Page 46 of Zero Visibility

She looked at the woman who had suffered so much at Legion’s hands. Newly married, she and her husband were forced into hiding along with the rest of Strike Force. “He does. More than I deserve.”

Sidney squeezed her arm. “Oh, I don’t know about that. You are both blessed to have each other.” Something dark entered her eyes. “I just pray for a good ending. None of us asked for this. We all had lives we lived until Legion came into them. I pray God will allow us to have those lives back someday soon. And our world will be free of Legion’s clutches, because if they are allowed to prosper, this is going to be one dark world we’re living in.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Andrew’s safe,” Tegan said the minute Ben walked into the makeshift command center.

“I heard.” Ben clasped Tegan’s shoulder. “We all needed some good news.”

Tegan smiled briefly and moved away.

Ben slipped into the chair beside Cole. “Any news on the president?”

Cole shook his head. “None yet, but James is close to pinpointing the location of the caller. In the meantime, I’m going to send a response to the writer and hope they’re legit and can help us locate the president alive.”

Ben agreed. It would definitely be a blow to Legion if they proved Kincaid had lied about the president’s death.

“Now that we’re up and operational, I’ve been scanning the news feeds since the initial attack and Kincaid being sworn in as president. I’ve been searching for any signs of Collins, since we believe he’s the mastermind behind the attacks. So far, there’s been no sign of him in any of the photo shoots with Kincaid,” James said.

Ben pondered what was said. “With Evans gone, Director Stephan Larsen—Legion’s guy in the CIA—is now in control of the Agency. Deputy Director of NSA, Howard Duncan, is in league with them as well. We can assume the Defense Intelligence and the State Department are working for Legion. What about the FBI and National Intelligence? Do we have any leads into them? We need to find out if there are any others questioning what’s happening. We sure could use some allies.”

“I know someone from the FBI who I can reach out to. He’s a good friend and we went to university together. Emily, what about you? Do you have any friends over at National Intelligence?” Cole asked the former NSA employee who had been targeted to die because she’d started asking questions about what happened in Alaska.

“I may know someone. I’ll see if I can take the temperature of NI and see where their allegiance lies.”

“Guys, I have something,” James interrupted, and all eyes turned to him. “I’ve pinpointed the general location for the person claiming to be with the president.”

“Where?” Ben hurried over to James’s laptop.

“Assuming the calling isn’t working for Legion,” James stressed, “the phone appears to be at an abandoned building in the Washington Highlands area in the eighth ward.”

“That’s a dangerous part of the city.” Ben recalled hearing it was one of the worst areas in D.C., plagued by drug dealers, thieves, and gangs.

“It is.” James confirmed with a nod. “I’ll do a remote sweep of the building to see if there’s any surveillance cameras to pick up Abby and Brookes’s approach.”

“Good thinking. And get them on the phone.” Cole gave the order to James. “Victor may not have much longer.”

Those chilling words hung in Ben’s head.

“Copy that.” James turned away to make the call.

Ben struggled to take it in. They might actually be able to save the president. Even with President Douglas alive, would it be enough to stop Legion’s deadly plans?

“How’s Jen holding up?” Cole asked quietly, forcing Ben’s attention back to the moment.

“She’s strong and the baby’s healthy. I’m just so grateful to have them both here.”

“Amen.” Cole smiled.

“Speaking of that. I think we need to consider this thing may go on for a long period in time. We have no idea what else Legion has planned, but whatever it is, it won’t be good. Others will be joining us seeking refuge from Legion. We have to find another, bigger place to relocate.” Ben stopped and surveyed the faces of the battle-weary team. “I know it’s the last thing any of us want to think about after we’ve just gotten set up here, but this place is far too small for the people we have now. In time, there will be more. And security here is nonexistent.”

“I agree,” Cole said. “But I don’t think we have the luxury of traveling far, if what you and your people went through is any indication. We need someplace big enough for everyone and yet defendable.”

James ended the call. “They’re heading to the location now. They’ll leave to chopper someplace safe and find a less conspicuous means of travel. I’ll let them know about the security set-up as soon as I have it.”

“Good.” Cole told him about what he and Ben had been discussing.

“I’ll start checking around at some abandoned locations around. Maybe I can come up with something that will accommodate us all.”

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