Facing Fear (36 page)

A
dmiral Jack Madison scowled as he hung up the phone.

He had a major problem on his hands. One of his SEAL commanders had been arrested overseas. Interpol would not release him until he had been ID’ed, but none of his men were supposed to be over there. Damn it, he could not afford another scandal while he was still dealing with the one here over Gorman.

He needed outside help and, as luck would have it, Tess Montgomery was in town. Using his secured line, he punched in her number. She picked up almost immediately.

“T., I have a problem.”

“It must be big if you’re calling me, Jack.”

“I need you to help me with an international jurisdiction problem. Here’s the number to call my man, Hawk McMillan. He’ll give you all the details.”

“Oh, Stash’s cousin. Interesting. Is he the one in trouble?”

“No, it’s another team commander. Jazz was arrested by Interpol. Can you handle it?”

T. didn’t hesitate. “Of course. You helped Nikki Taylor. I can do no less with one of your operatives, Jack. I’ll get in touch with you soon. By the way, I happen to have something going on there that needs some macho SEALs. It has to do with our ‘missing’ laptop, by the way. I have a proposition to make—a Joint Mission.”

Jack Madison smiled. T. always took advantage of a situation. “Jazz and Hawk are two of my best. You get Jazz out and they’re all yours.”

“Not me, darling. I have just the right woman to get Jazz out of trouble.”

Special thanks to Patti O’Shea, my writing partner; Melissa Copeland, the sidekick who looked between the lines; the sea mammals who helped with special hands-on research; Lynda Mikulski, whose assurances were much needed; Erika Tsang, my helpful editor; and Elizabeth Trupin-Pulli, my wonderful one-of-a-kind agent.

And always, to the Delphi TDD ladies, the best reading BSHes, whose encouragement gave me so much joy—Maria Hammon, Miriam “Mirmie” Caraway, Sandy “the Philosopher” Still, Karen King, Theresa Monsey, Angela Swanson, Shelly Hawthorne, and Teena Weena Smith.

I also want to thank my sister Debbie Low for her website expertise and wonderful creativity.

Much thanks to those who gave me so much research information over the phone. For more information on TIARA, please check http://usmilitary.about.com/library/glossary/t/bldef06205.htm.

Creative license: Some departments and locations have been grouped together or moved closer for plot convenience.