Page 64

I watched from the back seat as Dakota’s face registered genuine confusion. “What about him?”

“Goddard’s the reason I got into such a mess,” said Marcus. “It started with surplus, and various other arms that were being retired in lieu of fresh equipment. Outdated ordinance. Rifles marked to be machined out and destroyed. It was all going into the garbage,” he shrugged. “Good stuff. Still worth something, as far as I was concerned. And since I was starting my own company, I went looking for buyers.”

Dakota opened his mouth, probably to say something abrasive. I shot him a look that told him to keep quiet.

“Goddard put me in touch with some people,” Markus went on. “A little shady, but their money was good. They bought what I had, what I’d been tasked to destroy. And then they wanted more.”

I saw Dakota’s hand go to the throttle. He nudged it forward, giving us a little more juice. Just as quickly however, Markus idled back to cruising speed.

“Anyway, I began skimming. A little here, a little there. I was in charge of requisitions, so I ordered all new stuff, even when I didn’t need it. I cut the old stuff loose, dropping it all on this guy Goddard set me up with.”

He looked back at me. For some reason, he wanted to make eye contact before continuing.

“I had no idea they were with the insurgents,” he said pointedly. “I swear I didn’t. Goddard insisted it all keep coming, though. He told me I was operating in secret. Told me I was doing the country a service.” Markus shook his head. “I was an idiot,” he admitted. “A total asshole. By then I was too wrapped up, too involved in the whole thing to see the writing on the wall. By the time I finally did though, it was nearly too late.”

Dakota was seething. I needed to keep him at bay.

“So what did you do?” I asked.

“I fought back,” said Markus. “The first time I protested, the threats began. But I ignored them. I tried stopping cold, getting the hell out. But by then everything was all wrapped up and enmeshed with Di Spatia... it was all so fucking messy.”

Either it was a legitimate story, or Markus was a good actor. I wasn’t sure about Dakota, but I was leaning more toward the former.

“I was actually making some headway… but then Briggs got involved,” Markus finished. “He blew the whole damned thing up, just as I almost had it settled.”

“So you had no idea where any of these weapons were going?” barked Dakota.

“No.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me, right?”

“I told you, I swear I didn’t know!” exclaimed Markus. “If I had…”

“You’d have stopped?” I asked skeptically.

“In a heartbeat.”

Dakota was practically twisting in his seat. Things were getting tense again, so I changed direction.

“What does any of this have to do with Jason?” I asked. “Or what happened to him?”

“Think about it,” said Markus. “Briggs screwed the whole thing up. When I went away, so did Goddard’s connection. Most of Di Spatia didn’t have a clue what I was doing, only that certain ordinance was changing hands. And with me gone…”

“Goddard couldn’t continue.”

“Exactly.”

I blinked. It was

all starting to make sense.

“Di Spatia’s almost independent now,” said Dakota. “I can’t imagine they’d be of much help to Goddard if they’re not renewing any government contracts.”

“That’s just it,” said Markus. “Goddard wants those contracts renewed. He must have someone else within the company who’s dealing with him now. Someone new, or maybe someone who flipped. Someone—”

“Someone who betrayed Briggs,” Dakota growled.

Conversation died as the airport came into view. Dakota had given over the controls completely now. He was staring out the window, looking like he was in deep thought… or lost.