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“Iniquus is looking at the geo-political world and upcoming threats. With extreme and unpredictable weather, we think our clients will find themselves in extraordinary circumstances that will require professional help. They’re adding additional teams to meet the needs. I’m the first member of Team Charlie. Cerberus Team Alpha was over in Italy last week digging our clients out of the mudslide.”
“I think I saw that in the news. The university students?”
“That’s my understanding.” Halo drove onto the highway where traffic was light, and the sound of the road was a steady hum.
“But the governments are there, right?” Mary swiveled in her seat so she was facing him. “They’re training, too?
“Yes. Of course, and they do a great job. But they’re focusing on everyone, and if you’re our client—like you are today—we are focused uniquely on you.”
Her chin pulled back. “You’d pass up a baby?”
“I didn’t say that. I hope I never face that. We’re mission-focused, bypassing all the other needs to get to our client.”
“Well, I can understand that, but it still seems cold-hearted.”
“Once we’ve fulfilled our contractual obligations, then we stay in the country and help if our help is needed and beneficial.”
“Lives on the line.”
“That’s the job.”
“Yeah, that explains the team at the fire. But why is Iniquus here? Estonia doesn’t have a lot of natural disasters. I guess there could be manmade ones, like if the Russians pulled some shenanigans.”
“Panther Force is providing security for an upcoming client event.”
Leaving the city, the countryside widened in front of them.
They drove in an easy silence until Mary whispered. “Okay, this is going to be harder than I anticipated. I really want to hold your hand.”
A grin spread over Halo’s face.
He’d just been thinking the same thing.
Chapter Twenty
Halo angled the car to the slight pressure of his sleeve on his right forearm. “Stop number one. Our client will be coming here to the waterfall for a picnic.”
“Oh!” Mary said, looking over to where the river flowed over the lip of limestone in a picturesque shower. “This is lovely.”
“At the top of the falls, the river’s not deep, just over the ankles. We walked across it, and it was an interesting experience. Do you want to try?”
Following Halo’s lead, Mary sat down on the flat rock, took off her shoes and socks, and then rolled her pants cuffs to her knees.
Standing on the water’s edge, he held his hand out to her. “Here at the shoreline, it’s a little slippery. Would you like my assistance?”
“I think that while my feet are in the water, it would be best that you held my hand so I felt safe.” She smiled, and then her brows lifted. “Oh, it really is slippery.”
“Two more steps.”
They’d reached the part of the river covered with green grass-like plants that thrived under the crystal-clear cool waters.
“It’s like walking on carpet, isn’t it?” With Mary grasping his hands, they stood in the middle of the river, letting the water, cool and clean, swirl around their ankles and over the broad ledge.
Looking down at Mary, Halo realized how little he knew about her. He didn’t even know if she was single.
Nutsbe hadn’t said anything about the direction of Halo’s conversation, just the direction of his hands. And his zipper. “On the stage, you said that you’re divorced? I’m assuming you aren’t in a relationship now?”
“You mean after I slept with you?” She laughed. “No, I’m not that kind of girl. But you’re right to ask. I guess maybe we should have checked in with each other about that. I might have made character assumptions—nope, not a good way to say that. Let me try again. Are you involved with someone right now?”