A Taste of Liberty: Task Force 125 Book 2 by Lisa Pietsch, Kendra Egert

him.”  He took a seat at one of the other chairs at the large patio table.
    Will stood, mumbled something and then spoke up.  “Tell him, Chris.”
    Chris looked up at Will.  “But I don't…”
    “Just tell him anyway.”
    Chris sat up in the chaise and ran his hand through his hair.  Sarah had come to know this small gesture as Chris’ tell.  The sign that gave away the fact he was nervous about something.  “Vince, there's been something in his communications.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but I get the impression he isn't the top dog.”
    Vince’s eyes opened wide and he tilted his head slightly.  “What?  I've been selling guns to lowlifes and bottom dwellers for years only to find out the guy they say is at the top isn't?”
    Will sat in his chair.  “It's bigger than that, man.”
    “That's it.  We'll buy the chopper, but Sarah is out of the deal”
    Sarah leaned forward.  “What are you talking about?  I'm the best chance we have to identify the top guy.”
    “No.  We're not putting you in the deal without being sure of the situation.”
    “That's the whole point, Vince.  I need to go in and get that information so we can be sure.”
    Jason lit a cigarette and shook his head.  “I'm not gettin ' a warm fuzzy from any of this.”
    “Me neither.”  Brian took a drink from the sapphire blue bottle of water and placed it back on the table next to his chaise.
    Chris leaned forward on his elbows.  “Can we regroup without compromising you guys?”
    “That's what we have to figure out.  Why don't you guys go get some rest.   Will, Sarah and I are going to talk and then we'll discuss this as a team tomorrow.”
    Sarah looked at Will.  “Why aren't they staying for this?”
    Will waited for the guys to enter the house.  He motioned for Sarah to remove her earpiece.
    She realized it was still in her purse and gave him the all clear.
    “Because Nikolai doesn't know them.”
    “But he…”
    He's part of the same organization.  Oh, shit.
    Sarah suddenly felt very unsure of the mission and nervously lit a cigarette.
    “Alright.”   Will sat at the table and lit a cigar.  “Let's break this down and see what we have left.  Sarah, what do Nikolai and his mother know about you?”
    “I'm a student at UNLV studying international business.  My aunt left me some money.  I live comfortably and travel whenever the urge hits me.  That's the only story I use and I never give details.”
    Vince cleared his throat.  “Do they know where you live?”
    “No.  I never give that information.”
    “It would be easy enough to get from UNLV though.”
    “No.  I use a post office box for everything.”
    “Vince, did you tell him you knew Sarah?”
    “Negative.  Seen her around, but that's it.”  Vince rubbed his head.  “Victor is the only one who can place Sarah with us.  I told him I picked her up in Milan.”
    Will nodded.  “Your story and her story work.”
    “Yeah but I don't like it when Chris gets feelings he can't put a finger on.  Maybe we should do the deal and keep Sarah out of it.  I don't want to place her if we're unsure of the situation.”
    “Vince, I need to be a part of this.  You and I both know it.  I can get the information that will make the Italians' case stick.  Otherwise they'll hold him for a couple days before a very expensive lawyer gets him out on bail and he skips the country to keep on doing what he does.”
    “Yes, but if we've been compromised and fed a story to set us up, you could get hurt or worse.”  He placed his hands palm down on the table and shook his head.  “No.”  He looked into Sarah's eyes.  “It’s too dangerous.  I don’t want to put you in this operation.”
    “Vince.”  Sarah took a deep breath and placed her hand on top of his.  “I'll be okay.  The flighty, party girl cover will work fine.”
    “I agree with Sarah.  Chris could just be over-cautious.  Sarah's participation can make the