Page 36 of Storm Surge

Collins trusted Walton’s decisions now more than ever. Walton had warned him about his father. Told him the man was a killer who would do more harm than good, and yet Collins hadn’t chosen to listen, and it ended up harming his daughter. Never again. He would now trust Walton in all things. “You were right about my father.” Admitting his wrong tasted bitter, but he had to be completely honest with Walton. “He was nothing but a killer and not deserving to be part of our future. I’m sorry that I didn’t listen to you back then.”

Walton was well into his eighties, yet he exuded strength and confidence. He smiled graciously. “No worries. Tell me what happened with Edward?”

Getting the ugly truth out was hard. “He hurt my daughter.” Even now, after he’d had a few days to digest the truth, it still seemed surreal to reconcile what he believed he knew about his father with the truth that had been there all along. “I should have known he was up to no good when he chose to leave Afghanistan all those years ago. He told me he missed the US, but what he really missed was the killing.”

Walton shook his head. “Edward was sick. I saw that from the beginning. You had a blind spot, understandably because he was your father. From here on out, you must trust me, Martin. We cannot have such distractions in the future. Agreed?”

A weight lifted off Collins’s shoulders. “Agreed.”

“Good.” Walton made no move to join Ahmad and Kader. “We have some hard decisions to make very soon. And no second guessing. There are those who are in custody who can do us harm. They must be eliminated. You understand?”

He did. Many of their team’s upper echelon knew things that could damage the cause. Several had been arrested already. More would follow. They had to be stopped before they talked like Howard Duncan.

“I do. And you’re right. So far, Howard Duncan hasn’t told Strike Force everything he knows because if he had, I would be dead by now. But Howard is weak. If he realizes there’s nothing in it for him to keep mum, he will talk.”

“We’ll need to find him. He has to be dealt with soon.”

“How? He’s with Douglas and his people, surrounded by Strike Force agents. There’s no way we can reach him.”

With a smile, Walton motioned to his people and headed to the door. “Trust me. You have a hard time giving your trust, and though I understand this after your wife’s betrayal, I am not Sofia, and I would never betray the cause.”

Collins sighed deeply. “I am sorry. Guess I’m a little rattled. They’re searching my family home. They have my daughter.”

“Yes, I know all of this, and I will get your daughter back. She’ll be part of us in no time. And perhaps once we’re in control for real this time, that property will be yours again. It’s all within your grasp. You just have to trust me. Don’t screw it up again.”

Chapter Twelve

“This is interesting,” Garrett sat back in his seat and rubbed his head.

“What‘s interesting?” Will claimed the seat beside his friend and stared at the screen.

“Hardeman owns a private jet. Get this. The jet was logged traveling to Oregon and then to Alaska within a few days of each other.”

The mention of Alaska grabbed Will’s attention. “Where in Alaska?”

Garrett looked him in the eye. “Anana Harbor.”

“That’s no coincidence.” Will grabbed his phone and called Victor. “We have news.” He explained what Garrett had uncovered.

“You’re right, that’s no accident. How long before Hardeman arrives there?”

“Any time. I heard from Lincoln. Hardeman came along of his own accord. He told Lincoln he’s anxious to help in any way he can.”

“Unbelievable. Hardeman’s involved in Collins’s plan somehow. He doesn’t leave, understand?”

“Understood.”

“How’s Kevin doing in guarding Kincaid?” Victor asked, no doubt for a distraction.

Will smiled. They’d all taken Kevin under their wing. “Like he’s been doing it forever.” It surprised many that Victor had become good friends with the former drug dealer, but as for Will, it just confirmed everything he knew about the man. Victor gave everyone the benefit of the doubt.

“I’m so glad he gave his life to God. Kevin’s a good soul.” Victor paused. “Call me when you’ve spoken to Hardeman. I’m anxious to hear what he has to say.”

“I will. Good luck with the mission. I sure hope Collins is there. We have to bring him down before he can hurt anyone else.”

A plane could be heard descending toward the landing strip. “Hardeman’s here,” Will told Victor. “I’ll call you when I’ve spoken to him.”

Garrett closed the laptop. “This should be interesting.”

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