Night Of The Hunter

Another Hostage

37.

I grabbed the map that we once made a few years ago. Red circles filled the areas of known whereabouts of Project X's secret facilities that Skye, Clint, and I remember. There were two major ones, one in Arizona where we were held and one in New Mexico. I grabbed a few more colored sharpies from Frank's desk and the information we had about Sarah Walsh and Jason Brooks.

I first opened the folder containing Jason, knowing he was involved with my death as well as my niece. With the research we consumed during the years after our escape and during my 'freelance work', Frank made sure we were on top of the knowledge, but we could only know so much.

Jason Brooks was once an FBI agent after his years spent in the army. He graduated from FBI to CIA and then somehow got involved with this research facility. There are still blanks to be filled in as to who is involved and how this came to play, but we know its government and military financed. We are still not sure how high up the chain of command this goes to, but CIA is pretty high on top.

Brooks has two houses on file with his name on it, one in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia. He also has an apartment in D.C to which he stays during business trips. Charlotte Brooks, his wife of going on fifteen years, and his thirteen year old daughter, Lauren Brooks. Both reside in Pennsylvania.

Nothing to our knowledge comes up as to if they knew about his work and if Project X actually exists. But the plan I have brewing is going to change that.

Sarah Walsh, a daughter of former Army General Conrad Walsh. Went to law school, dropped out and not much is written after that. A cover story is written to say she's a military recruiter. Oh the irony.

Never married, no children. Father died a few years ago after we escaped, so the only family she has left now is her sister, Layla. She only has one property in her name which is a condo in D.C.

"The more time we waste is more time that dead bastard is running off with Penny."

I bit my lower lip, glancing up from the folders and snapped the sharpie cap onto the marker and looked at Bryan.

"Don't you think I know that?" I hissed.

He swallowed hard. "Well maybe if you didn't work for them this wouldn't have happened."

I felt the pang of guilt in my chest grow harder when his words sunk in. I knew he was angry, and this is how he got when he was.

"I had no choice!" I yelled.

"Hey! Enough!" Frank snapped, putting his cup of tea down on the table. "This isn't time to play the blame game." He looked at the both of us with raised eyebrows. "What's important is getting Penelope back, safe and sound and we are at a dead end right now."

I clenched my jaw tightly, throwing the marker on the table and stood up.

"I may have a lead." I muttered.

"Was that the phone call?" Bryan asked.

"Yes."

"It's not a damn lead, and you know it." Aiden said.

I balled my hands into fists. "It's better then nothing." I said calmly.

"Fine. I'm coming with you."

I snapped my head towards Aiden who stood near Bryan.

"No, no you're not. Frankly, I've been with you for two days and I already want to beat the shit outta you." I let out a breath. "You're staying here with them in case any other soldiers want to bust in and kidnap them." I flicked my thumb towards Bryan and Frank. "You're going to share any information about safe houses, facilities and anything else you know about Walsh, Brooks and the facilities, got it?" I stared at his baby blues in fury, seeing his jaw was tight. He wanted to resist, but knew I wasn't going to let him win. He backed down by giving a curt nod in understanding and crossed his arms over his chest.  "Good. Now that we're clear - " I turned to Frank. "I'm going to need a phone, a car, and some weapons."