Page 91 of Zero Hour

That gave them twenty-four hours to stop this attack. Then it would all be over.

One way or another.

CHAPTER 34

Midnight.

Al-Jabiri had been on the phone all night, making arrangements for their escape. The listening device caught pieces of conversations—a flight out of D.C. Sunday morning. One way.

They didn’t catch the destination.

Pat notified the Department of Homeland Security, who in turn flagged him with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Al-Jabiri wasn’t going anywhere.

Pat had just dozed off when Al-Jabiri’s voice cut through the static of his half-sleep.

"Bring me the woman."

Pat bolted upright. His watch read 0100.

His heart began to beat erratically.

Was this it?

Was this where he got to watch Jasmine die?

"Blade!" he bellowed.

His Ops Manager was there in seconds. "Yeah?"

He too looked rough and unshaven, but still alert. His operatives were younger than him and more used to the lack of sleep. Hell, his last official op had been over a decade ago.

He jerked his chin toward the screen. “Something’s happening.”

They both turned to watch.

"You expect me to treat you?" Jasmine’s voice was steady, but he could hear the ice in it. "After everything you’ve done? You think I’d help you?"

Al-Jabiri’s voice came through, tight and high. "He’s having an anxiety attack," Pat muttered.

Blade's gaze sharpened. "Good. Let him suffer."

"If you want Ryan to live, you’ll help me."

To give her credit, she didn’t back down. "You should have thought of that before you kidnapped him."

He growled, on the edge of losing control. Pat ground his jaw, wondering how far she was willing to push him. “I need to talk to you. The nightmares . . .”

She stood there, hands folded, watching him.

“Jasmine, please. I have to do this.”

Blade’s expression was hard. “Amazing what PTSD can do to a guy.” Pat knew he’d suffered from bouts of it in the past. He seemed much better now, since he’d married Lily and settled down. It had taken going back to Afghanistan to face his demons.

“Tell me where Ryan is?”

“Talk to me first, then I’ll tell you.”

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