Page 54 of A Moment Never Forgotten
“No. They’re here to protect Elizabeth. There’s a kill contract out on her.”
“What the fuck is happening here?” Logan said in a strained voice.
“Oh, I’m not done. There’s also a contract out for Berit, a bonus if they kill her tonight. And, they gave the killers the address of the party she is attending.” Micah still couldn’t believe that she went to the party. He couldn’t imagine what was so hellfire important for her to be there.
“There’s more, but that’s for Elizabeth and Matthew to tell.” There was no way in hell he was going to try to explain the Matthew/Mason situation.
“What can we do?” Teagan looked ready to tackle any job.
“I was hoping that Logan would go with me as soon as I get the coordinates.” He looked at the other woman he thought of as a sister. “Would you stay here with Elizabeth and the children? I’d appreciate it if you’d stay armed while we’re gone.”
“I can do that. I’m always carrying.” Teagan grinned.
The doorbell rang.
“Sorry to throw this on you at the last minute,” Micah grimaced, “but you’re going to have a four-month-old baby girl in the mix. It’s Berit’s granddaughter. Another long story. Her son is one of my SEALs. He and three of his buddies are here for Christmas.” He slapped Logan on the shoulder. “It’s like the old days, but we’re the ones that are old.”
The doorbell rang again.
Micah’s phone buzzed.
“I’ll get the door,” Teagan offered. “If I’m going to be taking care of the baby, I guess I might as well go meet her.”
Ten minutes later, the family room was filled with baby toys. All four children were fascinated by the baby who was sucking up all the attention. Elizabeth had opened the gun safe so everyone was well-armed.
Micah’s phone rang. It wasn’t a number he recognized but it was local. “Captain Micah Reid.”
“Captain Reid, this is Noah Hennel. Is there any chance that you and Berit reconnected tonight?”
Fear stabbed his heart.
“No. Why?”
“Fuck! I just found her purse in the hall next to the restrooms, ten feet from the back door. She is missing.”
“Goddamn motherfucking son of a bitch.” Micah wanted to throw something, like a right cross. “I told her not to go to the party. She knew there’s a contract out on her.”
“Captain Reid, she was here because she was ordered to be here. Now, if you can calm down for a minute, we might be able to find her. Best scenario, she’s still alive.” Noah Hennel had used his most commanding voice and after twenty-four years in uniform, Micah responded.
“What do you need from me, sir? I have a team of four SEALs, Colonel Logan Jackson, who I believe you’re already familiar with, and myself. We just received the location of Matthew’s phone. We were headed out.”
“If we’re lucky, they’re at the same place, because I think the asshole has them both.” He heard shuffling in the background. “Goddamn. Berit’s cell phone is here.” He sighed. “If I can get within a mile of her, and she’s still wearing her comm unit, we’ll be able to find her. What’s the address?”
The twenty-minute drive was the longest of Micah’s life. Thankfully, the weather cooperated as well as holiday traffic as they drove to a group of warehouses near Dulles airport that sat next to a railroad.
Hennel had designated a parking lot a block away and warned them that he would be joined by three of his SOG men. When they pulled in, everyone poured out of the vehicles.
“Use these.” Hennel handed Micah the smallest communication unit he’d ever seen. “It goes very deep inside your ear. They're off right now. Touch your ear to turn them on.”
Within seconds, they were all connected and could hear Berit’s voice loud and clear. “She can hear us as well. Whoever took her, missed the earbud.” He smiled. “That’s the point of these little beauties.”
“We’re going to skip names because this raid never happened.” Hennel walked straight to Mak and hugged him. “Good to see you, son. I’m glad you’re here. I’m hoping someday you’ll go to work with us. You’re SEAL one.”
Micah had always been possessive of the men under his command. It irritated him, just a little, the way Hennel took over the role that was normally his. Admittedly, though, the CIA man had cooler toys and had brought enough to share. Micah had also chafed when Hennel had called Makson. He and the young man had bonded, but Micah had to admit his own history with Berit’s son was nowhere as long as Hennel’s.
The agency man walked around the circle of men designating them SEAL two, three, and four. His men were SOG one, two and three, Colonel, and Captain. “I’m operations.”
When he opened his computer, a 3D image of the warehouse appeared before them. Hennel immediately started assigning positions. “Any questions? Comments?”
