He would upload his message or receive his orders, like the last one here, the text about the car bomb and plan B that he then relayed to Jane’s colleague. Anyone could access the information. But only Fahad and the person giving him orders would know what it meant.” He looked down at the COIN leaders sitting in the leather chairs around the long table. Jane Cameron and Callie sat among them.

Jane frowned. “So can we find out who is giving him the orders? The one he’s reporting to?”

“I’m afraid not. That’s the idea behind these file-sharing sites. As long as the person posting uses some precautions, it’s virtually impossible to trace who has posted to it or viewed it.”

“So we’ve hit a dead end,” Antoine said.

“Not exactly.” Efraim hit a few keys on his computer. Another image came up. The website again, but this time it was the message he’d discovered. “I captured this earlier. It has since been taken down.”

Everyone sitting at the table read the message.

Witness to car explosion. Might be able to locate A.K. Will resolve.

Sebastian sat forward in his chair. “A witness?”

“At first I believed Fahad discovered news of the witness from this website, but I was wrong. He uploaded this message. Somehow he learned there was a witness. And he aimed to take care of him or her.”

“You mean kill him or her,” Antoine said.

Efraim nodded. “I believe so. There is also a chance they will first use the witness to find Amir. Obviously we need to stop both of these things from happening.”

“I’ll come up with something,” Sebastian volunteered. “I’ll find this witness. Leave it to me.”

Callie gave him a smile. Both of the twin sheiks of Barajas seemed resourceful, but Sebastian particularly struck her as protective. She had only to remember the way he’d rushed her to the ranch. As it happened, she hadn’t had to stop Efraim from doing something rash, but she’d needed to be there. To witness what a good heart he had. To help Tim explain what had really happened to his dad and older brothers and Jake Wolf. To help pick up the pieces and begin to heal the wounds.

“I will keep monitoring this bulletin board. Whoever Fahad hoped would see this message might not be aware that he is dead.” Efraim’s voice hitched a little when speaking his cousin’s name.

Callie’s stomach clenched. She knew his cousin’s betrayal had struck Efraim particularly hard. All along they’d believed he was a victim of the plot to destroy COIN. It was a shock to learn he’d been part of the plot all along—a very important part it seemed—and Efraim was still reeling from it.

She was sure it would take a long time for him to recover from that blow.

At least he had the people gathered here to help him. She glanced at Stefan and Jane, Antoine and Sebastian. Efraim hadn’t been particularly close to any of them before this nightmare had begun. Not like he was with Amir. But she could see COIN growing tighter with each day that passed. And now even Darek might be coming around. The opposition to COIN might actually be making it stronger.

At least she could hope.

Stefan cleared his throat and focused on Callie. “I’ve heard the Russians are gone. Disappeared. Is this true?”

She nodded. “That is what I’ve heard from the FBI. They have Tanya’s description, but she and the men Efraim and I saw at the diner have yet to turn up.”

“I think we should keep a look out, as well,” Stefan said. “I doubt we’ve heard the last of them. One thing we’ve learned through all this is that we need more answers, and the only people we can rely on to get them are ourselves.”

The men exchanged glances and nods.

“I suggest we keep our plans confined to the people in this room whenever possible.” This time it was Antoine speaking. “And we take a close look at all those in our employ, including the workers at the resort.”

Another murmur of agreement and the meeting ended. Each person set off to do his part, leaving Efraim and Callie alone.

Efraim closed the door behind them and took Callie in his arms. “Is everything okay at the ranch?”

“As okay as possible.”

“And with you?”

Her throat felt thick. She nodded, uncertain her voice would function.

“Good. Because now that you’re here with me, everything is okay with me, too.”

“I’m glad.”

“I’m more than glad.” He smiled. “I’m in love.”