Silver Fire (Guardians) by Victoria Paige Page B

Abu-Haxa is zefinium mining. Leroux is less than a percent of Blackstone Mining revenue, it would not dent their profits.”
    “Factor in her father’s research,” Maia said. “What if weapons-grade zefinium becomes a mainstream commodity, can you extrapolate the business growth?”
    “The most is ten percent. You’re talking about freedom fighters here, they do not do strategic business goals,” Tim retorted. “They’re addressing an immediate threat.”
    Viktor sat back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful and then he stood up and paced around a couple of times before turning back.
    “What if they know of this research of Dr. Leroux’s father that can create an explosive device that, for all intents and purposes, functions as a city-wide demolition bomb. Their goal is to make sure Blackstone would never get his hands on this and use it against them.”
    Maia’s eyes widened. “Blackstone won’t blatantly use a bomb.”
    “No. But I know of several outfits in Africa that are unscrupulous enough to use a zefinium bomb to clear out villages that stand in their way,” Viktor said. “It’s brutal over there, Maia. Half the time, the world has no clue what goes on in the depths of Africa. As far as the general public knows, it’s a jungle and not a place where living, breathing people exist. Genocide happens and no one blinks an eye.”
    “Do we have any data on the members on the Abu-Haxa Brotherhood?”
    “Inconsequential. Mortality is very high. I have a file on several of their high-ranking lieutenants, but we haven’t updated it in a while and are not sure if they’re still alive,” Tim said.
    “Run facial recognition on passengers exiting flights coming in from South Africa and Somalia through Dulles and BWI,” Maia instructed. “In the last two weeks. If no hits, go back four   weeks.”
    “That’s going to take forever,” Tim grumbled.
    “That’s why it would be a good idea for you to start immediately,” Maia said sweetly.
    The analyst stood up and cast a resigned look at Viktor, who chuckled softly. “You haven’t changed, Katerina, you are still as pushy as ever.”
    “I’ve learned from the master,” Maia teased.
    “Touché.”
    “So, how are Braden and Thalia working out for Dr. Leroux?”
    “I’ve heard no complaints from Dr. Leroux. Connelly is grumbling about Lockwood,” Viktor replied.
    “Jack said Derek is smitten with Sophie. I still have to see it to believe it,” Maia said with a grin.
    “I’m with you there.”
    “I think I’ll drop by Silver Fire Research,” Maia said as she stood up to leave. “Maybe I can get more information out of Sophie.”

    ***
    Derek slid into the booth at the diner facing the Trident Building.   Jack had called him early this morning to meet him for breakfast. Their regular server, Bonnie, dropped by with a carafe of coffee and handed him the specials of the day.  
    “Where’s your partner in crime?” Bonnie asked as she poured him a cup.
    “He’ll be coming in soon, I’m a bit early,” Derek replied. Amazing how much time he had in the morning when he wasn’t screwing his brains out at night. Forty-eight hours without sex, he should get a medal.
    Bonnie sashayed back behind the counter. She was all tits and ass and had given Derek and Jack more than their fair share of hints that she was available.   Jack only had eyes for Maia nowadays, and Derek had no desire to have casual sex with someone whom he might see every day.  
    “Surprised to see you here before me,” Jack drawled as he slid into the booth across from him. He grabbed the carafe of coffee and poured himself a cup.
    “What can I say? I turned over a new leaf,” Derek replied as he turned over the menu to check the daily specials.
    “You’re actually serious,” Jack said in an unusual mocking tone that Derek had always used on him.
    “Had myself tested yesterday morning,” Derek   informed his friend whose face had broken out into a grin. “I talked