The Alliance (15 page)

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
40

As I predicted the women are aware they are more prisoners than anything else. A group made an escape. They were stopped and returned to their compound, but five are still missing. The grand commander has labeled the missing women his top priority and is making strides to ensure the rest of the women under his leadership do not attempt the same feat.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

“If you want to pull over I can drive,” Carter said.

“Me too,” Agent Quillian said.

“I'm fine,” Andrew said.

The last few hours had gone smoothly. Carter had woken up and was chatting with the agent like they were long-­lost pals, about nothing that mattered. Andrew knew Carter was doing him a favor by keeping the agent distracted and was starting to get annoyed with his duties. Andrew glanced at his phone. The sun was starting to set and Zack still wasn't awake. The GPS had stopped working a while ago, and Andrew hoped he was on the right road.

“You won't get ser­vice out here,” Agent Quillian said. “If you're expecting a phone call it won't come through. Why do you think that bag of agents' phones has stayed so silent?”

“Maybe we should toss the bag,” Carter said. “What if they have GPS?”

“If the car doesn't have a tracker the phone doesn't,” Zack said. “Remember the technology ban? Those things are only good for texting and calling.”

“You're awake,” Andrew said. “How do you feel?”

“Like I slept for a week,” Zack said.

“How's the shoulder?” Carter asked.

“The doctor had to dig a bullet out,” Zack said. “That's how it feels.”

“How did you find that doctor?” Carter asked. “Will he turn us in?”

“Affinity,” Zack said. “I have an emergency contact. They located him for me.”

Andrew was relieved that Zack had woken up. They needed to move their plans forward.

“That doctor is going to hang for helping you,” Agent Quillian said.

“Hello, I'm Zack, I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“You don't deserve to know my name,” Agent Quillian said.

“Agent Trent Quillian,” Andrew said. “He's twenty-­five years old and likes to talk a lot.”

“I never told you my first name,” the agent said.

“I guessed,” Andrew said, not wanting to explain that he had the man's ID badge.

“You've been awake for over twenty-­four hours?” Zack asked.

“Try thirty-­six,” Carter said. “Do you ever sleep?”

“Where are we?” Zack asked.

“In the middle of no man's land,” Agent Quillian said. “The Rocky Mountains. The most dangerous place in America.”

“
If
we see anyone, they'll leave us alone,” Carter said. “We don't have anything for them to steal.”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Agent Quillian said.

“Where are we headed?” Zack asked.

“Toward the capital,” Andrew said. “Mia will meet us there.”

“She made contact again?” Zack asked. “Did she find the documentation?”

“No,” Agent Quillian asked. “Lover boy is just sure his precious Mia won't let him down.”

Andrew heard a gun cock.

“Andrew may have promised he wouldn't kill you, but I didn't,” Carter said.

“Hey, man, I thought we were becoming friends,” Agent Quillian said.

“Shut up or I will hit you over the head with this and knock you out again,” Carter said.

Andrew was surprised by Carter but didn't object, especially when the agent went quiet. He returned his attention to Zack. Andrew was ready for the fight and had all his points preplanned.

“If you want to make it back home you're on your own,” Andrew said. “I won't leave her.”

“Negative,” Zack said. “I used the good doctor's computer. I spoke with Affinity. They are aware of the situation. Our orders are to push forward.”

“What about Mia?” Carter asked.

“Mia is now secondary,” Zack said. “While she plays an integral part in riling up the ­people, we have some information we cannot sit on.”

Andrew didn't ask what the information was and neither did Carter. There could only be one thing more important than Mia: the code to the room holding the master server. Carter stayed quiet on the Rod front too. Andrew felt new respect for his comrade. That was something the two of them would handle.

“How much time do we have?” Andrew asked.

“Grant Marsden's wedding is in two weeks,” Zack said. “That is the night we act.”

“Is the code changed every two weeks?” Carter asked.

“No,” Zack said. “But at this event Grant will be formally named the next grand commander and based on what we know about him that will start Ian Miller's death clock. Grant cannot become grand commander.”

“Grant Marsden is a brave man,” Agent Quillian said. “He is honorable and would do no such thing.”

“Shut up,” the three other occupants said in unison.

“See, if we could get Mia to go on TV at the exact same time we destroy the Registry, then ­people like this guy would see Grant for the monster he really is,” Carter said.

“Mia will be there,” Andrew said.

“As long as we have the proof, everything will work out,” Zack said. “Let's hope Rex does his part and we all meet together.”

“Worst-­case scenario, we destroy the Registry and ser­vice call,” Carter said.

“Or die trying,” Agent Quillian said.

“What?” Andrew asked.

“You don't think the entire organization knows Agent Barker hasn't checked in? That the French diplomats missed their tour? Every RAG agent in the country will look for you. They'll see the burned-­down building and missing cars. You guys are sitting ducks.”

Nobody responded to the RAG agent. The man was right. They needed to ditch the car before they rejoined civilization. He glanced at the fuel gage. They were running low. Then he remembered the tanks in the trunk; when he pulled over Carter could take over for the night and Andrew could get some sleep. Zack rolled his window down.

“The air isn't too cold,” he said. “We should pull over and sleep for the night.”

“I don't want to stop if we don't have to,” Andrew said.

“The agent is right,” Zack said. “We can't show up on the other side of the mountains in this thing. We need a plan to ditch it, but we can figure out our next step in the morning. Nobody is going to come for us in the middle of nowhere. There's a dip in the road up ahead, pull over. We can find a place to start a fire and get some sleep.”

“What about him?” Carter asked.

“I'll figure it out,” Zack said.

Andrew was so tired, he did what he was told. The car pulled off to the side of the road and he killed the engine.

“This is a bad idea, gentlemen,” Agent Quillian said. “We won't live through the night. The mountain ­people will find us.”

“I've never heard of evil ­people living out here,” Zack said. “Andrew? Carter?”

“Myths,” Carter said. “Nobody lives out here.”

“I know the truth,” Agent Quillian said. “The government doesn't want ­people to know how dangerous this area is. Why have you never met a man who was from here?”

“Because nobody is from here,” Andrew said. “It's fine. We can set up camp.”

He took a big breath and opened the door. Zack climbed out and Carter followed. The agent stayed in the car. The group walked around to the back of the SUV. Carter popped the trunk and with his good arm Zack started lifting down the gasoline.

“What are you doing?”

“Hoping you boys kept the right SUV,” Zack said.

Carter and Andrew helped unload the rest of the trunk. Agent Quillian turned around in his seat and was staring at them, not saying a word.

“I saw the RAG agents load these things earlier,” Zack said. “They all have lower compartments. Two of them were filled with the luggage and one of them had emergency supplies.”

Zack started feeling around on the felt floor.

“There's a button on the right,” Agent Quillian said.

Everyone looked up at him.

“What? I could use some headache medicine,” he said.

Andrew saw what he was talking about and hit the mechanism. The false floor popped up. Carter let out a sigh.

“Is it the emergency supplies?” Agent Quillian asked.

Carter leaned in and unzipped one of the black suitcases. Andrew saw the blast of colorful clothes and he started laughing.

“Women's clothing,” Zack said. “I hope Mia won't mind if we burn some of these. Sorry about the headache.”

Andrew and Carter lifted the luggage out of the car. There was a small path that led up from the road. The two men followed Zack as he climbed.

“I don't want to get too far from the car, but far enough, in case we need to hide. Lock the doors. Once we get settled we can come back for Agent Quillian.”

“Already locked,” Andrew said.

The agent was screaming. Andrew didn't turn around to look for him, but the man's cries told him one thing: he was more afraid of being left alone than traveling with strange men who had killed all his coworkers. Andrew shook away his doubts. He was way too tired to let his mind wander. Once he got some sleep his mind would recognize how foolish the agent was acting.

 

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE

HarperCollins
Publishers

....................................

Chapter
41

I helped with the search and by blind luck found the missing women. They are staying in an abandoned garage, no doubt waiting for the search to die down so they can make a break for the border. I saw them but did not draw attention to their location. These women are probably much more dangerous with a weapon than myself and a large part of me hopes they make it to freedom.

—­The journal of Isaac Ryland

The sun was down, but Grant's spirits were lower. They made it back to Grant's mansion, and he still hadn't heard any news about the French. Agent Barker's phone was going straight to voice mail now; soon enough they would be reported missing and Grant could step in without drawing suspicion. He was now showered and changed into a set of maroon silk pajamas, complete with matching robe. He couldn't think of a more commanding outfit to wear while inflicting some pain.

He was unsure which of his two targets to deal with at the moment. Then the thought hit him. Grant could do both at the same time.

When he jogged down the stairs it was no surprise to see Rex waiting at the bottom. The man's awful stench was gone. He had showered and dressed in a tight black T-­shirt and combat pants, the exact uniform Grant expected.

“Follow me,” Grant said.

The man didn't question his orders when he followed Grant through the secret passage in the kitchen. They walked in silence among the dark hallways. Grant hoped Rex's fear was growing. Silence sometimes helped the mind envision what awful things lay ahead, and Grant did not want to disappoint.

Rex followed Grant out into the east wing. Grant did not slow his pace. They made it to the long corridor of rooms. Grant stopped and Rex almost ran into him. Grant took this as a good sign; the large man was off his game.

“I thought you might enjoy this as a welcome-­home present,” Grant said.

He pushed open the door to Rod's room. The man was unconscious. Grant forgot he had ordered the doctor to keep him under at all times. He glanced at the tray sitting next to the man's IV. There were three loaded syringes. One of them had to bring the man to life. Problem averted.

“I'd like to introduce you to Roderick Rowe,” Grant said. “Also known as Carter's father and Amelia's assistant. Now, I like to think of him as my personal and most important guest.”

Grant studied Rex's face. If the large man felt for the bedridden person he was showing no signs. Grant had expected some reaction, but he continued to smile, sure he could detect an involuntary indication Rex had switched sides.

“Have a seat,” Grant said. “You're being quiet tonight.”

“I'm tired,” Rex said.

“Roderick has been my backup plan,” Grant said. “I'm certain the young Mr. Rowe will trade his father's life for the life of my former bride.”

Rex still gave no reaction.

“What do you say we wake him up?” Grant asked.

“Why?”

“I promised his son I wouldn't harm his father,” Grant said, “if he delivered Amelia to me. It was simple at first, but Roderick has regained some of his memory and was asking too many questions, so I've kept him unconscious. We can't do any serious harm to the man. You know I keep my word. But if he awakes and is inconsolable we may have to use some force.”

No reaction from Rex yet. Grant looked at the tray and picked up the middle syringe. He found the injection port in Rod's IV and steadied the needle.

“For all I know this might kill him,” Grant said. “Should I inject him anyway?”

There was a slight hesitation, but Rex nodded. Grant pushed the fluid into the IV.

“Would it bother you if this man died?” Grant asked.

“No,” Rex said. “He has nothing to offer.”

Grant frowned. Even if Rex had switched sides, that would be the answer he'd give. Rod offered little to Mia's cause and Rex would never show concern for strangers. Grant opened his mouth to rephrase the question but before he could get a word out Rod shot up in bed.

“Where am I?” Rod asked. “Where's Carter?”

Laughter escaped from Grant's lips. Of course he had chosen the right medication. Rex did his best to chuckle, but Grant could tell he wasn't as animated as he should have been. Grant stopped his laughter.

“Your son is helping return my wife to me,” Grant said. “Then I shall kill her and the two of you will be on your way.”

Rod was breathing heavily, unable to respond. Grant diverted his attention to Rex. The man's breathing had gotten heavier, but not enough for Grant to enjoy his affliction.

“Carter is not that dumb,” Rod said. “You will never win.”

“There are so many places on the human body that are capable of experiencing intense pain,” Grant said. “Some so much even the mind can't mask what the person is feeling.”

Grant spun his chair around and started to look for an instrument. He had to open a few drawers before he found a long needle that lay on a piece of blue cloth. It was designed to be inserted into a person's spine, but Grant wasn't about to paralyze his hostage. He turned his chair back around. Rex was still acting compliant.

“You've already lost,” Rod said. “Just kill me.”

The hostage started tugging at the cuffs on his wrists.
Perfect,
Grant thought. He grabbed the man's hand and held it down to the bed. Rod was too weak to overpower Grant. He looked at the vein and knew he had to avoid the main source of blood flow.

“I don't know which is more effective,” Grant said. “Pain or fear. I'll go for both.”

Grant slid the giant needle into Rod's wrist and down through his palm. Grant could see the tool under Rod's skin. The man started struggling and yelling. Grant kept going, watching as the large apparatus appeared under his skin. He pushed it all the way through his middle finger. Rod stopped screaming and was incapable of making noise.

“What do you think, Rex?”

Grant wanted a response, anything to signal Rex had switched sides, but the man was too well trained. He appeared as impassive as ever.

“Might as well do it all the way,” he said.

Grant looked back down and pushed the needle in all the way. The tip burst out the end of Rod's finger. The hostage found his voice again and started screaming. Grant let go of the needle.

“Does this please you?” Grant asked.

“Are you trying to get information from him?” Rex asked.

Roderick was not the man Grant was after. Rex was doing his best to avoid Grant's questions, but his eyes were unwavering. There was no way to read the large man. Grant turned back to the tray and inserted another dose of medication into Rod's IV. It took seconds for the screaming man to become unconscious again. Rex continued to look straight ahead.

“I'm glad you're back,” Grant said.

Rex nodded his head. He showed no hesitation. Their eyes would meet and Rex would stare right back. Grant looked down at Rod and noted the bleeding was minimal. Dr. Schaffer could clean this up in the morning.

Grant stood up from his chair and left the room. Rex followed. Grant hadn't lied. He was happy Rex was back. Now he had something to focus his attention on. Grant was certain Mia was in the country, but until he had a more accurate location for the girl Grant could plan the slow torture of Rex. He was exhilarated. The hunt was back on.