Page 23 of A Gathering Storm

He and Walton headed toward the castle, the incident in Iowa continuing to bother him. The men tasked to keep the Strike Force members secure had failed miserably, and to top it off, they’d disappeared. They were a liability because of the information they knew. Something like this could not be allowed to happen again. He’d trusted Walton to assign the German special forces to go with him. Yet at the first hint of trouble, they’d run away like cowards and allowed two key members of the enemy to escape. As soon as he returned to the castle, Daniel planned to put together his own personal security force to find the enemy and annihilate them quickly.

The broadcasts that Strike Force had been spewing across the internet had set Daniel’s goals back tremendously. From here on out, he would take control of the initiative, and he would drive it with authority.

The car slid to a halt in the front of the castle. Servants raced out to open the door for them.

Daniel faced Walton. “You should go and rest. When I need you, I’ll send for you.”

Walton nodded absently and stumbled out of the limo.

Daniel motioned to one of the servants. “Take him to his room.”

Once Walton started toward the stairs, Daniel called over one of the security men guarding the entrance.

“Yes, sir.” The man understood Daniel was the one calling the shots now.

“Make sure Ambassador Kirkpatrick and his wife have what they need, but they are to remain in their rooms until further notice.”

The security officer confirmed the command with a nod and followed Walton and the servant.

Daniel headed to the formal dining room where his intelligence team waited for his arrival.

Walton had almost cost them much by continuing to deny the existence of the flawed attack led by Russia. So before Daniel left for the US, he’d told Walton exactly what to say and ordered him not to stray from the prepared dialogue. He’d been pleased with Walton’s performance.

Daniel entered the room, and the men and women seated at the table rose. They understood they were in the presence of greatness like they’d never seen before. Unlike Walton with his grandfatherly persona, Daniel demanded excellence and he’d settle for nothing less. “Be seated,” he commanded. “Tell me what we have on their location.”

Daniel had handpicked each member of the team without Walton’s knowledge. They were the best of the best. He faced the NSA commander who had taken over the command from Howard Duncan after he’d deserted. Gary O’Boyle was in his early thirties and hungry to climb the ladder. He’d willingly signed on.

“I want to know where Strike Force is hiding in the US.”

O’Boyle lost all color. “We have everyone on the team working around the clock to find them.”

“I don’t want to hear platitudes; I want answers.” He faced the agent who was supposed to be the computer genius who could crack any computer system. “And why is that website still broadcasting?” Daniel had let them know if they didn’t produce results, he’d find someone who could.

“The encryption is very complicated,” the man mumbled.

Daniel slammed his fist against the table. “Get it done now. If I have to find someone else who will do it, then it won’t go well for you.”

The fear in the man’s eyes made it clear he got the message. “I’ll handle it.”

“I want results today.”

The man actually stuttered as he confirmed the request.

Daniel swung back to O’Boyle. “And I want to know their hideout within a few days. When we have their location, I want them obliterated.”

O’Boyle recoiled. “Are you talking about using the nuclear weapons?”

Daniel leaned forward to within a few inches of the terrified man. “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to eliminate their threat to world peace. And if any of you get in the way, I won’t think twice about doing the same to you.”

Chapter Eight

Sadie pulled her hand free of Eva’s and slipped it into Cole’s. Her daughter was mad and with good cause, yet her childish act of defiance ripped Eva’s heart to shreds. She dug down deep and let the matter go for the moment. Sadie was a loving child. She would forgive Eva in time. Until then, it was going to hurt like crazy.

Eva joined Cole, her gaze on the dog who trotted out in front of them while her heart broke. Cole was watching her, no doubt sensing the inner turmoil inside her. That was a conversation for the two of them later.

“I’m hungry, daddy.” Sadie peered up at Cole with those big eyes while ignoring Eva completely.

Cole stopped and knelt in front of Sadie. “I know you’re angry with your mother, but you mustn’t be. She was only thinking of you.” Sadie’s familiar pout formed along with a frown that told Eva she wasn’t happy with what Cole said.

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