They hung there, dangling by Burke’s one good arm, and even though the night was filled with the sound of gunfire and the swooping chopper, it seemed quiet to Burke as his mind automatically shut everything out in favor of his dire situation.
“Lyndsey—my fingers are slipping. Can you find a foothold? A crack in the rock?”
“I’m trying,” she said, her voice tight. “But it’s mostly smooth here. I did grab a small branch growing from the cliff face, but as soon as I did, it tore loose.”
“I can’t hold us much longer with one arm. Even with two, it would be a challenge.”
“Where are the others?”
“Keeping that damn chopper occupied. We could shout for help, but I doubt they’d hear us.”
They gave it a try anyway, screaming at the top of their lungs, but even as the cries left their throats, Burke knew it was useless. The sound was immediately swallowed up by the rush of the Atlantic against the base of the cliff, the pounding rotors of the chopper, and the rat-tat-tat of arms fire.
“Lyndsey,” Burke gasped. “I can’t do it. I can’t hold us.”
“I know, Burke,” she replied. “I know.”
“My fingers are almost completely numb. They’re going to release at any moment.”
“It’s okay, Burke. We’ll count to three, okay? But first I want to tell you something I should have told you long ago.”
“That I’m the best sex you’ve ever had?”
“No, you idiot. That…that I love you. And have for a long time. I just couldn’t bring myself to admit it and become that vulnerable. You know?”
“I…know,” Burke said, wheezing with the strain. “And I love you…Lyndsey. I’m sorry our relationship has been so…difficult.”
“We both played a part in that,” Lyndsey said. “And now, let’s count. Ready? One…two…”
And then Lyndsey let go.
Burke cried out in horror and looked down as she fell into the darkness. And as he watched, he heard her final cry: “Don’t let go, Burke! Please!”
And then she was gone, mercifully disappearing into blackness before reaching the bottom. A second later, he felt Perry’s hands grab his wrist, but his screams did not stop, knowing he’d live. They did not stop for a long time.
20
The flight home was a quiet one, and for good reason. There was little to celebrate and much to mourn. Burke leaned against the side of the plane and looked out the window. The cruel sun was shining brightly in a cloudless sky and sparkling off the surface of the Atlantic. Perry, who had only recently begun rebounding from the tragic death of his wife, sat next to Burke, the two men bonding in grief.
“I should have let go,” Burke said. “I should have joined her.”
Perry gripped his friend’s shoulder. “That’s not what she wanted. You know that.”
“I should have been able to hold on long enough for help to arrive.”
“You held longer than anyone else I know. And besides, we should have followed up faster or sent someone with you. I know Moore is beating himself up over that. Don’t be surprised if he decides to institute some rule about agents always being in twos or threes.”
“That would never work.”
“No, but it shows how much he’s hurting over Lyndsey. She meant a lot to him, and she was a damn good agent.”
Burke choked back the lump in his throat. “You know what she said to me, Perry? Just before she let go?”
Perry shook his head.
“She told me she loved me. For the first time ever, she told me she loved me. Life can go fuck itself. It’s really a bitch.”
“That it is, my friend. That it is. And I know that everything looks dark right now, but believe me when I say that you will come out on the other side of this. It will take time and some effort, but you will conquer this. It’s what Lyndsey would want. Take time to grieve, take as much time as you need, but don’t let yourself make it your new lifestyle. Not like I did.”
Burke nodded. “Thanks, man. I’m still pretty numb, so I know the worst is yet to come. I hope you don’t mind if I pick up the phone now and then just to hear the voice of someone who knows what I’m talking about. Someone who knows how to survive this nightmare.”
“Anytime, Burke. Anytime day or night.” Then, in a quieter and more ominous tone that Burke was too hurt to notice, Perry added, “I’ll show you a way.”
Table of Contents
Title Page
Contents
Copyright
Also by Craig A. Hart
Assignment: Sydney
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Assignment: Alaska
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Assignment: Dublin
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Assignment- Danger A SpyCo Collection 4-6 Page 29
