Page 103 of Dead Fall

When Vesna had completed her last call, he listened to the facts she had gathered, made a few additional notes, and thanked her. She, and the people in the other villages, had been an incredible help. It was now time for him to get some rest.

After making sure everyone in the tasting room had everything they needed, he checked in with Jacks and Krueger before returning to the vintner’s residence to grab a little shut-eye.

As Hookah and Biscuit had set themselves up in the home’s two bedrooms, Harvath took the couch in the living room.

With his rifle leaned against the coffee table, he set his plate carrier on the floor and stretched out. He was so tired that he didn’t even bother taking his boots off.

He was glad to be bringing this horrific day to a close. He hoped that tomorrow would be considerably less gruesome, but he doubted it.

Unrolling his sleeping bag, he draped it over himself and closed his eyes. Within seconds, he was asleep.

CHAPTER 30

SUNDAY

The next morning, Harvath pulled his equipment together and walked over to the main building.

Hookah and Biscuit were seated at a table outside, their rifles at the ready, eating.

“Are those omelets?” asked Harvath.

Biscuit nodded. “You definitely picked the right hotel.”

“Where’d you get those?”

His mouth full, Hookah pointed toward the tasting room with his fork.

Harvath stepped inside and saw a hive of activity. The kids, having slept and eaten, were running around, while several of the ladies were chatting, and two more were in the kitchen cooking.

Upon seeing him, the old woman came over, told him to sit down, and asked if he wanted tea or coffee. He chose coffee. Jacks and Krueger were sitting nearby, almost done with their food.

“Where’d the eggs come from?” he asked.

“One of the villagers walked back to town to get them,” said Krueger.

“Got to hand it to Biscuit,” Jacks stated. “First, he asks for hot showers, then an omelet station. We’re trying to decide what to have him ask for next.”

“How about the safe return of a twenty-five-year-old American aid worker and two little Ukrainian girls?” Harvath answered.

The two soldiers sat in stunned silence. It was an unnecessarily sharpreply and Harvath knew it. Though he had slept, he hadn’t slept well. Compounding matters, he had risked switching his phone on to see if he had any messages from Nicholas. He did, but it wasn’t good news. The little man had been unable to get him what he had asked for. None of this, however, was an excuse for Harvath to be a dick to his men.

Softening his tone, he asked, “You guys want some more coffee?”

The men nodded.

“Why don’t you finish your breakfast and let’s meet outside. I’ll bring a pot out with me.”

Jacks and Krueger chowed down their last couple of bites, took their dishes into the kitchen, and, carrying their cups, exited the building.

The old woman reappeared at the table and set Harvath’s breakfast in front of him.

“Spasiba,” he said to her.Thank you.

“Pozhaluysta,” she replied. “Segodnya vy naydete detey.”You are welcome. Today you find the children.

He knew exactly what children she was referring to. They were the daughters of the vintner and his wife, the little twins.

There was no telling if they were alive or where they might even be. Nevertheless, he nodded his head. If they were out there and he could bring them back, he would do it, along with Anna Royko.

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