Page 37 of Storm Surge

Will watched out the window as the van approached carrying the man.

Lincoln parked out front. He and Henry got out of the front of the van, then Henry opened the door for Ezekiel Hardeman who climbed out seemingly unaware of the ambush waiting for him.

Will opened the door and stepped out onto the porch to meet Hardeman. He held out his hand. “Will Grayson.” He turned to Garrett. “This is Garrett Craig. Thank you for coming. Step in.” Will opened the door and Hardeman came inside. “Can I get you some coffee? Something to eat?” Will hoped to put the man at ease.

“No thank you. If you don’t mind, I’d like to get on with it. I promised my wife I would join her this weekend in Miami. My pilot will be arriving here within the hour to fly me there.”

Will smiled. Hardeman had no idea he wouldn’t be leaving on any flight. “I understand. Right this way.” He led the way into the war room. “Have a seat.”

Hardeman pulled out one of the chairs at the end of the conference table. “Now, how can I help Strike Force?” There was a hint of smugness in Hardeman’s tone that seemed to confirm his contempt for the team trying to bring down Collins.

Will motioned to Garrett who brought up the flight plan for Hardeman’s jet.

“You can start by telling us why your plane made a recent trip to Anana Harbor, Alaska. The very same location where we believe Martin Collins is hiding out.” Will maintained eye contact.

Hardeman’s expression slipped ever so slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There must be some mistake.”

Will moved closer. “There is no mistake, Ezekiel. Your pilot told us everything. He said you picked up someone resembling Martin Collins and flew him to a location in Anana Harbor. The man was terrified of Collins and afraid he was going to kill him. So, if you want to help yourself and have a chance to see your wife again someday, I suggest you start talking. Now.”

???

She stood close to the shore. Fresh fallen snow covered the bank, giving the world a surreal feel. Lizzy watched waves crashing against the shore, then the first prickling of unease had her whirling around. Just the tiniest of sounds and yet she knew something, or someone, was close. “Who’s there?”

Nothing but silence met the request. Still, she couldn’t dismiss the chill speeding up her spine. She started up the embankment at a fast pace when she noticed it. Footsteps. Heading toward the woods nearby. She’d been right. Someone was here.

With her heart pounding, Lizzy ran while her fingers flew across the keyboard of her phone.I need you. Someone is here. I’m at the shore. Hurry,Will.

She almost reached the top of the bluff when a man stepped from the woods. Lizzy stopped short. Her eyes shot to his face. Fear threatened to swallow her up. Without a doubt it was the man who had taken her prisoner. Her frantic eyes shot around the countryside.Hurry,Will.

“You killed him.” The man held a knife at his side. His agitated hand jerked it back and forth across his leg. He seemed unaware that he’d nicked his leg, and it was bleeding.

Lizzy tried to control her breathing. Will had responded. She didn’t dare look at the phone. “Who are you talking about?” Her voice shook over the words.

“Him. You killed him. My father. He died because of you. I watched it.”

My father? Edward Buckley was this man’s father?

The need to flee was strong, but she knew he would follow. Maybe kill her before Will could reach the bluff. The only option was to keep him talking. “I haven’t killed anyone.”

“You did, too.” He charged for her, the knife raised. Lizzy sucked in a breath and backed away. Those same inhuman eyes were now engulfed in rage.

He lunged again. Before he reached her, Lizzy spun around and ran for her life. Her heart exploded in her chest. Above the noise and the fear she spotted Will. “Help me!” She yelled.

Her attacker stopped short. Spotted Will. With one final glare for Lizzy, he took off toward the woods at a fast speed.

Will fired off several shots, but the man dove for coverage.

“Are you okay?” Will asked once he reached her side. The concern on his face melted some of the terror.

“I’m okay, but he’s the one. He’s the one who took me.”

“Stay here.” Will ran toward the woods after the man, and Lizzy couldn’t stop shaking. The person who had taken her at her grandfather’s behest was here on her family property, and he had tried to kill her.

Somewhere nearby, what sounded like a four-wheeler fired up. He was getting away. The man who had harmed so many people was getting away.

Chapter Thirteen

Aplane sat running at the nearby airfield. Victor motioned two of his people over. “Stay here and keep an eye on that plane. I don’t want him getting away.”

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