Free Dire Distraction by Dee Davis

reckless.”
    “And you didn’t want her to take those kinds of risks.”
    “No. It’s perverse, I know, when you consider what I do for a living. But it’s different when it’s someone you love. Anyway, we had a real fight about the possibility of her going into Iraq. Things were really unsettled there at the time. And she wanted me to set her up. Use my military contacts to get her a ticket to the front lines.” He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them.
    “We had a huge fight. I refused to help her. I even refused to let her go—as Neanderthal as that sounds. And before we could resolve the issue, I got called away on a mission. I figured we’d work it out after I got back. After she’d had the chance to cool off.”
    “Only she went in anyway.”
    “And never came back.” He nodded, the pain rocketing through him, as strong now as it had been fourteen years ago. “And the last things I said to her were so damned awful.”
    “Yes, but she knew you loved her.”
    He looked down at the picture. “Maybe. Or maybe she figured she’d chosen the wrong guy.”
    “I’m not following,” Sydney’s eyes darkened with confusion.
    “Shrum was the one who got her the clearance. He’s the one who sent her into Iraq. Hell, I thought he was the one who got her killed. All these years, I’ve blamed him for her death. But what if I got it wrong? What if Evangeline simply decided she didn’t love me anymore? What if she decided she wanted to be with Martin?”
    “You can’t believe that. You said yourself that what the two of you had was special.”
    “What the hell do I know?” He pushed the picture away, his gaze meeting hers. “Maybe I’ve just been lying to myself. I mean, if this photo is to be believed, then my wife is alive and living with Martin Shrum. So tell me, what else am I supposed to think?”

Chapter 6
    Koln, Germany
    I just got solid confirmation from our people on the ground,” Gregor said, striding into the office. “Avery Solomon is in Laos. And he’s on the move.”
    Michael pushed aside the papers he’d been reading, sitting back to watch his number two, a spark of anticipation igniting in his gut. “You’re sure?”
    “Yes. He took off from Xieng Kok early this morning, Laos time. And he appears to be headed for Myanmar and Shrum. Although thanks to some local militants, he almost didn’t make it.”
    “What happened?” Michael frowned. It wasn’t as if he’d lament Solomon’s loss, but he’d put a hell of a lot of time and energy into creating the opportunity to destroy the man himself. First emotionally, then professionally, and now, considering the man’s propensity to meddle, it was time to take him out physically as well.
    “One of Wai Yan’s patrol on the river had him outmanned and outgunned. But Solomon managed to turn the tables. He blew up his own boat, theoretically killing himself in the process. Wai Yan’s men apparently bought into the ruse. They circled the wreckage once and then left it to burn in the river.”
    “And you’re certain that Avery escaped?”
    “Positive. Our man has been following him since he left China. And he says he saw them crawling out of the river fifteen minutes after the other boat was gone.”
    “Them?”
    “Yes. It seems he’s with another operative.”
    “Someone from his team?” Michael questioned, his mind already trying to figure out which of the A-Tac stooges might also be caught in his trap.
    “No. According to our intel, Solomon arrived on his own. No sign of anyone else from the team. But he immediately contacted a local CIA plant.”
    “And where are they now?”
    “Holed up in a shanty on the Laos side of the river. Do you want our man to take them out? It should be easy enough.”
    “Never underestimate your opponent, Gregor. Especially when it’s Avery Solomon. Best to leave him alone for now. Besides, I want him to have time to dwell on his wife’s potential infidelity.” Michael reached out to