Page 129 of Storm Warning

“Yep. I’m running the photos through our database as we speak. I’ll let you know if I identify them.”

“Thanks, Zane.”

“Do you need me to stay with you until you reach the hotel, Seth?”

“I think we’re clear. I haven’t seen a tail, and we’ve been on the road for several minutes.”

“Copy that. Call me if you need a hand. Otherwise, I’ll be working on your other support requests. Murphy out.”

“In case Violet miscalculated, we won’t use names until we hand Cowan off to the black site team.”

“Yes, sir.”

The return drive to the hotel during the early morning hours was the quiet Andre liked. Uneventful.

Minutes later, Seth drove into the underground garage followed by Elias with Iona and Violet. As soon as he turned off the engine, Elias hurried to the stairwell and disappeared inside.

Soon, he returned with a serving cart and a white tablecloth. “Express ride to the fifth floor for our friend.” He tossed a second tablecloth to Iona. “Act like you’re showing Riley and Violet that beautiful tablecloth and the rest of us will get our buddy into his limo.”

The women made a big deal of examining the large cloth while Andre and the others positioned Cowan inside the cart. With his wrists and ankles bound and his mouth covered with tape, Cowan wouldn’t be causing much trouble if he woke up on the ride to the fifth floor.

Once inside the suite, Seth looked at the rest of Echo and Artemis. “If you want to hear the interrogation, either stay in the shadows or wear a mask. I don’t want to make it easy for Cowan to identify his kidnappers.”

Rayne frowned. “He’s already seen Andre and Riley. He knows who you are.”

“But he doesn’t know you.” Grant threaded his fingers through hers. “And I don’t want him to identify you, baby.”

“He and his cronies will know my name soon if they don’t already. We’re married, Grant, and you’re a target for these men. I say we stand together.”

He brushed his lips over hers. “Would you at least stay in the shadows for my peace of mind?”

She nodded.

Seth turned back to the others. “Choose mask or shadows while we’re getting Cowan set up. No matter what you hear, do not engage with him. Leave that to Elias and Andre, and possibly Riley.”

The men set Cowan in the chair in the kitchen and secured his wrists and ankles to it. After removing the duct tape, the operatives spread out around the room, turning off lights and closing curtains, and waited for Cowan to wake.

Thirty minutes later, the agent stirred, groaned, and opened his eyes. He squinted against the light from a standing lamp with the shade removed, looking confused. “Where am I?”

“Wrong question.” Elias stepped into his field of vision. “You should have asked who brought you here.”

“Thugs, that’s who.”

Looked as though his confusion cleared up fast. Andre looked at his friend and gave him a chin lift. Time to get this party started.

“Wrong answer.” Elias shook his head. “Man, you’re not starting out on the right foot.”

“What do you want?”

He pointed at Cowan. “There you go. That’s where we’ll start. So, Sam, let’s talk. We’ll ask questions, you answer them honestly, and we’re out of here before the sun comes up.”

That wasn’t happening, but Cowan didn’t know it. Andre rested his hand on the agent’s shoulder.

“Dream on.”

Elias shook his head. “Now, Sam, that’s not a good way to start this party.”

“Just get on with it. You ask your questions, and I’ll refuse to answer. After that, we’ll both walk away.”