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“Save it,” he snapped. “Take her to a holding cell. I have to check our people. Strip her down to her underwear and make damn sure she’s not hiding anything.”
“Of course.” Rusty sounded stressed as her voice broke.
He pushed her toward Rusty. “Calm. Take a deep breath.”
Kat admitted she followed his advice too, though she knew it wasn’t meant for her.
“Do you think any of ours died?” Rusty sounded close to tears.
“I don’t think so. I need to check. Move. Take her now and watch her closely. No one is to go near her until I get there. I’ll interview her.”
Rusty gripped her handcuffs and tugged. Kat followed her around the damaged building, taking in every detail. Officers had rushed to the scene and she spotted movement through an intact window when they rounded the side. One man was lifting a section of roof off the floor.
Kat had no words as she was escorted to the back of the long building. Its much smaller appearance from the front had been deceiving. More officers rushed out in full gear. They didn’t take time to stop or question who she was as Rusty just pushed her against the wall to get out of their way.
“Come on,” Rusty whispered.
Kat didn’t argue. She needed to think up a good lie to explain what she’d just done. “I’m sorry about taking your gun.”
Rusty growled. “Silence. You heard Darkness. No talking until he comes. He’ll be the one to interrogate you.”
That didn’t sound good at all. She was led down a hallway at the very back corner of the building and the door was shoved open. Kat glanced around the room—maybe fifteen feet by twenty-five feet. There were no two-way mirrors. A chair was bolted to the floor near a drain. There was a hook at the top of the wall behind it on one side and a long table with two chairs on the other. The walls and ceiling had been painted to match the dull-gray concrete floor.
The first tinges of fear shot up Kat’s spine. It wasn’t like any interrogation room she’d ever visited in a police station. It reminded her more of one she’d recently seen in a movie. The guards had nearly beaten the prisoner to death. Blood had soaked the walls and floor of that room, the drain on the floor there for easy cleanup. She really hoped the NSO hadn’t seen a similar film and taken notes.
Rusty fished out a key and removed the cuffs. “Remove everything but your undergarments.”
Kat winced at the thought of a cavity search but she didn’t resist. The room was chilly as she stripped and placed her clothing in a folded stack on the table, her shoes next to it. She faced Rusty, wondering if it was policy to keep the face shield and helmet on.
“Hands in front again.”
Kat meekly offered her wrists, accepting the click of metal without a word.
“You don’t appear injured. Do you need a medic?”
She was far from okay but nothing hurt physically except a little throbbing in her back. It didn’t seem important, though, or serious. Her emotions were a mess but a medic couldn’t help with that. “I’m okay.”
“Have a seat.”
She sat. Rusty picked up her clothing and shoes. “Don’t get up. Stay put. Darkness will be here soon.”
“May I have some water, please?”
“I’ll forward your request to Darkness.”
Rusty was gone in the next instant, the click of metal a certainty that she’d locked the door. Kat glanced around the room grimly. At least there was no cavity search. That was the only good news for Kat.
Chapter Two
Darkness stripped out of his uniform and put on a tank top and sweat pants with NSO imprinted in white on the black material. It wasn’t the ideal outfit for an interrogation but the lockers had been damaged in the blast. His discarded uniform lay in a heap on the floor, covered in dust and drywall powder. The makeshift changing room was filled with other Species.
Bluebird rushed in with another armload of clothing. “Here you go. This is all Supply had on hand. It is too hot for sweatshirts.”
“Everyone is okay.” Flame entered the room. “The last one of our officers is accounted for. There are only minor injuries.”
Darkness bit back a snarl. “What of the humans?”
Flame held his gaze. “Four died but one is barely alive. He’s been airlifted to a trauma unit in the out world. He suffered severe burns and internal injuries. Our medical staff doesn’t believe he’ll survive.”
No sympathy for their deaths bothered Darkness. “Too bad. I wanted to question them.”
Snow stomped in, removing his uniform. “We barricaded the front gates. Homeland is officially closed. Justice is handling the media while Fury is waiting for the task force to assemble to begin the investigation. Trey was already here so he’s spoken to Tim.” He sneezed. “I don’t think I’ll ever get the smell out of my nose. I inhaled a lot of that shit.”
“The dust isn’t harmful.” Bluebird began gathering the dirty uniforms. “At least that’s what Trey said. It’s mostly debris from part of the building collapsing. He said new buildings don’t have poisonous materials.”
“Good to know.” Snow sneezed again. “But I was talking about the smoke from the fire.”
“Oh.” She paused, her arms still full. “I’ll get more clothing from Supply.” She spun and rushed away.
Rusty entered next. “Is everyone well?”
“Only some cuts and bruises,” Flame answered. “We didn’t lose anyone.”
Darkness stepped forward, drawing her attention. “I told you to stay with the prisoner.”
“She’s locked in interrogation room three. It’s the farthest corner from the damage. She wasn’t carrying anything in her clothing. I checked and tagged it as evidence. She wants water. Is it okay to give her some?”
“Yes. Go stand guard. I’ll be there in a moment.” He sat, debating whether he should put his boots back on. They were coated with white powder. He stood. “Fuck it.”
“Excuse me?” Snow was dressing, too, but paused and looked up.
“I’m going to talk to our prisoner like this.”
“You’re going to interview a suspect barefoot and out of uniform?” Flame’s eyebrows rose.
Darkness pointed to where the dressing rooms for the males had been. “If you want to go in there where the ceiling lights crashed into the metal lockers and risk being electrocuted to retrieve my spares, go right ahead. I don’t have time to rush home first either. We need answers. We were attacked.”
Flame closed his mouth and nodded sharply.
“Do you want help?” Flirt moved forward, already changed from his uniform to running clothes. “Two of us may intimidate the male more.”
“It’s a female.” Darkness strode forward. “I’ll handle this alone.”
“I didn’t think you interrogated females. I’d like to volunteer to do it.” Snow was putting on his shirt.
“I’ll make an exception this time. I saw what she did. She’s well trained and a soldier isn’t just any female. They are far more dangerous.”
“I’d really like to interview her,” Snow persisted.
“No.”
Darkness didn’t wait around any longer for more conversation. He needed answers and he would get them, regardless of what he had to do. Rage simmered as he maneuvered through the building. Every Species had heard the news and rushed to duty. He passed them, feeling a little pride at the unity and calm they showed under the circumstances.
He paused outside the door of the interrogation room and it sank in that he’d have to go in there and do whatever it took to make the female talk. Homeland had been attacked and it could have cost a lot of Species lives. He’d been on his way to take out the driver of that van but admitted it probably would have cost his own life attempting it. He’d leapt from the top of the wall to the roof of the security building once it became clear their bullets were useless. The female had done his job instead.
Why? Her tactics had been clean, too precise. She had skills that she should not
possess. He’d have been hard-pressed to do what she had. He spun and stormed over to the phone. Security picked up on the second ring.
“Tell me everything you’ve learned about the female in holding.”
He listened, his rage building. He needed to stop thinking of her as a female. She was a threat. He needed to remember that. Normal tactics wouldn’t work. He’d have to outsmart her and keep her off guard. A plan formed and he took a few calming breaths. Anger was the last thing he needed to use against someone with her probable background.
* * * * *
Kat kept her eyes closed and tried to ignore the chilly air. Adrenaline had left her emotionally drained. It was a normal reaction under the tense circumstances. She’d just faced death, had taken the life of the driver she’d shot and probably his accomplices. That’s at least two dead for sure. The one hanging out of the back of that van was burnt toast.
She flinched at the food comparison her mind came up with and shifted her weight on the metal chair. It wasn’t helping her get any warmer. She debated pacing the room but decided against it. The risk of incurring more suspicion from the NSO would be higher if she failed to act the role of the frightened, timid mouse. That’s what they would expect and that’s what she needed to give them if she had any chance of recovering her undercover persona.
The click of a lock preceded the door being thrown open. A dark-haired man entered. He was seriously tan with piercing dark eyes, which looked black. He stared at her, his features shadowed. She put him at about six-and-a-half feet tall. Darkness. That’s got to be him. Holy shit, he’s huge and intimidating.
She took note of his densely muscled arms and very broad shoulders. The tank top stretched tightly over his upper body and tapered down to where he’d tucked it in the waistband of black drawstring pants. They weren’t tied, the white laces just hung free. He had shapely, muscular thighs, evident even through the thick material, and at least size-sixteen bare feet. His very casual attire wasn’t what she’d expected.
“Who are you?”
It confirmed his identity. She’d never forget that deep voice. “Kathryn Decker but everyone just calls me Kat for short.”
The door slammed, sealing them inside together. She glanced at it, waiting for it to open a second time.
“No one else is coming in here. There will be no rescue.”
She focused on his face. He stood still, a few feet inside the door. “Isn’t a woman supposed to be present?”
A soft, frightening sound came from him. It wasn’t exactly a growl but it wasn’t friendly either. “Do you realize you’re not inside the United States anymore? You were in NSO territory once you passed those gates. Tell me the truth because believe me, you don’t want me to make you talk. Your laws of interrogation don’t apply here.”
Fear edged up Kat’s spine but she pushed it back. “You can’t kill me.”
He stepped closer and lifted his head enough for her to get a better look at his face. Her breath caught in her lungs. He had one of the most masculine faces she’d ever seen. His cheekbones were pronounced, possibly American Indian. A square jaw sat under a pair of full lips with a harsh angle, due to his frown. It was the shape of his eyes, though, that really startled her. Justice North had the catlike shape but his weren’t nearly as fierce. She still couldn’t tell the exact color of those eyes but she’d guess dark brown. Unusually long, thick eyelashes framed them.
Breathe, damn it. She sucked in air, forcing her lungs to work again. The way he dressed had to be a tactic to throw her off her game. She needed to keep her shit together. It was difficult to do with that grim expression and the predatory stare aimed her way.
“I actually could. Are you ready to tell me the truth now? Who are you really? What are you doing here?”
He’s bluffing. She hoped. “My name is Kat Decker,” she lied. “Check my driver’s license. Call my boss. I was asked to come to Homeland for two weeks to teach forensic science classes and brush up your security on some of the newest trends in criminal behavior.”
He took another step closer. “Are you Army? Marines? Special forces?”
She shook her head. “Crime lab.”
He snarled.
Kat tried not to react but failed. Her body tensed at the frightening, dangerous sound. The layout of the room didn’t make her feel any safer. There were no cameras. She’d looked for signs of how they could monitor her but hadn’t found any. They really were alone in the room.
“Where did you learn how to take out that armored van?”
“I watch too many action movies and I learned all that through them.”
His mouth pressed into a tighter angry line, assuring her he wasn’t buying that bullshit. She tried again.
“I love watching movies. Blow-them-up-shoot-it-out-save-the-world kind of stuff. Would you believe I wanted to grow up to be an action-film star when I was a little girl?” She couldn’t resist. “Bruce Willis is my idol.”
His hands fisted at his sides, his only reaction. She might have gone too far with that answer but hoped he’d have a sense of humor. He didn’t.
“I’m not in a mood to play games. Take my words as a warning. My patience is nearly gone.”
Kat took a deep breath then blew it out slowly. She knew she was on thin ice and she’d have to give him something valid. “The bullets were bouncing off the van. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it was armored. I yelled at them to shoot the tires but I don’t think anyone heard me over all that racket. Maybe they didn’t see it from their angle but I was kind of up close and personal since it was trying to break free of the gate. I realized they’d shove my car out of the way to attack your second gate.”
“How did you know their plans?”
“I didn’t. I made an educated guess. It was just common sense. I only wanted to stop them. Your bullets weren’t working so I grabbed Rusty’s gun to look for a weak spot. They didn’t plate the lock on the driver’s door.” She hesitated. “I saw that the driver and passenger were wearing full assault gear. Something had to be done fast. I reacted before I really thought it out. I remember the last time vehicles got past your gates. How many died? Sixteen people?”
“Seventeen,” he growled.
She studied him and it was clear he didn’t enjoy being reminded of the breach that had taken place after Homeland first opened. “I saw a way to get the driver’s door open and took it. I shot out the lock on the door and took out the driver. Disabling the driver wasn’t going to stop them. The passenger could have just scooted over to drive and I saw movement in the back. That meant there was at least one more assailant. It would have been a bloodbath. Have you ever seen what bad guys with guns and full assault gear can do? I have. I told you I watch a lot of movies. I looked down and saw grenades strapped to the driver. I tossed them inside and closed the door.”
“How did you know what they were?”
Kat was starting to get irritated. “Because I’m not a moron. That is what they looked like, to me. I wasn’t exactly sure what they’d do but they were obviously meant to be used against the NSO. I used them instead.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “You weren’t sure what they’d do?”
“They looked like homemade explosives with switches, is what I meant. I didn’t see any cylinders, which would indicate a chemical bomb, so I assumed they just went boom! I was right. I didn’t exactly have much time to mull it over since I was dodging bullets from the passenger, who was intent on killing me.”
Darkness unfurled his fists and crossed his arms over his chest. “Four humans inside that van are dead and the fifth one won’t live long.”
They were bad guys but it still hit her hard. She’d never killed anyone before. The training she’d had didn’t cover the reality of learning that news.
“You killed humans. Do you understand that?”
She nodded sharply, not trusting her voice. The assholes might have deserved it but the reality was rough. They probably had families and
friends who would suffer their loss. Even evil shitheads have mothers.
“Answer me,” he demanded in a harsh tone.
“Yes.” She grew defensive because it helped her deal with the stress. “Do you understand that they didn’t batter down your gates in an armored vehicle, wearing full military assault gear, to bring you cupcakes and a we-love-you message? I was trying to protect New Species.”
Darkness moved fast enough to make her flinch when he closed the distance between them, bent and gripped the sides of her chair. He pushed his face almost nose to nose with her. His eyes were shadowed with his head tipped forward but they appeared very menacing. She tried to lean back but there was nowhere to go in the metal chair pressed tightly against her spine.
He growled deep in his throat, proving he was not completely human. “Do you expect me to believe you are a crime lab technician when you just single-handedly took out five humans?”
She forced a smile and ignored her rapidly beating heart. “I’m really good at my job. I see a lot of bad stuff and don’t forget my love of action films.”
He hissed, fanning her with the scent of chocolate and mint. She hoped her breath smelled as good since their lips were mere inches apart. The urge to glance at his mouth was too strong to pass up but she regretted it as soon as she did. Her eyes widened in surprise and fear at the sight of two long, terrifying fangs.
“Holy shit.” She hadn’t meant to say it aloud.
His upper lip lifted a little to give her a better view of them. It had to be on purpose. His next words killed any doubt.
“I’m nothing like you.” His tone deepened. “I’ll show you mercy if you start giving me honest answers. Were those men sent here to die to fool us into trusting you?”
That jerked her out of the stupor caused by his scary fangs. She stared into his eyes. “What?”
“You heard me. Was that some type of show played out to gain our trust?”
“Are you on drugs?” She’d been excited to visit Homeland but it had turned into a nightmare. Her cover was pretty much blown unless she could talk her way out of the situation. To be accused of being in cahoots with the assholes intent on killing New Species flipped her bitch switch.