Page 33 of Zero Visibility

Tegan appeared stunned for a moment before he handed the Glock to Ben.

“Get inside the SUV. You’ll sit next to me. I want to hear everything you told them. Are they tracking you?”

Tegan slowly nodded. That explained how they’d found their former headquarters. But why hadn’t they located the compound in Montana? The storms that God had sent through the area was the only reason he could come up with. By God’s hand, the members of Strike Force were still alive.

“How are they tracking you? Stop stalling, Tegan, or I’ll think you’re still cooperating and leave you here with these men.”

Tegan handed him the phone. “They’ve placed a tracker on it.”

Ben threw the phone on the ground and destroyed it. “Let’s go,” He took the man’s arm and led him into the SUV. Once the others piled in, Will shoved the gear in Drive and eased past the men in the car.

They put space between themselves and Legion’s men before Ben made himself face the man he considered a friend. “Start talking. How did they get their hooks into you?”

Tegan struggled to get words out. “I got a text from someone who I thought was my brother. Right after they found out about you.” Tegan shook his head. “It was someone from Legion.”

Ben recalled the time when Jake Evans, the then deputy director of the CIA, found out Ben wasn’t working for Legion as Evans believed, but was trying to bring them down. Ben had minutes to escape. With the help of his friend and pilot, Deacon Turner, they’d managed to make it back to Strike Force headquarters. But Evans had known each of the men who worked with Ben were dirty. Out of them all, he’d figured Tegan was the most vulnerable because of his kid brother that Tegan had practically raised. It was ironic that Evans was shot by Legion’s leader, Martin Collins, for bringing Ben and his men into their inner circle.

“What did they say to you to get you to turn?”

Tegan’s mouth twisted. “They claimed to have my brother. They said if I told anyone, they’d kill Andrew. They demanded I do exactly what they told me.”

How had Legion’s goons obtained Tegan’s number? All the members of Strike Force used burner phones and changed them periodically to prevent this from happening.

“I called Andrew once from my phone. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.” Tegan glanced down at his hands. “I’m sorry, Ben.”

“Where is your brother? Taking into account they may be bluffing, where would your brother normally be?”

Tegan stared at him for the longest time. “You think it’s just a bluff and Andrew’s safe?”

Ben had no way of knowing for certain, but if Legion hadn’t given Tegan any proof, such as a video of Andrew being held captive, or a phone call confirming it, then Ben was inclined to believe it was a hoax. “Tell me where he is normally, and we’ll see if we can find out.”

Tegan blew out a breath. “Thank you, Ben. It’s more than I deserve, I know, but thank you. Andrew attends the University of Idaho. He’s studying to become a lawyer.”

Ben brought out his phone and called Cole. If Andrew was still at the university and Legion had fooled Tegan into thinking they had him, Ben had no doubt they’d have eyes on the boy. Getting him out from under their watchful eye wouldn’t be easy.

As soon as Cole answered, Ben gave him the condensed version of what happened. “We need to help this kid. Once they figure out Tegan is no longer working for them, Andrew could be in danger for real.” If he wasn’t already.

“I can’t believe Tegan would betray you and the team in such a way.” Cole blew out an angry-sounding breath. “We’re stretched thin, but I happen to know someone who might help. I’ll get in touch with them and see what I can do.”

“Thanks, Cole. Is there any news on the president?” He turned slightly away from Tegan who listened carefully to his conversation. Though Tegan had no way of reaching out to Legion, Ben’s trust was broken. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to repair it.

“James had narrowed the location of the phone to outside of Langley when it went silent. It’s either been turned off or it's dead. We can’t risk Abby’s and Brooke’s life if we’re wrong. We need to be sure before we send them in.”

“Agreed. Any news on Collins?”

“Nothing so far,” Cole said. “He seems to be happy to stay in the shadows, which worries me. What’s he got planned next? With Kincaid as president, this country and most of our allies are securely in Legion’s clutches even if they don’t realize it. We’re outmanned and on our heels.”

Ben didn’t want to think about what would happen if the last vestige of freedom were taken away.

???

Jen clasped his hand. The etched lines on Ben’s face scared her. She’d do anything to take that expression away. “Everything okay?” The lack of hope in his eyes was hard to take. Ben was the strongest man she knew.

“I don’t know anymore.” He looked over his shoulder at the man sleeping beside him. “Tegan was like a brother to me. I never thought he’d betray us.”

She cupped his face. “They threatened his brother, Ben. I can’t blame him for wanting to protect his family.” She hesitated. “What will happen to him?”

Ben shrugged. “I don’t know. Normally, he’d be facing jail time, but the rules have changed and like it or not, we’re at war . . . and he’s still my friend. He made a mistake. Still, it almost cost all of us our lives and who knows how much danger it has done.” He shook his head.

---