Pike reached into the left pocket of Cole’s tactical jacket.
His expression changed.
He withdrew a small black device.
About the size of a matchbox.
Reed leaned forward.
“What is that?”
I already knew.
A burst transmitter.
Military grade.
Cole stared at it.
“No.”
Nobody spoke.
He looked at me.
“I have never seen that device before.”
Pike handed it to me.
My stomach tightened.
A tiny red indicator flashed once.
Then stopped.
Briggs stood.
“Chief, he needs to be restrained.”
Cole snapped toward him.
“I didn’t put that there.”
Briggs ignored him.
“That device could have transmitted mission coordinates.”
“We don’t have mission coordinates yet,” I said.
“Then team identifiers.”
“Possibly.”
Cole’s voice became urgent.
“Chief, listen to me.”
“I’m listening.”
“You saw me before boarding. I went straight from the lounge to my gear locker and then the gate.”
“You were out of my sight.”
“Yes.”
“Who had access to your jacket?”
“I don’t know.”
Briggs stepped closer.
“That answer isn’t good enough.”
Cole glared at him.
“Funny how quickly you want me blamed.”
“Because the transmitter was in your pocket.”
“Which is exactly where somebody would put it if they wanted me blamed.”
