What She Thought She Knew (Rachel Moore Mystery Book 1), стр. 40

don't think so. Whatever he was looking for, it wasn't in the van." I said.

"Maybe he was just messing with me. The Phantoms love to mind fuck their enemies."

My brows furrowed as I thought of an explanation behind the Phantom's unusual behavior.

Suddenly, it felt like a light bulb went off in my head as the puzzle pieces came together.

"The bitch…"

Gizmo turned to face me completely, and looked at me as if I grew another head. "I beg your pardon?" He said indignantly.

I shook my head. "Not you. When Fear and I were in the tunnel, we overheard some of the Phantom agents talking about a woman."

Gizmo just stared at me, before turning his attention back to the laptop. "Could it be that they were looking for our prisoner?"

"I believe so," I replied.

The familiar beep of my phone snapped me out of my focus, and I took it out.

My heart accelerated in anticipation as I read the message. "Gizmo, tell everyone to meet in the conference room."

I was already out the door before the tech expert could reply.

________________________________________

About ten minutes later, my team and I were gathered in the conference room.

The video image of the Head Warrior was on display. "Agent Moore, your findings are being evaluated. It is extremely rare for a Phantom agent to be caught alive, and apparently willingly to cooperate from what you've told me. I'm sure you can imagine just how much the Seekers can gain by having this agent in our hands."

"Of course." I agreed. "When do you want us to hand her over?"

"A team of Warriors has already been sent to come pick her up. Also, a medical squad will be coming by as well to pick up Agent Delta's mother." Pete answered.

"Understood," John replied.

"What are we to do in the meantime?" I asked.

"Our interrogators are still busy with Mr. Hill, but we're certain that he'll crack soon enough. Until then, enjoy your brief time off-duty."

"Thank you sir." I replied respectively.

The Head Warrior nodded. "I'll contact you when I have more information. Pete out."

I leaned back as the screen went black. I turned to face my teammates, and saw mixed reactions.

Olsen seemed like he didn't know what to do with his free time, Elvira was more than pleased if the smile on her face could be trusted, Fear looked bored out of his mind, and Predator appeared distressed.

I looked at him in curiosity. "Austin, what's wrong?"

Said person seemed surprised at my usage of his real name, but didn't comment on it. "It's nothing, Agent Moore. It's just that… I don't think that the Seekers should take Diana."

I raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that she's a Phantom agent, therefore she's our enemy."

Predator gave a look of annoyance. "Yeah, yeah I know that. Everywhere I go, I'm reminded of the war. It's just that… she's not like them. You've seen her yourself. She was forced to do what she did."

I looked at him in confusion. "Austin, this is the woman that subjected you to horrific experiments. Against her will or not, she still tortured you, and she still belongs to the Phantoms. How can you try to justify what she did?"

Predator shook his head. "You don't understand, Agent Moore. I'm more than aware of what she did to me. She still saved my life, though. I at least owe that to her." He then stepped forward. "Agent Moore, if the Seekers take her, she'll be treated as a prisoner of war. Nothing good will happen to her."

I quietly reflected on what he said.

Diana was indeed different than other Phantom agents, but she still was a Phantom.

"I'm sorry Pred, it's not my call to make. We've got our orders, and we have to follow them." I gave him a stern look. "Let me remind you of something though; we are in the middle of a war. Prisoners of war are a fact, and there's nothing you can do about that. This woman is a Phantom agent through and through. I don't care that she had a change of heart. I won't allow your pity for her to cloud your judgment. As a Seeker agent, you should know where your loyalty lies."

For a moment, Predator stood speechless at my directness.

His mouth opened and closed several times before his brown eyes darkened with acceptance.

He nodded tensely. "I understand."

I hummed in acceptance. "Good. Now, go get some rest. This war won't be stopped in a day."

Predator nodded wordlessly, and brushed past me.

I watched him walk by before I turned my attention back to the others.

Fear shook his head in disapproval. "He always wore his heart on his sleeve. That's going to get him killed someday."

I sighed. "We can't blame him for that."

The Assassin shrugged. "Maybe not, but as you said, we're at war. Pity and compassion isn't going to bring the Phantoms to their knees. Instead, it'll just make it easier for them to screw us over."

That's some positive thinking right there! I thought in bitter sarcasm.

I rubbed my eyes. "Well, I'm going to get some rest. Stay alert for those two Seeker teams we're expecting."

Elvira and Fear both nodded, and I took that as my cue to find a nice quiet place to take a nap.

________________________________________

True to Pete's word, a team of four Warriors arrived within an hour.

The leader of the group approached me. "Agent Moore? We've come to escort your prisoner to a secure location."

I nodded, and led him to the room where Diana was kept. It was strange associating a name with a Phantom agent.

We arrived at the door, and the guard on site unlocked it for us.

The Warriors and I stepped inside the cramped room.

The Phantom woman looked up blankly, apparently not at all