Page 20 of Thin Ice

Brookes gave him the name of Kinsley’s brother.

Tom nodded. “Okay. Stay out of sight. If it isn’t him, I’ll find a way to get rid of him.”

They slipped into the trees once more as the SUV approached the spot where Tom was parked. He forced the driver to a stop when he would have crept past. The driver lowered his window. Tom stepped close, blocking the man behind the wheel from their view.

After a moment of conversation, Tom waved them over. “This is your guy,” he said once they reached him.

“It’s nice to meet you, Joe. Sorry it has to be under these circumstances.” Brookes shook his hand.

“Where is my sister? She didn’t sound so good on the phone.”

“She’s been shot.” Abby didn’t mince words. She told him the details that they knew.

Joe shook his head. “Unbelievable. Whatever I can do to help, I will.”

“Thank you.” Brookes turned to Tom. “No one was suspicious of you after what happened back there?”

Tom grinned. “No. I’m a sergeant, so most of the men beneath my rank believe whatever I tell them. I guess that’s not always a good thing.”

With Legion filling the world with lies, very few people would look below the surface of their propaganda to see the truth. Thank God for Tom.

“I’m going to have to get out of here pretty quick, before someone does become suspicious. What’s the plan? Do you need my help?” Tom asked.

“We’re not sure.” Brookes looked to Joe. “Is there someplace where we can stay out of sight until our exit team arrives? Legion will be watching your place.”

“Who’s Legion?”

Brookes did his best to fill both men in about the nightmare they’d become part of.

“That’s an amazing story.” The disbelief in Joe’s eyes was easy to see. “If I didn’t know my sister the way I do, I’d say it was a lie you’ve created to cover up your crimes.”

“Trust me, we wish it weren’t the truth,” Abby told him.

“With my place off limits, there’s only one location I can think of, but if they know my connection to Kinsley, they may figure it out soon enough.”

At this point, Brookes would take what he could get. The sooner they put space between themselves and the van, the better. “At least it will buy us some time.”

Tom’s radio mic on his jacket roared to life. “Sarge, you there?”

“That’s dispatch. Let me take this.” He turned away and answered the call.

“We should get Kinsley and Victor and our supplies out of here while we still can.”

Tom ended his call with a frown on his face. “This isn’t good. The National Security Guard is taken over the search for you. We’ll be answering directly to them from here on out, and they’re bringing in unlimited amounts of weapons and machines. The orders are shoot to kill, as you’ve probably heard already over the radio. And this new guy in charge, well, he’s eager to prove himself.”

“That’s because he’s working for Legion. . . or should I say, he’s in control of Legion.” Brookes told them about Sinclair’s real identity. “The goal is to take control over all branches of government—local all the way up to the federal offices. Before long, the local police won’t have any control at all. It’s not good.”

“I don’t mind telling you, I’m worried about this country,” Tom said. “They want me back at my precinct right away. There’s going to be a meeting with the head of the National Security Guard.”

“Be careful. Sinclair is one bad guy.” Brookes told him about how Collins had executed two members of Legion in cold blood.

“Unbelievable. According to my lieutenant, they’re closing all the borders and putting roadblocks up in all the small towns along this route. Your window of escaping is closing quickly. You won’t be able to get out by vehicle.”

Tom’s words were like a punch to the gut, but it confirmed what Brookes suspected.

“As soon as I know more, I’ll call you.”

“Thanks.” Abby gave him her new number.

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