by Brady, R. D.
Saying a prayer, he stood silently, hidden from the front foyer by the wall. He waited, alternately hoping they wouldn’t come his way and hoping they would so he could protect the others.
He heard a footstep only a few feet from him and knew the latter was coming true. He held his breath and slid lower down the wall. Without a sound, he switched the machine gun from semi-automatic to fully automatic.
A man dressed all in black stepped into the dining room, casting his eyes around looking for movement, his gun following the path of his eyes.
Patrick hesitated, not wanting to do what needed to be done. His eyes caught the man’s. He pulled the trigger before the man could get off a shot. A string of bullets raked the man from knee to shoulder.
Bullets erupted through the wall behind him. Patrick threw himself at the floor and crawled along the marble tiles until he was right next to the entryway.
A curse came from the other room. He peered through the doorway. The second gunman had jammed his weapon and was struggling to release the magazine. He finally managed it and reached for a new mag from his vest.
Patrick pulled the trigger just as the man slammed a new magazine into the weapon. The man flew back with the impact of the bullets and blood sprayed in an arc across the foyer wall from the wounds in the man’s chest and neck.
Patrick knew an arterial spray when he saw one. The man wouldn’t survive.
He stood up and looked at the two men he’d killed. His shoulders drooped at the senseless loss of life. What was going on?
He shook his head, as if he could wipe away his culpability in their deaths. His soldier days were supposed to be behind him. He was a priest now, but he’d slipped so easily back into that old skin.
Gunfire barked from the kitchen. Taking off at a sprint, he knew he was going to have to live in that skin a little longer.
CHAPTER 46
As Henry entered the kitchen, he realized Patrick wasn’t with them. Glancing back through the window in the swinging door, he saw Patrick flattened against the dining room wall. Beyond him, two men crossed the foyer towards him.
He reached out to warn Kevin when gunfire rang out from the dining room. Henry pushed Danny under the counter in the pantry and motioned for him to stay down. He turned to go help Patrick when Kevin tapped his shoulder, pointing to the kitchen. Two more men were about to enter through the back.
Kevin lowered himself behind the large kitchen island. Henry motioned for Danny to stay put before following Kevin. Kevin indicated that he would go around the island to the right and that Henry should go around to the left. Henry nodded, his shotgun firmly grasped in his hands.
The hinges creaked as the kitchen door swung open. Henry made his way around the island until he was only about six feet from the gunmen, still hidden by the island. Gunfire erupted again from the other room. Henry glanced out; both gunmen were looking in the direction of the dining room, right where Danny was hiding.
He slid out from behind the island, shooting from the ground. Kevin did the same from the other side. The gunmen fell, huge gaping holes in their torsos. One man was gone, but the other still gasped for breath.
Henry crossed to him and placed his hand under the man’s neck. “Who sent you?”
The man looked at Henry, his eyes wide. He grasped Henry’s arm. “Help me.”
“Help’s coming. Tell me who sent you.”
The man struggled to speak, blood gurgled from his mouth. His breathing was jagged. He clutched at Henry’s arm. Henry knew there was nothing he could do to save him.
The man let out one last gasping breath and went still, his arms falling to his sides. Henry gently lowered the man’s head to the floor.
Patrick came through the pantry door with his gun drawn, Danny close behind him. “All clear?”
“Yes,” Henry replied his mouth set in a grim line. “Danny, you okay?”
“Y-y-eah,” Danny stammered out, his eyes the size of saucers as he took in the scene.
“That’s all of them," Kevin said from his spot on the floor, a pool of blood developing around him. “Assuming you got the guys that came in the front.”
Patrick nodded. “They were not as gifted as some others we’ve come in contact with.”
Henry’s eyes shot back to Patrick’s. He was right. Focused on the immediate threat, he hadn’t considered the nature of their attackers. These attackers were not superhuman. The attack must be related, but why send humans? What had changed?
Kevin closed his eyes. “A small force for a quick-kill mission. Plus the helicopter pilot, although he’s probably long gone.”
Danny grabbed some kitchen towels from a drawer. Dropping to the floor next to Kevin, he pressed the towels against the Kevin's shoulder wound with a shaky hand. “He needs a doctor.”
Patrick leaned down to help Danny. But Henry noted he let Danny take the lead and he was thankful. Danny obviously needed to feel as if he was doing something constructive to stave off the fear racing through his system.
Henry pulled out his cell phone and called for help, even though he could already hear the sirens in the distance. While he was talking to the 911 dispatcher, his mind was racing. They had to be getting close to something for someone to take this bold a step. These men were trained professionals.
Henry knew that the only reason they’d survived was because the hit squad had expected the only resistance to come from the security force. And the security force had been taken out with brutal efficiency. Jake and Laney had been equally lucky in surviving the attack on them last night. How much longer, though, could everyone’s luck last?
CHAPTER 47
Saint Paul, MN
“You’re not going.” Jake glared down at Laney.
She glared right back. “Last time I checked, that decision wasn’t up to you.”
Jake tried a different tack. “Look, I know you want to help. But I think this is just a little over your head. You should go home and–“
“And what, Jake? Darn some socks? Cook up a lovely meal?”
Jake groaned. Okay, definitely not the right approach. He wasn’t sure how everything had gone so wrong. After Laney had come out of the shower, he’d held her until she’d fallen asleep. They’d lain curled up together for a few hours. When she’d awoken, he had told her it would be safer for her to go back to Baltimore. And then all hell had broken loose.
“I didn't mean it like that. I meant you’re not trained for this.”
“Really, Jake? And how much of your military training covered battles with fallen angels? Was that part of basic or did they save that for SEAL school?”
Jake stared at her, his mind scrambling to come up with an argument that would work. “Laney, you’ve nearly been killed what, four times?”
She gave him a pointed look. “The key word there is ‘nearly’. And I could make the same argument about you. And who in this room actually took out a fallen? I’m pretty sure it wasn't you.”
Jake turned and headed for his duffel, which sat on the coffee table. “You’re not going."
“Careful, you don’t want to scrape your knuckles too badly as you drag them along the floor,” Laney muttered.
Jake whirled around to reply when his phone rang. He yanked it out of his pocket. “What?!”
“Um, Jake?”
“Henry, this really isn’t a good time.”
“Well, it’s not been a great one here, either. The compound was attacked.”
Jake’s anger evaporated, replaced by concern. “Is everyone okay?”
Jake watched the color drain from Laney’s face. She crossed the room to him to stand next to him.
“We’re okay. But the security unit was almost completely taken out.”
Jake closed his eyes and breathed deep. He’d recommended half the unit at the headquarters. “Damn it. Was it…” he couldn't bring himself to say “fallen angels”. He just couldn't get the words past his lips.
“They were human,” Henry replied. “But
they have a record. They were Russian nationals.”
Jake’s head jerked up. “Same as ours.”
“Yeah. I think it’s only going to get more dangerous as we move on. We need to end this, Jake. I need you two in Montana ASAP to see what you can find. Danny and I are going to see if we can track down a photo of the attacker from the church. Patrick’s going to see what he can find out about the stone and these men’s abilities. If Montana is the end game, Patrick and I will join you there.”
Jake knew Henry was right. They needed to pick up the pace. Things were getting too dangerous. “Okay, Henry. We’ll call you when we have something.” He disconnected the call.
Laney placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry about your friends.”
“You get all that?”
She nodded.
“All the attackers were normal humans.” He shook his head. “Why?”
“I’ve been thinking about that. If this Belial Stone is the weapon it’s purported to be, Montana really is the end game. And not just for humanity, but for the angels’ existence here as well. And I think Paul’s companion may be on his own. In our research so far, there’s nothing that suggests the angels all get reincarnated back together. They could be spread across the planet. He may have spent lifetime after lifetime looking for a way out of here. Now, he’s close. Really close. I’m guessing he couldn’t take the risk of coming here himself. If he died, who knows where the Belial Stone would be when he finally re-emerged?”
Jake nodded. “But he can’t honestly believe that after murdering billions of people, that he’d be rewarded with what he wants. Can he?”
Laney’s smile was grim. “Madness generally isn’t logical.”
CHAPTER 48
Havre, MT
Gideon stood in the guard tower watching the men scurry around below him. Lights glared across the space, making it look like a movie set. Although Gideon hadn’t slept, he felt energized.
“All these little men, running around like ants,” he murmured. They were close. He could almost feel it. Finally after all this time, it would end.
“Did you say something, sir?” the guard on the other side of the tower asked.
Gideon sighed. “No, officer. Why don’t you go take a break?”
The man turned around to face Gideon. “Sir, I’m not allowed to…”
He trailed off as Gideon fixed him with a stare. “Sure, sir. I could use a break.” The guard quickly opened the trap door in the floor and descended down the ladder.
“Close the door,” Gideon ordered.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” The man reached back through for the top of the trap door and pulled it shut behind him.
Gideon turned his attention back to the dig site. He breathed in deep. He liked it up here in the tower. The stink of unwashed bodies didn’t rise this high. All he could smell was the crisp, mountain air.
He cast his eyes on the mountains in the distance. He had to admit, the Children had picked an incredible spot to bury the stone. They always did appreciate beauty. He’d gone out to the site in Turkey once he’d heard about the discovery there. That site was barren in comparison to this majestic location. Of course, back when Gobekli Tepe had been created, it had been lush. A veritable Garden of Eden, he though wryly.
If he’d gotten to the Turkish site sooner, maybe he would already have a Belial Stone. He’d heard about it only after the German team had taken control of the site. He could have wormed his way in at that point, but the site was too well known.
But it had inspired him. He knew it would only be a matter of time before another site would emerge. He’d heard rumors, eons ago, that a group of the Children had landed in the Northwest of the Americas. Gideon had inserted himself with powerful people in Oregon, Washington, the Dakotas and, of course, Montana.
He knew, though, down deep, that it would be Montana. He smiled. And Kensington was such a controllable puppet, with endless resources. Kensington’s tunnel vision on gaining power had blinded him to the real danger that was only an arm’s length away.
Gideon glanced quickly down at the site. He thought someone had called his name. He shook his head at his fancy. It was if the stones were calling to him to be found. And he would not disappoint them.
CHAPTER 49
Airborne to Havre, MT
On the plane ride to Montana, Laney had called her uncle to make sure he was all right. She’d only gotten off the phone after repeated assurances that he was fine and that Henry was finding them a safe place to hole up.
She leaned back in her chair. “My uncle and I seem to spend the bulk of our conversations lately assuring each other we’re fine.” She glanced over at Jake. “We are both such big, fat liars.”
“That’s what family does, I guess. Try to make each other feel better.”
She nodded, but deep down she didn’t feel better. Her uncle’s assurances hadn’t touched the ball of fear that had lodged in her stomach ever since she’d heard about the attack in Baltimore. She’d already lost Drew to this madness. She didn’t think she’d survive losing her uncle.
She glanced out the window as the pilot came over the PA to announce that they would be landing. The land was all mountains, green fields, and fluffy white clouds slowly moving overhead. “Well, it certainly is beautiful country out here.”
Jake looked past her, his expression troubled. “Sure is. I hope Yoni’s got some news for us.” Earlier Henry had called to tell them he’d put an operative in the area last night. He’d be meeting them at the airfield.
Laney reached over and took Jake’s hand. “We’ll find Tom.”
He looked into her eyes and her breath caught. They stared, neither one of them speaking. The spell was broken only when the plane's wheels hit the tarmac.
Laney looked away, her heart pounding. Definitely not the time for this.
Laney and Jake gathered their stuff and disembarked from the plane without a word. She got her first glimpse of Yoni Benjamin as Jake wrapped him in a hug at the bottom of the plane’s steps. The man didn’t even reach Jake’s shoulder. Laney, who at 5’4” was no giant, was still a couple inches taller than him.
But what he lacked in height, he made up for in muscle. He was built like a tank. His biceps were the size of Laney’s head and his arms couldn't rest flat against his sides.
When Jake released him, Yoni turned his large brown eyes on Laney. Eyes too small for his face, a giant nose that looked like it had been broken multiple times, and not a drop of hair on his head. Yoni Benjamin would not be anyone’s idea of handsome. But when he smiled, his whole face lit up and you couldn't help but smile back. He grabbed her in a crushing hug, lifting her off her feet.
She let out a laugh. Yoni was one of those people whom you felt like you’d known all your life.
“Hey Laney. Great to meet you,” he said. Laney was surprised to hear an Israeli accent.
Jake put a hand on Yoni’s shoulder. “Yoni, put her down.”
“Oh right. Sorry there.” Yoni set her gently on the ground. “It’s good to finally meet Jake’s girl.”
“Um, I’m not. I mean, we’re not,” Laney stuttered, staring over Yoni’s shoulder, feeling her cheeks begin to burn.
“Yoni,” Jake dragged out the name. “This is Dr. Laney McPhearson. She’s consulting with Chandler.”
“Yeah, Henry told me. But when I saw the way you two were trying not to look at each other, I figured there was something going on.”
Laney’s face flamed even hotter. “Uh, no. We're just co-workers.”
Yoni grinned. “Yeah, that's how my wife and I started, too.”
“How is Julie?” Jake asked, and Laney felt profound relief at the topic change.
“She’s great. Did you know we’re expecting?” He reached into his front jean pockets and then his back, finally pulling out a picture. “Look, there’s my little man.”
Laney looked at the picture and smiled. How could you not love a man who carried around a sonogram pictur
e of his child?
“He’s got my chin, you see?”
Jake slapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, man. That’s great.”
“Yeah, it really is.” Yoni put the picture back in his pocket. He grabbed Laney’s bag and started heading for the parking lot. “I’ve got us set up in a house in Beaver Creek. It’s about a fifteen minute drive from here.”
Jake hiked up his bag. “Have you had any time to do any intel gathering?”
Yoni looked back over his shoulder and grinned. “Sure have. And I think I know where they’re keeping your missing men.”
CHAPTER 50
Beaver Creek, MT
Yoni drove Laney and Jake to a restaurant called The Firehouse in the downtown area of Beaver Creek. On the car ride over, they explained what they’d learned so far, including the nature of Paul. Yoni seemed to take the information in stride.
“So, to kill him, we completely obliterate the heart.” He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I’m pretty sure suffocating would work and dismembering would work pretty well, too. It’ll at least take awhile to grow back some arms.”
Laney had stared at him, amazed. Apparently, Yoni wasn’t fazed by much.
Stopping for lunch, they’d gotten a booth in the back corner where they had a complete view of the Firehouse Saloon. And saloon was apt, with its poker tables for dining, long wooden bar along one wall, and spittoon by the front door. The waitress mentioned they’d missed the lunch crowd by about an hour. Though from what little traffic there’d been in town, Laney couldn’t imagine it had been much of a crowd.
After everyone put in their order for burgers and fries, Yoni explained that the ranch Senator Kensington had purchased had formerly been owned by a man named Kenny Coleman. His daughter had been the one who’d sold the property to Kensington.
When Yoni had gotten in last night, he’d tracked down Kenny Coleman’s daughter, Kelly Nickels. She worked at Wal-Mart during the day and she waitressed at a bar called the Rusty Nail a couple of nights a week. She was a single mom with two kids. She’d really been struggling to make ends meet since her Dad passed away two years ago.
