dark ops 3 - Renegade Read Online Free PDF Page B

would, given the secrecy level of Area 51. She understood the risks that came with her job and gladly accepted them, now more than ever, as she had been drawn into the local police investigation to find the serial killer. Most thought she’d dug in for the career advancement, and that was okay by her. She needed to downplay how much she burned to avenge her friend’s death. Personal connections to victims were frowned upon.
    Jill slipped her feet into the flimsy plastic flip-flops and opened the steel door. Voices flooded through, and she stopped half-in, half-out. Apparently her quarantine mate, Tech Sergeant Mason Randolph, could have visitors—as long as that person stayed on the other side of the large glass window.
    Mason stood barefoot in a hospital gown in front of the framed pane, pressing the Talk button on the small speaker box. Behind him were two stretchers and a wall of medical gear for dispensing oxygen and taking vitals. Other than that, the space was an empty, sterile wash of white and silver. She couldn’t hold back a grin at the incongruous image of such an obviously virile man in a wraparound gown and spiky wet hair, the whole getup giving him a Peter Pan appeal.
    “God, Colonel Scanlon,” Mason said to the older man on the other side of the window, “things just went to shit up there. I honestly thought I’d checked the weight balance on the casters, but apparently not. No excuses.”
    She tucked more covertly against the half-open door to listen. No need to feel guilty. Her job presented her conscience with a free pass on eavesdropping while Mason chatted with a lieutenant colonel wearing a flight suit and Buddy Holly glasses. Right now, she was flying solo. She was learning what she could about an unscheduled parachute into the middle of an already suspicious toxic test. That also made her wonder again who’d given her the tip to look there in the first place.
    “We’re just in the early stages of investigating the incident,” the colonel answered cryptically, “but I expect we’ll have everything cleared up by next week’s shindig.”
    “What do Vapor and Hotwire have to say?” Mason clasped his hands behind his back, keeping the hospital gown closed and somehow managing to still look macho.
    The gaunt colonel, silver flecking his temples, leaned against the wall. “You know I have the utmost faith in you, but I can’t give you the details of their individual versions just yet. We have to keep everything separate for a while at least. Not knowing protects you.”
    “Of course. Protocol and all.”
    “Don’t worry about the flight for now.” Scanlon smiled, more of a grimace really, but it crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Just enjoy your time lounging around here. We’ll spring you from this place and get you back to work before you know it.”
    “I hope so.”
    “I’ve got some feelers out for more info on that explosion. So far, it’s sounding like a straight-up blister agent test.”
    Only a blister agent? Her skin started tingling at just the thought.
    Mason didn’t appear fazed in the least. “I appreciate your help.”
    “No problem. It’s what we do for our people.” The colonel checked his watch. “I need to head out. I’m visiting Captain Tanaka, too, while I’m here. Everyone at work sends their best.”
    Mason plucked at the hospital gown. “I’ll bet they’re just sorry to miss the opportunity to see me in a dress.”
    “They already offered me tickets to a hot new show at the Bellagio if I snap a photo with my cell phone.”
    “I’ll bet they did,” Mason quipped. “And hey, Colonel Scanlon, I appreciate your coming by.”
    “No problem,” Lieutenant Colonel Scanlon answered as he backed a step away. “I’m just glad you’re all right. Take care now.”
    Scanlon pulled his hand off the speaker button and turned to leave.
    Jill gripped the door. How Mason could take this all so lightly blew her mind. Could that be a sign of a darker disdain