Page 59 of Ground Truth

Before he had a chance to say anything else, he heard a hard double knock at Cade’s door.

“Yes?” Cade said.

The door creaked open. Hedinger heard two silenced gunshots and Cade’s heavy body falling to the floor.

Half a moment later, a voice on the phone reported, “It’s done.”

Hedinger disconnected. Cade’s body would disappear before nightfall. Finding his US COO’s replacement moved up on his task list.

Hedinger ran the video several times.

The helicopter had been shot down. No question.

But both men in the cockpit had survived the crash.

Hedinger watched as the life raft inflated and moved toward the boat.

Followed by the unmistakable sounds of the fifty-caliber shooting the raft.

The video ended abruptly at that point.

Hedinger refilled his coffee and slumped into his chair. He felt defeated. Which was a rare occurrence and definitely not okay. Not even remotely.

The only possible conclusion he could reach from the video was that all four men were still alive. But Hedinger’s two operatives had failed to return to base. As Cade had said, they were probably dead.

Which could mean the two Americans in the helicopter had survived close quarters combat on the damaged boat.

But what happened afterward? Where was the boat? Where were the Americans?

Hedinger scanned official reports from law enforcement agencies operating in the vicinity. He found nothing from those agencies or others reporting the incident itself or the rescue of survivors.

Hedinger felt his pulse pounding in his ears. Such incompetence. His breathing was labored, and his face felt flushed.

The only good thing he knew for sure was that Cade was dead. Which was not even close to enough retribution for this colossal screwup.

Hedinger glanced at the clock. Brand would be wrapping up John Smith’s transplant surgery within the hour.

He finished his breakfast and calmed himself by reading the remaining reports of worldwide operations. When next he glanced at the clock, two hours had passed.

Hedinger found the encrypted phone that connected him to Brand and pushed the call button.

“We’re finished,” Brand said wearily. “All went well. The donor has been cremated. Mr. Smith can be transferred to your villa in a couple of days.”

“Good,” Hedinger replied with perfunctory interest. He had other issues top of mind. “I need to see you. Now.”

“Can I get a shower first?”

“My car will pick you up in ten minutes,” Hedinger snapped and disconnected the call.

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Chapter 30

Brand had showered and changed before Hedinger’s chauffeur collected him at the hospital for the short ride to the villa. The attractive sprawling residence, constructed with thick stucco walls and barrel tile roofs, overlooked the town and the aquamarine water of the Caribbean beyond.

Another mansion was under construction nearby. Brand had paid little attention to its progress. He was surprised to see the foundations were laid, the walls up, and the astonishingly complicated barrel tile roof almost completed. The construction teams seemed to have new artisans on site all the time. No doubt the mansion would be stunning. Brand wondered again who Hedinger had permitted to reside there.

The big sedan climbed the steep road to the driveway near the top of the hill. He turned right into the circle drive paved with crushed pink shells. The Mercedes stopped under the portico. Brand climbed out and stood in the shade for a brief moment to enjoy the view.

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