Page 21 of Chinook Winds

After his aunt’s and uncle’s deaths, he learned the truth. His father had killed his mother. The lust for blood ran in his family. After he realized what happened, something shifted inside him. Things became clearer. Collins knew from then on he was destined for bigger things.

Unlike him, Betty had taken after their aunt. Sweet and caring, she’d do whatever Collins told her. Betty believed him and trusted his judgment completely. She had no idea the things he’d done to protect her and his daughter.

Collins listened for any sound coming from the room where Kincaid was being held. Nothing but silence. Satisfied, he went to the wall safe that was hidden behind a painting. Unlocking it, he removed the burner phone he kept inside. It contained two numbers. Both important. One for his mentor, and one for. . . He powered up the phone and called one number. Wasn’t surprised that the call went straight to voicemail. But the line was secure. He had no problem leaving a message. “We’re moving forward to the next stage. It’s time. I need you.”

Chapter Six

“Are the weapons in Afghanistan?” For the last half hour, Duncan had played a game of cat and mouse with information, and Victor had had enough. “I want answers now.

Frown lines appeared on Duncan’s forehead. “I realize you don’t want to believe me, but I have no idea about the weapons. That was something Collins and Hassanzai obtained with Kincaid’s help.”

Victor didn’t fully believe him, but he shelved the line of questioning for now. His team was on the ground in Afghanistan. They’d be able to tell if the weapons were there soon enough. “Where is Collins? You must have discussed a place to meet up in case something went wrong.”

Duncan blew out a breath. “There was no place to meet up. All I have is a number. Collins told us all that if something should happen and we needed to get out of the area quickly, we were supposed to call the number and ask for a parachute.”

Victor frowned. Duncan had lied about being able to deliver Collins. The information he’d given amounted to virtually nothing. Of course, Collins and Hassanzai wouldn’t trust Duncan to be privileged to critical information. “Give me the number.” He motioned for James who stepped forward.

Duncan hesitated, then recited it aloud.

James typed it into his phone and went to work trying to locate the person behind the number.

“When was the last time you spoke to Collins?” Victor continued with the questions.

Duncan thought about it for a second. “About two days ago. He called from a burner phone. He’s paranoid. Changes phones all the time. Former CIA, you know.”

Victor was well aware of the man’s dossier. “What did Collins want when you talked?”

“He wanted to make sure I was staying the course. Didn’t want anyone defecting to the enemy.”

“Phone’s a burner,” James said. “No way of tracing it.”

Victor tamped down his disappointment. “What about Collins’s number?

The man hesitated for a second before rattling it off. “But like I said, it’s a burner as well. He’s probably switched to another by now.”

Victor nodded to James. “See what you can do.”

Someone came into the room. Kaid. “We have a problem.” Kaid motioned Victor out into the hallway where Sidney, Cole, and Ben waited.

“Tom has cameras set up around the property and out on the main road,” Kaid said. “There are vehicles moving this way.”

Victor’s attention jerked back to the room where James and Kinsley kept watch over Duncan.

“How many?”

“Three. Maybe more.” Kaid held his gaze. “Somehow they found us.”

He didn’t understand it. They’d been so careful.

“What about a timed tracker?” Sidney said.

Victor faced her. “Like the one Emerson had.” Nolan Emerson who had been forced to work for Collins in the past had agreed to help Strike Force. One of the first things Emerson told them was that he had a tracking device implanted in his arm. He’d said Hassanzai set it up. No doubt at Collins’s suggestion.

“Yes,” Sidney said. “Emerson claimed it was programmed to go off in two days if there was no contact between himself and Hassanzai.”

Victor turned back to the room where Duncan sat. “He said the last time he spoke to Collins was two days ago.”

Sidney watched Duncan’s demeanor. “We have to get out of here now. And we’ll need to remove the tracking device quickly. Otherwise, they’ll keep coming.”

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