“I don’t see anything.” Shadrach sounded as antsy as Sam felt, knowing what Beth was doing.
God, help us. This was bigger than any of them had imagined, the corruption brought about by the syndicate reaching to the oval office even. Help us find Remy. Help us stop Tommy. He looked back at the screen. “They’re not here, and we’re about to pass them.”
Ben hit the brakes and pulled over the rumble strip to the grass on the side of the highway. He cracked the door and hauled himself up to stand on the seat and look out of the car, over the roof. It clicked in Sam’s brain what the man was doing. God, why did I miss that?
He flung his door open and looked out. The sky was dark, littered with stars and—
“Is that…”
“A plane.” Ben’s words were flat. There were seconds of silence, and then he said, “We’re going to need a different vehicle.”
**
Remy sat curled up in the back of the plane, shivering despite the sweat that covered every centimeter of her skin. The pain. The aching, gnawing feeling that seemed to be inside her and out. If there was ever a time when she needed to believe in God, it was now. It was her fault. It was all her fault.
She was reaping the consequences of what she’d done. That’s what this was. Payback for doing what her father had wanted without even realizing it. Putting everyone in danger and being forced to realize everything her father said about her was right.
He crouched in front of her and gripped her face in his hand. His fingers bit in her skin, leaving bruises on top of bruises. It was like he’d felt it necessary to take every single bit of his frustration out on her.
Just like her father.
“It’s been fun.” He chuckled. “Probably more fun for me than you, but that’s life. Am I right?”
She tried to look away, but he forced her attention back to him.
“I’m going to finish this, and you get a front row seat to see the destruction which you created.”
She tried to swallow, but bile stuck in her throat like a rock.
Tommy laughed. He mashed his lips down on hers in a bruising kiss and then strode away.
Remy turned to the side and coughed up the sickness. She had to get it out somehow, or she was going to die with that feeling still inside her. When she had no more strength left, Remy collapsed back in the small space. If this was nearly over, maybe he wouldn’t come back here again.
Maybe he would leave her alone to die.
From the other side of the plane, she heard Tommy clear his throat. Remy flinched, even though it didn’t sound like he’d moved this way.
“My name is Senior Chief Thomas Alexander Locan. For many years I have served this country faithfully. But the time has come for this service to end. I am in possession of a compound created by Doctor Remembrance Wilder, in memory of her father, whose life work she has now fulfilled. In this world it is only the strong who survive. It is only those willing to do what is necessary who will lead this nation back to a place of strength. A place we must go or those who have fought for this country, those who have died sacrificing their lives for this great nation, will have died in vain.
“To that end, it is my intention to release a gas into the atmosphere above our nation’s capital, dispersing into the air a compound designed to weed out the weak from the strong. If you are listening to this message, then I have succeeded in my mission, and my time here is now over. Know this. My greatest desire was to see this country return to its former glory. That very thing will be my legacy.”
Remy blew the smallest portion of air from between her lips. He couldn’t hear her; she couldn’t draw attention to herself.
Tommy was going to release her gas. He was going to kill so many people because of her ignorance. Because of her trusting the people who hired her. Because of her arrogance in thinking she knew what was going on.
Consequences.
Her clothes were in tatters. Her body was close to broken. Remy didn’t know if she could move, or even walk, let alone do something to stop him. She had no way of calling for help. She didn’t even know where they were. The odds were against her, but for some reason she couldn’t sit here and wait to die. Shadrach… Beth… They would be disappointed if they knew. They all thought she was strong. Capable. That she could do anything she set her mind to. Susan had told her that very thing, just days before she left Sanctuary. Before she died—leaving a legacy of her own. A legacy of strength Remy wanted so badly to have.
What was she supposed to do?
**
Sam pulled on the helmet and fastened the oxygen mask. He turned to Shadrach and Ben, both doing the same. Their plane was high in the clouds. Tommy would be able to see them—if he was looking. Sam wasn’t going to assume Tommy would think they were a commercial plane. Tommy would see every angle. He would consider their current plan. Their insane plan.
But they had to stop him somehow.
He re-checked his parachute, though they didn’t plan on using them…unless they missed.
The light above his head went green.
Sam launched himself out of the door into the night sky.
He flew through the air, arms tucked in. Wind buffeted his body, but he angled against it, using it to get where he needed to go. Soon enough, Tommy’s plane came into view. Sam angled toward the back, the underside. The hatch.
If it wouldn’t open, they were going to have to reformulate fast. Parachute drop, followed by a new plan. But if he missed it altogether, or this went wrong some other way, Sam would do what he’d always said he was prepared to do. Beth would be comfortable. His child would be taken care of, and Sam would die a hero.
God, don’t let that day be today.
Sam readjusted his angle of approach. He got the clip ready, and before he could even think it through, he was skimming the body of the plane. Down. The angle changed, dipping in on itself. Under. The seam. The latch.
He clicked it open, and the wind whipped the panel from his hand, away from him and into the abyss of clouds and death.
Shadrach grabbed his arm, clutched the opening at the hatch, and slammed into the plane. He hauled himself inside and pulled Sam up into the opening.
Sam braced. Ben Mason hit him, swung away. Sam grunted, strained, and hauled the man to the opening as he went inside, just as Shadrach had done.
They both helped Ben inside.
Masks came off. Relieved glances all around.
Sam pushed out a breath and hung his head, both palms on the inside of the plane in front of him. For several minutes he poured out his thanks and praise to God.
One of the men squeezed his shoulder. “Time to go.” The words escaped out the hatch with the wind.
Sam clambered to his feet and followed them toward the front of the plane where a hatch would take them from the engine to the body of the plane where Tommy was holding Remy. He thanked God again that Tommy hadn’t chosen a small plane. Whoever was bankrolling this operation had given him more than he’d needed, and for that Sam was grateful.
Sam went first, a small pistol in his hands. Shadrach had a knife, since that was all he’d wanted to stuff into his suit. The skin-tight thing was uncomfortable, but comfort would be had when this was over.
Ben brought up the rear, a .9mm in his hands. Sam had been astounded at how fast the man had been able to get what they needed to do this. The man had some serious connections, ones that didn’t require being signed off on by a higher authority. He practically had carte blanche from what Sam had seen.
Sam flipped the clip at the top of the short ladder.
Gunshots pounded the hatch. Each one embedded itself in the thick plastic and metal that separated him from Tommy’s gun. Sam counted the shots. When the rhythm faltered, he pushed the hatch open with a prayer that had no words, just a heart-cry.
Tommy turned to hunch over a computer.
Sam climbed out, his gun aimed on the man who had been his former friend. “Back up from the computer.”
Shadra
ch climbed out behind him and broke off to move down the plane. Ben came up and went up front to the empty pilot’s seat.
Sam didn’t even blink. “What did you do?
Tommy stepped back and grinned. “Guess I’m done for now. Too bad, it’s over for me. Might as well shoot me.”
“Did you release the compound?”
Tommy said nothing, he just sneered.
Sam stepped closer. “Did you?”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Make me the evil one and you the mighty warrior for justice. But I’m not the one responsible for this. I’ve made my stand, Lieutenant. When are you going to make yours?”
He tossed something toward Sam.
Before he realized what it was, Sam batted the thing away. It exploded on contact and puffed a cloud of gas into his face. The compound?
Tommy ran at him, tackled him around the waist. Sam was rushed back to slam the hull with a cry. They tumbled onto two cream leather chairs, depositing grime and sweat as they rolled to the floor.
Both kicked and punched. Sam caught Tommy’s jaw, and his hand exploded with pain. Tommy stuck something sharp in Sam’s side. Breath rushed from his lungs and he coughed. Tommy pushed him away. He pulled the knife with Sam’s blood still wet on it back as he got up. He positioned himself to stab again.
Sam rolled, grabbed his gun, kept going, and came back around. He fired once. The bullet implanted in his teammate’s forehead.
The knife dropped to the floor and so did Tommy. Lifeless eyes. Blood, a stream across his forehead headed for the carpet.
An alarm erupted in the cockpit. Ben Mason cursed loudly, and the plane dipped. Air rushed from the cabin, out the hole Sam had made in the side of the plane.
He coughed. The inside of the plane swam around him and he rolled. Planted his face in the carpet.
Someone yelled, “Hold on!”
Sam couldn’t breathe. He was going to die on this plane, and Beth would never know he wanted her. That he loved her and only her. Always had, always would. Who cared if they couldn’t figure out how to get along. They could work on that stuff. Or they would have been able to. Now it was too late.
Remy’s compound was in his lungs.
And it burned. He tried to get air, but nothing would come.
Someone shoved a mask over his mouth and nose. Cold air that smelled like plastic. It was like fire and ice in his throat.
“Sam! Sam, hold on!”
Chapter 28
Ben got on the radio and was directed to land the plane at the closest airport. Emergency vehicles lined the runway like a morbid security detail. As soon as the plane came to a halt, he shut it down and ripped off the headphones.
Shadrach was hunched over Sam, head to his chest, listening.
“Is he alive?”
Shadrach looked up. “Barely. Pulse is weak. Breathing is shallow at best.”
Ben opened the door and let down the stairs. “We need a medic!”
Police raced up first, their guns drawn. But Ben didn’t begrudge them back. When they hit the top of the stairs, he said, “The plane is secure but we have a man down.”
The first officer took one look at Sam and nodded, directed his men to clear the plane anyway, and then poked his head back outside to wave two EMTs up the stairs.
“No!” Remy’s scream split the air. “Don’t touch me!”
Ben shot Shadrach a glare, but the man shook his head. He’d tried and given up? Ben didn’t know what Tommy had done… He strode back, moved between two officers, and took one look at the state Remy was in. Scratch that. He knew what Tommy had done.
He turned to the closest cop. “Get me a blanket.”
He heard cupboards open and close, but ignored it and crouched before Remy. Her eyes darted around at the back of the seat beside her. The carpet. Stained.
“Doctor Wilder.”
A blanket fell to the floor beside him. The officers moved away.
He unfolded the blanket. It would engulf her. He held it up and blocked everything but her head from his view. He was a big man, imposing even. But he hoped it would register with her that he was trying to help. Why hadn’t she let Shadrach do this?
Ben kept his voice as small as possible. “Grab my hands, and I’ll help you up. We’ll get the blanket around you, and I’ll get you out of here. Okay?”
It had to be her decision or this would never work. He wasn’t above knocking her out and hauling her away, and he would do it if she fought him. It would be simpler that way.
Remy’s eyes lifted to lock with his.
She put her hands in his, and he took her weight as she stood.
“Good girl.”
Ben moved slowly, like he was dealing with a skittish animal. He wrapped the blanket around her and then said, “Wrap your arms around my neck.”
She held him loosely. Ben crouched and then lifted her into his arms.
Remy buried her face in his neck and held on as he exited the plane. Ben passed the cop cars, the ambulance, and two fire trucks. He knew they wanted to talk to him, but he lifted one finger and a man with lieutenant stripes on his shirt gave him a short nod.
He went to the black town car, parked a short distance away. Alan, black suit and black cap, opened the back door. Ben deposited her on the black leather seat. “Okay?”
Remy nodded, her eyes distant again. Ben nodded back.
Alan shut the door. “Where to?”
“Closest hospital. But call my mom first.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ben walked back to the plane, hearing the low sound of his car being driven away.
Shadrach got in his way. “Where did you take her?”
“She needs a hospital.”
“She needs me.” The man almost sounded petulant. “But she didn’t let me help her. She let you do it.”
And to think, Ben had been about ready to offer this man a job.
Three SUVs rolled up, pulling to a stop as multiple uniformed cops climbed out. The commander—a colonel—strode up to them. “Gunnery Sergeant Carleigh?”
Shadrach saluted. “Yes, sir.”
The colonel motioned to his men, who surrounded Shadrach. One pulled out cuffs.
“You’re coming with us.”
“Hey. What?” Shadrach didn’t struggle long before they were walking him to the middle SUV and closed the door on him.
“Ben Mason, right?”
He looked at the Colonel. “Right.”
The officer held out one hand. Ben shook it.
“Any idea where I can find Navy Lieutenant Samuel Myerson?”
Ben pointed to an ambulance, doors closed, about to pull away. “In there.”
“He going to live?”
Because there wasn’t much point in the officer chasing him down if Sam wasn’t going to make it. Ben shot him a look.
“Hey.” The colonel lifted his hands. “Whole different set of paperwork. Besides this is just a favor for his superiors. Save them the trip.” He shrugged. “I’ll need your statement also.”
“You’ll have it.” Ben started to walk away.
“And the compound?”
“Can’t say as I know what you’re referring to, Colonel.” He strode to the police lieutenant and gave a similar statement. The military arresting Shadrach pretty much trumped anything the police had wanted to do, but they haggled with the colonel and came to an agreement that they could view the statement. Or at least the parts of it the military deemed pertinent.
His phone rang. Grant.
“Yeah, brother?”
“I have Beth, the president is in custody, and I’m looking at back to back meetings all week wherein I say the exact same thing over and over again to everyone and their cousin who thinks it’s their business to know what just happened.” Grant took a breath. “How about you?”
Ben laid it out for him.
“Okay. I’ll get Beth to him.”
“He’ll likely be going from the hospital into military custody un
til this can be sorted out. They’ve got a hero dead and two dead men claiming they’re the real heroes. This will take time for them, too.”
Ben hung up with his brother and made another call. Within minutes, a car pulled up.
Daire grinned. “Lost your ride?”
“Just drive.”
**
Sam fought the fog in his head and tried to open his eyes. Beeping—machines. Had he been hurt on a mission? He blinked against the bright room and took stock. Fingers. Toes. Everything was present and correct. Hopefully it was all in proper working order.
“Hey.” Beth’s face swam into view.
He tried to lock onto it, but it was hard. He blinked.
“You’re fading.”
Sam tried to smile. She was here, things couldn’t be that bad. In fact, they just might be going good for the first time in a long time.
Beth smiled. “I think so, too.”
Sam glanced around the room. He was in a hospital?
“You’ve been out for days. I was worried.” She frowned. “Remy’s compound exploded in your face. You’ve been on every anti-viral medication there is. This morning they finally told me they think you’re rallying.” Her smile took his breath away. “I’m really glad you’re awake.”
He was glad, too.
She squeezed his hand. “Sleep.”
Sam tried to stay awake, but exhaustion pulled him under.
When he woke next, it was to a scuffle. Quick movement. The rustle of clothing, and a grunt.
Beth was facing off with two soldiers. Full uniform. Military cops.
“Beth.”
She whirled around, rushed to his side, and took his hand. “He’s barely conscious. You’re not taking him anywhere.”
“Lieutenant Myerson is stable. He’s being transferred to a military hospital where he will be taken care of until he can make an official statement. When this matter has been cleared up, he will be released from hospital. Ma’am, I’m not going to sugar coat it for you. There may be criminal charges involved.”
She stood, still holding his hand. “Sam hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Sanctuary Breached WITSEC Town Series Book 3 Page 31
