The Toymaker
Page 30
“Where did you find her?” Wiley asked.
“It took a couple of hours to get back on my feet.” Jake walked around Wiley’s bed and stood next to Kyli. “While you were on the helicopter ride here, I went down to the waterfront looking for Kyli. It took me a while, but I finally found her on a sailboat moored in the harbor. First, I checked the docked boats, and then I rented a skiff and searched the boats in the harbor. I knew I found the right boat as soon as I read the name on the transom.”
“What was it?” Wiley asked.
“Shamrock’s Revenge.”
“I’ll be damned. What about the authorities?” Wiley asked. “Any trouble with them?”
“None. I told them we were walking up to see the church at the top of the hill when the villa blew. Wrong place, wrong time.”
“Kyli, I need to speak to Jake alone.” Wiley stared Jake in the eyes while he spoke to Kyli.
“But, Grandpa, you just woke up,” Kyli protested.
“Fifteen minutes.”
Kyli smiled and walked to the door. “Fifteen minutes.” She walked out.
Wiley grabbed Jake’s arm. “Jake, I owe you an apology for—”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Jake placed his hand on Wiley’s hand. “I understand why you did what you did…and I’m not upset. If I were in your shoes, I would have done the same thing. And I’m holding you to your job offer.”
Jake heard the door open behind him.
“Nice work, rookie.”
Jake turned around and was surprised at who he saw. “What are you doing here?”
“I told you if you didn’t get yourself killed, I would see you again.” She walked to the hospital bed and handed Wiley a large manila envelope.
Wiley took it and placed it on his lap. “Jake, I believe you already know Francesca. I had to fight with her over which one of you got to kill Collins. You both had grudges to bear.”
Jake placed his hand on his cheek. “Collins do that to you?”
“Yes.” Francesca said. “One day, maybe, I’ll tell you about it.”
Jake looked at Wiley. “What’s she doing here?”
“She was on Ios, in case we failed.” Wiley explained. “Her instructions were to kill Collins if he came out of his villa and we didn’t.”
“After the explosion,” she said. “When I knew Mr. Wiley was being taken care of, I stayed around to make sure Collins was dead.” Francesca smiled. “After the authorities found his burned body, I left and came to get you.”
“To get me?” Jake looked at Wiley for an explanation, but none came.
Jake looked back at Francesca. “Get me for what?”
Francesca pointed to the envelope on Wiley’s bed. “That is our next assignment.”
“Our?”
Wiley handed Jake the envelope.
“We’re working together on this one.” Francesca turned and walked toward the door. “Come on, rookie, we have a plane to catch.”
Jake looked at the old man. "What about Kyli?"
"She'll be fine." Wiley smiled. "There's plenty of time for you and Kyli. Right now, I need you."
He glanced at Francesca then back to Wiley. “We’re leaving now?”
The Toymaker nodded. “Welcome to The Greenbrier Fellowship.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
While playing around in literary wonderland, I’ve discovered how important it is to have friends in your corner, whether it be to offer advice, criticism, or support. Before I mention them, I want to thank the most important people—the readers. If you’ve followed me from The Savannah Project, or whether The Toymaker was your first of my novels, I thank you for your support.
The idea for The Toymaker came from a man I met a few years ago whose identity, for obvious reasons, I can’t reveal. It was actually the suggestion of my wife to include his character (and title) in this book.
There are several others I wish to thank for their contribution. G. J. (Cos) Cosgrove, Jeannine DeBrule, Tim and Kathy Eyerman, Debbie Mastro, Cheryl Duttweiler, Arlene and Terry Robinson, and fellow author Richard C. Hale.
Once again, for another awesome book cover, I want to thank my good friend, Mary Fisher.
Saving the best for last, the force that keeps me driving forward, my wonderful wife, Debi. As I’ve mentioned before, you are my biggest fan, toughest critic, and best friend. Thanks for your undying support. I love you.
AUTHOR NOTES
As you know by now, no one setting defines this book. The Toymaker moves fast and from locale to locale. That happens when you’re chasing a terrorist. Throughout this story, Jake Pendleton gets to utilize some really cool gadgets along his journey. All of the technology mentioned in this book is real and exists today in some form or another. With that twisted disclaimer, I did take literary license to enhance the features of a couple of the technologies to advance the story.
The copper mesh tent, and everything associated with it, is accurate.
Miniature drones with varying capabilities are in existence today and utilized by the acronym agencies, Special Forces, and even intelligence organizations from other countries. The wasp is my creation. The idea for the wasp came from an actual miniature hummingbird drone. It’s real—Google it.
The radio tomographic imaging (RTI) technology is real and was invented at the University of Utah. Elmore Wiley’s version offers enhancements above and beyond the original design…but well within our technological capabilities.
The world of DNA, and what can be done with it, makes technological leaps and bounds daily. Do not be too quick to rule out the possibility of DNA assassinations. It has likely already occurred.
Which, lastly, brings me to Elmore Wiley’s special gliders. Motorized gliders exist. Composite gliders exist. The jet-assisted-take-off (JATO) add-on was my enhancement. JATO technology exists and has been in use for many years—just not on a glider to my knowledge. Every other technology about those gliders exists today, including the ability to mask them from radar detection. So I figure if some nut can strap a rocket to a backpack and fly through the mountains with nothing else on but a flying squirrel outfit, then I can strap a JATO bottle to a glider.
It’s all within the realm of possibility.