Free The Phoenix Encounter by Linda Castillo Page A

pre-designated question for both voice recognition and the correct answer.
    â€œOperation please,” the mechanical voice asked.
    â€œPHOENIX,” he said.
    A click sounded, and then Samuel Hatch’s voice came on the line. “Good to hear from you, PHOENIX. I trust you arrived at your destination safe and sound.”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œAny trouble getting to your contact?”
    Robert closed his eyes and tried not to think about Lily. “No problems.” He set the tiny camera on the shelf so he and Hatch would have video as well as audio. Having both was not only a convenience, but a security measure to prevent agents from communicating while under duress.
    â€œHave you had a chance to question your contact?”
    â€œNot thoroughly. I arrived pretty late. But I do know that there is information to be had on my target.”
    â€œOkay. Good. Anything we can use?”
    He sighed, trying not to think about Lily. “Probably.”
    â€œWhat about Dr. Morrow?”
    â€œI’ll delve into that tomorrow.”
    â€œAnd the gems?”
    â€œI should be able to find out more tomorrow.”
    â€œGood.” Hatch paused as if studying him. “Everything else okay? You look…tired.”
    â€œLong day, Hatch. Everything is fine.” Robert looked at the camera, wondering if he looked as strung out as he felt.
    â€œYou now have a sidearm for personal protection?”
    â€œThat’s correct.”
    â€œGood. Then we’re set. Keep in touch, and be careful. If you get into trouble, you know there’s a doctor at the hospital who can help.”
    â€œRoman Orloff. I know.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œMy contact has a sick child,” he said abruptly. “At some point I’m going to talk to Orloff to see about running some tests.”
    â€œI don’t see a problem with that. It fits nicely with your cover.”
    Robert scrubbed a hand over his jaw, feeling the stubble, knowing he wasn’t going to do anything about it until morning.
    â€œPHOENIX?”
    He glanced at the screen to see a concerned expression on Hatch’s face and realized belatedly his body languagemight be relaying more about his frame of mind than he was comfortable with.
    â€œTake care of yourself. I mean it. If things get dangerous, put out the call and we’ll send someone in. You got that?”
    â€œLoud and clear.”
    The display blinked, then disconnected. Robert stared at the blank screen for a moment, then folded the tiny computer and slid it into its case. He washed his face in the sink, then blew out the candle and stepped out of his jeans. Rain pinged against the roof as he lay down on the lumpy mattress and pulled the blanket over his hips. The pillow smelled of grass and laundry detergent. The combination reminded him of Lily.
    Lacing his hands behind his head, he stared at the dancing shadows on the ceiling and tried to turn off his brain. But his mind continued to reel with all the things he’d learned in the last hours. And even though exhaustion swept through him in shimmering waves, he knew he wouldn’t sleep. The old ache in his thigh had come to life, but tonight the pain was more like an old friend compared to all the other things going through his head.
    Turning onto his side, he punched the pillow and tried not to think of the woman sleeping at the other end of the cottage. But he did. He thought of her the same way he’d thought of her every night for the last twenty-one months. He lay in the darkness and watched the water slide down the window and berated himself for thinking of her at all, for wanting a woman who’d moved on to another man. A woman who’d hurt him terribly. A woman he hadn’t been able to forgive. Damn her.
    Damn his own foolish heart.
    And damn the son of a bitch she’d fallen in love with.

Chapter 4
    R obert awoke abruptly to the sensation of small, sticky fingers touching his