Page 24 of Under Fire in Big Sky

She nodded.

It meant operative in distress.

Everything with ASIG was cloak-and-dagger. Eli anticipated the conversation with Lauren would be more of the same. Although the satphone was far more secure than a traditional cell phone, they weren’t entirely immune to hacking or surveillance.

“Kestrel, I’m glad you’re alive,” Lauren said, coming onto the line.

“They knew I’d be there, and they were very well prepared.”

“I was informed things got quite hot.” Lauren’s tone was matter-of-fact.

“That’d be an understatement. Send me everything this time. I mean the files you neglected to show me during the briefing. The ones that mention black-footed ferrets.”

Eli stared at Olivia, perplexed, and mouthed, Ferrets?

I’ll explain later, she mouthed back.

“Those are above your pay grade.” Lauren didn’t even bother to deny it.

“Then it’s time I get promoted.”

“I don’t reward failure.”

Olivia clenched her hand into a fist. “This isn’t over. I’m on the hunt. But I need information if you want me to succeed.”

No response.

From what Olivia told him about Lauren Hahn, since he never met her, she only spoke one language. Money. Eli wrote a dollar sign on the pad and held it up.

Olivia nodded. “I wonder how much extra the client would pay to be rid of those pests. For good. To have their leader brought to justice.”

“Something for me to consider. Perhaps I’ll send a different birdie to handle it.”

“You owe me,” Olivia said. “And now I’ve got skin in the game. No one wants them more than I do.”

Those violent radicals almost killed Liv and his unborn child. His child. If Eli got his hands on those responsible, he didn’t know what he’d do. He definitely wanted them more.

“I’ll send the files,” Lauren said.

“One more thing. This is a significant departure in tactics used by those pests. I need to know why. Splinter group? New leadership? Some other factor? Find out. Fast. I’ll also email you names of employees who I know were involved. Do a deep dive on them.”

“The FBI has been called in.”

Finally. Eli hoped it might be enough for Olivia to back off from this assignment.

“Do you know who’s working the case?” Liv asked.

“Not yet.”

“I need the special agent to be an asset, not a hindrance.”

Not surprising, she wasn’t backing off.

“Since you think I owe you,” Lauren said, “I’ll grease the wheels to ensure your first contact is smooth.”

“If you’re expecting a thank-you from me, you won’t get it.”

Lauren chuckled but the sound was cold. “I’d be disappointed if you said it. Is Pioneer staying with you on this, or do I need to send a real partner from the agency? It’s been over two years. Don’t you think it’s time you team up with someone new?”