Page 44 of Dan

“Then Gunderson,” said Dan. Eric nodded at his friend.

“Then Gunderson.”

The facility housing MQAE was massive, stretching almost three miles along the interstate. Judging by the ventilation systems and water tanks, at least one of the buildings housed a water and weather testing area. Whatever MQAE did prior to Baker buying them was most likely legitimate.

Doug and Ryan approached the desk alone. The others followed behind them, taking a seat in the large lobby space. The desk agent never bothered to look at them, only the two men in front of him.

“We’re here with G.R.I.P.,” said Ryan. “We have an appointment with your CEO.”

“Yes, sir. If you’ll take a seat, our security team will escort you to the testing facility.” The desk clerk picked up the phone, and Doug and Ryan turned, walking to another set of seats away from the rest of the team. Ryan signed to Eric that they were expecting problems, and the security team would be escorting them.

A few moments later, four men approached Doug and Ryan carrying automatic rifles. The two men stood, and the security guards glowered at them.

“Come with us.” The man’s tone was clipped, much like that of a former police officer. Ryan stared at Doug, then looked back at the man.

“Ask nicely,” said Ryan.

“I don’t need to ask nicely. Come with us, or we’ll shoot you, with full authorization, claiming you came onto the property illegally. Trespassers on a security contracting facility can be shot on sight.”

“That might be hard to do with your lips up your ass,” said Eric, whispering in the man’s ear. He turned quickly, ready to attack whoever was behind him. But getting the upper hand on Eric Bongard wasn’t easy.

Slamming his elbow into the man’s nose, he ripped the rifle from his hand, using the butt against his forehead. He fell with a thud just as the other three turned in his direction. Unfortunately for them, they missed Nine, Gaspar, and Dan.

The desk clerk reached for the phone, only to have a beautiful hand with red painted nails twist his wrist, bones cracking.

“No, no,” smiled Paige. “I don’t think so.”

“Where are they?” asked Dan.

“Who?” smirked one of the security guards.

“Brother, you don’t want to piss me off any more than I already am. Where are Yancy and Zach?”

“They’re not here,” said the desk agent, looking as though he might pee his pants. “We were told to hold you in the testing facility until they arrived. We just weren’t told that there would be so many of you.”

“Then what?” asked Sophia Ann.

“The engineers were going to show you how the dam system could work, hopefully pushing you in and drowning you.”

“We’re fucking swimmers. Former SEALs to be exact,” said Nine.

“The pool creates hurricane-force winds, waves, and currents. It would be nearly impossible to survive if you fell in.”

“Let’s test it,” said Dan, gripping the arm of one of the guards.

“Wh-what? No! No, I can’t swim!” said one of the security guards.

“You’re a fucking piss-poor security guard then. What would you do if someone fell in? Someone you needed?” He couldn’t answer, looking in the opposite direction. “Pathetic.”

“Where are the Xaviers heading?” asked Dan.

“We don’t know. Really, we don’t. We were supposed to get rid of you and call her to tell her it was done.”

“So, it’s Mrs. Xavier that runs everything?” asked Eric. They could only nod. “Call her. Call her and tell her it’s done. Tell her that the two,two, men from G.R.I.P. are dead. Then ask her where they are.”

“She won’t tell us.”

“Tell her you have some information that you found on the dead bodies, and you want it delivered personally, maybe to collect a little reward.”

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