It was good that neither had to provide times or locations. It was now in Mark’s hands to ensure Kevin showed up. What exactly he was going to be able to do remained unclear, but he knew Kevin was working closely with Mark and his team to track down those bastards. He wasn’t sure, but Don’s gut was telling him he may’ve just stumbled across them unknowingly.
If they are the ones trying to hack my systems, then they just screwed with the wrong guy. I might not be in the military, but I’m not a push over either. If they are after what I think they are, then I’ll do anything to protect what’s on those files.
Chapter Three
Within minutes of disconnecting the call with Mark, Don received a text from Kevin confirming three for lunch. Don had wanted to bring Daniel up to date yesterday but respected Mark’s request and waited. That didn’t mean Don wouldn’t fill in the blanks for Daniel if Kevin held back important information. This was his company and possibly his life on the line. No one, including his best friend, was going to dictate what he could and couldn’t do.
“When you said a lunch meeting, I thought we actually were meeting this guy at a place we could eat, not a bar.”
He knew from the last meeting with Mark that going inside was just a formality. They’d have a drink then head outside to be picked up. “Just drink your beer so we can get out of here, Daniel.”
“You’re the boss.” Daniel downed his bottle.
Don did the same and rose from his seat. “Let’s go.”
Once they were outside, a Ford 250 with tinted windows pulled up alongside them. Daniel instantly stepped in front of Don and reached for the pistol tucked behind his back.
“Easy, Daniel. That’s our ride.”
Daniel didn’t relax until Kevin shouted from inside, “Let’s do lunch.”
Don opened the door, and Daniel slid into the back. Don hopped into the front passenger seat and said, “Nice truck, Kevin; you need to talk to your brother about getting himself a better ride.”
Kevin laughed. “He’s never getting rid of old Bessie. He loves that hunk of junk. I prefer something that will actually get me where I need to go without having to crawl under it each time.”
“This is Daniel Thomas, my head of security.” Don cocked his head toward the back seat.
Kevin only nodded as he pulled away from the bar. He pulled a cell phone from his pocket and appeared to send a text. “We should be receiving a call shortly. Then we can get down to business.”
Don arched his brow. “Over the phone?”
“This is a secure line. We’ll be able to speak freely,” Kevin said as they pulled onto the highway. When his phone vibrated, he answered and hit speaker. “Collins here with Farrell and Thomas.”
“Thanks, Kev.” Mark’s voice came through the speakerphone. “I have Johnson here with me. Okay, Don, you called this meeting. Tell me what’s going on.”
Don had only met Lionel Johnson once, the day Mark killed two terrorists at Hannah’s house. What his role was in this wasn’t important; he knew it included having Mark’s back.
“Daniel detected someone trying to hack into my company database.”
Mark said, “That’s not what I expected.”
“What makes you think they’re the guys we’re looking for?” Kevin asked.
“Hate to disappoint you two by the lack of a bullet to my head, but I think I know what they want. I just don’t know how they know I have it. It’s not something I’ve even shared with Daniel.”
“That big?” Mark asked.
“I’m not supposed to be talking about this. Not even to you guys.”
“We can’t help if we don’t know what they’re after,” Kevin interjected.
“How secure is this line, Mark? We are talking prison time for me if this gets out.”
“The line is safe, and I trust Johnson and Kevin totally. That leaves Thomas.”
Don looked over his shoulder and met Daniel square in the eyes. If he was going to do anything he easily could’ve let the guys hack into the system and take the information, but the ball was now in his court whether or not he wanted to be part of the conversation. Once he heard it, he was going to be bound to secrecy like the rest of them.
“Daniel, this is your one chance. Say the word and we pull over. But if you hear what I have to say, you’re at risk too.”
Daniel nodded. “I understand.”
Don saw Kevin looking in his rearview mirror and guessed he was watching Daniel’s body language. You have been working closely with Mark. I’ve underestimated you. I won’t make that mistake twice. Kevin gave Don a nod. Only then did Don turn to face forward again.
“There is a new facility just west of Washington DC. It’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. I have been contracted to document the construction of this location.” No one spoke so Don continued, “These little vacations everyone thinks I’ve been on are actually meetings with a general from the Pentagon at the location.”
“What can you tell us about the building? Is it a hangar? A warehouse?” Daniel asked.
“The layers of red tape and secrets run deep. What I have on the file, what I’ve seen so far looks like they’re set up for some type of laboratory.”
“And you know this how?” Mark asked, but his tone gave away a hint of concern that hadn’t been there before. What are you telling me, Mark?
“Construction is my life, Mark. I’ve been in enough buildings to know what isolation chambers look like, what positive pressure units are for, and how decontamination showers are built. This building is not small, either. I’m talking levels below levels with greater security and sterility requirements as you go deeper into the mountain.”
“And your role is to do exactly what, Farrell?” Kevin inquired.
“Confirm structural integrity in the event of an attack, document any areas of concern, and make recommendations for improvements.”
There was a brief pause on the line, and Don could feel the wheels turning in Mark’s head as he processed the new development. Mark finally asked, “Found any?”
He could never leave the four of them in the dark about that, not when his life could be at risk. What he’d found hadn’t even made it to the general yet. All he had were the photos in his camera, what had been uploaded to his computer, and what he’d seen with his own eyes. Most people wouldn’t have noticed a thing. He almost didn’t. But his gut told him something was off. And as he looked his suspicions were right.
“Yes, and at a very critical area. This information has not yet been divulged to anyone. I can’t say it isn’t an intentional oversight, so I haven’t said anything.”
“Put the photos and any files you have regarding this facility on a thumb drive. I want to see them for myself. Thomas, how comfortable are you with holding these guys off? I can send Johnson to assist, but I need him elsewhere if you don’t.”
“They’re hacking in, but I’ve created a dummy database per Don’s direction. Insignificant photos remain, but the critical ones have been removed and replaced with falsely incriminating photos of a separate location. I can slowly give them access so they don’t suspect anything.”
“If they find out this is false information, Don, you’re a dead man. You’re not doing this. We’ll find another way,” Mark said.
“This is my business, my life. I didn’t have to call you, Mark. We do this together, or I’ll do it alone,” Don said. I appreciate your concern, but damn it, man, this is my country these bastards are messing with, too. I’m not sitting back and waiting to hear it on the news. Not when I can help. Especially when it’s me they want. “Mark, they made the first move, made it personal. I’m seeing this through, one way or another.”
He didn’t need to see Mark to sense his frustration. Mark was used to giving orders to his team, but Don wasn’t one of them. “You’re not trained for this. You make one mistake and you’re not playing with just your own life anymore. Do you remember me telling you about the dam that broke and ki
lled Derrick Nash’s first wife and daughter years ago?”
“Yeah, I remember. What does that have to do with this?”
“JT was paid over two million dollars in hush money to falsify the documents. It made no sense; there didn’t seem to be anything to cover up until recently. It wasn’t the dam they cared about, but a government facility downstream. It never made the news because people didn’t know it existed. The location was a total loss, and they lost the four Marines guarding it that day. The dam hadn’t given way due to neglect like we first thought. It was intentionally sabotaged at the same time the building was infiltrated. We’re still trying to find out what they took from there, but my gut says it was chemicals.”
Don watched Kevin tense. “Mark, were they killed by the dam breaking?”
There was a pause before Mark spoke. The silence was deafening. “No. They were shot in the back.”
Kevin’s jaw twitched, and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. “I want the names of those Marines, Mark.”
“I can’t tell you what I don’t know. The government is just like Don’s mountain: layers and layers of bullshit. You’ll know as soon as I do.”
Don wished he was shocked about the way Mark was talking about the government, but over the last six months, he’d learned more than most civilians should know. Or want to know. Damn, what is this country coming to? Since when do we turn the other cheek when our troops are killed on our own soil? I always suspected we were being lied to about what was happening overseas, but not here. Not as damn close as North Carolina. No wonder these three are wound up so freaking tight. They don’t know who they can and can’t trust even among their commanding officers.
“It sounds like our net just got a whole lot bigger, and our resources are drastically cut,” Kevin replied.
“My team will still be in the loop for some of the investigation as well as security. But the details we just spoke about in North Carolina and the files, those stay with us four only,” Mark stated firmly.
“I’ll be close to Don, so we’re covered here. It’s when he travels that it becomes an issue. This is one location that I’ve never been allowed to. Not even close. Don has me stay with the plane. I never questioned it before, but now I understand why. No one is allowed near The Mountain without authorization. That leaves me out and I bet you’re not on the list either.” Daniel let out a slow exhale. “If I were going to make a move on him, it would be—”
“As soon as he left The Mountain. Don, we need the location,” Mark interrupted.
“That’s not something I can do, and you know it,” Don stated. He was willing to share the photos because if something happened to him, they’d need to get the results of his structural investigation to the right person. A trustworthy person. But to disclose the location of The Mountain still felt like treason. Each one of them needed to understand and respect that.
“Don, you’re a damn stubborn fool, you know that?” Mark stated.
“All my life. Can’t see why I should change now. I’ll have Daniel give Kevin the thumb drive within the hour. How do you guys want us to contact you with further developments?”
“I’ll have two phones delivered to you by the end of the day. Each will be programmed with Kevin’s, Johnson’s, and my numbers. These will be secured lines, which should be our only mode of communication for anything other than our personal lives. No texting allowed on these phones except for the words call now. Understood?” Mark directed to both Daniel and Don.
“Roger that,” Daniel replied.
“Got it, Mark.” These men might live and thrive off life-and-death situations, but Don was used to a different lifestyle. He worked hard building his business and played even harder. He wasn’t foolish or naïve. He understood all too well what was on the line. It wasn’t just his business. These guys were as evil as they come. What they did to Hannah, drugging and raping her, had already proven that. Knowing they were responsible for the execution of four Marines to obtain what they wanted, the risk of not making it out of this alive increased dramatically. That didn’t change the fact he was all in.
“Good. Then you go nowhere unless you reach out to Kevin or me first. Understood, Don?” Mark’s voice commanded a positive response. He wasn’t going to get it from Don.
Someone needs to tell these guys that stress kills more people than bullets. And one thing I know I’m good at is finding the sweetest stress outlets. “Let’s hope they take the bait and end this quickly. I’m looking forward to your wedding in two weeks and don’t want you using this as an excuse for not having one hell of a bachelor party for you.” Don laughed lightly.
“Don’t remind me, Don. I’ve got enough to think about without worrying what crazy shit you’ve planned. But if you get Hannah pissed, you’re going to wish it was the terrorists that got your ass, because you’ve never seen her when she’s mad,” Mark joked back.
“Don’t you worry, Mark. I’m planning on spending some quality time with the maid of honor.” Although Bailey was experiencing both physical and emotional challenges right now, he knew he was the one person who’d be able to make her smile and laugh. You might not know it, Bailey, but I’m just what the doctor ordered.
“You might want to bring your own date, Don,” Kevin said.
Don shot him a sharp look. “Why is that?”
Kevin’s lips curled as he answered, “Because I’m dating Bailey, and I don’t share.”
It felt like a punch in the gut. Was Kevin the reason she hadn’t responded to him? Here he was worried she was avoiding him because she was ill, but in fact, it was because she’d moved on.
“I’ll let you two discuss that. Johnson and I have work to do.” Mark didn’t wait for a response and disconnected the call.
What the hell? Did Mark fail to mention his brother is dating Bailey on purpose? Damn, he’s not even her type. What am I talking about? Kevin’s every woman’s type: comes from a solid, loving family, a Marine fighter pilot, the best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. And I’m a man who doesn’t believe or want a commitment. It’s safe to say that’s a no-brainer. Kevin’s the better choice. But if he hurts her, he’ll answer to me, and beneath this easy-going, good-natured guy is one hard-ass man that even his brother can’t control when pissed.
If Kevin noticed Don’s reaction, he didn’t let on. As they pulled up in front of the bar where he’d picked them up, he turned to Daniel. “I’ll meet you back here in one hour for the files, and I’ll have the details on the phones Mark mentioned.”
Daniel nodded and climbed out of the truck leaving Don and Kevin alone. He had so much he wanted to say, but until he saw how Bailey looked at Kevin, he’d wait. There were other things he needed to concentrate on and if he allowed himself to get distracted and killed, nothing else mattered.
Chapter Four
“I can’t believe time is going by so fast. There’s only one week before the wedding.” Hannah closed the notepad she’d been using to jot down last-minute thoughts. “There is still so much to do. Why did I think I could pull this off so quickly?”
Bailey reached over and grabbed the pad from her. “I know what you’re not thinking of.”
Hannah looked up at her with panic in her eyes. “Oh no, what else am I forgetting?”
“That you don’t have to do all this by yourself. I’m here. If you’re not going to let me help, then I’m catching a plane today and going back to Providence.”
“Bailey, I can’t ask you to help you’re still—”
“Calling the airlines if you start this again.”
Hannah looked like she wanted to argue, but knew better. They hadn’t been friends for ten years and not learned each other’s little quirks. “I need you to call a few people to make sure we know exactly when they’re arriving. Would you mind doing that for me?”
“Call people? That’s all?”
“After we know who and when I’ll need your help getting the rooms ready. I never thought I’d
be so happy not to have these apartments rented yet. It’s coming in real handy now.”
“Are you still planning on renting them after the wedding? I mean after what happened last time.”
Instantly she saw her friend’s expressions change from hopeful to hurt. How could it not? It was the most horrendous thing that could have happened. She’s the gentlest, kindest woman who ever walked the planet and that asshole drugged and raped her. If Mark hadn’t killed him, I think I would’ve.
Bailey reached up and gripped the necklace Hannah had given her before her surgery. “I am a better me because of you.” Every day she looked at it. It meant everything to her, but it was something she should’ve given to Hannah instead. She was an inspiration. Not just to Bailey but to so many women out there who couldn’t or wouldn’t ever speak up about rape. I should’ve known you’d become an advocate for others. You’re so much stronger than I ever could be.
But no matter how strong she was, Bailey never wanted Hannah to be faced with that situation again. And with Mark deploying on missions all the time, the last thing Hannah needed was another man renting from her. I can’t stay here forever to watch over you. Actually, I’ll be leaving right after the wedding, I just haven’t told you that yet. I will, when the time is right. And that is not now because you’ll hound me until you talk me out of it and get your way. Although I love you dearly, I know it’s time I move on and start a new life for myself. Not as a comedian or as a certified nursing assistant. I want something entirely new. I guess I’ll figure out what that is as I go.
“No more renting this place. I don’t think I could ever let a stranger get that close again.”
“I didn’t mean to bring it up, Hannah. It’s just that I worry about you.” Bailey covered Hannah’s hand with hers.
“Seems to be a lot of that lately. Mark watches over me like I’m precious and so darn fragile.”
“To him you are. So enjoy it, Hannah. Let that man take care of you. All your life you have had to be the strong one or pretend to be strong even when you weren’t. I know it’s not easy, but give him the reins and let him take control for a while. Who knows, you might even learn to like it.” Bailey laughed as she remembered how she was the one who controlled most decisions when they were back in college. The difference is, Mark actually thinks things through. I was just thinking about how much we’d laugh about it in our old age.
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