“Finally,” he snapped. Of course, it had to be the last place he looked, inside an old fishing cooler. He opened his pack, yanked everything out of the cooler and shoved it all into his pack. He was out the door and at a dead run in the next heartbeat.
* * *
Tristan decided it was best to do as Ken wanted. “You’ll never get away with this Ken. Like I said, you’re outnumbered. We’ll have you before you even start down the mountain.”
In the far distance Victory thought she was picking up a faint, whoop, whooping sound.
“Who said anything about going down the mountain?” Ken responded.
“There’s no place for a helicopter to land. The closest place is back by the cabin,” Tristan said.
Then they all heard a whooping sound, increasing in intensity. The helicopter came into view and hovered over the scene. Tristan glanced up and saw a man leaning out the open door, feet on the skids, MP5 pointed directly at him. A rope dropped from the open door and dangled a foot in front of Victory.
“As you can see,” Ken said with a sadistic smile on his face, “it’s not landing.” He shoved the gun into the small of his back, kept a tight hold of Victory’s restraints, then with his empty hand reached out for the rope and fastened it safety around himself. He yanked on the rope and grabbed Victory around the waist. They both rose into the air.
“Tristan, I have a clear shot,” Noah’s voice boomed through Tristan’s earpiece.
“No, Victory is not attached to the rope. You hit Ken, she drops. Besides the damn MP5 will take us both down,” Tristan responded.
Tristan stood there, powerless, watching Victory once again slip through his fingers. “Stay strong Victory, I will find you,” he pushed into her mind.
“I trust you Tristan.” Telling him that surprised her as much as it did him.
While the scene between Tristan and Ken had played out, Victory refocused on Morgan and Logan. She listened as the events unfolded one hundred feet below them. “I know you will find me. But first you must save Collin. Max is dead. Collin is critical. You must save him. I will be alright.”
Ken was dragged into the helicopter, and released Victory on to the floor where she laid on her side. “You have it?” he said to the man that had pulled them up. The man nodded. “Do it now,” Ken confirmed.
Victory felt a prick in the back of her shoulder.
“That should make moving her much easier,” Ken said. “How long will she be out?”
“Should last for at least eight hours,” the man replied.
That was the last thing Victory heard as her world faded to black.
“Son of a bitch,” Tristan yelled as he helplessly watched the helicopter increase altitude and fly off into the distance.
“Damn in, I’m really sorry Tristan. I was all the way back at the cabin when I heard you through my earpiece. I hightailed it as fast as I could,” Noah said.
“It’s not your fault, Noah. That dirty cop must have staked out the cabin and followed Collin and Victory right up here.”
“Tristan,” Logan yelled from below. “We need that medical evac right now if we want any hope of saving Collin.”
“What about Max? Victory said that he was dead,” Tristan shouted back as he pulled the sat phone from Noah’s pack.
“I already made that call, Tristan.” Noah looked down at his watch, “ETA is five minutes.”
“Max is gone. His head landed square on a rock, but he broke Collin’s fall,” Logan said from below.
“Alright, first we get you all up, get Collin ready for transport, and make sure he gets the best possible care. After that we locate Victory,” Tristan relayed.
“I pity that poor bastard Ken,” Noah ribbed, trying to lighten the mood.
She trusted him. Tristan still couldn’t believe she said it. Victory trusted him. He knew she had grown to like him over the last month, and enjoyed his company. But they were both acutely aware that his lack of honesty when they first met caused Victory to distrust him. He would find her, and he would kill Howard.
Thirty minutes later everyone was loaded on the medical evac helicopter and heading toward the nearest hospital.
“Tell me that was the same helicopter that Max took off in from the island?” Tristan asked his team.
“I think it was,” Noah replied as he dug through his backpack. “Damn it.”
“What’s the problem?” Logan asked.
“The receiver must have dropped out of my pack while I was digging out the phone. I wasn’t watching what I was doing; I was in the cabin, then hauling ass back up the mountain.”
For the first time today Tristan reached out for his brother. “Wyatt?”
“I’m here Tristan. Give me the status, I know about Collin,” Wyatt answered.
Tristan relayed the events of the day ending with the loss of the receiver.
“Let me get with Jack and see what he can do. I’ll have him call you. I’m going to start working on our next plan of attack. I want your team back at SOCOM.”
“Wyatt, I don’t want to waste any time locating Victory,” Tristan argued.
“Consider that an order,” Wyatt responded.
“Yes sir,” Tristan hissed back.
“Tristan, don’t worry. We’ll get Victory back,” Wyatt confirmed.
Noah’s phone rang. “What’s up Jack?”
“I’ve located that helicopter you tagged.”
“How?” Noah looked at Tristan, who smiled back at him. “Those two give me the creeps sometimes,” Noah said, shaking his shoulders up and down.
“Tell me about it,” Jack said. “Anyway, the helicopter is heading west, looks like they are going back to the complex on the San Juan Island.”
“That guy has got some balls,” Noah said, and relayed the conversation to the team.
TWENTY-SIX
Everyone’s eyes were glued to the screen on the wall of the Situation Room, as Jack reviewed all the information he had acquired. “So, we know that Braxton is out of the country. Our best guess is that he is meeting with the Kaleidoscope Group, probably to inform them of their loss on the Hawaiian island. We have been monitoring all types of communication, nothing has come out of there.”
“You think Braxton is unreachable?” Logan concluded.
“Either that, or they have instructions not to contact him,” Wyatt said.
Jack was busy, fingers flying over his keyboard. “I have picked up some cell phone texting. They are expecting Braxton back on the island late tomorrow afternoon,” Jack continued.
“Kinda sloppy, don’t you think?” Noah asked.
“Probably,” Jack said. “But they’re cocky bastards, and they’re playing the odds. They have such a large number of facilities; they are probably assuming we are chasing our tails trying to figure out which one they took Victory to.”
“Okay guys,” Wyatt jumped in. “Our preliminary plan is to night drop the three of you onto the island. We need to work out all the details, including mapping out the security grid and layout of the complex. There’s no time to let you leave and grab some R&R, but I want the three of you to have some down time. Go over to the officer’s barracks and get some sleep.” Wyatt looked down at his watch, “it’s five now, you have six hours to sleep, and shower. Then I want you back here. We’ll have a hot meal waiting for you when you return. You can eat while you get filled in. I want wheels up at Oh-one-hundred.”
Wyatt recognized the look on his brother’s face and knew he was in for an argument, so he made the first move. “Have you been able to reach Victory yet?”
“I’ve been trying, but I don’t get anything. Best guess is that son of a bitch Ken drugged her. I lost all contact with her as the helo went out of sight,” Tristan said.
“She’ll come too soon. Go take a break,” Wyatt said, nodding his head towards the door.
Tristan started to argue but Logan tapped him on the shoulder. “Come on Tristan. You have been on your feet for the last forty eigh
t hours. You need a break. Victory is going to need you at the top of your game.”
At exactly eleven that evening the team was once again assembled in the Situation Room. Everyone was enjoying the spread that Jack had catered in, everyone expect Tristan who was itching to start the mission.
“Wow, Jack,” Logan said between mouthfuls of prime rib. “You can cook for me anytime.”
“Okay, Jack,” Wyatt jumped in before the two started ragging on each other. “Let’s hear the rundown.”
“As you are all aware, we already had the basic layout of the island and compound from your first mission a few weeks ago. I was tasked to dig deeper, make sure we weren’t missing anything crucial. Frankly, I was surprised by their security, nothing outstanding, not like on their Hawaiian island,” Jack said.
“Let’s hear it,” Tristan said abruptly. He was edgy and ready to go.
“You are all aware of the electric fence surrounding the compound. Treat it with respect, it won’t merely knock you on your ass, it will stop your heart. Nothing on the grounds, but there is both heat and motion detection in every building. Doors have electronic locks, nothing fancy, number pads. They have a four man security team, rotating out every five hours and about a fifteen minute overlap as the teams change.” Jack stopped to take a sip of his coffee.
“What time is the next change?” Logan asked.
“They are due to change teams at midnight, about thirty minutes from now. By the time you reach the island there will only be the four man team, about two hours into their shift.”
“Probably done with their initial grounds check and settling into their warm, cozy chairs with a cup of coffee,” Logan said.
“Don’t get sloppy,” Wyatt said. “We want you in and out of there before anyone knows.”
“Yes sir,” Logan said.
“Noah, you are in charge of bringing down the building security and getting those doors open. Then, you get a fix on the boat launch and make sure the team has a clear retreat to it. Logan, I want you to get into Braxton’s office. You need to locate any and all information you can about Kaleidoscope and any additional research on the genetics study. Tristan, you find Victory. Remember, this is not a grab and go. Victory is your first priority; your second is to obtain that information. Any questions?” Wyatt asked.
“No sir,” they all answered in unison.
“Good. Then get yourselves ready to go. We have a brand new C-27J Spartan idling out on the tarmac, wheels up in thirty minutes. Good hunting men.” Wyatt said, as Tristan, Noah and Logan left the room.
The three men were all sitting in the C-27J Spartan, heading towards the San Juan Island and the Biotec complex. They were all dressed in black from head to toe. All three of the men were leaning their heads back against their seats, eyes closed.
“Victory,” Tristan pushed. “Come on Victory, wake up.”
Victory felt the chemical pull trying to keep her down. It would be so easy to succumb to the feeling of floating. She started slipping back into her dream world.
“Come on Victory,” Tristan pushed harder.
“Tristan,” came her slurred thoughts.
“I’m here. Are you hurt?” he asked.
She opened her eyes and looked into the blackness enveloping her. She took stock of her body, but remained still on the bed. “No, but I have a whopper of a headache.” She could feel the relief in Tristan. “Really, I’m fine. I have no idea where I am though.”
“You’re back at the Biotec complex on the San Juan Island. What do you hear?”
Victory took in a cleansing breath and cleared her mind. She closed her eyes and reached out with her hearing. “It’s pretty quiet. I hear snoring down the hall, and what sounds like a man on a cell phone-yes, he’s talking to a wife or girlfriend.”
“That’s your friendly guard, and it sounds like he’s being lax,” Tristan said. “We are approximately forty five minutes from the island. I need you to get yourself ready to leave. But no lights.”
“Got it,” she said.
“I need to update the team. I will contact you right before our HALO jump.”
“HALO Jump?” she asked.
“Yes, we are coming in via air, approximately thirty five thousand feet up, so that we won’t be heard from the ground. From this height we will be doing a HALO jump, High-Altitude-Low Opening. Be careful Victory, and stay put,” he said as he severed their connection.
Victory felt a real sense of emptiness after Tristan withdrew; this was not a good thing. What would happen after this whole nightmare was over and she returned to her normal life? Would she still feel this gaping hole in her mind, and yes, in her heart? She shook the thoughts from her mind, this was not the time, nor the place to examine these issues. She attempted to orient herself. Her eyes were beginning to adapt, and she could see numbers a few feet away from her. It was a clock, and it looked like the time was one in the morning.
* * *
“ETA five minutes,” said the pilot.
“Yes,” Logan said. “Time to dance.”
The three men had previously checked and rechecked their gear. Now the team pulled on their oxygen masks, checked their gauges and put on their helmets. They walked to the tail of the plane where Noah pushed a button and watched the floor of the plane open up to the inky night sky.
“Go,” came the command from the pilot.
Noah looked at Tristan and Logan; all three gave the thumbs up sign. Noah took three steps forward and free fell from the plane, followed closely by Logan.
Tristan was moving towards the open space to take his turn.
“Tristan, abort,” Wyatt commanded.
Tristan stopped mid stride. “What’s up Wyatt?”
“Jack has received confirmation that there is a helicopter approaching the island. It’s due to land in twenty minutes.” Wyatt informed him. “We believe Braxton is on that aircraft.”
“Probably a good bet, but we can’t abort. Noah and Logan have already jumped.” Tristan fell from the plane, “and I’m right behind my team.”
“Then for Christ sakes, get yourselves down there and stay out of sight until you verify the arrival of that aircraft.” Wyatt said.
“Roger that,” Tristan replied and severed their connection. He checked his altimeter. At fifteen thousand feet he removed his oxygen mask and contacted his team.
“Noah, Logan.”
“What’s up Tristan?” Noah said.
“Logan?” Tristan repeated.
“I’m here,” Logan confirmed.
“I got an update from Wyatt right before leaving the plane. Seems we will be having company in ten minutes. We need to hit the ground, stow our equipment, find a place to hide out and regroup.”
“Roger,” both men responded in unison.
They landed a few yards from the helipad and were lucky to find a supply shed nearby. The team had barely stowed their equipment and found hiding spots when they saw the lights of the helicopter come into view.
The lights surrounding the helipad came on as Logan was shutting the shed’s door. “Gets your blood pumping, doesn’t it?”
The helicopter touched down and then the motor shut down, the blades spooling to a stop. The passenger door opened and Dave Anderson stepped from the craft. He held the door as Braxton stepped out behind him.
“Give me thirty minutes then bring her to my office,” Braxton said.
“Yes sir,” Dave answered.
The two men headed for the main building. The pilot stepped from the helicopter, made a quick check around the craft and followed behind.
“So, how are we going to play this?” Logan asked.
“We stick to the plan,” Tristan said, “with a few modifications. Braxton wants to meet with Victory; he is probably going to lay the ground rules. It’s two in the morning, I’m sure it will be a fairly short meeting. Logan and I will shadow them to Braxton’s office. Logan will wait until Braxton leaves the office then he will proceed with his search and sei
zure. I’ll follow Victory back to her room. After Dave leaves I’ll get her out.”
“Victory,” Tristan reached for her.
“Are you here?” she responded immediately. A few minutes before she had felt Tristan’s adrenaline rush, it flooded her body as if she herself jumped from the plane. She knew the very fraction of a second he had jumped out of the plane.
“Yes, but we have a slight change of plan. Braxton and Dave Anderson arrived on the island, nearly on top of us. Dave is on his way to pick you up for a meeting with Braxton.”
“Terrific,” she said.
“Play along. I’ll be close by. After Dave returns you to your room I’ll make my move,” Tristan said.
Victory heard the tapping of buttons at her door. “Seems my escort has arrived,” she said as she sat up in her bed.
Dave opened the door and turned on the lights. “We meet again Ms. Winters.” As the room flooded with light she realized that she was in the same room they had put her in when she was brought to the island the first time.
“Unfortunately,” she responded. “What do you want?”
“Pull yourself together,” Dave nodded to the bathroom. “Mr. Braxton wants to see you.”
“At this time of night? Doesn’t the man ever sleep?” she asked.
“You have five minutes,” was all he said, as he sat in the chair next to the desk.
“Good evening Victory,” Braxton said as Victory entered his office. In his normal fashion he had not looked up to greet her, but remained fixated on his computer screen. “Take a sit please. Dave, wait right outside, this shouldn’t take long.”
Victory sat in one of the wingback chairs, hands clasped in her lap and waited for Braxton to begin.
Chasing Victory (The Winters Sisters) Page 22
