Free Last Strike by Regan Black

bastard wanted with her.”
    “He was probably after my new formulas and data,” Daria said. “I’d been working on improved cell regeneration to aid in recovery and healing. I’d been sabotaging results. I’m sure he wanted the details so he could turn it around and take all the credit.”
    “Healing? The way Bulletproof does?” Noah asked.
    “No.” Her gaze dropped to her hands. “He’s unique.”
    Bennett’s eyebrows arched. “What it is doesn’t matter if we can expose the whole corrupted system. Why don’t we get started?” The reporter reached into her purse and pulled out a digital voice recorder along with a notebook and pen. “You don’t mind, do you?”
    Daria’s face was sad as she shrugged. Instinctively, he wanted to toss them all out and carry her away. Somewhere safe, out of Messenger’s reach. He fisted his hands on his thighs. As far as he knew, these two were the only people who’d successfully evaded Messenger, even after being spotted in Boston just a few weeks ago.
    “ I mind,” he said, reaching over and taking the device off the table. “Why are you still here?”
    “Here?” Bulletproof tapped the table. “Or more generally speaking?”
    Noah glared. “Here in the States. It’s foolish to stick so close to your last known position.”
    “I’m not done here,” Bulletproof replied as if the answer should be obvious.
    “UI is dangerous. Deadly,” Bennett explained.
    “I’m aware,” Noah said.
    “Right.” She cleared her throat and continued, “The program is controlled by a well-funded, well-protected source. We need to find and expose that source before something worse happens.”
    “I agree with her,” Daria said, taking the digital recorder out of his hands. “You should too, all things considered,” she added under breath.
    He thought of the bullet meant for him at her house and the attacks that followed. Years of loyalty to Messenger - a man who’d apparently twisted the facts to suit his agenda - hadn’t done him any good. Maybe the others could show him a different option.
    “I don’t have to tell any of you about the enhancement process,” Daria began. “It’s in there, though.” She traced the corners of her laptop with her index finger. “More recently I’ve gathered documentation about the men and women who were washouts. I have proof of at least one honorable record altered to gain a volunteer’s cooperation.” She opened her laptop and kept talking, walking Bulletproof and Bennett through the years of UI history.
    Beside her, Noah watched the files he hadn’t found fill the screen. Well, technical research wasn’t why Messenger kept him around. No. He was on call for the sole purpose of eliminating enemies. He’d enjoyed unrestricted access to UI facilities and overheard countless secret conversations. He didn’t see how Bennett’s article, or even a series of articles, would make much difference.
    He raised his chin at Bulletproof and indicated they should leave the women to chat. When they were on the other side of the room, he asked, “How will you protect her?”
    “I’ll manage. I have sources.”
    That answer only filled Noah with more doubts. “Messenger knows you’re alive,” he said. “Go public with all of this and you might as well declare war. He won’t stop until you and your sources are dead.” He looked back at Daria and Amelia, silently adding them to the inevitable death toll. “He already suspects the two of you interfered with that serial killer bust on Valentine’s Day.”
    Bulletproof’s smile had a sharp, battle-ready edge. “Got any other good news for me?”
    “No. How have you kept this place off his radar?”
    “Don’t give him all the secrets, John. He could double-cross us.”
    Noah ignored Chameleon’s annoying voice.
    “He’s just looking for advice, Ben.” Bulletproof kept his eyes on Noah as he spoke to his invisible friend. “Will you take all our secrets back to