by Dani Pettrey
They needed to locate Dr. Bedan, and fast, but first he needed to make sure Dr. Kemel made it safely to Jessup Correctional Institution. He could rest easy knowing Declan had the diversion attack under control, but this is why he was in the U.S. He needed to remember that and not to let thoughts of Kate or the men who had once been his friends flood his mind.
Malcolm was right after all—attachments brought distraction that could not be permitted in his line of work. But attachments were what he wanted, what he longed for. He would do his job, prevent this attack, see Ebeid dead or behind bars, and then he was out. His soul couldn’t take any more questionable decisions. He was no longer the agent Malcolm had worked so hard to create. The old Luke, the part he thought had died long ago, was reemerging.
Twenty minutes later, with his mind thankfully back in focus, the transit convoy carrying Dr. Kemel drove by. Luke followed at a distance, passing the agents positioned strategically along the various route options.
As they neared Jessup, unease settled in Luke’s gut. The men who intel had indicated were going to attempt to break Kemel out during transit were quickly running out of time. Something was wrong.
Had he received bad intel?
The convoy slowed as they approached the prison.
Adrenaline burned through Luke’s limbs.
An explosion rocked the ground, shaking his vehicle. Fire, smoke, and flying debris blew toward him in a blazing whirl. He dropped to the floorboard as his windshield shattered, heat blowing over, scorching his skin.
He prayed for the firestorm to pass, and after a few moments of feeling as if he were in hell’s fires, it settled, his vehicle rocking to a stop.
He extricated himself from the vehicle to find shattered convoy debris littering the ground around him.
They’d blown up the convoy. It didn’t make any sense.
He covered his face with his shirt as smoke engulfed the air, sirens wailing dimly over the ringing in his ears.
The ringing grew louder.
His phone. It was ringing.
Coughing, he pulled it from his jeans pocket and answered. “Yes?”
“I’m assuming you survived what I just heard was a convoy explosion.”
“Yes, but I don’t understand. Why would Ebeid blow up his own scientist?” He realized the reason before Malcolm answered.
“It appears they found a replacement with Bedan.”
“Any idea where he is?”
“No, but that’s not the worst of it.”
“What happened?” What had they missed?
“Fort Detrick was transporting a supply of anthrax to the CDC, and it was just hijacked. The guards are dead, and the truck carrying somewhere in the neighborhood of six ounces of anthrax is gone.”
“Why didn’t we know about that transfer?”
“We did, but we didn’t consider it would be a target.”
That would have been helpful information. He was so sick of this game. Sick of only being given bits of intel when there was a far bigger game at play. His frustration with Malcolm soared. “And you can’t find the truck?” Surely helicopters were in the air searching, but why hadn’t he been on that detail? If he’d only known . . . Of course Ebeid would go for the anthrax. Dr. Kemel’s transport was just another diversion. Ebeid had been feeding them false intel. Righteous anger flared hotter than the flames dancing a hundred yards from him as fire trucks converged on what remained of the convoy.
He covered his free ear, trying to hear as Malcolm continued, “We believe they must have switched vehicles somewhere undercover, but we’re still looking.”
His chest compressed. Both the bridge and Kemel’s transfer were diversions. Ebeid and his team had just outmaneuvered them. But how did he know to play them? Did he have a man on the inside or had Ebeid discovered their man on the inside and fed him false intel?
Either way, Ebeid and his crew now had six ounces of anthrax along with Dr. Bedan. Luke fought the urge to stagger back. Instead he leaned against his car, which was still warm from the blaze that had engulfed it only moments ago. It was mind-numbing to think the convoy explosion and the diversion attempt on the Bay Bridge were nothing compared to what a few grams of anthrax could do. A few grams were deadly, and Ebeid now had ounces in his control.
Luke swallowed. He couldn’t even begin to fathom the level of destruction Ebeid could cause or what deployment method he was planning. This case had just shifted gears—and the ramifications were terrifying. “We need to bring in the FBI. I’m sure they’ve already been alerted to the hijacked anthrax.”
“Yes. I’ll make sure the case is directed to Declan Grey, as he’s already somewhat looped in. Looks like you’ll be reunited with your old friends after all. Guess we’re going to see how well trained you actually are in not letting attachments come into play.”
Declan, Tanner, and Barrows spent hours interrogating the terrorists from the attempted bridge attack, but they remained steadfastly silent, so they’d given them a night in lockup and would start a fresh round of interrogations in the morning. In the meantime, Declan and Tanner headed for CCI, where they entered to the applause of their friends.
“Please, there’s no need,” Declan said, never one for accolades, though he had to admit he felt pretty darn good at the work they’d all accomplished in stopping a terrorist attack. Hopefully, they’d set Ebeid and his sleeper cells back years in their plans.
It bothered him that they still had nothing evidence-wise to concretely tie the attack to Ebeid, but tomorrow was a fresh day. They’d get something more concrete, no matter how much digging or how long the digging took, Declan would see Ebeid behind bars.
Entering the lounge area, he and Tanner both grabbed a slice of pizza and a Coke, and moved toward the couch.
He couldn’t wait to head back to his house with Tanner tonight, though as this case wrapped up she’d eventually be going back to stay with Kate. He’d miss having her so near. He just yearned to spend time alone with her. Sitting and holding hands with the woman he loved was more than enough—for now. But a future awaited them. One he couldn’t wait to get to.
“To Griffin, Jason, Parker, and Avery for catching Coach’s killers, and clearing his name,” Declan said, lifting his soda can.
“And to you and Tanner for stopping Ebeid,” Griff said, lifting his own soda can as the rest of the gang joined in.
“Thanks, guys,” Declan said, appreciating their kindness but never enjoying being in the spotlight. “But it wasn’t just us. It was a lot of folks working together.”
“But you did a great job.” Everybody’s attention swung to Luke standing in the doorway, a grim expression on his hardened face. “Unfortunately, we’ve got a far more lethal threat on our doorstep.”
Acknowledgments
To Jesus—for everything. James 1:17.
To Mike—for being my best friend, soul mate, and for making me laugh like no one else.
To Kay—for putting up with “Deadline Mom,” for your quick wit and sweet soul. You’re precious.
To Ty—for keeping me on my toes and bringing adventure to my life . . . daily.
To Little Man and Chubbykins—your Nannie loves you silly!
To Dave—for your support, insight, patience, and friendship.
To Karen—for your thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and friendship. I treasure working with you.
To everyone at BHP and Baker—I’m blessed.
To my readers—I’m so blessed by your encouragement and support. A special shout out to my Armchair Adventurers—Tab, Misty, Rissi, and Eli—for always cheering me on. You guys are the best!
To my friends Lisa, Joe, Donna, and Katie—you make my life all the richer.
To Dad—for all the research help and vastly interesting discussions.
To Officer Barry Jordan—for all your guidance and feedback. Any mistakes are mine.
Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,�
� Dani Pettrey combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happily-ever-after of a sigh-worthy romance novel. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent” of romance (USA Today).
Dani’s adventure-focused ALASKAN COURAGE series climbed the CBA bestseller lists, with Submerged staying in the top twenty for five consecutive months. The five-book series also won multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award, among others. She turns her attention to crime and law enforcement in her home state of Maryland in her new CHESAPEAKE COURAGE series, starting with Cold Shot, which Library Journal called, “a harrowing and thrilling ride.” For more information about her novels, visit www.danipettrey.com.
Books by Dani Pettrey
ALASKAN COURAGE
Submerged
Shattered
Stranded
Silenced
Sabotaged
CHESAPEAKE VALOR
Cold Shot
Still Life
Blind Spot
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
Twitter: @Bethany House