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His smile widened. “That’s what I like to hear.” He zipped across the office to a wall of two-drawer filing cabinets. Zane opened a drawer and retrieved a black cell phone. He glanced at Bridget, a twinkle in his eyes, and pulled out a phone cover.
He rolled to a stop in front of her. “Your new phone and cover. If you’ll tell me your carrier’s name and your phone number, I’ll arrange to have your number transferred to your satellite phone.”
“Thank you, Zane.”
“No problem. The phone is encrypted. If Ruth contacts you, someone on her end won’t be able to track your location.”
She frowned. “Why would they bother? Obviously, I failed to obtain answers in Chile. Won’t they assume I’m not a threat?”
“Torino’s men might have pulled video feed to see who killed their comrades,” Trace said. “If they did, they’ll know a group of well-armed, well-trained mercenaries rescued you.”
She laid her hand on his forearm, horror growing inside her. “You’re at risk because you helped me.”
He squeezed Bridget’s hand. “Every time I’m on a mission, I’m in danger. It’s the nature of my job. Besides, the area where I found you was poorly lit. I didn’t see many video cameras in the area.”
“What about at the hotel? There must be surveillance footage. We already know someone tossed my room.” If anything happened to Trace and his teammates because of her, she’d never forgive herself.
“Joe and I averted our faces from the security cameras and I doubt Torino’s men got a good look at us as we left the hotel.” He smiled. “We were in a hurry.”
A cell phone chirped with an incoming message.
Zane glanced at his phone. “It’s mine. The boss is ready for you and Bridget in the conference room. Anything else I can do for you?”
“Bridget needs a new driver’s license, travel visa, and debit and credit cards. Hers are somewhere in Puebla.”
“Stop here before you leave the building. I’ll have the new driver’s license and visa ready and arrange to have new debit and credit cards sent to Bridget’s home.”
“How is that possible?” Bridget couldn’t believe he was capable of handling such things with ease. And slightly worried. Didn’t she have to apply for these items herself?
Trace stood, drawing her up with him. “Don’t ask. Zane works magic and we just accept whatever he arranges.”
“Don’t worry, Bridget,” Zane said. “They’ll hold up to inspection.”
Man, she hoped so. Bridget didn’t want to go to jail because of falsified documents. Then again, everyone insisted Zane was the best, a true tech genius. She suspected anything he did would hold up to scrutiny.
“When the boss finishes his meeting with you, we’ll talk about your job responsibilities and when you start.” Zane handed her the satellite phone and cover.
Bridget laughed when she examined the cover. Zane had chosen one decorated with book covers of classic literature. “It’s perfect. Thanks, Zane.”
Trace led her to the conference room where his teammates waited along with Brent, her new boss. She almost had to pinch herself to believe that her job change was real.
“Sit.” Brent motioned to two empty seats across from him. “Welcome to Fortress, Bridget.” He pushed several sheets of paper across the table along with a pen. “Sign and you’ll be an official Fortress employee. Trace, coffee, tea, and water are available on the side table. Get what you and Bridget need while she examines the forms and signs.”
“Yes, sir.”
He crossed the room as Bridget pulled the papers toward her and started to read. The more she read, the wider her eyes became. Fortress was paying her four times the salary she was making as the school librarian? Holy cow. That was more than Zane had indicated a beginning researcher earned. Guess she wouldn’t have a problem affording the security system after all. Of course, the downside was that she may be called upon to do research during off hours if one of the Fortress teams had an emergency. Did she want to make herself available like this?
She signed her name with a flourish. She wanted to make a difference. She might be able to repay Trace and his friends for risking their lives to save hers one day.
Satisfaction gleamed in Brent Maddox’s eyes as she slid the paperwork to him. “Excellent. You start work immediately. You will assist Zane in digging up information on Hugo Torino and his organization. Once we locate him, Shadow will need schematics on the buildings Hugo and his buddies live and work in.”
“Yes, sir. Will I have a laptop?”
“Before you leave today, you’ll have everything you need. Your work is classified. You cannot discuss Fortress missions or personnel with anyone unless it’s a fellow employee authorized to access that information. Breaching that rule will lead to immediate employment termination. We often work with government agencies, including the military. Intelligence shared in public could compromise missions and personnel, including Trace and his unit.”
“I understand. I won’t let you down, sir.”
Trace set a steaming mug of tea and a bottle of water in front of her as Zane rolled into the room.
