Page 56

Story: Raven's Watch

“Now, that’s another interesting part. My sources say Striker’s only had one employer — one Dr. Elias?—”
“Carrington?”
Bodie frowned. “You know the man?”
“His name keeps popping up and not in a good way. I assume you know about his botched drug, Vexarin?”
“That wanna-be wonder drug that’s creating evil Captain Americas instead? I read about it.” Bodie eased back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “You know about the trials, right?”
“Only that anyone involved started exhibiting extreme paranoia and aggressive behavior and that it failed to get FDA approval. Which explains why it’s now a wanted commodity on the black market by mainly cartel bosses.”
“Can’t let all that unbridled aggression go to waste. But I was referring to the black-ops unit that tested Vexarin in the field before it was shut down.”
Foster sat up straighter, glancing at her before frowning. “There were actual missions?”
“Several months’ worth before it became apparent that the men no longer considered orders their top priority. Which I think is the real reason it was shut down. The JSOC commander couldn’t control his own operatives.”
Mackenzie shifted on her chair. “Is this where you tell us that Striker was part of that unit?”
Bodie sighed. “The guy wasn’t just part of it. He was in charge of it. Which means, he knows, firsthand, the brutal effects of the drug and the horrifying advantage it gives to anyone taking it. There’s just one problem. According to my contact, the longer the men took it, the more they needed to sustain the same level of enhancement. And men like Voss don’t give up that advantage without a fight.”
Mac nodded. “You think he’s still addicted to it.”
“I think Voss is batshit crazy with extreme tunnel vision. From what I understand, Vexarin has been noticeably absent on the black market for several months. That timing alone is suspicious, and it makes me wonder why he’s targeting both Greer and your team, Foster.”
Foster scrubbed his hand across his jaw as he glanced at her. He arched a brow, motioning to Bodie. Silently asking her how much she thought he should share. Which she had to admit, sent a few shivers along her spine — that he valued her opinion enough to ask.
She shifted over and gave his hand a squeeze. “You already know he can’t be bought, so no sense in withholding intel, now.”
Brodie chuckled. “And here I thought the interview was over.”
Foster grunted. “You’re an ex-Army Ranger. You know it’s never over. But Mac’s right. The gist of it is that we believe the men who were distributing Vexarin for Carrington were using Raven’s Manor as their warehouse.”
Bodie pursed his lips, looking directly at her. “The only drug dealers who went down at that time were Shaw and Newport.”
Mac closed her eyes for a moment before nodding. “We think they killed Josh when a Vexarin deal went bad.”
“Well, shit.” Bodie huffed. “Let me guess, Carrington believes his stash of Vexarin is somewhere on your property.”
Foster nodded. “And we get the feeling he’s done trying to be covert about acquiring it.”
Bodie nodded. “That’s the intel Greer was going to share that night.”
“Which is why Voss blew her Bronco off the road, along with Zain’s truck. He was trying to keep his involvement on the down low because he knew once she shared everything involving Carrington, it was only a matter of time before it circled back to him.”
“Not to make matters worse, but I don’t think it’s just the drugs that might be hidden there. It’s all his research.” Bodie placed his forearms on the top of the desk. “Think about it. If Carrington had the formulas, he’d simply make more rather than chance getting caught trying to steal whatever Vexarin is left. But when he originally went dark, he couldn’t risk keeping the research with him on the possibility he was discovered before he arranged new lab space. His only choice was to deep six everything in case anyone came knocking. No better place than with his secure drugs.”
Foster groaned. “This just keeps getting better.” He motioned toward the room. “I don’t suppose you have anything in here that can see through walls?”
Bodie laughed. “I might have a Range-R in my office supply room, but that won’t help you narrow down where those drugs are. Though, I’m trying to get my hands on one of those new Nighthawk devices. For study purposes, of course.”
“Of course.” Foster frowned when his cell pinged. He took a quick glance, smirking when he read whatever was onscreen before shoving it back in his pocket as he stood and extended his hand. “Thanks, Bodie. I owe you.”
Bodie waved it off. “About time I repaid you for saving my life.”
“I just flew the chopper, brother. You did the hard part. And I’m serious. You need a hand with anything, you call.”
“This sounds like the makings of a very dangerous friendship.”