Page 22 of Firestorm

“That’s all well and good, but whoever these people are, they will have left with Strike Force in our planes. We need to be searching for a place where they could disappear. It would have to be isolated. Big enough for a large group of people to stay hidden.”

“We’re on it,” another low-level person assured him.

They’d all watched him execute Jackson. They knew what he was capable of. He leaned in close to those seated around the table and made sure they understood.

“You’d better. I want a list of locations within the hour. Do you understand?”

Each person seated around the table confirmed quickly.

“Good.” He raked his furious glare across each of them and then stormed from the room.

His phone reflected five messages. He had no doubt they were all from Pamphili wanting a status update. So far, the news of the escape hadn’t reached him. That wouldn’t last long. If he wanted to save his career and his life, he’d have to find Strike Force and eliminate every member of the team before it was too late.

???

“We’re almost the airport,” Dustin announced. Sarah’s shoulders slowly relaxed. The roads they’d been traveling could barely be called roads.

Dustin’s phone rang and he answered it. “Where exactly?” The tension in his voice assured Sarah their fight for freedom was far from over. “Okay, thanks for the heads-up.” Dustin ended the call. “This is bad.”

James leaned forward. “What’s happened?”

Seated beside her, Sarah could almost feel James’ reservations growing.

“That was a buddy of mine who works for the sheriff’s department. He says they are mobilizing law enforcement from all around the area. They’re shutting down all roads. Hunting us down.” Dustin glanced at them in the rearview mirror. “He said they’re checking all airports. Even those who haven’t been in use in a long time.”

“How much further?” James asked.

“A few miles.”

“Is there a way to reach the airstrip without using the roads?”

Dustin thought about it for a moment. “There is, but it will be rough. I’m not sure the van will make it.”

James nodded. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

“Roger that.” Dustin grabbed his phone and let the team behind them know the change of plans.

“We have to get to that plane,” James told her. “With the latest announcement, Pamphili will have people coming out of the woodwork to take us out.”

Sarah shivered at the thought. “How can these people believe such lies?” It didn’t make sense how so many people were being fooled by the things Pamphili was spouting. Especially after the damage Martin Collins had wreaked on the world.

“Everyone’s scared,” James said quietly. “Their world has been changed, and they’re looking for someone to tell them everything is going to be okay. Pamphili and Kirkpatrick have their ear. Saying the right things. Talking about uniting the world. No one else has been able to do before.” He held her gaze. “And if Pamphili is the antichrist spoken of in the Bible, then he will definitely have the ability to blind those who are not grounded in God.”

So many were out there lost and confused.

The van slowed immediately grabbing Sarah’s attention.

“This is the best place to head off road,” Dustin informed them, but he didn’t turn off. Instead, he stopped the van.

James immediately sat forward. “Why are we stopping?”

Sarah gripped the seat, her heart racing.

“I thought I saw movement in the woods.” Dustin jumped out before James could voice another question.

“Something’s not right,” James whispered.

Sarah looked through the front of the vehicle. Dustin was on the phone. The man driving the SUV pulled in behind them.

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