No Woman Left Behind: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery, Book Six

by Julie Moffett

  My helmet radio fell silent. I steeled myself. Time to focus on the here and now.

  “Where is Elvis, Broodryk? I need that or I don’t play.”

  He sighed. “He’s in the side room. Since you can’t see, you’ll have to feel your way there. Do not try and open the door. It is wired. Simply knock on it and yell to him. He’s drugged but he might respond to your voice.”

  He didn’t have to tell me twice. I stumbled across the room to the door and banged on it.

  “Elvis,” I shouted. “Elvis, are you in there?”

  There was silence and then, “Lexi?” The voice was faint but unmistakably Elvis’s.

  I nearly burst into tears as I pressed a hand against the door. “Hang on, Elvis. I’m right out here. Okay?” I could hear some noise on the other side.

  “How do I know it’s not just a recording or something?” I said to Broodryk. “That you aren’t tricking me.”

  “Go ahead and ask him a question and see what he says. But you are wasting valuable time. It’s him, I assure you.”

  I turned to the door again. “Elvis. It’s me, Lexi. Look, I need to make sure that it’s really you. Can you hear me?”

  His voice was weak, but I heard him. “Yes. I hear you.”

  “What’s your mother’s first name?”

  There was silence and then he said, “Ottilie.”

  “It’s him. Open the front door, but don’t get in the line of fire,” I ordered Wills.

  I heard Wills’s footsteps cross the room. The door swung and the smoke began to drift out. With the additional light from the door I was able to take a closer look at the device on the handle. It looked like an oversized cell phone with a numeric pad on the front. Wires ran from the back of it through the crack in the door and snaked inside the room. The device was firmly secured to the handle and couldn’t be easily removed. I carefully examined the back as best I could. I’d never seen anything like it.

  “Ah, that’s better.”

  I could see the TV and laptop now. Broodryk was on the television screen watching me. He was masked again, probably to keep his identity as secret as possible from whomever else might be watching the show. But his eyes... I knew his eyes. Ice Eyes, I’d called him, and it fit. Pale blue and devoid of any feeling or remorse.

  He chuckled. “So what do you think of my little set-up?”

  I straightened and crossed my arms against my chest. “You really don’t want to know what I think.”

  He studied me for a moment. “Why, look at you. You’re dressed for the part—playing soldier. How delightful. You amuse me.”

  “The feeling isn’t mutual.”

  “Actually, I didn’t think you’d make it this far. Even with the help of the entire US government behind you. You’ve got spirit, my dear.”

  “I’m not your dear. But yes, I’m resourceful.”

  “Indeed, you are. But that’s not all you are. You’re my destiny. We were fated to meet at that high school. I see that now. It was all leading to this glorious moment in time.”

  Wills shot me a glance across the room. I didn’t have to be a psychologist to understand the meaning behind it. Broodryk was completely certifiable. It chilled me to the bone, but I had to act unaffected. I remembered Gray’s words about being a worthy opponent. That was important to him. Do not show fear.

  “Whatever. I’m here now. What do you want?”

  “Well, in the next twenty-six minutes, one of two things is going to happen. Either you will save your friend or you will save your country. It’s your choice. I love giving my adversaries options.”

  “What?” I frowned. “What do you mean I have to save my friend or my country?” I had to repeat Broodryk’s words for the benefit of the team listening in, but it also gave me extra time to process.

  “It means you have a choice to make. You can spend time working on the device on that door to break the code in time to save your friend. It’s not difficult and shouldn’t take you too long. All you have to do is to come up with the right four digit number sequence. Once you plug in the code, it neutralizes the wires running to him and he is saved. However, if you take longer than your allotted minutes or try to force open the door, he will be electrocuted.”

  “Electrocuted?”

  “Yes.”

  I opened my mouth to reply when the lights in the house suddenly flickered off and the television screen went dark.

  I stood frozen to the spot. “Broodryk?” I whispered.

  Chapter Forty

  Before I could figure out what had happened, the lights turned back on. Broodryk’s face on the television screen wavered back to life.

  I looked around the room. Wills had his gun out, pointed at the door. I shook my head and he lowered the gun, leaning back against the wall.

  “What happened?” I asked Broodryk.

  He studied something to the right of him, probably his monitoring equipment. “A storm is coming. A bad one. There was a surge. I’d suggest you hurry. A similar surge might just kill your friend earlier than planned. Oops.”

  My hands shook, so I clasped them behind my back. “You said something about a choice. What’s the other one—the country choice? I presume we’re talking about Pruxrat.”

  “Ah, so you know about my baby. Resourceful, indeed. Yes, you are correct. See the laptop underneath the television? There’s another challenge there. Crack that program and you’ll have access to the source code for Pruxrat. You can then take the program and delete it, copy it, or do whatever the hell you want with it. Once you have it, it’s useless to me because you’ll be able to figure a way to counter it. That means I’ll have to start from scratch and create a new virus. As you know, that takes time. Therefore, your country will be safe...at least for the time being. So which will you choose, Lexi? Friendship or country?”

  My brain raced. There had to be another option.

  “What if I do nothing? What if I don’t choose between friendship or country?”

  He laughed. “Then the virus is released and your friend dies, along with all of your soldier friends outside.”

  “And me?”

  “Well, I still have hope for you, my dear. However, I will have to think about the worth of your life based on your choices and performance today. Right now, I am not impressed.”

  Determined, I headed for Broodryk’s computer. I quickly pulled up the program and the code that protected it. I recognized it. It was a relatively simple code challenge given to second-year students to introduce them to critical security concepts, but it was complex enough that it would take me a full twenty minutes or more to solve—unless he had left any additional traps, and I couldn’t rule that out. He could easily have set this up so I failed on both fronts.

  I returned to the door with the device on the handle and studied it. Broodryk had made this challenge easier. Much easier. But I still didn’t have time to do both.

  In the background I could hear Hands requesting that Mother target the Predator’s Hellfire missile to the upwind side of Jar Hill. There was something about a fire to smoke him out but I lost the rest to static.

  So what choice could I make? Would I make?

  The unit comms were silent. Even the firing had stopped for some inexplicable reason. It was as if the entire world was waiting for me to say something, do something. When neither option was acceptable, what was the right answer?

  Think, Lexi. Think.

  Thoughts flashed through my brain so fast it made me dizzy. Some part of my brain knew something, but where was it? I could see Broodryk sitting there on the television watching intently, smirking. He knew I had only unacceptable choices.

  Suddenly the phrase “unacceptable choices” jogged a memory of a class I’d had at Georgetown called Red Teaming and Deception Analysis. What had the pro
fessor asked us?

  When surrounded by only unacceptable choices, what should you do?

  I’d raised my hand and answered logically that a decision should be made as a result of the calculations of the consequences, thereby making the best decision based on the least amount of adverse reaction.

  My professor had slammed his hand down on the desk, startling all of us, as he was normally a pretty unassuming guy.

  “Wrong! When all the choices are unacceptable, you must create a new choice. There is always another choice somewhere. That’s the correct answer.”

  Of course. That was the correct answer. I had to create another option. But what?

  I stared at the wires running from the device on the door and disappearing into Elvis’s room. If I didn’t think of something fast, he would be electrocuted mere steps away from me.

  Electrocuted!

  Just like that, I had it. The third option.

  Hands’s voice sounded in my helmet. “This is Alpha One. I need that fire started now. We’re running out of time and can’t get a visual on the Snake. He is too well hidden. I need to force him to move so I have a chance. Have the second Predator ready if the first one doesn’t start the fire.”

  “Affirmative. Stand by Alpha One. Your firing pass is in progress.”

  I glanced up at the television and saw Broodryk watching me, an amused look on his face. He had no idea what was going on in my head. He was simply enjoying my pain, indecision and stress, reaping the rewards of his meticulous planning. Hulk had been shot, probably dead, Elvis was possibly minutes from electrocution, and Hands was going to have to expose himself to hunt a well-hidden sniper. A strange powerful force surged through me. I didn’t like it, but I was sure going to use it.

  Hate.

  I’d never imagined hating anyone as much as I hated Broodryk at this exact moment. This was new emotional territory for me. While popular literature says that hate is the first step down the road to the dark side, I needed it now to get through this. It helped steady my nerves and gave me a newfound determination. I’d have to worry about the consequences later, if I lived that long.

  I stalked across the room to Wills. “Do you have a piece of paper and a pen? I need to make calculations.”

  He looked startled, but gamely fumbled around in his pockets. A bit sheepishly, he handed me a candy bar wrapper and a pen. It would have to do.

  I walked back to Broodryk’s laptop on the table. I turned slightly so that my body shielded my writing from the wall camera and the angle from the laptop was bad. While the laptop camera and keylogger would monitor every keystroke, it didn’t matter to my plan now.

  “Ah, so she is going for country over friendship,” Broodryk said. “Interesting. Didn’t expect that of you, but I understand. You do owe them for bringing you here. Hooray for the red, white and blue.”

  “Shut up,’ I said curtly. “You’re interfering with my concentration.”

  I scribbled a message to Wills. Take out electrical transponder on telephone pole. Shoot for the ceramic insulator on the top. Break that and it will short the transformer. Be quick and use the distraction of the approaching firebomb. It should keep Pentz busy long enough for you to get off a shot.

  I pretended to shake the pen. “Damn, it’s not working.” I walked back over to Wills. Keeping my back to the television monitor, I pressed the wrapper in his hand. He read it and our eyes met. He nodded slightly.

  “Do you have another pen?” I asked him.

  He shook his head and I gave a loud sigh. “Never mind. I’ll just do the calculations in my head.”

  I returned to the computer and started working. I knew Broodryk would not keep his word even if I broke the code, but I had to make it look like I was making a good faith effort. Time was of the essence. I had to give Echo Team time to respond to the house in Gabon.

  The electricity surged again, wiping out my last set of calculations. I stood, glared at Broodryk. “Hey, what happened? I just had my work cleared.”

  He laughed. “It’s the cost of working in a hellhole. The storm is closer. You may have mere minutes left.”

  “It’s not a fair game if you cut my time,” I warned.

  “Since when has life been fair? Hasn’t anyone told you that yet? Nonetheless, you’ll have your full thirty minutes. I am a man of my word, after all.”

  I sat down and had just started to redo the calculations when I heard a voice in my helmet. “Missile away. Alpha One, impact in five seconds.”

  “Standing by,” Hands said. His words were followed almost immediately with a ground-shaking boom.

  I looked over at Wills and then he was out the door. I was alone with the monster.

  “What was that?” I asked Broodryk.

  He was looking at something off screen, most likely the outside monitor. He swiveled his head back to me. “Apparently the US government is trying to make a show of force. It’s a mistake. It will do nothing but draw unfriendly persons to you. I have made arrangements to keep this gathering small, but I cannot stop others from crashing the party if you insist on attracting attention. Unfortunately, it’s out of my hands at this point. So, where did your protector go? I see we’re all alone now.”

  “I don’t know where he went. He doesn’t ask my permission to do his job.”

  “I like it this way. Just you and me.”

  A voice spoke in my ear and I stiffened. “This is Alpha Two. I’m out of the shack and in cover. Alpha Star has requested I take out the electrical transformer. I’ll need to be exposed momentarily to do it.”

  “Negative.” Hands sounded emphatic. “Do not attempt at this time. I still do not have a visual on the Snake. The smoke from the fire is progressing up the hill, but it may not have affected his position yet.”

  “Alpha Star needs that electricity off now. I believe I can get a shot off before the Snake could hit me. I don’t think he knows where I am. Besides, if he shoots me, he reveals his position to you. It’s a win-win situation. Request permission to proceed, sir.”

  I froze. Wills would take a bullet on purpose to knock the transponder out and get Pentz to reveal himself?

  Oh, God. Had I just sent a man to his death?

  There was radio silence and I stared blindly at the code on the laptop. At this rate, I wouldn’t get one fourth of the code unraveled, but I had to make a show of trying.

  Tick tock.

  Time stood still for no one. I wanted to know if Elvis was okay in the next room. I wanted to make sure Wills would be safe. I wanted an update on the SEAL team in Gabon. I wanted to go home.

  Keep the faith, Lexi. Keep the faith.

  The radio cackled. “Alpha Two, proceed.”

  I closed my eyes. Move and countermove. Kill or be killed. My hands clenched into fists.

  Please be safe, Wills. Please.

  “Alpha Two is in position. Stand by.”

  I stood, then planted myself in front of the television. I needed to keep Broodryk focused on me so he couldn’t monitor what was happening outside. I’d have a better chance of things working if he thought the electricity went down as a result of the storm rather than a deliberate act by the man I’d just sent out of the shack.

  “Look, Broodryk, I can’t work under these conditions.” I tried to sound demanding, bossy. Like I wanted his attention and I wanted it now. “If you wanted a true test of my ability, you should have chosen a place with consistent electricity.”

  His icy eyes met mine and I had to suppress a shudder. “I keep getting these surges that are messing up my work and—”

  Kaboom. The television screen and the lights blanked out at the same time.

  Score one for Wills.

  I made my move.

  Chapter Forty-One

  I ran to my backpack to retrieve my g
un and then to Elvis’s door.

  My helmet radio exploded with noise. “Alpha Two hit the target. Alpha Star, can you hear me?”

  “Alpha One, I hear you. The electricity is out. How’s Alpha Two?”

  “Alpha Two’s status is unknown, but I have a bead on Snake’s position. I’m moving.”

  I staggered sideways. “Unknown? Was Alpha Two hit?”

  “Alpha Star. Please proceed with mission.”

  I wanted to know, but I had to hold it together. If I fell apart, Wills’s efforts would be in vain.

  “Understood. I’m going to rescue the hostage. Stand by.”

  There was more noise and the crack of small firearms outside. The battle had begun again in earnest.

  I drew my gun and aimed it at the device. It was no longer lit up. I double-checked, but I could see no battery connection. Still, I could be wrong. I could blow us all sky-high. But we were out of time for any more options, even if I were able to think them up. I tried to focus my aim. My arm shook so badly I had to support my elbow with my other hand. Tears blurred my eyes. I was about to save Elvis or kill him. It was hard to tell.

  I offset myself so I wouldn’t catch a ricochet, turned my head and squeezed the trigger.

  Crack.

  The device was split open but still hanging on the door. I hit it with the only thing I could think of, the butt of the gun. It fell to the floor with a thump. I paused a beat, then slammed the door open with my shoulder.

  The room was dark and the dim light from the main room revealed little of what was beyond. I snatched the flashlight from my belt and turned it on. A man sat in a chair, his back to the door. Wires ran from the door to the chair. A quick sweep of the room indicated no other furniture or items present. I walked slowly toward his front and lifted the flashlight to his face.