Kane rose and poked his head into the cockpit. “We’ve got four team members still back there.”

  The pilot tapped his comms. “New orders. Your special unit indicated they wouldn’t be able to make the roof and we were to leave without them.”

  Mary overheard what the pilot said and grabbed Kane by the shoulder. “You have to tell your friends to get out of there now!”

  “Why?”

  “Trust me. They have to get out of there now!”

  Kane cursed and activated his comms. “Control, Diggler. Tell Bravo Team they need to evac immediately. No delays.”

  Laura cried out. “Where’s my brother?”

  Acton’s chest tightened as he realized in all the confusion, the entire point of this exercise had been forgotten. He turned to Mary, the last person with his brother-in-law, and she avoided eye contact but responded.

  “He refused to come with us.” She reached out and took Laura’s hands as tears erupted. “His last words were of you. He wanted you to know that he loved you and that he was sorry for putting you through so much pain yet again.”

  Laura rushed toward the still-open door of the chopper and Acton grabbed her. “Charles!” she screamed. The chopper leveled out and Acton looked over to their right, what remained of the Chinese team now on the roof, firing at them uselessly as they were now out of range.

  Suddenly the entire upper floors of the building erupted in flame, a massive fireball clawing at the sky, quickly replaced by thick acrid smoke billowing from the remains of what no doubt was Palmer’s final solution to his problem—complete and utter destruction of his past ten years.

  Acton held Laura tight as she sobbed. Her brother had obviously decided the only way to protect her was to kill himself and destroy his research. This was over, finally, but his wife’s pain was about to begin anew.

  An alarm sounded from the cockpit and the pilot cursed as he banked hard to the right. Laura tumbled toward the open door and Acton grabbed her as he fell as well. He reached out with his free hand and a crewman grabbed it, holding on to him with one hand and cargo netting with the other.

  “Brace for impact!” shouted the pilot. Acton had no idea what was going on as he desperately held on to Laura and the crewman, but they were losing this battle, gravity coming out on top as the pilot continued to evade whatever it was about to impact them. Somebody grabbed him by the belt and hauled him back inside. He collapsed onto the floor, Laura atop him, and he looked back to see Milton’s tortured face, his best friend having tipped the balance in their favor.

  “Here it comes!”

  Acton held on to Laura, squeezing his eyes shut as what he assumed was a missile slammed into them. But it wasn’t the twisting metal or the whining engine that he heard, it was the terrified screams of everyone he loved in this world as they plunged to their deaths.

  Niner and the others held on to the railings in the elevator as the entire car shook. The power flickered but the backups kicked in and they continued their rapid descent to the basement level.

  “What the hell was that?” asked Atlas.

  Spock cocked an ear. “That wasn’t a grenade unless they tossed it in the shaft. That sounded like they just took out a whole floor.”

  Jagger looked up warily. “I’m not so sure staying on this thing is wise.”

  Niner activated his comms. “Control, One-One. What the hell just happened, over?”

  “It looks like some sort of self-destruct mechanism was triggered. It took out the top two floors of the building.”

  “Our people?”

  “On board the chopper, but be advised, Palmer stayed behind.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “We don’t know the details yet…stand by. We’ve got some sort of mayday from the chopper.”

  Niner cursed. If they had been caught in the explosion, they could have been taken out by debris. He stared at the numbers counting down as Jagger repeated his concern. Niner pressed his hand against the wall, feeling for unusual vibrations. “Palmer’s one of the good guys. That detonation would have been controlled so it would minimize damage to the lower floors. It was probably designed to destroy his lab and any of his work.”

  “And kill himself,” added Atlas.

  Niner frowned. “Probably. Man, what Laura must be feeling right now. To lose her brother twice.”

  Atlas sighed as the elevator chimed, indicating they had arrived at the parking garage. “I can’t imagine.”

  The doors opened and Niner’s comms squawked. “One-One, Control. The chopper’s been shot down, I repeat, the chopper’s been shot down.”

  Laura was oblivious to what was going on around her. Niskha wailed at the top of her lungs as Tommy, Mai, and Sandra screamed in terror. But all she did was stare blankly into nothingness, her entire body numb, her brother dead yet again.

  And again it was her fault.

  She squeezed her eyes shut as an inner voice shouted at her. “But how could it possibly be your fault? Not this time!” But it was her fault. It was Tommy’s fault for having put together the montage that triggered all of this. If she didn’t know Tommy, then he never would have done that and her brother would still be alive.

  It was a ridiculous argument, and she knew it. This wasn’t her fault, and the sooner she accepted that, the sooner she could recognize the incredible gift she had been bestowed. She had been able to be with her brother once again, to see the man he had become, for him to see the woman she now was, to meet the man she loved.

  Those minutes were precious.

  And though she would go through the tragedy of his death once again, she had to remember that he had spent ten years alive when she had thought he was dead, and he had spent those ten years working on what he loved, sacrificing his freedom for all of humanity.

  “Brace for impact!” shouted the pilot, snapping Laura back to reality as James continued to hold her tight while they spun through the air.

  A crewman leaned over them. “As soon as we hit the ground, get clear of the chopper, but watch for the rotors!” He pointed overhead. “Make sure they’ve stopped completely!”

  She rolled off her husband and crawled to a safer position, grabbing onto a handhold.

  “Five seconds!”

  She reached out and squeezed Mai’s hand. The young woman flinched, staring up at her, her screams abruptly halting. Laura gave her a comforting smile.

  “Everything will be all right.” A warm, tingling sensation surged through her. She was a woman of science and had never really believed in Heaven and Hell, but right here, right now, should they all die together, she knew everyone she loved, everyone she cared about, would be with her on the other side, including her brother.

  “This is it!”

  Laura closed her eyes and let go of the netting, instead embracing the only man that she had ever loved as they slammed into the ground, ready for whatever might come.

  64 |

  Charles Palmer Residence Parking Garage

  Doha, Qatar

  Niner sprinted toward the parked SUVs that had brought the professors and the others to the building. The drivers were nowhere in sight, but if they had been trained properly, they should have left the keys in case their employer needed to make his escape. Niner pointed at the second SUV and Spock silently executed the implied order. Niner hauled open the driver’s side door of the first vehicle, the fact it wasn’t locked a good sign. He smiled at what was on the seat. “I’ve got keys!”

  “So do I!” reported Spock.

  Niner pointed at Jagger. “Thunder lips, you’re with Spock. Thunder thighs, you’re with me.” He fired up the engine as Atlas groaned, climbing into the passenger seat.

  “I’m filing a sexual harassment suit when we get back.”

  “Oh, you keep promising that, but then you’d have to admit we have a sexual relationship.”

  Atlas gave him a look. “I don’t think you know what sexual harassment is.”

  Niner guided them up the ramp toward the daylight, and activated his comms as he checked the mirror to see Spock was directly behind him. “Control, One-One. Sitrep, over.”

  “One-One, Control. The chopper is down. What’s your location, over?”

  “We’re coming out of the parking garage now. Am I going left or right?”

  “Take a left. If you go right, you’re going to hit the police cordon that’s being set up. Go left half a klick then you’ll be taking a right. I’ll guide you in.”

  “Any sign of survivors?”

  “Not yet, but there was no explosion on impact.”

  “Copy that. Do we know what happened?”

  “Looks like a shoulder-launched missile was fired from a building across the street.”

  “Chinese?”

  “No way to know at this point. It could be pretty much anyone.”

  The hood dropped as they left the ramp, giving Niner his first full view of the chaos around them. He turned left as instructed by Langley. “Everybody look scared now,” he said over the comms so Spock and Jagger received the instructions meant for all of them. He dropped his jaw and widened his eyes as they approached a police position. An officer waved them through as they struggled to clear the area of civilians. Niner checked his rearview mirror to confirm Spock had been let through as well, then whistled at the lack of debris on the street, confirming it had been a controlled detonation like he suspected.

  “Take your next right,” instructed Leroux in his ear.

  Niner did as told and minutes later they were pulling up on the crash scene, several local emergency personnel just arriving. The Black Hawk was smoldering and could erupt at any moment. There was little time to waste, not to mention the fact whoever shot down the chopper could be on their way to finish the job.

  Niner hopped out and rushed around to the opposite side of the chopper, breathing a sigh of relief at signs of activity. A child wailed, tearing at his heart. “Friendlies approaching!”

  “Acknowledged! Is that you, Niner?”

  Niner climbed inside, recognizing Kane’s voice. “The one and only. Sitrep.”

  “I think we’re all alive, but I’m not sure how many pieces we’re in.”

  “We’ve got the two SUVs that you arrived in.”

  “Take the Milton family first, then Tommy and Mai.”

  Niner lifted the little girl, examining her. She was scratched up and had a cut under her eye, but other than that she appeared fine. He handed the wailing child to Atlas then turned his attention to her parents. “Are you two all right?”

  Sandra Milton extended a hand. “I’m fine, but my husband has an old back injury.”

  Niner hauled her to her feet, well aware of the cause of that particular injury. He took a knee beside Milton as the flight crew around him jumped into action, sirens growing in intensity outside. “Dean, do you think you’ve reinjured yourself, or is it just acting up?”

  “I think it’s just acting up.” Milton extended both his arms. “Just get me the hell out of here so I can be with my family.”

  Niner and Acton helped him to his feet then out of the stricken chopper.

  “Have you got him, Doc?”

  “I’ve got him.”

  Niner helped Laura down then Tommy and Mai. A woman he didn’t recognize hopped down, warily eying the situation, her own handgun held expertly. She had to be the mysterious travel agent. Niner leaned back in and Kane pointed at two large cases.

  “Don’t forget those. They might be the only way to salvage anything from this shit show.”

  Niner grabbed them then rushed back toward the SUV being loaded with the civilians. He handed the cases to Atlas then activated his comms. “Control, One-One. No injuries that require immediate treatment. We need an evac plan now, over.”

  “One-One, Control. We’ve got choppers inbound, but there’s no room for them to land where you are, and you’ve got locals closing in rapidly. There’s a large square five klicks south of your current position. Get everyone in the vehicles and head south. We will guide you in.”

  “ETA on those choppers?”

  “Less than ten.”

  “Copy that.”

  Gunfire rang out to his left and he dove forward, executing a shoulder roll that ended with him pressed against the front driver-side tire of the SUV, his MP5 raised, searching for the source.

  “Your three o’clock!” shouted Atlas. “Black SUV! Four gunmen!”

  Niner squeezed the trigger, sending a burst of lead toward the enemy. “Well, we were wondering who fired that missile.” He did a shoulder check to see that the Miltons, Actons, and their young friends were all inside. “Laura, darling, are you good to drive?”

  “Yes.”

  The reply was curt, emotionless. The woman was clearly struggling with the loss of her brother, but he had seen her under fire before, under pressure, and there was no better driver. He pointed at Jagger. “Give her your comms.”

  Jagger squeezed off several more rounds then did as ordered. Laura scrambled into the driver’s seat, fitting the comms in place. “Do you know how to use them?” asked Jagger. She nodded. He reached forward and activated the gear. “You’re on live now with Control. They’re going to guide you to the extraction point. We’re going to be right behind you. Understood?”

  “Understood.”

  “Just keep your head down. We’re going to provide covering fire!” yelled Niner as they kept the enemy pinned. He smacked the side panel. “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

  Laura put it in gear and hammered on the gas. The SUV shot forward then veered to the right as she cranked the wheel. Niner and the others poured heavy fire on the hostiles, providing cover for the escaping civilians, then repositioned, their own cover now lost. He indicated for Spock and Jagger to break left while he and Atlas headed right. Kane, Sherrie, and Fang continued to fire as the flight crew and the unfamiliar woman climbed into the second vehicle.

  Niner and the other Delta operators advanced, holding their fire, not revealing to the enemy what was about to happen. When the first hostile caught sight of him, it was already too late. Niner put two rounds in the man’s chest as Atlas swung wide, taking out another, Spock and Jagger doing the same on the opposite side.

  And then there was silence.

  Though that wasn’t true. Approaching sirens wailed loudly, civilians screamed as they fled the area, but all Niner cared about was weapons fire.

  “Let’s go!” ordered Kane, climbing into the driver’s seat.

  Niner turned to the others. “You heard the man. Let’s get the hell out of here. I don’t want to be guests of the same regime that killed thousands of workers building World Cup facilities.”

  They sprinted toward their lone remaining means of escape. Atlas climbed into the passenger seat wisely reserved for him, the biggest package of man meat on the scene, and Jagger dove into the rear. Niner and Spock climbed onto the running boards on opposite sides of the SUV.

  Niner smacked the rooftop. “Let’s move!”

  Kane put it in gear and they were soon heading in the same direction as the professors. They took the turn hard and Niner’s grip broke. “Oh, shit!” he cried as he fell away. Something gripped his belt and hauled him back. He grabbed on to the roof rack.

  “Sorry about that!” apologized Kane as they straightened out.

  “Don’t worry about it. Thanks to whoever saved my ass.”

  “You owe me one,” replied Sherrie.

  Kane floored it and they surged through the nearly vacant streets, blowing past several squad cars heading for the scene, some of them spotting their fleeing vehicle with two armed and armored men clinging to the sides. Two turned to give chase, but Niner wasn’t concerned—they just needed to rendezvous with that chopper.

  He had no intention of being a guest of the Qataris when there was a hammock back home with his and Angela’s names on it.

  Laura eased off the accelerator, heeding Leroux’s advice in her ear. They were away from immediate danger and now the goal was to rendezvous with the choppers and not draw any attention to themselves unless it was absolutely necessary. She checked her rearview mirror but there was still no sign of the others. Worrying about them took her mind off her brother, if only slightly. He was dead, again, this time for real. Nobody survived an explosion like that.

  And it was intentional.

  He could have escaped with them, he could have been safe.

  “Why did he do it?”

  James reached over and squeezed the back of her neck. “You know why.”

  She gave him a quick glance. “What do you mean?”

  “It was the only way he could protect you. He knew they would never stop pursuing him as long as he was alive, even if he was under Washington’s protection you’d have to be in hiding as well. I’d have to be, maybe everybody in this car would have to be. Maybe for the rest of our lives. By killing himself, and doing it in such a public way, it’s over. There’s no longer any reason to come after you or anybody close to him.”

  She wiped away the tears as she continued toward their destination. James’ explanation had to be right. Her brother had sacrificed himself for her. He obviously had seen no other choice. He had killed himself once he was certain she was safe and preserved that safety by taking himself out of the equation, just like a big brother should for his little sister.

  She glanced in the rearview mirror and cursed at the sight of flashing lights and the second SUV hurtling toward them. “This can’t be good.” She activated her comms as James spun. “Control, it looks like we’ve got trouble coming up behind us.”

  Leroux immediately responded. “Affirmative. Just ignore them. Pull over like you normally would and let them all go past. Our main goal here is to get you civilians out.”

 

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