Page 102 of Silver Fire

“Too grainy for facial recognition,” Tim said.

“Keep the satellite on them,” Derek instructed. “See if we can gauge how many hostiles we’re up against and where they are patrolling. I’m getting Viktor to approve a strike team.”

A rescue, Derek thought quietly. For the first time in days, he felt hope.Hold on Angel, I’m coming for you.

* * *

Sweat trickleddown her neck as Sophie stood outside the barn flanked by Yuri and his lab assistants. The sun had just begun to set, and the day had been warmer than usual. A controlled blast shook the ground beneath her feet as Sophie watched the dummy bomb explode. If circumstances were different, she would be ecstatic, but now she was just feeling beat down and hopeless. Beth had gotten worse. Her friend had a fever and there were no signs that anyone was taking her to the hospital.

There was a commotion earlier, but she had no idea what it was because she was quickly escorted to her room and locked in until she was called out to witness the test. Morgan armed the trigger according to Sophie’s instructions. Judging from the smile and the relief on Justin’s face after the bomb test, he was satisfied with the result.

He walked up to her now, a look of pride on his face. “You did well, Sophie.”

“Thank you,” Sophie said. “I want you to bring Beth to the hospital. At least, please do this for me.”

A look of regret passed through Justin’s eyes. “We’ll see what we can do.”

The blunt rhythm of a helicopter echoed off in the distance. Sophie saw the tiny speck of a military style chopper approach. Justin turned to one of his henchmen.

“Take Dr. Leroux to her room.”

“What’s going on?”

“We’re leaving.” Justin turned around to talk to some of his men.

“What? We can’t leave. Where are you taking us?” Sophie struggled against the man who held her. She was tired of being kept in the dark regarding his plans.

Justin spun around, fury scoring his face in harsh lines. “I’m taking you with me. Ms. Turner, I’m afraid, will be left behind.”

“What’s going on?”

“Enough with the questions, Sophie, you will do as I tell you!” Justin shouted at her. Turning to the man who held her, he said, “Don’t tell me you can’t handle one little woman.”

Without another word, Sophie was lifted bodily and hauled into the house.

“Where is he taking me?” Sophie demanded. Of course Justin’s man wouldn’t answer her. “I can’t take this anymore, damn it! Someone tell me what’s going on?”

The henchman lowered her to the floor and dragged her down the hallway, opening the door to her room, he shoved her inside and locked the door.

Screw this, Sophie thought angrily. She scrambled to the mattress and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. This held a crucial section of the research. The two days she spent at the makeshift lab, she had managed to determine the working habits of Yuri and his lab assistants; even the guard that was watching them got bored sometimes and dozed off. The most critical part of the research would be proper enrichment levels of zefinium and since Yuri and his crew never performed this part, they wouldn’t miss it. Regarding the trigger design notes, she simply made them more confusing. Yuri couldn’t figure it out the first time, he certainly wouldn’t figure it this time. She tore up the sheet of paper with firm resolution and marched to the bathroom to flush it down the toilet.

After what felt like hours,the noise of the chopper finally receded. Sophie was hungry, she was tired, and she was hot. It seemed quieter than usual. She heard faint conversation outside, but no longer the loud shouting of people moving equipment around.

Finally the doorknob turned, and Justin walked in holding a tray.

“You must be hungry, beautiful.”

Sophie immediately sat up on her makeshift bed, hugging her knees as she warily eyed Justin sitting down beside her. She ignored the food but drank the ice water.

“You need to eat.”

“Not unless you tell me where you’re taking me.”

“I’m taking you to South Africa.”

Sophie felt her heart jump to her throat. What?What?“You can’t just take me out of the country!”

“I can. And I will. Eat—Your—Food!” Justin bit out, glaring at her.

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