The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

“The USAMRIID, actually,” Bristow replied. “So yeah, the Doc and I will be fine.”

“Why don’t you tell us your theory, Bristow?” Garrison asked from his perch on one of the desks. Antonio was standing aloofly to the side, ankle crossed over the other, while Nico was in front of his monitors. The young man had been asked by his boss to track Renata.

“XZite seems to mask the symptoms. Make the person feel better than he should given what’s decimating his organs—”

“We already determined that,” Antonio said in a bored voice. “Tell us something new.”

“I’m getting to that,” Bristow shot back. “I’ve taken a look at a few of the pills and they don’t look exactly like the ones Anriotech produces.”

That had Antonio straightening up. “What are you saying?”

Bristow asked permission before hooking up his laptop to the TV screen. It showed the pills side by side. Nico cursed. Antonio wanted to kill someone because he could already tell the one on the right was a fake. The lightning logo was poorly done and the shape of the oblong tablet was rounded instead of tapered. Additionally, the texture appeared rougher.

“The virus is incorporated into the tablet?” Charly asked.

“That’s my suspicion.”

“So, they used our packaging with our serial numbers on the box to frame us,” Antonio growled, his face etched in a killing rage. The scar slashed over his brow was more stark than ever. “Yet again.”

Garrison gave a low whistle. “Someone really has it in for you, Andrade. Any ideas?”

“I’ve got many enemies.” His mouth curled up in a semi-snarl. “But maybe the CIA can give me a hand, huh? Who else bid for the virus?”

“Have you heard of the defunct TAZ pharma?”

“Cristo,” Antonio muttered. “That was over twenty-two years ago. Luis and I …” he trailed off as if he needed to search his memory.

“Were the enforcers of Andrade Organization. How many of them did you execute, Antonio?”

“They were the makers of a date rape drug. Not only that, they were using their company as a front for human trafficking. We shut them down.” Antonio blew out a breath. “Are you certain?”

Martinez came forward and, not being as high tech as Bristow, handed Antonio several drawings. “We’re looking for this man. Our sketch artist came up with this composite from several people our contact tracers found connected to Pierre and the man we just found.”

“Renata gave you the lead on the second victim, right?”

“Right,” Martinez acknowledged.

“Does she have bodyguards?” Garrison asked.

“She keeps losing them. No one lasts.” Antonio’s mouth tightened. “You don’t think …”

“We’re assuming Sousa killed Pierre. But who is our sniper?” Martinez said. “Our perp thinks Renata is a loose end?”

Antonio got into Martinez’s face. “Did your colleague put her in the killer’s path?” He turned to Nico. “Anything?”

“Her car’s locator is pinging at the Westin Hotel.”

“She must be doing a walkthrough of our event tomorrow.” Luis walked into their huddle. “How has Renata disappeared? I just saw her after the board meeting not hours ago.”

“Both her numbers are now disconnected,” Antonio paced the bullpen.

“I know,” Luis replied. “I tried them.”

Antonio turned to Garrison. “Can you run the sketch of this man on your databases?”

Bristow looked up from his screen. “Already on it.”

19

Twenty-four hours had passed since Renata went missing.

Sixteen hours since Charly had seen Antonio.

Twelve hours since she’d been in the lab with Bristow.

Two things were certain. The Z-9 series virus had been reformulated with a generic form of XZite. Nico provided them with the chemical composition of the pill owned by Anriotech; but the copycat pill was made of inferior ingredients. The antiviral that Charly had been working on had been effective in both versions of the virus’s attachment proteins. She and Bristow agreed further tests should take place in the United States CDC lab.

Which meant they were leaving tonight before the Anriotech’s gala announcing the new products. She glanced at the unopened boxes from Jolene and smiled wistfully. She still didn’t know what to feel given that she knew Antonio had ulterior motives in bringing her to the event, and yet, their time together at the beach was the most pure.

No one could fake the tumultuous emotions etched on Antonio’s face as he talked about his mother. Nor could Charly regret that he made her remember her favorite day with her mom. What followed was the most idyllic, filthy, and erotic interlude she’d ever experienced, and one she would cherish forever. It was a moment where she truly let go of her inhibitions and, in some ways, broke free of the rigidity that her father imposed on her. Even if Antonio decided to be an asshole after this, she had him to thank for awakening her inner siren. Her cheeks burned. Would she ever be this way with another man?

Trying not to look at the fancy boxes, she left the room and ventured to the dining room to get some food. It was unnerving to see an empty table at lunch time. Luis was always there, reading a newspaper.

Footsteps echoed behind her. They were Ida’s.

“Your friend Bristow is in the basement,” the housekeeper sniffed. “He came up to grab something to eat and said he was ready to pack up, but he didn’t want to do it without you.”

“Thank you.”

“If you’re looking for food, come into the kitchen. I made you a sandwich.”

Charly nodded and followed the black woman. She never dared enter Ida’s domain. Luis jokingly said that if you valued your life, you should stay out of Ida’s kitchen.

It was a spacious one with a lot of natural light. It was full of old-world equipment, but she wondered if it was vintage or reproduction. A butcher block island sat in the center and Ida motioned her to take a seat behind it.

The housekeeper slid her a plate of crusty baguette with preserved meat.

“That’s Iberico ham, one of Renata’s favorites,” she whispered. Her troubled eyes met hers. “Have you heard anything?”

“No.”

“Senhor hasn’t come home yet. I think