Once the bosses were ready to question them, the chamber would fill with knockout gas, strong enough to penetrate closed windows. Cameras allowed them to observe the occupants, making sure they were unconscious. Then the floor would ascend via a hydraulic lift to bring the vehicle to the surface where the perps would be cuffed, questioned and turned over to the authorities. Eventually.
The hole-in-the-road trick was a Tyler brainchild. Once they were safe from this current threat, he’d need to work on coming up with other clandestine forms of security. There were three men on the loose with enough ammo to blow the compound apart.
“Two tangos in the SUV neutralized,” he said into the comm.
“Good work, Tucker,” Logan praised.
He didn’t have time to bask in the compliment. His eyes snapped to a monitor showing one of the men rushing towards him before stopping and placing the rocket launcher on his shoulder. Tucker grabbed his rifle as a bright light flashed. He barely managed to dive out the door before the rocket impacted the booth, igniting it into a gigantic ball of fire.
#
Quinn raced out the door with Echo, Morgana and Charlie on his heels. He was down two agents with Justin and Sabrina making a trip to Boston to deliver Bravo to his new handlers. It was always tough to see a dog leave once they were trained, but that was nature of the business.
There’d already been one explosion, but that had been at a distance. The hangar, he learned through the comms. Another detonation hit much closer and he whipped his head to see Tucker Nash’s booth splinter apart. Damn, he hoped Tucker was okay. Luke was calling for Tucker to check in, but so far, radio silence. He indicated for Morgana to head that direction. Then the high-pitched wheeze of a launched missile whizzed by, blowing up a structure across the compound. Quinn’s heart skipped a beat to realize it was the building that housed the daycare center and the computer lab. The children studied there after school. Parents of several agents took turns watching the kids. He prayed everyone inside had made it to the bunker.
Unclipping Echo from his leash, he gave the command to hunt and the dog shot off like a fired bullet in the direction from where the latest rocket had been launched. The dogs weren’t fully trained yet, but he was confident they’d get the job done. He glanced over just as Morgana unclipped Charlie and the dog mirrored Echo, racing for the other bomber.
Echo let out two sharp barks, indicating he’d located his target. Quinn raced after him and heard a man’s harsh curse just before a single gunshot sounded.
#
With Sawyer riding shotgun, Grant sped along the road leading to the airstrip. They’d listened through the comms as two more explosions rocked the compound. As they neared the hangar, the heavy scent of smoke filled the air and colored the sky black.
“Dammit, Wyatt isn’t picking up.” Sawyer slammed his fist against the dash. They knew Wyatt had concerns about the jet and had called in the maintenance crew to check it out. Sawyer had been trying to reach their coworker since the bombing to no avail.
Grant skidded to stop where two fires burned hot. One was confined to a small area and judging from the blackened skeleton, had once been a helicopter. The other was much larger, where the hangar used to stand. Two more blackened hulls were visible, one that used to be the Gulfstream, the other the company helicopter.
“Over there.”
Grant followed Sawyer’s command to see Wyatt Hollister’s SUV parked dangerously close to the flames. He headed in that direction and parked several feet away.
“Where the hell is the fire department?” Sawyer muttered.
Grant knew they were on the way, but it was too late to save the building—or anyone who’d been inside. He swallowed hard. He’d lost teammates in battle, including three close friends from his last assignment. But this wasn’t war.
The heat from the fire crashed into him when he opened the door and tiny bits of ash rained down. With the roar of the flames and the utter destruction, it felt very much like the apocalypse. As his gaze took in the devastation, he spotted a foot…thankfully still attached to a body. “Sawyer, over here!” Grant raced forward and dropped to his knees beside an unconscious Wyatt, a rifle slung across his chest. Grant pressed two fingers to his carotid artery to check for a pulse, letting out a sigh of relief at the slow but steady beat. He nodded at Sawyer, who emitted his own relieved exhale.
Sawyer eased the gun from Wyatt’s hands as Grant performed a quick body check for broken bones, finding none that were obvious. “Hey, Holly, can you hear me?”
His question was met with a low moan.
“Come-on, big guy, quit laying down on the job.” No response to Sawyer’s quip.
This close to the fire, the heat was intense. Wyatt needed medical attention, but they couldn’t return to the compound until they’d been given the all-clear. He let the bosses know Wyatt was alive but injured, the status of Chet Rudd and the maintenance crew unknown at this time, though they all knew.
“We need to move him away from the heat,” Grant said. The fire was growing so hot it hurt to breathe. “Let’s load him in the back of my SUV. You can drive his back.”
He lowered the middle seat to give them enough room to haul in Wyatt’s large frame, then he slid his hands under his shoulders while Sawyer grabbed his feet. Wyatt groaned again when they lifted him but didn’t wake up as they carefully slid him inside.
“He took out the chopper,” Sawyer surmised as he closed the hatch.
Grant turned to judge the distance from the huge metal container to where the small fire still burned hot. Dangerously close. He nodded slowly “They were probably coming back for the fuel tank.”
Sawyer swallowed hard. “Damn.”
#
Standing under the spray of the shower, Kellan rolled his neck on his shoulders, letting the hot water pound his sore muscles. His workout had been particularly grueling today, ending with a race to the top of the climbing wall against Alex Mylonas. It’d been a photo finish, with both men declaring themselves the winner.
Turning off the taps, he reached for a towel to dry off and then dressed. Dante scheduled war games for all available agents later today. The games would be a test Riley and Gabe needed to pass in order to be one step closer to becoming an agent. A glance at his watch told him he had enough time before they started to get some practice in at the firing range.
He tossed his used towels in the bin and stepped out of the locker room when an alarm sounded. For a second, he thought it was something Dante added to the games, but the message announced it wasn’t a drill. His blood turned to ice. His first thought was Annabelle. He wanted to race to her office, but there were plenty of people who’d make sure she got to the underground bunker. Still, he fired off a quick text to check on her. Her response was instantaneous, and he was relieved to know she was safe. He’d be able to concentrate on taking down the people who’d infiltrated the compound.
He sprinted to the supply room to gear up and followed Dante outside. It looked like a battle zone with the guard booth in flames and another building across the way burning as well. Dante sent Dorian, Hillary and Alex in one direction, Noah, Kayla and Ethan in the other and the two of them stealthily made their way towards the offices. They were almost to the building when Dante turned, yelled, “Get down,” and tackled him. They hit the ground and covered their heads as a rocket whizzed by and slammed into the building. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the flash from where the shooter took aim.
“I’ve got him.” Scrambling to his feet, he rushed for the attacker with Dante on his heels. A dog barked sharply and then someone emitted a high-pitched scream. Quinn’s dogs were on the job. The man he was tracking was reloading a missile when his head jerked up at their approach. He dropped the launcher and reached for a gun but both he and Dante were quicker. His fast-acting dart nailed the man in the thigh, Dante’s was a much harder neck-shot. The man dropped like a felled tree.
“Status update,” Luke ordered through th
e comm. “Any injuries?”
“One RPG tango down,” Dante informed the others.
“Make that two,” Noah said. “Echo nailed his prey, but he was shot in the process. We need to get him to a vet, ASAP.”
“Three,” Alex added. “Charlie got his, too. He’s secured. We’re headed to the day-care center.”
“We’re right behind you,” Noah said. “Morgana’s with Tucker. He’s shaken but unhurt.”
“We’ve got a downed chopper and an out of control fire at the hangar,” Grant said. “Wyatt’s alive but injured. Status of the rest of the maintenance crew unknown at this time.”
“The two approaching from the water are DOA,” Luke informed them. “The monitors show that we’re clear for now. Ben’s on the way to gather the tangos and bring them in for questioning.”
“Talia and Hunter are on their way to take Echo to the vet. Keep your comms on and stay vigilant,” Logan instructed.
Kellan zip-tied the man’s hands behind his back and then secured his feet. Dante ripped off the black balaclava covering half his face. “Look familiar?”
“No.”
Ben Colton rolled to a stop beside them in a Gator. They lifted the man and dumped him in the back before he motored off to gather the other captives. Dante and Kellan raced for the offices where the missile tore a gaping hole in the side of the building. The sprinklers had activated to help with the flames. Kellan stepped over a flood of water and cursed. The missile had taken out BeBe’s aquarium.
“Some of the fish are still alive,” Dante said. “Grab something we can put them in.”
Fighting through the smoke, they found several buckets in a supply closet to gather water and scoop the fish inside. Ethan appeared and helped them save as many as possible and carry them outside.
Sirens sounded and soon emergency personnel converged on the compound.
“Fire department is on site,” Logan announced. “Active threat has been neutralized, repeat, active threat has been neutralized.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The underground bunker wasn’t a bad place to wait, but the suspense was eating a hole in Annabelle’s stomach. She had no idea where Kellan was or what was going on. After his initial text, she hadn’t heard from him again, not that she expected to since he was obviously occupied. If anyone knew what was transpiring topside, they weren’t telling her. She tried to stick close to BeBe, figuring that she’d be the first to know, but BeBe looked worried, too.
At least six separate hallways fed into the main room. There were comfortable couches and chairs spread around the space, as well as padded beds for the dogs to bunk down. Bookshelves held games and books and several tables were available to work puzzles or play cards. There were even vintage arcade games against one wall. A variety of food and drinks could be found in the kitchenette and television screens hung on the walls. There were smaller TV’s where you could binge watch your favorite Netflix shows, if so inclined. It was like a fancy clubhouse.
Right after they arrived, she worried when she didn’t see Jade or Taylor or any of the families, but BeBe told her that all the houses had safe rooms and everyone on site had checked in already. She was glad to know they were all safe.
Amelia had been unable to sit still. After hearing the explosions, she wanted to be on the scene, helping anyone who might need medical attention, but she was ordered to stay put until further notice, much to her consternation.
Gabe had been pacing around like a caged animal, too. Annabelle wasn’t sure if he was upset that he wasn’t included in whatever was happening, or if he was worried about his father. Probably both. At one time, he’d taken off down a corridor, but she’d followed. She didn’t want him to be alone. He hadn’t heard from his father and she was afraid he’d try to go to him. It wasn’t safe for him to leave so she coaxed him back to the main room.
BeBe’s phone rang and Annabelle swung her gaze to the other woman, who had a look of relief on her face. “She’s here,” BeBe said into the phone and glanced in her direction. Were they talking about her? Had something happened to Kellan? “I’ll send her up.”
Annabelle jumped to her feet, ready to run to Kellan’s side but BeBe waved her off. “Amelia, they need you topside. The immediate threat is over but the rest of us have been ordered to stay here until further notice.”
Annabelle plopped back down to the couch, watching as Amelia sprinted down the hallway that led to the offices.
Another phone rang, this time Gabe’s. His brows narrowed as he read the screen. He stepped away to answer. As she watched him, his face reddened and the hand not holding the phone clenched into a fist. He looked troubled as he hung up.
She stood and walked over to her friend. “Is everything okay?”
He jumped at her voice. “Oh, uh, yes. I mean no. My uh, my father had a heart attack. It’s serious. They had to rush him to the emergency room.”
She clutched his arm. “Oh, Gabe, I’m so sorry.”
He looked around as if he didn’t know where he was. “I need to get to the hospital.”
“He’s here in town?”
“Yes.” His troubled gaze met hers, then tears filled his eyes. “I hate to ask this, but will you go with me? I’m scared.”
BeBe said the initial threat was over, so it should be safe to leave for a legitimate emergency. Besides, it would be better than sitting around, worrying herself sick over Kellan. “I’ll go with you.”
Gabe closed his eyes and swallowed heavily. “Thank you, Annabelle. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. I don’t think I’m able to drive.”
“What about the dogs?”
“Riley will take care of them.”
She turned to tell BeBe where they were going, but she didn’t see the other woman. She thought about calling Kellan, but he was otherwise engaged. She didn’t want to be the reason he was distracted for even a moment.
She started down the hallway that led to the training facility, but Gabe stopped her and motioned to the one that led to the apartments. “My truck is this way.”
The corridor ended at an elevator. “Where will this take us?”
“I have no idea,” Gabe admitted. “No one ever told me about the bunkers.”
“Really?”
He shook his head. “This was the first I’d heard about them.”
She hadn’t known about them either, but then, she hadn’t been here as long as Gabe, nor was she a permanent resident. The ride up the elevator was quick and when the door slid open, they were in a small alcove that ended up being beside the stairwell in the apartment building. She’d noticed the door but had no idea where it led. Now she knew.
She smelled the smoke before she stepped outside. The entire area was blanketed with dark gray clouds. Instead of heading to the parking lot, she rounded the apartments and jolted to a stop, staring in horror at the devastation around her. The fire department was shooting a thick arc of water into the office building through a gaping hole. Had anyone been hurt?
“Annabelle, I need to go.”
She forced herself to look away. Gabe needed her. She’d drop him off to be with his father and then head back to see if there was anything she could do. She turned and followed her friend to his vehicle.
“Do you mind driving? I don’t think I’m in any condition.”
“Of course.” She took Gabe’s keys and unlocked the door. She drove slowly by the office, gasping when she realized BeBe’s brand new aquarium had been destroyed. More fire engines were parked further down the compound shooting water over another structure. She wasn’t sure, but she thought it might be the day-care center. She prayed everyone had gotten out. The booth that usually housed Tucker Nash was reduced to a pile of smoldering rubble.
“What the hell happened?” she murmured.
“It looks like Armageddon,” Gabe agreed.
A police car with flashing lights blocked the exit, but there wasn’t a cop in sight.
“Go around it,” Gabe instr
ucted her. “You won’t damage the truck.”
She drove off the pavement and into the grass to avoid the cruiser. Once she was clear, she returned to the road but jumped when Gabe banged his hand against his cell.
“Dammit, my battery’s dead. Can I borrow yours?”
“Sure.” Annabelle dug in her pocket and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” Gabe took it from her, pushed the button to lower the window and tossed both phones outside.
She slammed on the brakes. “Hey, what did you do that for?”
“Drive, Annabelle. Now.”
“But my phone—” The words died in her throat when she spotted the gun in Gabe’s hand.
“Gabe, what are you doing?”
He ignored her question. “I said drive, bitch.”
She faced forward and pressed the accelerator. The automatic gate stood open, probably for the emergency vehicles that were still arriving.
“Turn right.”
“But the hospital is to the left.”
“Turn right, Annabelle.”
“Gabe, don’t—”
“I said turn right! And keep your damn mouth shut. Do what I say or face the consequences.” The sound of a hammer being cocked echoed in the confined space.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The war room was packed with COBRA Security agents as well as members of the Bloomington Police Department. Several people were sitting around the large table, others in folding chairs or leaning against the wall, as Kellan was doing. They’d lost six people today, including their head pilot, Chet Rudd. The entire maintenance crew had been inside the hangar when the bomb dropped, killing all five personnel. Three agents had been injured: Tucker Nash with various cuts, burns and abrasions; Wyatt Hollister, who was currently undergoing treatment from Dr. Amelia Howell, condition unknown; and Echo. Talia and Hunter McGrath had raced him to the vet for emergency surgery. No news on him yet, either.
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