Read Exchange of Fire for Free Online

company almost changed our corporate structure and took us public as a private military company. Ever since, it’s been my highest priority to keep the clandestine side a secret. I have to ensure there are no loose ends that need to be tied up.”
    “I understand and know you investigate every agent’s death to make sure no one pulls a Houdini, but look at the time stamp on the video. Now look at the time of the blast.” Ted clicked over to the official report and squiggled his mouse under the indicated line.
    Victor rocked forward in his chair, his blood pressure soaring at the conflicting information. “Son of a bitch. We’ve got a Shade.”
    “Yes, sir.” Ted rubbed his hands on his pants, leaving a small patch of moisture behind.
    Victor drilled his gaze into Ted’s. “Declare her as a Rogue in the records.” He jabbed a finger at the screen. “She is now your
only
priority. Find out everything you can. Go over the interviews from her teammates. Flag anything that doesn’t scan. I’ll have the team requestioned. I think it’s time for Delta Squad’s annual evaluation anyway. That’ll make a great cover to talk to them again one-on-one. In the meantime, rerun the background checks. Search the death records, new driver’s license applications, and lost ID reissues, whatever, you know the drill. Find this woman. If you see an anomaly, I don’t care how small, report it directly to me.”
    Ted bobbed his head, then asked, “What do you want me to tell my old roommate?”
    “Send me that e-mail and his contact information. Then find out who he got this from. Depending on the answer, we may just give him what he wants in return for a favor.”

Chapter 5
    Three Weeks Later—Ridge Creek, North Carolina
    Grady crossed the Security Room and glanced at the eight large-screen TVs broken up into four panes on each. Thirty-two security cameras mounted at various points inside the building and the surrounding parking lots of his company displayed a myriad of images in full color.
    “Hello, Mr. Grady.”
    “Just Grady,” he automatically countered, the battle over his name now a standing argument between him and one of his longtime security guards. He mentally counted down:
three, two, one . . .
    “There is nothing wrong with your given name. Casper is a strong southern name you should be proud of.”
    Right on cue. Same reply every time. Per convention he followed with his standard response: “Casper Grady was my grandfather.”
    “Humph,” Henry muttered (also in the script they had every time the old man worked).
    “All quiet tonight?” Grady asked, watching the monitors.
    Most screens showed families and teenagers having fun on a Saturday night at Gradwick Adventure Center. A few displayed inconsolable kids acting out after losing a game in the arcade or because their parents refused to take them in the direction they wanted to go. But one screen revealed the image he searched for.
    “Yes, sir. Nice and quiet so far,” the retired police officer responded, but his next line showed that at seventy-two, he was still as sharp as ever. “She’s been busy. Flitting between the arcade, the outside go-karts, and checking on the construction for the new miniature golf.”
    Grady smiled. “Can’t slide anything past you.”
    The security guard chuckled. “I’ve been around the block a few times. I know the signs when a man’s trying to court a woman.”
    “It may be a little too early at this stage to call it courting. I need to get her to notice me beyond the role of her boss.”
    “Eh. You’re closer to that goal than you think.”
    Grady’s gaze sharpened on the old man. “Really? Do tell.”
    Henry cackled. “You’re a strapping young man with all those muscles still honed from protecting this country. The woman would have to be blind not to notice.”
    He waved the compliment away. “I’m talking about seeing beyond that. She flirts, but I don’t think there’s any real intent behind