I hope we get there soon or I’m going to throw up. Good thing I haven’t eaten anything today.
* * * * *
Smiley paced the floor. The pilot had radioed in that they’d picked up Vanni and she seemed unharmed. Justice had not contacted Security though, and it drove him insane.
“Relax,” Fury ordered. “We knew he planned to speak to her.”
“He should have broadcast it.”
Jericho shook his head. “What if our channels are breached? It could happen. It’s safer if any of the details Justice learns from her are secure.”
At the moment, Smiley hated logic. They didn’t want anyone to know Vanni was on her way to Homeland or the news hounds would swarm the gates. The Woods Church press conference should have started already but they didn’t have Vanni anymore. He glanced at the clock.
“It was delayed.” Fury seemed to guess where his thoughts had turned. He lifted his cell phone and flashed the screen to show the text messages. “We have someone from the task force team there working as a cameraman. Preacher Woods said their star witness is stuck in traffic.” He smirked. “They are probably still searching for her.”
“As if they could find her.” Flame chuckled.
“It’s not amusing,” Smiley snapped, his temper flaring. “She could have been harmed.”
“You’re right.” Flame schooled his expression. “But she is fine. The pilot didn’t request medical assistance to be waiting at the helipad. I apologize. We’ve all been stressed about this situation. It’s just a relief that she’s on her way here instead of talking to the reporters.”
Smiley nodded. He was relieved about that as well. To hear Vanni say bad things about him on television would have been an ordeal he didn’t want to suffer. The female had gotten under his skin and he cared about her welfare. It mattered to him how she viewed him.
“Incoming message,” Bluebird called out. “From the helicopter.”
Everyone stopped talking when the speakers broadcast Justice’s voice. “Hello?” It sounded a little muffled.
“It’s not a clear transmission,” Fury informed him.
“Understood. I’ll text the info.”
“Communications ended,” Bluebird muttered.
“He’s texting me,” Fury announced while staring at his phone. For long minutes he read the screen and typed responses. He finally looked up and met Smiley’s anxious gaze.
“He has her and they are ten minutes out. She’s well. He wants a meeting in his office.”
“I’d like to be there when they land.” Smiley wanted to be one of the first faces Vanni saw.
Fury frowned. “Justice requested you stay away for now.”
That angered Smiley. “Why?”
“He doesn’t want her in a more stressful situation. Justice requested you keep your distance. You aren’t invited to the meeting.”
“No. I’m going. This involves me.”
“She’s not in any trouble, Smiley.” Fury shoved his phone into his pocket. “Justice believes she wasn’t the one who drugged you. We need to get more answers and you’ll be a distraction.”
“She’ll be frightened.”
“We’re not throwing her into an interrogation room. She’ll be taken by Justice to his office. I’ll be there as well. He wants to limit her interaction with Species right now. He said she’s a little stressed by the entire situation.”
“I really need to be there.”
“The last time you saw her was when she was drugged and you shared sex.” Fury lowered his voice. “It might not be a pleasant memory for her. We need her as stress-free as possible. Don’t you want to make certain she’d like to see you? We can’t be sure she does. We’ve offered her sanctuary from the Woods Church and all harm.”
“I’d never hurt Vanni,” Smiley burst out. It was insulting to be excluded. “I’m the one who knew she wasn’t a threat to the NSO.”
“It appears you were correct. We’re just asking for time to learn answers and then we’ll ask her if she’d like to see you. Is that too much to ask? You seem to care about this female. Aren’t her wishes more relevant than yours?”
“Of course.”
“We’d also like Medical to examine her. She might be more comfortable without you hovering nearby. I promise I’ll call you myself if she requests you be present.”
Smiley still wanted to protest but what if Vanni didn’t want to see him? It angered him and worse, it made his chest ache. “Fine. I want updates though.”