Page 44 of Cooper's Command

“The ledger’s another key piece, but until we can prove it’s drug-related, and trace it back to everyone involved in the deals, it’s worthless.”

“Is it?” Cooper motioned to Bellamy, accepting the book when his buddy handed it to him. “We’re assuming Paulin was using this as some sort of accounting backstop.”

Milligan snorted. “That’s generally what they’re used for.”

“True. But what if Paulin had it as his own personal Hail Mary?”

“Can you just get to the point, Harris?” Porter rolled his eyes. “I swear you Spec Op guys dance around the subject just to frustrate me.”

“Just bear with me, Porter. Do we really think Paulin and Simmons have been acting alone?”

“Hell no.” Nova shouldered up beside him. “They might be able to steal enough drugs to run their little poison scam and oust whatever cartel was trying to set up shop here. But there’s no way they can fill the demand once they’re the suppliers. Not without someone noticing that much contraband going missing. Which means they either have more agents and border guards and god knows who else in their pockets, or it’s like Cooper said earlier and they have a new cartel backing them. One eager to expand their territory.”

“Exactly.” Cooper opened the ledger and held it up. “If I’m Paulin, I’m going to want to make sure I have enough leverage over theseotherpartners that they won’t be tempted to double cross me. There’s not much I can do to protect against a cartel. Hell, I’ve been fighting that war for years. But I can safeguardagainst guys like Simmons by recording every transaction I’ve made with mybuddies.”

Milligan leaned forward. “So, this isn’t a drug ledger. It’s a damn itinerary.”

“I’m not saying there isn’t another ledger that outlines all the actual drug dealings. Paulin obviously wasn’t an idiot. But this one…” Cooper gave it a shake. “This is why Simmons wants Nova because his identity is all over these pages and he needs it back before we crack?—”

The room shook, a loud boom drowning out Cooper as it echoed around them, the monitors flickering then cutting off along with the lights, only the small propane lanterns in the adjoining room still working.

Cooper grabbed her hand, meeting Bellamy at the doorway. “Any chance this is just the storm. Maybe a bolt of lightning hitting the shack that houses the generators?”

“Sure. Just like there’s a chance Simmons will turn himself in.” Bellamy headed for their small armory on the other side of the room. He handed Cooper a couple of pistols, a rifle and some ammunition, then gave Nova the guns they’d been safekeeping for her.

Nova scoffed. “Why don’t I get a rifle?”

“Because you’re still healing and the last thing you need is having a shotgun punt you in the shoulder. Just going a couple rounds with Coop has you favoring that side, again.”

Bellamy paused when the radio on his hip clicked twice. “And that’s Rusty letting us know he’s about to bust through the door and not to shoot his ass.”

The door flew open a minute later as Rusty barreled through, Whiskey and Soda in tow. Rain dripped off his jacket as the door slammed against the wall, the gusting wind scattering a few papers off the table. “Looks like we’ve got company. Bastards used a damn drone to blow the generators. Ethan shot it downbut not before he caught some movement on that gravel road up here.”

Bellamy groaned. “Mano’s gonna be so pissed. Any chance we can get the truck around those tangos before they shoot it full of holes? Maybe launch a missile our way?”

“Doubtful. Ethan’s already securing Plan B.”

Nova frowned. “What’s Plan B?”

Bellamy chuckled. “Ask your boyfriend. It was his idea.”

“There’s only one road in here.” Cooper checked the mags on his pistols, then loaded a round into the chamber on the rifle. “We needed another way out in case this happened.”

“But the only way is flying or…” Nova inhaled. “No.”

“It’s fine. Ex-Coast Guard, remember?”

“As a dog handler. Not a boat captain.”

“Still got all the same training, sweetheart.” He took Whiskey from Rusty, clipping her leash around his waist. “You ready?”

“Isn’t the storm going to make piloting a boat extremely questionable?”

“That’s the point. I doubt they’ll have appropriate water support with the kind of swells we’ll have to battle.”

Nova pursed her lips, most of the color draining from her face. She bit at her bottom lip, looking as if she wanted to say something — either offer up an alternative or tell him he was crazy — but she slipped on the rain jacket he gave her before checking her weapons. She moved in behind Cooper, giving him a nod as Bellamy killed the lanterns — plunging the cabin into complete darkness.

Bellamy stopped a few feet away from the door, shouldering up beside Cooper. “We’ll sweep the area — take out any threats we can. I’ll click the radio once when it’s clear.” He arched a brow. “And twice…”

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