“Not as much as you if you don’t make that call,” Young said before he exited the room.
Blunt seethed as he plotted a way out. He couldn’t let Madeline be exposed. He also couldn’t let his team be led to the slaughter.
There has to be a solution to all this.
But he couldn’t readily think of one.
CHAPTER 23
Lisbon, Portugal
HAWK STOOD ON THE veranda of the home overlooking the Port of Lisbon and basked in the afternoon sunshine. While Hawk never had the chance to visit the posh home, he remembered the last time he was here with Blunt. After scanning the area, he sauntered over to the spot where Blunt had been standing when a bullet ripped through his chest.
Hawk knelt and inspected the spot. He could still see faint traces of blood spatter on the bricks.
“You remember too, don’t you?” Alex asked as she sauntered outside.
Hawk looked up as he stood. “How could I forget? I thought we were going to lose him that day.”
Alex nodded subtly. “You’re the only one. I still can’t believe that bullet missed every vital organ.”
Hawk sighed as he turned his focus to the busy port below. “We had angels on our side that day.”
“I feel like we need some more to show up … and fast. Because without them, I’m not sure what’s going to become of Blunt or us.”
“You’re right,” Hawk said. “We’ll figure something out.”
Hawk studied the tankers as they chugged in and out of the harbor. Their rhythm mesmerized him as nothing seemed to interrupt their intended path. He noted a few smaller vessels scrambled out of their way as the large ships approached. And in their way, the little fishing boats rocked and swayed with the men on board doing everything to remain upright and not take on too much water.
Alex eased up next to him. “What’s caught your eye?”
“Do you see those little boats down there?” he asked.
“Yeah. What about them?”
“None of the tankers pay any attention to them.”
“Why would they? The little guy should get out of the shipping lanes.”
Hawk nodded. “I’m not intrigued by whether or not they get out of the way.”
“Then what exactly are you seeing?”
“The fact that nobody notices the little nimble vessels,” Hawk said. “But if one of them got stuck in the propellor, that tanker would be ruined.”
Alex patted him on the back. “Guess those captains better pay closer attention.”
Hawk glanced at his watch. “What time did Black and Shields and Mia say they would be here?”
“They should be here any minute now,” Alex said as her ears perked up. “As a matter of fact, I think I just heard someone drive up.”
“Do they have the access code?”
She nodded. “Let’s go greet them.”
Over the next ten minutes, Hawk and Alex greeted and caught up with the rest of the Phoenix Foundation team. When they were finished with the small talk, Hawk directed everyone to the dining room. He doled out tumblers and poured a glass of bourbon. Signaling for everyone to wait, he hustled out of the room and returned a few minutes later with a cigar.
“First, bourbon,” Black said. “Now, a cigar. I’m starting to get a familiar feeling.”
Hawk clipped the end of the cigar off and jammed it into his mouth. “I know our fearless leader isn’t with us today, but I’m hoping that if I act like him, maybe I’ll come up with some good ideas.”
The team chuckled before an uncomfortable silence fell on the room.
“Okay, I just want to acknowledge that what’s happening right now is wrong,” Hawk said. “We didn’t do anything wrong, yet here we are, hiding out from some of the same people we’ve worked with over the past few years, spanning two administrations. We’ve been nothing but the best for President Young. However, the minute his re-election bid becomes jeopardized, he not only throws us under the bus, but he wants to bring us in like common criminals.”
“It’s despicable,” Shields said as she shook her head. “I’d be willing to go in and talk through this issue if I thought for one second that we’d get a fair shake. But I know we won’t.”
“Damn right, we won’t,” Black said. “We’re going to have to get creative to figure a way out of this because our chance at a diplomatic resolution ended the moment they arrested Blunt.”
Alex nodded. “So, what are we going to do?”
“I think we need to expose Falcon Sinclair,” Mia said.
“Of course we do,” Hawk said, “but I’m not sure that’s going to have the intended effect. That man has so much money that it’s nearly impossible to get anything to stick. People throw themselves as his feet, anything for the almighty dollar. It’s tough to fight against that.”
“We’ll have to expose him another way then,” Alex said.
There was another brief pause.
“What about Blunt?” Hawk finally said, addressing the elephant in the room. “We can’t just let him twist in the wind, especially for what he’s done for all of us.”
“That wouldn’t be right,” Black said.
Alex sighed. “I agree, but I think we need to topple Sinclair first and reveal his deep dark secrets before we can even think about Blunt.”
“I’m not so sure,” Shields said. “I believe Blunt is in grave danger. Every day that goes by, I think the less likely it is that he’ll ever see the light of day again. And I mean that literally.”
Hawk threw back the rest of his bourbon. “Then we need to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“So, how are we gonna do this?” Mia asked. “Because I’ve got an idea on how we can expose Sinclair.”
“What are you thinking?” Alex asked.
“I have two hackers that could be coerced into helping,” Mia said. “I’m sending you their contact information now in case you need to employ them as well and to see which one you think might be the best fit. They’re some valuable assets for any operation you might have that would require a legion of hackers.”
“They run groups. Lord Override works solo, while Gimli has a dozen hackers at his disposal.”
Alex laughed. “I like the names.”
A ringing sound from the kitchen arrested Hawk’s attention. He held up a finger. “Hold that thought.”
Hawk hustled over to a satellite phone and brought it back into the dining room.
“Who is it?” Alex asked.
Hawk frowned as he stared at the number on the screen. “I don’t recognize the number.”
“Just pick it up already,” Black said.
Hawk answered and waited for the voice on the other end to speak. For a few seconds there was dead air.
“Who is it?” Alex whispered again, her eyes widening.
Hawk shrugged. “Hello?”
Then he heard a familiar voice, and a wide smile spread across his face.
“It’s Blunt,” Hawk mouthed to everyone.
CHAPTER 24
Sydney, Australia
FALCON SINCLAIR LIT a cigarette and watched the end burn before flicking the ashes into a tray. He checked his watch and sighed. His appointment was already ten minutes late, but not that Sinclair minded much. During his rise to power, he learned that patience was the key to victory.
As he approached one of his first big deals as the CEO of a toy company, one of his mentors told him that the best way to negotiate was through silence. “Most people will grow uncomfortable with the silence and will tip their hand or will concede something extra, giving you a better deal,” the wise businessman had explained. That was the way he leveraged his company into getting a contract that helped it triple its value in less than two years. He quickly moved on from company to company, accruing massive wealth along the way. Then he decided to put everything he’d learned together and start his own global conglomerate. If he would’ve rushed in, he knows it wouldn’t have gone well. But his patience paid off in an
unfathomable way. He just needed a little bit more of it.
Australian Prime Minister Oliver Kelly waved at Sinclair upon entering the room. The country’s top decision maker scanned the room as he strode over to his host’s table.
“I thought you said nobody else would be here,” Kelly said as he eased into his chair.
Sinclair looked around and shrugged. “Nobody here even cares who you are. That’s how this place works. No cell phones. No interruptions. Just a comfortable place to conduct business that doesn’t put us at the mercy of the press or any other bloke with a camera and a social media account.”
“But there are other people here who could see us together,” Kelly protested.
“And they know if they were to dare say something, they’d be outed and destroyed. That’s the agreement. And that’s how we all live in harmony around here.”
Kelly nodded and relaxed his shoulders.
“Lighten up,” Sinclair said. “In fact, why don’t you light up?”
Kelly waved dismissively as Sinclair pushed a pack of cigarettes toward the center of the table.
“Go ahead,” Sinclair said. “It’ll help relieve the stress.”
“I’m fine. What will relieve my stress is finalizing our deal.”
Sinclair sucked in a drag before releasing a stream of smoke from the corner of his mouth. “I’m ready to finalize the deal. The real question is … are you?”
Kelly took a deep breath. “Look, I told you I’d do it, and I will. I just need a little bit more time.”
“I’ve given you plenty of time. All you have to do is get enough parliamentary members in line and pull the trigger. You’ve done it before under far greater duress. Get the law passed within the next three days.”
Kelly’s eyes bulged. “Three days? Are you mad?”
“On the contrary, I’m quite sane. You’re the one bordering on insanity for not taking action on my proposal much earlier. I came to you three months ago with this proposal, and it appears that you’ve done nothing.”
“No, that’s not true. I’ve phoned a few allies.”
“Apparently, it’s not enough if the law isn’t changed within the time frame I’ve given you.”
“I need a few more days.”
Sinclair shook his head. “I’m a patient man, Mr. Prime Minister. However, you’re trying me right now. I presented you with a simple plan. All you had to do was execute one little task. But that must’ve been too much to ask of you.”
“Please, Falcon, give me more time.”
Sinclair snuffed the cigarette out in the ash tray on their table. “You’re the last domino that needs to fall. But if you don’t budge, there are other ways I can handle this situation. I can assure you that they are far less pleasant than doing what I originally asked you to do. That option is going to disappear in three days, and I’ll have to apply a different kind of pressure, one that I think you’ll loathe and despise. The choice is yours.”
Kelly stared back at Sinclair. “I’ll get it done.”
Sinclair leaned back as a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Now was that so difficult after all?”
Kelly got up. “I’ll let you know as soon as it’s done.”
“And I’ll put half of the money in your account by this evening, the balance when everything is final,” Sinclair said. “You have my word.”
“Thank you,” Kelly muttered before spinning on his heels and striding out of the room.
Sinclair lit another cigarette as he watched the prime minister exit the underground tavern.
We’re almost there.
CHAPTER 25
Undisclosed location
BLUNT MUTTERED A PRAYER under his breath after he finished dialing Hawk’s satellite phone number. With each ring, Blunt resisted the urge to end the call. He weighed the life of his agents against his own niece. The decision wasn’t one he wanted to make, concluding that he wasn’t really qualified to play God. But President Young’s ultimatum forced Blunt to choose.
In the moments leading up to the phone call, Blunt ultimately decided that the Phoenix Foundation team had a fighting chance against other government agents. But Madeline would’ve been chum for the sharks.
On the fourth ring, Hawk’s voice came through loud and clear.
“If only you could see me now,” Hawk said, “drinking bourbon and chewing on a cigar.”
Blunt chuckled at the moment of levity. “I really do wish that was the case, but I’m afraid I can’t share in your jovial news.”
“They’re hunting you, aren’t they?”
“In a manner of speaking,” Blunt said. “It won’t be long before they catch me or you either.”
“I know,” Hawk said. “And to be honest, I think we’re fortunate that we’re here for now.”
“Don’t tell me where you are,” Blunt warned. “I wouldn’t want anyone listening in to get a bead on your position.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not at any of your safe houses, but we are safe. So, why are you risking calling us if things are as dire as you said?”
“I think I know a way to clear our names for good.”
“Once and for all?” Hawk asked, his voice perking up.
“Yeah, but it’s going to be a bit of a gamble, if you know what I mean.”
Hawk grunted. “High stakes, high rewards. That’s what you always say.”
“Well, it’s never been truer than right now. There’s only one way I can see out of this situation.”
“I’m glad you came up with something because we’ve been racking our brains trying to figure out how to prove our innocence. That’s why I’m drinking bourbon and gnawing on one of your Dominican cigars.”
“Dominican? You know I only chew on Honduran ones.”
“Maybe that explains why my ideas have been garbage,” Hawk said with a chuckle.
“Okay, we don’t have much time, but I will advise you to get on a plane and return to Washington. Meet me at my new safe house in two days. I’ll fill you in when you get here.”
“Roger that.”
“And Hawk?”
“Yeah?”
“Bring the whole team. We’re going to need every last one of them.”
“See you soon, boss.”
Blunt depressed a button, ending the call. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, lamenting what he’d just done.
A man’s voice boomed from the speaker in the corner of the room. “Excellent work, Senator. Your niece’s new identity will remain a secret.”
Blunt sighed, all too cognizant that he’d just become Young’s lackey. If Blunt ever resisted fulfilling any assignment—or even went against the White House or the intelligence community’s wishes—he knew this would be held over his head. He did the exact thing he taught his agents never to do: “Don’t ever reveal your weakness. Once you show your hand, you’ll be controlled forever.”
He wasn't sure he’d ever felt so much regret wash over him so quickly. The agony over what to do had tied his stomach up in knots. And following through with what was asked of him didn’t change the situation either. Blunt’s mind was still filled with plenty of uncertainties, trying to pick his way through the minefield of regret.
“It’ll get easier,” the man said over the intercom, almost as if he was reading Blunt’s mind.
“Easier, my ass,” Blunt fired back. “You made me choose between my blood and my family. And I’ll never forgive you for it. You better pray nothing happens to them because I'm holding all of you responsible for this.”
“Don’t worry,” the man replied. “You won’t be holding on to anything much longer. It’ll be somebody else’s problem to worry about.”
“You bastard,” Blunt shouted as he jerked on the chains.
“Settle down, Senator. A guard will be in there shortly to escort you back to your cage.”
Blunt screamed as he twisted in his chair. He stopped when a pair of guards hustled inside and freed him from the table.
They ushered him back to his cell and eased him down inside.
As he sat in darkness, he replayed the brief conversation he had with Hawk in his mind. His top agent was good, yet Blunt wasn’t sure that the message was received. All he could do was hope that it was and pray that he didn’t just hand over the entire team, gift-wrapped for President Young.
An hour went by before the floor started moving again, ascending upward. Light penetrated the darkness as the hatch at the top sprang open. As he drew closer to the opening at the top, Blunt shielded his eyes.
Moments later, the ladder dropped down with a man clinging to it with one hand while holding a tray in the other.
“I’m going to set your food down on your table over there,” the guard explained.
Blunt strained to see the hulking man’s figure amidst the pale light, but there was something strangely familiar about him.
“Thank you,” Blunt said. “Did you bring a cigar for me to chew on, too?”
The man spun and looked back at Blunt. “J.D. Blunt? Is that you?”
CHAPTER 26
Berlin, Germany
MIA WAITED UNTIL the train left the underground station before hopping onto the tracks and hustling down the tunnel. She gestured for Shields to hurry up, which was met with a wide-eyed stare.
“Do you know how uncomfortable it is to jump from this high up?” Shields asked, nodding toward her prosthetic right leg. “Carbon fiber and titanium might help you walk, but they don’t exactly soften your landing.”
Shields sat on the platform and then hung her legs off the side before easing to the ground. Her feet sank into the gravel.
“I’m sorry,” Mia said. “I didn’t—”
Shields waved her off. “I’m just messing around. Do I look fragile to you? And you better think about that answer very carefully.”
Mia chuckled. “You look like you can hold your own to me.”
“That a girl,” Shields said as they both broke into a light jog.
“It’s just up ahead,” Mia said. “But we need to move quickly. The next train is due to be in the station within the next two minutes.”
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