Fatal Pursuit (The Aegis Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

buzzed.
    Leaning forward, he pushed the button while he continued to stare at the screen. “What did you find?”
    “She went to REI yesterday,” Eve answered. “Bought new hiking boots, a backpack, a canteen, energy chews, and matches among other things. Sorry to ruin your conspiracy theory there, Alex Jones. Looks like she took off camping. The world is not about to end.”
    “Call the airport. I want to know if my plane is still in the hangar.”
    “Jake, seriously? She didn’t take your stupid plane. She went camping. Leave the poor girl alone. Employees are allowed to take vacation days, even from misers like you.”
    “Call the damn airport, Eve.”
    He released the intercom button, but he could still hear Eve bitching through the open office doors. Ignoring her, he paged back up to the top of the screen, then stilled when he saw Marley’s cell phone plan.
    International.
    Her plan was domestic. She didn’t travel overseas like the rest of the crew. On the rare instance she had to travel for Aegis, she changed her plan. But she always changed it back as soon as she was home to save the company a little money even though Jake told her not to worry about it.
    International. South America. I’m done with this . . .
    A hard, tight ball of worry rolled through his belly as he pushed out of his chair and headed for Marley’s office. One that mixed with the sudden fear coursing through his veins. Fear he did not need to be feeling right now.
    “Okay, thanks,” Eve said into the phone. She replaced the receiver in the cradle and looked up as he entered the room.
    “Well?” He stopped in front of her desk.
    “You were right.” Eve pushed to her feet. “Your plane’s gone.”
    Sonofabitch . “The pilots had to file a flight plan. Where did she go?”
    Eve pursed her lips. “You’re not going to like this.”
    “Where, Eve?”
    She blew out a long breath. “Colombia. South America.”

    Marley swiped the damp hair away from her face and tapped her palm against the desk bell. She was sweaty, tired, and in serious need of a drink, but she was also desperate to see Ronan. And she didn’t want to give him any reason to leave by being late.
    A chubby Colombian man who had to be in his sixties rushed out from a back room. Fans turned lazy circles above the lobby of the Hotel Chilimaco, but it did little to ease the oppressively humid heat. Late afternoon sunlight streamed across the white tile floor, warming the room even more.
    “¡Buenas tardes, señorita! ¿Le puedo ayudar?”
    “Buenas tardes. Tengo una reservación.”
    “Muy bien,” the man said. “You American?”
    “Yes.” Marley dropped her backpack on the ground at her feet. “Sophia Alvarez.”
    “Welcome to Puerto Asis.” The man opened a book and scanned a series of handwritten names. “Ah, sí . Here it is.”
    He reached for a key from a series of hooks along the wall behind him while Marley fished out cash from her pocket. After she paid for the night, she hefted her backpack onto her shoulder, scanned the small empty lobby again that housed a couch, a couple of tables and chairs, and the oldest TV she’d ever seen. “I was supposed to meet someone here. Tall guy, American, dark blond hair, sharp blue eyes. Has he checked in yet?”
    The man’s eyes narrowed as if he were thinking. “I not sure. I check.” He turned into the back room. Muffled voices echoed, but Marley couldn’t make out the words. Moments later, the man returned and said, “US military, right?”
    You could take a guy out of the army, but you couldn’t change the way he carried himself. The clerk had obviously met his fair share of soldiers and recognized Ronan’s type. “Yes.”
    “He register this morning. Asked about cantina.” The man pointed toward the open doors that led out to the street. “Check outside.”
    Marley palmed the key on the desk. Of course Ronan had found a bar. She could always count on him to find the worst dive bar in the