Page 23 of Firestorm

“He’s calling someone,” Sarah said in surprise.

“Stay here with Blake.” James and the rest of the team exited the van, along with the members of the team in the SUV as well as those who had driven the SUV.

“What’s happening?” Sarah watched the scene unfolding.

Dustin whipped out a weapon and started firing.

“He set us up.” She couldn’t believe it.

Dustin ran toward the trees. Several of Strike Force members went after him. Blake stumbled from the van along with Sarah.

“Who was he calling?” Ben asked one of Dustin’s people.

“I have no idea. He called to tell us to wait back some distance, but we figured it might be a mistake. I’m sure glad we ignored his suggestion.”

James and two other members of Strike Force returned with Dustin between them.

“He’s called our location in to Pamphili’s people. I guess the reward was too big a temptation to pass up,” Ben said in disgust. “They’ll know about the plane as well. We’ll have to find another way out.”

James whirled toward Dustin’s teammate. “You say you had nothing to do with Dustin’s schemes?” The man quickly confirmed. “Then help us find a way out.”

He peered at his partner. “Of course. I know where we can secure another plane, and no one knows about the location. Certainly not Dustin.”

“What do we do with him?” Kaid indicated the man whom he held onto.

“We leave him behind,” James told them. “We have his weapon and phone. Secure his hands and feet.”

“I’ve got some rope in the back of the SUV.” the driver hurried to the vehicle and brought out a backpack. He took out rope and quickly bound Dustin’s hands and feet before blindfolding him.

“Let’s go,” James told the group. “Destroy Dustin’s phone in case they have a way of tracking it.”

Kaid brought out the phone and removed the battery before he tossed it into some nearby snow.

“My name’s Tucker Barrett, by the way,” the SUV’s driver said. “This is Damon Ewing. We’re both as surprised as you all are by Dustin’s betrayal.”

“Still, to be safe, I’d like for you all to turn in your phones,” James told them. “We can’t have Pamphili’s people tracking us.”

Both men handed their phones over without protesting. James removed the batteries. “Thank you. Sorry to be so cautious, but you can understand after what happened.”

“Absolutely. I still can’t believe Dustin would do such a thing,” Damon said. “I served with him in Afghanistan.” He shook his head.

James nodded. “The lure of money can be enticing. Where’s this plane, and how far before we reach it?” he asked Tucker.

“A couple of miles,” Tucker told them. “It belongs to my uncle, but he doesn’t mind me using it. I was a pilot in the Air Force.”

James frowned. “That sounds great but, in the meantime, I’ve got to find a way to destroy the C-130’s computer system. I don’t want Pamphili’s men tracking our flight pattern.” He grabbed his phone.

“Can I help you with anything?” Sarah asked. She felt as if she were just along for the ride, and she wanted to assist in any way possible.

The smile James flashed her way took her breath away. It reminded her of the first time they’d met. He’d taken her breath away back then.

He held the phone so she could see what he was doing. “When I implemented the cloaking software onto the plane earlier, it allowed me access to its computer system remotely. I should be able to install a malware program that should effectively wreck its computer system.” He glanced her way. “I really hate destroying that C-130, but we can’t take any chances.”

Sarah leaned over his shoulder while he hit the install button. They watched the buffer arc turn into a circle. Soon, the screen announced the program’s completion.

“I just hope it works quickly. Before they have a chance to tamper with the program.”

James’ knowledge of technology went way beyond her meager abilities. “How did you ever learn all of this?” she asked.

---