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“She’ll kill me,” said the man.

“You really are a piss-poor security agent. Fucking call her now!” said Dan.

Taking out his phone, he hit redial, placing the phone on speaker. It seemed that no one was going to answer, then they heard the she-devil’s voice.

“Is it done?” she said in a threatening tone.

“Yes, ma’am, but we were able to take some information from them that you might need. They were carrying several files with them.”

“E-mail it to me.”

“Uh, no, ma’am. I want to be paid extra for this. I’m not stupid. I know that it’s worth a lot of money.”

“Don’t fuck with me! Send it to me.” He looked at the others, and Sophia Ann held up a sheet of paper.

“No,” he said, staring at the writing. “If you want to know where your daughter is and where G.R.I.P. is located, you’ll meet me with fifty thousand. No funny business. Just you and Mr. Xavier and the money. If you don’t have it, I’ll burn the information.”

The eerie silence made them all believe she’d hung up the phone. Then, there was a rustling of paper and whispering.

“Fine. I’ll text you our location. But you’d better have the information.” As the line went dead, Dan patted the man on the head, earning him a frown.

“Nicely done. You just might live.” Staring at the others, they all shook their heads. “Sorry. You’ve been voted out.”

After the text came through on their location, the guards and the other employees were told to leave and not return. Eric, Dan, Ryan, Gaspar, and Nine set thousands of pounds of charges throughout the facility, ensuring its end.

“Once we have the Xaviers, we blow the building,” said Doug. “For now, it’s time to visit the good doctor.” Dan nodded at the older man.

“Yep. I have an ache that needs cured.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Whidbey Island is a picturesque community of million-dollar homes near Puget Sound.The island’s rugged terrain spans beaches, hills, and farmland, making it an ideal escape for people in the city. On the northwest tip is a gorgeous state park with magnificent clifftop views, trails, and lakes. On the south end of the island are a lighthouse and gun battery in a historical state park.

But it was the western side of the island, hidden behind a large iron fence, that had their curiosity. The offices and private hospital of Dr. Gunderson.

“Is it just me, or does this place look like a 19th-century sanitorium?” asked Sophia Ann.

“That’s exactly what it looks like,” frowned Eric. “But I don’t see any cars. I don’t see any staff or patients on the grounds. I don’t see anything.”

“The gate’s locked,” said Dan. “It’s on a keypad system.”

“I’ve got it,” said Ryan. Using his tablet, he held it up to the keypad, hitting a few icons on the tablet. They heard several clicking sounds. Then, the big iron gates swung open. Pulling the SUV as close to the door as possible, Eric turned to Sophia Ann and Paige.

“Take your weapons and go around back. If he tries to escape, shoot him.”

“Gladly,” said Paige. “Doug? Why don’t you join us?” Doug nodded, happy to escort his two favorite engineers.

Dan walked up the stone steps of the dark gray mansion and rang the doorbell like a casual visitor. A few moments later, they could hear the click of shoes on wood floors. Eric leaned against Dan as if he were about to faint. His friend gripped his waist, pulling his arm over his shoulder.

“Hello. Can I help you?”

“Dr. Gunderson?” asked Dan.

“That’s right. What can I do for you?”

“My friend is experiencing symptoms of PTSD. I was referred to you by a mutual friend of ours.”

“Oh, who is that?” he asked excitedly. Eric stood ramrod straight pushing back on the door as Dan gripped the man’s neck.

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