Page 29 of Chinook Winds

“Maybe the tide is turning there as well. Hassanzai’s family name will only take him so far,” Kinsley said. “What do we know about the political climate in Afghanistan?”

Deacon heaved out a breath. “According to our two assets, a lot of people don’t believe what their government is saying. People are beginning to question what’s going on.”

“It would be a good time to target the Afghani people with what we know about Hassanzai and his connection to Legion. Can you and Garrett handle that, Jordyn?” James asked.

“We’ll put something together and start broadcasting immediately.”

“Good. Thanks, Jordyn. How are things there?”

“Quiet. There’s been no sign of a breach. But then again, thanks to Tegan’s Uncle Charlie for planning ahead, we’re well-protected.”

Kinsley still couldn’t imagine the nightmare decision Tegan had been forced to make. Legion had claimed to have his baby brother and vowed to kill him if Tegan didn’t cooperate. She’d never been in a situation like that before and couldn’t say how she would react if someone threatened Joe.

“Deacon, are you safe for now?” Victor voiced his concern for his people. “I’d like to keep you on the weapons until we can figure out how to safely get them out of the cave.”

“We’re safe enough. Badih and Isaad have a dozen people they trust here to assist. They’re all armed, so we’ll be taking shifts guarding the weapons.” Peter’s face appeared on the screen. “Tegan and Deacon checked on the plane. There’s been no sign anyone’s tried to mess with it.”

“Good. It appears we’re grounded here for the time being, not that I’m complaining.” Victor smiled at Bob.

Several people chuckled. Kinsley watched Victor as he spoke. He was a natural-born leader and possessed the ability to calm even the most stressful situation. Though her head assured her his place was as the president, her heart was slowly breaking. All she could think about was their kiss. It held so much promise. Filled her with wishes for things that seemed about as impossible as a future without Legion’s threat.

“Deacon, you, Peter, and Tegan stay safe. Jordyn and Garrett, I need you both digging into anything you can find on Collins’s past. I want to go back to his childhood and beyond if necessary. James, we can use your help as well. In the meantime, Ben, Cole, Kinsley, let’s speak to Duncan again. Now that he’s seen what Collins is capable of, maybe he’ll be willing to tell us everything. We need more than a number if we’re going to find Collins.”

Once the video call ended, Victor rose and started for the stairs. As they stepped into the living room, Hannah glanced up from examining Duncan’s arm. She finished her exam and stood before facing the two women in the room. “Why don’t we see if we can put something together for a meal? It’s been hours since anyone ate.”

Kinsley smiled her gratitude. Hannah had saved Kinsley’s life and had proven herself to be an important member of Strike Force.

“Let’s go,” Victor told a nervous Duncan. “Time to talk.” He headed to the room he and Kinsley had used earlier. Duncan slowly followed them inside.

Victor closed the door. “Have a seat, Howard.” The NSA Director dropped onto the sofa with his hands clutched tight. “Where would Collins go to hide out? You must have some idea.”

Kinsley watched Duncan’s expression and her heart sank. He didn’t know.

“I’m sorry, but I have no idea. As I told you before, Collins gave us a number to call if things got bad. He never spoke about his past or where he was from.”

Victor ran a hand through his hair and glanced her way. She confirmed her belief in what Duncan said with a shake of her head.

“Start from the beginning. Maybe you’ve forgotten something useful,” Cole stepped in. “When did Collins first approach you to join forces?”

Duncan eyed them all carefully before he blew out a shaky breath. “As I’ve said before, around six years ago. I was not in power at the time. He told me if I wanted to rise to the top of the NSA, he could make it happen quickly, but he’d need my loyalty.”

Kinsley’s eyes widened. “And you didn’t question that?”

Duncan shifted to her. “I thought it was strange, but being the director was a dream. And Collins was saying the right things—Make our country better and all.” Duncan shook his head. “I knew Collins was dangerous, but I gave in to the desire for power.”

At least that was an honest reply. Kinsley thought about the person who had been the NSA director at the time. She recalled the man had suffered a massive heart attack. Everyone had been surprised when someone who wasn’t in line for the directorship took power. Now she understood. Collins had been working his angle even back then.

“Soon, Collins started calling in favors. He had me covering up things. Working with my friend, Jake Evans, along with Kent Foster, to move the VX gas from the other countries to a government-storage facility.” Duncan paused before continuing. “And then things went south quickly. The event in Afghanistan happened. Collins demanded we shift the blame to the female CIA agent in charge of the mission.”

And Duncan had gone along with the plan without saying a word because he wanted to keep his ill-gotten power.

???

Kincaid appeared speechless, not that Collins minded. He preferred the man’s silence. His attention was on the person standing beside him. Edward Buckley had been in hiding since he’d escaped his prison cell, thanks to his son. “I’m glad you’re here,” Collins said. The last time he’d seen his father was more than five years earlier when Edward had left their compound in Afghanistan to return to the states under an assumed name.

But Collins had first reached out to him many years earlier, after he’d risen through the ranks of the CIA. He’d found out the truth about his father. Instead of being disgusted, Collins was intrigued. So, he’d written. Received a response right away. He’d even been invited to the maximum-security prison for a visit. And soon his visits became routine. It was his mentor along with his father who had opened his eyes to the direction the world was heading. His father had confirmed what his mentor had taught Collins. Without change, the world was on the brink of self-destructing.

Collins knew if he was going to complete his mentor’s plan, he’d need his father’s help. And so, they’d hatched the idea to break his father out of prison. It hadn’t been easy. Using his mentor’s help, Collins planned the perfect escape. With his father free, he smuggled him to Afghanistan. Then Collins went to work on organizing his own death.

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