Page 80 of Now or Never

“Major General Schnell was killed weeks ago in Washington using military arms,” she began.

Ramon had been injured in that attack. In fact, it was a miracle both he and Zeyla were alive given their proximity when the missile, or RPG, or whatever it had been, hit the ground right were Schnell had been standing.

“And yet, he’s currently showing up for appearances on news outlets, holding Pentagon press conferences, and performing his duties.” She paused for a second. “So was the general who was killed the double, or is the man who is alive the replacement?”

“I doubt a man of the general’s caliber would allow himself to be caught, let alone killed.”

“So the original is alive and well.” Kenna didn’t like the sound of that. Ramon and Zeyla were going to flip when they discovered the man they went up against wasn’t even the real Schnell. “And commanding a small team of men who were also reported deceased. Former soldiers, one of whom is Simon Newton. The killer you tasked me to find.”

Petyr nodded.

“Tell me where to find the rest of the team, and Major General Schnell.”

“The rules of engagement prohibit me from revealing his whereabouts.”

“And yet he tried to kill you,” Kenna pointed out.

“Unless I can prove he gave the order, he did not.”

Innocent until proven guilty.No man-made institution would ever be perfect when run by humans, who were flawed. But in the courts, it was a way to ensure justice had to be found without a doubt rather than guilt being presumed. Interestingly they’d also adopted that tenet.

“What about the team?” Kenna asked. “Are they off limits?”

She figured there was a reason he and the president had only told her about one deceased man, Steven Braughton. Probably because she’d met his killer, and working the case might lead her to not only Simon Newton but also the rest of his associates.

Did they work together, or was each one a hired gun who did everything alone?

She didn’t like the sound of multiple assassins out there.

Petyr shook his head. “I cannot be seen to be actively pursuing assets. The council would deem me a threat toDominatus. I would be eliminated.”

“I need carte blanche access to any military instillation my people want to enter. No questions asked, just complete access to anything we need.”

“And what makes you think I can provide that?”

“Your access to the president is considerably less conspicuous than mine.” Kenna let him absorb that. “Tell her I need all-access passes for the person who presents the pass, no matter who it is.” She couldn’t provide specific names to be pre-authorized, since she had no idea what the plan was going to be. “And you need to tell me where to find the general and his men.”

“You need access, and you don’t know where you’re going?”

Kenna rolled her eyes. “As if that ever stopped me from ending the threat.”

“I’ll get you what you need.”

“Thanks.” She spotted Amara at the edge of her vision, motioning her away from Petyr, and started to stand.

“And a DNA sample.”

Kenna straightened, and then Jax was beside her, holding her hand. “Thank you.”

Petyr inclined his head.

Kenna and Jax walked away, back over to Amara and Bruce. “We’re leaving?” she asked.

Bruce gave a sharp nod. Amara said, “Something isn’t right.”

“I’m going to run to the bathroom before we go.” Otherwise, she’d end up making them pull over to a twenty-four-hour chain pharmacy, and the facilities here would be a whole lot nicer.

Jax walked her to the hallway off the lobby, where she found the restroom.