"Yeah."
"Did he have any other nicknames for her? What about her initials? An Athabaskan nickname of some sort?" He shook his head. That was reaching. Too many possibilities.
The beautiful woman beside him grabbed his hand. "We need to pray."
For once, he didn't feel like arguing. "Okay." Holding her hand again sent a jolt up his arm into his skull. This woman turned him inside-out.
"Heavenly Father, we don't know what to do. And we're afraid. We need that code, so many lives are at stake. Please give Cole the wisdom he needs to finish this mission. And please forgive me where I've failed You. In Jesus' name, Amen."
"Amen." Andie's voice floated from the stairs.
He looked at the kid. Stuck between being a little girl and a teenager, she was all heart. In that moment he remembered his first thoughts of her, innocence and wisdom. Terrifying combination. Now wasn't that the truth. That little girl had pried open his heart and wormed her way inside. And he loved her as if she were his own.
Fiddling with her Medic-Alert bracelet, her bottom lip between her teeth, he could almost hear the wheels turning in her brain.
"Why would Dad put SQUIRT in there if I don't know what the code is?" She looked at her mom.
"I don't know, sweetie. I don't know."
Andie's eyes grew round. "Unless . . ."
"Unless what?" Cole walked over to her.
Andie's eyes shone in the dim light of the stairwell. Flipping over her bracelet, she showed Cole the back. "Unless he knew I didn't have to know the code, just always have it with me."
"That's got to be it!" Jenna grabbed his arm, bouncing on her toes. "Andie never takes off her MedicAlert bracelet, and Marc memorized the number."
Cole went to crouch beside Andie. Sure enough. Her ID number was eight digits. He smacked her cheek with a sloppy kiss and raced back to the keyboard. "Read me those numbers, Einstein. Your name was never more fitting."
His fingers flew over the keys. As soon as his pinky hit enter, the wall slid open, revealing a solid steel door that lifted up from the floor into the ceiling. "Andie, stay there and listen for anyone coming. Jenna, stay outside the door in case this thing closes on me. You'll probably have to start over with the sequences to get me out."
His girls nodded at him.
Ducking to fit through the opening, Cole walked into the small cubicle. Only about eight feet square, the far corners were stacked with boxes of files. On one wall were three computers with labels above each of them. Possibly other programs or weapons he'd been working on. And then to his right were four file boxes labeled AMI, a metal lock box with the same label, and a stack of DVDs.
"Cole!" Andie's loud whisper jerked his attention back. She scooted down the stairs, a finger to her lips, her other arm pointing frantically at the door. "Footsteps . . . coming . . ."
He walked out of the room, and hit enter on the keyboard. Nothing happened.
"How do we get it to close?" Jenna gripped his arm. "We can't let them find it."
"I know, I know." His heart raced. Holding his breath, he couldn't think of anything else to try. The screen was blank. No help. No clues. God, I could use some—
Andie was beside him now, tugging on his shirt. "How about typing c-l-o-s-e?"
If anyone understood Marc's labyrinthine mind, it was probably his kid. He shrugged his shoulders and typed in the letters.
The doors closed.
Of course. Why hadn't he thought of that?
They let out a collective sigh and huddled down on the floor.
"What do we do?" Jenna had a death grip on his arm.
"I'm working on that."
Andie scooted closer. "I'll keep praying."
"That'd be great." And he meant it. They were going to need a miracle to get out of this.
The clanking of metal against metal came from the door.
Think.
It creaked and groaned as it opened.
Viper's thousand-dollar shoes appeared on the steps.
God, help us.
"Well, well, well . . . Look who's awake?" Viper chuckled and aimed his gun at Cole. "Have a nice nap, Maddox?"
Before he could respond, a growl erupted behind Viper. A ball of fur attacked the big man's arm.
"Dasha!" Andie jumped up, but Jenna held her back.
Dasha's teeth were around Viper's hand.
This was his chance. Cole tackled Viper and pummeled his face with his fists. Dasha violently shook Viper's hand in her teeth, ripping the gun from Viper's hand, taking part of his trigger finger with it.
His old boss didn't even cry out, just wrapped both hands around Cole's neck and squeezed.
With a knee to the man's groin, Cole spun and flipped him onto his back. Much-needed air flowed through his windpipe. He yelled to the girls. "Get out of here! Now!"
Viper came at him again, plowing him into the cement wall.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ANDIE
April 14
North Pole, Alaska
Tikanni-Gray property along the Chena River
4:18 a.m.
Cole took another punch as Mom, Dasha, and I cowered in a corner. God help Cole, help Cole, please help!
Cole tackled the guy and grunted. "Go!"
Mom shot up and ran, dragging me with her. Dasha followed, nudging my leg and propelling me forward.
We ran-limp-hobbled as fast as we could. I didn't want to leave Cole but couldn't pull against Mom's grip. She kept looking behind us as we ran.
God, please help us!
Mom tried to gain speed, but tripped. Everything moved in slow motion as she fell and screamed in pain. I fell to my knees and tried not to squash her.
Looking down, I saw her leg wound, open and bleeding. Her pant leg had been ripped open and had a hole at least a foot long. My stomach clenched as I realized how bad it was.
"Mom—"
"We have to run!" She grabbed my hand and we started running.
I could tell the more we ran the more her leg hurt. She stumbled, but kept scrambling along.
Dasha barked and growled. Before I could comment, an explosion sounded near the house, knocking us to the ground.
Our home burst into flames and sparks flew everywhere.
Dasha cuddled up against my back, still barking, but this time at the fire all around us. Mom tore her pants and used the cloth to wrap around her leg. She grabbed my hand and stood. We ran for a few feet, but her leg gave away again and we fell back onto the ground.
Smoke filled the air and the sky went black as the fire spread.
We started crawling.
My legs began to burn and the itchy feeling crept onto my back. Mom thrust her water bottle at me.
She still had one? Thank You, Jesus! I sipped it, not knowing how long we would be crawling.
Every time I thought we were getting close to a safe place the fire would move in front of us and we'd have to go around.
Another explosion near the house sent us sprawling to the ground. Were they blowing up everything?
The trees were all on fire and I kept tripping on rocks, bushes, and twigs. I got hotter by the minute and knew it would only be a few seconds before I passed out.
Oh, no . . . Jesus, help me!
I gripped Mom's arm.
The blackness came.
* * *
COLE
4:25 a.m.
A third explosion rent the air. Soon, every building on the property would be engulfed. They were surrounded by fire. And his girls were in there . . . somewhere.
How would he find them? Save them?
What if he couldn't save them? What if this was the end? Jenna had said if it was her time, she was ready.
But he wasn't.
Wasn't ready to let go again.
Wasn't ready to lose.
Wasn't ready to die.
Wasn't ready to meet his Maker.
But if this was the end—if he couldn't save them—he still needed to set things straight. Because it didn't have to be the end. If he couldn't be with them here, he wanted to be with them in eternity.
"God, I get it. I need Your help. I'm Yours. Body and soul. Do with me what You will."
A cooling wave of peace rushed throughout his body even as the heat of the flames drew closer. The peace filled him. Took over his senses.
God had heard him. He knew it as sure as he knew anything. And He'd responded with a flooding of strength and joy.
New purpose propelled him forward as he raced into the heart of the fire.
* * *
JENNA
4:27 a.m.
"Andie!"
The scream scratched and pierced Jenna's dry throat. She worked to drag them both away from the fire, but it began to close in. Dasha circled them, nudging Andie with her nose. Whining and yapping at her beloved mistress.
The flames licked higher and higher.
Too hot.
What could she do? Nowhere to go. Her water was gone. The fire surrounded them. She fanned her daughter, but fear took hold. What if it was too late? She placed her hand on Andie's forehead. Too hot.
A lone figure jumped through the flames toward them.
Please, God! Let it be Cole. Please. I need help! Please, save my baby!
The figure crouched low, appearing and disappearing in the smoke.
In an instant, Cole was beside her, scooping up Andie with one arm, and grabbing Jenna around the waist with the other. "Hang on!" The roar of the flames grew.
Dragging her leg behind her, she hopped to keep up with Cole as he guided them. Dasha was glued to her side, whimpering and barking at the fire around them. As they came to the wall separating them from the plane, she prayed. How would they make it through?
"We have to run through it," Cole spoke in her ear. "I'll protect Andie as much as I can, so you'll just have to hang on to my arm and run, okay? The plane should be about a hundred yards from here."
He shifted Andie into both arms, curling her up against his body.
All Jenna could do was nod. Her leg was a mess. God, we need some divine intervention. Please, help us. Please.
In that instant, a strong wind blew in, and the flames shifted, opening a small gap no larger than two feet. Cole must've seen it too, because he led them straight for it and they ran through. Flames licking at their heels as the wall closed back in and grew higher.
They fell to the ground in a heap about twenty yards from the fire. Dasha barking, dashing back and forth to the plane, panic in her eyes.
Cold water poured over Andie and Jenna as Bill, their bloody bodyguard, dumped out the contents of two water bottles on them.
"Bill! You're alive!" Jenna reached up to hug him.
"Barely." He gasped, pressing a hand to the gunshot wound in his upper chest. "I think the good Lord has plans for me yet." He handed her another bottle of water and let out a groan. "I was so worried about you all when I heard the explosion. Didn't know how long I'd been out. But I think it's time to leave."
"You're right." Cole lifted Andie back into his arms and headed for the plane. Gently laying Andie on the back seat, he grabbed Bill's arm. "Get them outta here. As far away as you can, and get that little girl cooled off."
Jenna poured more water on Andie, and she moaned. "Hey, sweet girl. Wake up."
She opened her eyes. "Mom?"
Dasha licked Andie's face.
"Hey, baby, I'm here."
"So thirsty."
Jenna opened the last water bottle. "Here you go."
As Andie drank, her eyes followed Cole. Jenna looked behind her. Cole wasn't getting in the plane.
She jumped out and yanked at Cole's arm. "We're not leaving without you!"
"Jenna, you have to. AMI is still back there. I can't risk them finding it."
She gripped his waist and tugged him close. Lifting a hand to his head, she pulled his lips down to hers and kissed him with all the emotion locked inside her. God help her, she loved this man.
"Jenna," he spoke against her lips, "I . . . I . . ."
She kissed him again and then pulled back. "I know. Thank you."
His arms wrapped around her in a tight hug and he lifted her into the plane. "We'll talk later. I promise. Now go."
Hot tears streamed down Jenna's face.
He closed the door of the plane and she pressed her hand against the glass. He laid his on the outside. God, keep him safe. Please.
The plane began to taxi away. Jenna kept her hand on the window as she watched Cole head back into the fiery abyss. He needs You, Father.
As the small plane picked up speed, her heart thundered inside her chest. Would she ever get the chance to tell him that she loved him? She gripped Andie's hands as the plane lifted into the air. Andie lay unconscious again, still flushed from the heat. Jenna prayed there wouldn't be permanent damage, but the heat had been too much, lasted too long. Oh, God. Please help her. Help us all.
So much at stake.
Flashing lights drew her attention back to the window. Emergency vehicles swarmed the scene of her property, their red-and-blue lights a welcome sight. Help had finally arrived.
They circled around, watching, and waiting. Her eyes found the bunker, just as Cole's head appeared in the doorway. Cole looked up at the plane and raised his hand to her. Thank You, God, he's safe. She placed her hand on the cool window and rested her forehead against it. She couldn't wait to have Cole's strong arms around her again. She brushed Andie's face with her hand. Maybe then, everything would feel righ—
Boom!
Boom! BOOM!
The massive explosions sent a shock wave that hit the plane a second later.
A scream started in the depths of her soul and pushed its way through her lips like a tidal wave. "Cole!"
Her voice echoed through the plane.
In her head.
In her ears.
And pierced her heart.
Placing both hands on the glass window of the plane, she searched the rolling cloud of flame and smoke. The barn was gone. The house was gone. The bunker, where she last saw Cole . . . gone.
Engulfed in fire.
Flashing lights formed a perimeter and were the only break in the devastation below. Everything from her life before . . . gone.
Everything she'd been hoping for her future, for her daughter's future.
Gone.
Bill steadied the shaken aircraft and headed in the other direction.
She tore away from the window. There was nothing to see.
Cole was gone.
Sobs shook her body as she clung to Andie's hand. Her daughter moaned again, and she gave her more water. All the while, the if-onlys stampeding through her mind.
If only she'd told him how she truly felt . . .
If only he hadn't gone back . . .
If only . . .
And then a still, small voice.
Greater love has no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
JENNA
April 15
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Fairbanks, Alaska
10:55 a.m.
The familiar beeping awoke her. She blinked the sleep away, rubbing her eyes with her hand. Wow, she was groggy. Her mouth felt filled with cotton.
A glance to her right brought Andie in a hospital bed into view. She looked back down at herself and found she, to
o, was in a hospital bed.
Hooked up to machines.
Again.
What happened? What day was it?
Cole! Her heart ached. God, why? Why? Why would You take him away? He needed You so badly . . . and . . . and . . . I loved him!
She closed her eyes to the pain, wishing she could close her heart to it as well. Tears streamed down her cheeks. It was all her fault. She could've prevented it. She could've done more. She could've saved Cole.
"Ahem." A low and rumbling voice broke through her thoughts.
Opening her eyes, she swiped at her wet cheeks with her hands.
"Mrs. Tikaani-Gray, I'm Special Agent Phillips." The man paused and nodded to another man beside him. "And this is Special Agent Miller. Your husband, Marcus, contacted me at the Bureau. He was a good man, and I'm sorry we lost him. But we've come here to thank you for all you've done to get AMI back into U.S. hands."
The trembling of her lower lip kept her from speaking. She nodded instead.
"We're very sorry for all you've had to endure."
"That man . . . he wasn't an agent, was he?"
He shook his head. "We found Special Agent McAdams dead in his car."
Jenna closed her eyes. "So many people have been lost because of all this . . ."
"There has been some good come out of it. Thanks to your husband contacting us, and to Mr. Maddox's intervention, we've been able to secure the technology and locate the black-market buyers."
Cole. She'd never see him again. Never hear his voice—never feel his arms around her. She turned away. Hugged herself tight as gut-wrenching sobs wracked her frame.
"Mrs. Gray."
She shook her head and waved them off. Pulling her good knee up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around it, and laid her head down, giving in to the torrent of emotion.
"Jenna."
Great. Now she was imagining things. She longed for Cole so much, she heard his voice. Why couldn't they all just leave her alone?
"Mom." Andie's weak voice pursued her. "Mom. It's okay. Please don't cry. I'm all right. Please, Mom. Please. Open your eyes."
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