Page 109 of Always Been Mine

“We have a chopper on standby,” Viktor said. “I can round up a team and fly you guys out there and provide cover fire. If there’s no landing site, you guys still know how to fast rope, right?”

“Hell, yeah,” Gabe snorted as Travis nodded his affirmation.

Viktor nodded in approval. Gabe didn’t change opinions very quickly or often, but he was actually beginning to admire this motherfucker.

Tim Burns,the AGS data analyst, was on video conference with Caitlin while the two worked on establishing a secure connection between the safe house and the AGS data center. Beatrice was crouched down in front of her father, wrapping a bandage across his torso. A bullet had torn through the side of her father’s abdomen with no apparent internal damage.

“I can’t believe you let yourself get captured.” She was so pissed at her dad right now that was probably the first full sentence she had spoken to him since he stumbled through the door.

“I knew I was being watched. I knew Baxter had suspicions it was a trap. But I also knew he couldn’t resist the bait.”

“You are just as insane as Baxter.” She pulled on the bandage with more strength than she intended. The admiral winced, and she felt guilty, but not enough so she’d back down from giving him hell. He let himself be taken by Harold Baxter, also known as Frank Wilkes and a host of other aliases. In the CIA though, the man was known as Baxter. Beatrice had a sneaking suspicion that the two men actually admired the other’s cunning. Judging from what her father told her, he and Baxter had a civilized conversation in the man’s hideout until Baxter ordered one of his men to kill him. Somehow, the admiral gained the upper hand and managed to transfer somefiles, but soon after, Baxter’s security team swarmed in. Her father managed to get away but had been shot. “What’s on the jump drive?”

“Everything that incriminates him with weapons sales to Colombia and allowing drugs into the United States so the rebels could pay for them,” the admiral said. “I’m hoping there’s enough information there regarding ST-Vyl virus that would tie in to what Gabe had retrieved from Ryker’s room. We can nail him on the charge of conspiring with a faction in the Russian government to commit a terrorist act.”

“You think the Russian president is involved?”

Her father shook his head. “Not likely. He is up for re-election and can’t afford to take risks. I’m putting my money on one of his generals with the support of some companies poised to gain from the end of the Ukrainian conflict.”

“How has the world become so fucked up?” Beatrice muttered. “War everywhere. Terrorism on the rise.”

“Is there anything on Project Infinity or the specter agents?” Caitlin asked. The expression on her face broke Beatrice’s heart.

Her father’s face softened in regret. “I’m afraid not, Caitlin. I’ve dug into it before, believe me. Those files have been destroyed. There’s also strong evidence that the foster homes used by Baxter to recruit the kids for the program have been razed to the ground.”

“Oh, my God.” Caitlin’s eyes widened, mirroring the shock Beatrice was feeling.

“What kind of soulless bastard is this guy?” Beatrice asked incredulously.

“One you don’t want in charge of National Security,” her dad said. “Baxter was next in line for Deputy Director of the CIA. This was over fifteen years ago. He fucked up a high-profile op and was demoted to missions that have low political risks, which is how he became involved in South America. At that time, the war and attention of the public wasshifting to the Middle East. He took advantage and made money.”

Footsteps thudded outside the control room. Seconds later, Nate burst in. “Three black SUVs are speeding down the driveway. I want you girls to lock yourselves in here. You up for a fight, Admiral?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll alert Viktor and the others,” Tim announced from the video feed.

Beatrice was feeling something else. “I can help.” When both men were about to protest, she added, “If any of you say I should stay behind, think again. I’m good with a gun.” She looked at Nate. “You can have the RPG.”

“I—” Caitlin started.

“You need to stay here, Cat,” Beatrice said, nodding to Nate who signaled he had to head back outside. Porter followed Nate. “You’re the one who can operate”—she looked around at all the monitors and keyboards—“whatever these are. And it looks like you’re still transferring the files.”

“Be careful,” Caitlin said.

“I will,” Beatrice replied.

Nate started yelling that the SUVs had pulled up in front of the house.

“You have the schematics of the underground tunnel leading outside, right? Just in case they trap you in here.”

“Bee,” Caitlin whispered and couldn’t say anymore. They hugged each other tightly. Afterward, Beatrice exited the room and dragged the sliding door shut.

“Seal it!” Beatrice shouted.

Hydraulics whirred as the locks bolted into place.

Seconds later, the frenetic din of assault rifles blasted through the night.

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