Rich laughed. “Dogfighting with Army helicopters and ditching your Cessna on the interstate isn’t normal?”
“Not at all,” said Chang, pausing. “And it was a perfect landing. Ditching is more of a controlled crash.”
“Hang out with us long enough and you’ll get used to controlled crashes,” said Rich.
“That’s our specialty,” said Daniel.
“Wonderful,” said Hale.
“You don’t have anything to worry about,” said Rich. “You’re in good hands now.”
“Jeff is slowing down,” said Daniel.
Rich leaned forward and peered beyond Daniel’s head. The Jeep’s brake lights glowed bright through the windshield, his earpiece crackling a moment later.
“I’ve got a police Interceptor up on the left,” said Rico. “Parked in the self-storage lot, pointing east.”
He craned his head a little farther, spotting the white and black SUV. It was positioned to observe vehicles entering town, not leaving. Still. Better safe than sorry. Rich grabbed the MP7 submachine gun leaning against the door and extended the stock, placing the compact weapon on his lap. Between the front seats, he saw that Jessica had done the same.
“What are you doing?” said Chang.
“Police car coming up on the left,” said Rich.
“Why would you need—” started Chang. “Jesus. What’s wrong with you people?”
Rich let Chang’s naïve question slide, hoping Daniel and Jessica had the good sense to do the same. Never could tell with those two.
“You wouldn’t actually kill a police officer. Right?” said Hale.
“No. We have nonlethal ways to deal with things like this,” said Rich, placing his MP7 back against the door. “Hard habit to break. Everyone take it easy.”
The police officer inside the vehicle sipped an oversized travel mug, paying little attention to their vehicles. With the police car fading quietly into the distance behind them, the Jeep picked up speed and the small convoy sped east—an awkward, protracted silence bearing down on the SUV’s cabin. It was going to be a long ride with these two.
Chapter 4
Gary Hoenig shook his head and muttered a few curses. The faint thumping of helicopter rotors echoed through the woods. Still too far away to determine the number and type of helicopters—but they were getting closer. He had a bad feeling about this, just like he did back at NevoTech.
“Fitz, I think we need to prepare for visitors,” said Hoenig. “Let’s move the civilians back from the road another fifty yards or so. Get them in a more compact area with as much cover as possible.”
“There’s a small area with some thick, downed trees that should work,” said Fitzgerald. “Be pretty hard to spot us back there.”
Hoenig turned around, quickly spotting the area Fitz intended to use. Two wide, overlapping tree trunks lay across the forest floor, parallel to the road. Beyond the fallen trees, the woods were dense with bushes. Good for hiding the remaining mix of eighty or so civilians from NevoTech and Methodist Hospital. Not perfect, but it should do the trick.
Spotting them from above, through the thick green forest canopy, would be nearly impossible, especially if they made use of the ground foliage. The helicopters’ best chance of finding them would be to fly low along the road and scan the forest floor with thermal-imaging equipment. No matter how hard they tried to hide, thermal sights would catch an arm or a leg through the bushes. Probably a few of each. More than enough to warrant a closer look. Then what?
Roscoe must have been reading his mind, or at least his face. “How do you want to handle security?” said his sharpshooter. “In case they do spot us—and decide to pay us a close-up visit.”
“With nine of us left, I say we break into teams of two and form a square around the survivors,” said Hoenig. “A team in each corner of the square. That puts four guns on each axis of approach. We set the corners about twenty-five yards out from the main group. That way, if we’re forced to engage our visitors, return fire won’t be directed at the civilians. One of us will stay with the survivors and make sure they stay down.”
“Sounds good,” said Roscoe, cocking his head toward the branches above them.
The deep rhythmic thumping had intensified.
“Let’s get everyone moving,” said Hoenig. “It’s going to take a few minutes to move the injured.”
Fitzgerald started to move, but stopped, turning around to face Hoenig.
“Any way we might be able to get in touch with Larsen and company?” said Fitzgerald. “If this gets ugly, we could use some help. At the very least, maybe they can get to the hospital and draw attention to our situation. Get some witnesses out here.”
“Witnesses?” said Hoenig, immediately understanding the implication. “Jesus. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“We need to assume that it will,” said Fitzgerald. “At the very least, we need to be prepared for it. If those unmarked helicopters show up, looking to clean up whatever mess they left back in the city, I’d feel a lot better with a few Army HUMVEEs headed our way. Hell, I’d settle for a police car or two.”
“I don’t see how they could have found us, or why they’d bother with us,” said Hoenig. “I’d hate to unnecessarily draw attention to the remaining refugees. The Army will put them in quarantine camps.”
“Better than a mass grave in the middle of fucking nowhere,” said Fitzgerald.
“I’ll call Larsen. Put him on standby in case we have a problem,” said Hoenig. “Right now we need to focus on getting everyone out of sight. These people are our responsibility.”
“Got it,” said Fitzgerald before slapping Roscoe’s shoulder. “Grab the group that migrated closer to the road. I’ll organize the rest of the team and start moving the survivors.”
“I’m all over it,” said Roscoe, taking off for the small group waiting to be picked up near the road.
Hoenig removed his phone from a cargo pocket and dialed David Olson’s number, hoping the signal was strong enough to make a connection. Cell coverage had been spotty this far out of town.
Chapter 5
Eric Larsen stood a few feet outside the cornfield, staring north down the empty road. Searching for the source of the ominous noise. Helicopters. And more than one judging by the sound of it.
“It’s probably a routine troop transport mission,” said David, stepping out of the cornstalks and looking in the same direction.
“Maybe. Maybe not,” said Larsen.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it either way,” said David. “Worst-case scenario—they get rounded up by the military and put in a quarantine camp. Shitty. But not the end of the world. None of them are sick, so they’ll be fine in the end.”
“That’s the best-case scenario,” said Larsen. “I’m thinking about the unmarked helicopters that paid NevoTech a visit and blasted a hole in the fence.”
“How could they have tracked us?” said David.
“I don’t know, but Major Smith’s convoy isn’t exactly discreet,” said Larsen. “Maybe the soldiers at the hospital reported seeing it pass by—twice in the same night. It wouldn’t exactly take a stroke of genius to put two and two together, especially if Smith’s vehicles could be tracked to NevoTech.”
“He disabled all the GPS tracking related to their transit to and from the forest site,” said David.
“I know, but we’re dealing with a nasty group of people who are hell-bent on closing the loop on Dr. Chang, and me,” said Larsen, triggering a thought. “Shit.”
“What?” said David, looking at him with wide eyes.
“I swiped my ID card through their system last night.”
“It was offline,” said David. “Using cached data.”
“Right,” said Larsen. “But Smith would have brought his convoy back online when he returned. They only left a few hours ago.”
“I don’t know,” said David. “I bet it’s like Rich said. They’re moving every available soldi
er to the city. We’ll probably be hearing helicopters all morning. At least until we get farther away from here.”
“I don’t like the timing,” said Larsen.
A phone buzzed, causing them both to look around.
“Has to be you,” said Larsen. “I don’t have a cell phone.”
“Crap,” said David, patting his vest.
A few seconds later, he removed the phone and checked the caller ID—shrugging his shoulder.
“You gonna answer it?” said Larsen.
“I don’t know,” said David. “Can’t be from inside the quarantine zone.”
“Maybe it’s Gary,” said Larsen. “Answer it.”
David put the phone to his ear and nodded at the voice on the other end.
“It’s Gary. He said the helicopters are really close to their location. Moving slowly like they’re searching,” said David. “They’re moving everyone into a defensive position. He wants us to go to the hospital and be ready to make contact with the Army or local police if it turns out to be more than a flyby.”
“It’s more than a flyby if they’re creeping along,” said Larsen. “He wants us to get the Army involved? That’ll get everyone sent to a quarantine camp.”
David relayed Larsen’s concerns and waited.
“Only if the helicopters turn out to be the unmarked kind,” said David.
“Can’t we just call nine-one-one?” said Larsen.
“Smith said that the nine-one-one system was down hard in this area. One of his bulletins said it was a centralized dispatch group based out of Indianapolis,” said David.
“Great. Tell Gary that we’ll start moving toward the hospital. He should just text us from now on, since cell phone coverage sucks,” said Larsen.
While David coordinated a system of communications with Gary, Larsen squinted at the northern horizon, certain that he saw the helicopters. His eyes were probably playing tricks on him, since the distant image vanished just as quickly as it appeared. David lowered the phone and nodded.
“They’re forming a perimeter around the survivors,” said David.
“How many do they have on site?”
“I think I remember him saying around ninety or so,” said David.
Ragan and McDermott, the other two CHASE operatives, stepped out of the cornfield to join them.
“Doesn’t sound good,” said McDermott, motioning to the north.
“We don’t know that,” said David.
Larsen shook his head, meeting McDermott’s knowing glance.
Ragan grimaced, muttering under her breath, “They’ll murder every person in that forest if they get the chance.”
“Then we need to get someone down to the hospital in case something goes wrong,” said David.
“Sounds like you just volunteered,” said McDermott.
David rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll take my son. I should grab one of the Harpers’ numbers so we can stay in touch.”
“If you approach those soldiers, they might take the two of you into custody,” said Larsen. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“If it’ll save lives, there’s really no choice,” said David. “Plus I still have my badge. That should be enough to keep me out of trouble.”
“Let’s hope,” said Larsen.
When David disappeared into the cornfield to get his son, Ragan turned to him.
“We might want to consider finding some better cover,” she said. “If that task force was sent to find Chang, or you, they’ll be on our trail shortly. A lot of people saw us leave with the other group of operatives.”
“Barely fifteen minutes ago,” said McDermott. “With half of us riding the running boards, they’ll figure out we didn’t go too far on those vehicles.”
“Thermal imaging will find us pretty fast in these cornfields,” said Ragan.
She was right. The cornstalks weren’t thick enough to block their heat signatures from a downward-looking imaging device. A helicopter passing indirectly overhead would find them. He glanced south, in the direction of Rushville. A few scattered buildings were visible about a mile away.
“Looks like we’re all headed toward town,” said Larsen. “Should have worn my running shoes.”
“I told you we should have let them drop us off closer to town,” said Ragan.
“You afraid of a little jog?” said Larsen.
“Fuck you, Larsen,” said Ragan. “I could outrun your ass long before you got that little scratch.”
“Little scratch? More like a 7.62mm bullet fired from a minigun,” said Larsen.
“Still looks like a scratch,” she said, smirking.
He shook his head, laughing. “You know? You’re all right, Ragan. I had my doubts, but I think you’re okay.”
“I’m reserving judgment about you until we’re out of this mess,” said Ragan.
The helicopter rotor beats got louder for a moment before they faded to a distant muffled thumping.
“Things are about to heat up,” said McDermott. “We need to get out of here.”
What they really needed was a ride out of here. He wondered how far Rich’s convoy had travelled at this point. They couldn’t be too far past Rushville. Maybe they’d be willing to turn one of the vehicles around to help them out. Doubtful, but Larsen didn’t see a downside to asking. They could probably get back here within ten minutes, and it would be in Rich’s best interest to keep Larsen and the rest of this crew out of the wrong hands. Every one of them knew Chang was still alive, which could complicate matters for Rich and his team. It was worth a try.
Larsen pulled out his satellite phone and located “Greenberg” in the contacts, dialing Chang’s colleague.
“Eugene?” said the voice on the other end of the connection.
“Sorry to bother you, Dr. Greenberg, but Dr. Chang gave me this phone in case of an emergency. My name is Larsen.”
“Is everything all right?” said Greenberg. “I was under the impression Dr. Chang was safe and on his way.”
“He is, but there might be a complication that could jeopardize his safety,” said Larsen, proud of his quick improvisation.
McDermott raised an eyebrow and nodded, approving of his tactic. Larsen shrugged his shoulders and continued.
“We have helicopters in the area,” said Larsen. “My guess is they’re looking for Chang.”
A new voice joined the conversation. “Eric? This is Terrence. Sorry to hijack your conversation with Dr. Greenberg, but I need to make a quick assessment. I understand that you were dropped off a few miles south of the forest refugee site. Are the helicopters heading for the forest or you?”
Shit. He wasn’t going to pull a fast one on this group.
“We believe they’re headed for the forest,” said Larsen. “I’ve been in touch with the security officer in charge of the refugee group. They’re gathering everyone in a defensive position.”
“I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic, Eric, but I’d rather put distance between the helicopters and my people rather than bring them closer.”
“I completely understand your concern,” said Larsen. “But we’re on foot, and I don’t think we’ll get far enough away to evade detection from the air.”
“Why would they waste their time on you?” said Terrence. “Why not track the Suburban and Jeep?”
“Because we rode out of there on the running boards. It’s obvious you weren’t taking us far,” said Larsen. “They’d have no reason to follow your vehicles unless they suspected Chang was along for the ride. Nobody in the forest knows that Chang is still alive. Everyone knows who I am. They’ll look for us first, and if they find us—Chang will be in danger. Travelling at close to two hundred miles per hour, following the few roads leading out of Rushville, I can’t imagine it’ll take the helicopters long to find Chang.”
“That’s thin, Eric,” said Terrence.
“All we really need is one vehicle,” said Larsen. “They can drop us off at the hospital. We’ll be safe ther
e.”
“I wouldn’t make that assumption,” said Terrence.
“It’ll guarantee that Chang makes it out safely,” said Larsen. “Even if we’re eventually taken into custody at the hospital and subjected to interrogation, your people will be long gone.”
An extended pause ensued.
“Hello?” said Larsen.
“You got me thinking,” said Terrence. “We might have a unique opportunity here. It’s a long shot, but the payoff would be remarkable.”
“You forgot to mention risk,” said Larsen. “I assume this unique opportunity carries a significant risk?”
“I left that out for a reason,” said Terrence. “The risk will be high, and I’m going to need your help should this opportunity materialize. That’s the price of sending my people back into town to pick you up.”
“That’s one hell of a price,” said Larsen. “I’m not sure it’s worth it.”
“It’s your call,” said Terrence. “Like I said, the whole thing is a long shot, but if it pays off—you might get these people off your back permanently.”
“All right. Turn your crew around,” said Larsen. “I’m in.”
“You haven’t heard the plan,” said Terrence.
“I don’t need to. It’s going to suck, and it’s probably going to get me killed,” said Larsen.
“That about sums it up.”
“I’m still in,” said Larsen.
“What about the rest?” said Terrence.
Larsen nodded at Ragan and McDermott. “You two up for some payback?”
“Fuck yeah,” said Ragan.
McDermott shrugged his shoulders. “Why the fuck not?”
“My two colleagues are in,” said Larsen.
“Are they as good as you?”
“As good, if not better,” said Larsen, winking at Ragan.
“The latter,” she said.
“Then it’s settled,” said Terrence. “I’ll reroute three of my people and one vehicle.”
“We have seven that need to be moved,” said Larsen.
“I’ll make it work,” said Terrence. “Keep this line open. Rich will be in touch shortly.”
The Zulu Virus Chronicles Boxset (Books 1-3) Page 63
