He reloaded and glanced at them. “You two okay?”
Tommy shook out a nod. “Y-yes. Who-who are you?”
“Call me Jack. Some friends stateside sent me to make sure you got on a plane. Looks like I got here just in time.”
“Yeah, uh, thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet, kid, we ain’t out of this shitstorm until you two are wheels up. There’s still one upstairs, and there was one outside, and I have no doubt they have comms. Here’s the plan. You two hug that wall like it was your lover, and then stick to my ass and do everything I tell you. No hesitation. This is still going to be ugly.”
The chime had Tommy’s heart pumping hard and he pressed himself against Mai and her against the wall as the door opened, Jack dropping to a knee again, two shots fired as a single round shattered the mirror behind them.
“Let’s go!”
Tommy grabbed Mai by the hand and they followed Jack out of the elevator, the man’s head on a swivel as he searched for more trouble. Tommy didn’t bother looking. It was everything he could do to not faint and to keep hold of Mai’s hand. They reached the revolving doors, an employee handing Jack something as their savior shoved them through, apparently confident no one was outside.
Jack stepped through and pointed toward a car. “Back seat. Both of you, then get down.”
Tommy nodded and they raced toward the non-descript Toyota. He opened the rear door and Mai leaped inside, her entire body shaking as he followed suit, closing the door as Jack fired up the engine. Gunfire rang out and Jack grabbed some sort of machine gun, Tommy wasn’t sure, from the passenger seat and stuck it out the window, the deafening roar of the fully automatic weapon sending them both cringing to the floor, and apparently their kidnapper diving for cover, for moments later they were turning a corner, the hotel out of sight.
“Okay, kids, you can relax now. We’re going to switch vehicles, then head straight for the airport. You’re getting on that flight they booked for you, and within a few hours you’ll be in South Korea. From there you’re on your own. Just call Mom and Dad and I’m sure they’ll get you home.”
“But we don’t have our passports! The hotel took them!” cried Mai. “They’ll never let us on board!”
Jack handed them an envelope, the same envelope Tommy had noticed the employee hand over as they left the hotel. “Here you go.”
Tommy opened the envelope and smiled at Mai at the sight of their passports. This plan seemed to be coming together. He checked his watch. And they still had time.
Something occurred to him. “We don’t have luggage. Won’t that look suspicious?”
Jack grinned at him over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, kid, it’s all taken care of.”
38 |
Heathrow Airport London, England
Hugh Reading sat impatiently at his gate, waiting for boarding to begin. He had taken the plunge and bought the ticket, yelping out loud at the price, the only seat left in business class.
It’s two cups of coffee for her.
He had repeated that half a dozen times before clicking to accept the price, printing off his itinerary the moment it arrived in his inbox. He had let his son know through a text message where he was going and generally why—the young man was a copper now and had also dealt with the Actons’ exploits, so he trusted him to be able to handle it.
But he had told no one else.
That was why he was surprised his phone was vibrating in his pocket at this ungodly hour of the morning. He checked the call display, not recognizing the number, and debated on whether to answer.
Well, it’s not the office.
He swiped his thumb. “Hello?”
“Agent Reading, this is Chris, an associate of a mutual friend named Dylan.”
He frowned. “Yes, Chris, I know who you are. And if you’re calling me, then things are obviously worse than I’ve been fearing.”
Leroux chuckled. “Yes, I’m usually the bearer of bad tidings. May I ask why you’re going to Seoul?”
Reading’s eyes narrowed. “Didn’t Dylan tell you?”
“We’ve been out of communication with him for several hours. Why? Have you been in contact?”
Reading looked about to make sure he was alone. He was, at least as far as Heathrow would allow. “Tommy Granger got a set of GPS coordinates to Greg Milton’s secretary, and she got them to me. I sent them to Dylan along with everything she told me.”
“What did she tell you?”
“That Jim and Laura were heading to these coordinates, that the coordinates were taken from some photo—what was in that photo, or where they got it, she didn’t know or remember. What do you know?”
“Less than you, apparently. I’m going to need those coordinates.”
“Hold on.” Reading retrieved the piece of paper he had written the coordinates on and read them off. Leroux repeated them then whistled as he apparently entered them in his computer.
“Middle of nowhere Mongolia.”
“Exactly. I checked Google and couldn’t find anything there. Do you guys have any updated imagery?”
“Of course not.” There was a pause. “It looks like some sort of mining operation. Open pit. Fairly big, but looks like it’s set to expand. Any idea why they’d head there?”
“None.”
“Does Arban Namjiliin mean anything to you?”
Reading’s eyebrows rose. “No. Is that some kind of religious headdress?”
Leroux laughed. “It’s a name, Agent Reading. Apparently, he sent a text message to Professor Acton, telling him he was in trouble and someone was trying to kill him. They then promptly boarded an airplane, along with Thomas Granger and Mai Trinh—”
“That I can’t believe!”
“Yeah, we were puzzled by that too. They snuck them in as flight crew. We have an asset retrieving them now. We’re assuming they needed Mr. Granger’s computer expertise, and that Miss Trinh insisted on accompanying him.”
Reading shook his head. “She gets that from her mentors. Neither of those two will go anywhere without the other if it’s dangerous. Do you know if Jim and Laura are okay?”
“No, we have no information on their status, though it’s likely they are indeed heading to the coordinates you provided.”
“Is there anything you can do?”
“We’re working it. I recommend you stay in London, sir. There’s nothing you can do to help them.”
Reading grunted. “I’ll take it under advisement.”
He could hear Leroux’s exasperated sigh. “Fine, we’ll monitor your phone for when you arrive in Seoul.”
Reading laughed. “You do that.”
39 |
En route to Genghis Khan International Airport Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Jack’s watch pulsed a signal to his wrist and he grabbed his phone, reading the secure message that had just arrived. He shook his head then looked in the rearview mirror.
“So, your professor friends are heading to some strip mine in the middle of nowhere?”
Tommy’s eyes widened. “That’s what it is?”
“If those coordinates are correct.”
Tommy smiled at Mai then leaned forward between the seats. “So, Dylan got our message?”
“Somebody did.”
“Oh, thank God! What are you going to do?”
“I’m getting you two out of the country. When I’ve accomplished that, then I’ll deal with the next problem.”
Mai squeezed forward. “But they could be in danger!”
Jack shrugged. “They’ve got a long drive ahead of them. The biggest danger they have at this moment is a flat tire or a roadblock, neither of which I can help them with once it becomes a problem. Right now, we’ve got armed gunmen who actively want you dead.”
Tommy went pale. “What makes you say that? They didn’t kill us.”
“That was because they had you, and wanted to take you somewhere where they could make sure they knew everything you did. Now that you’v
e been compromised, the smart thing to do is kill you.”
Mai’s face clouded with fear. “Is that what you would do?”
He hated the answer that came from his mouth. “Without hesitation.”
Tommy groaned, sitting back. “Lovely. And you’re supposed to be one of the good guys.”
Jack chuckled. “It’s all a matter of whose side of the equation you’re on, kid. Right now, I’m on your side, they’re not.” They pulled up to the airport drop-off zone. “Now, your new luggage is in the trunk. You’ve got your passports. Just go inside, act normal, and pick up your tickets. Go through security as soon as you can, go to your gate, and get on your flight. Don’t talk to anyone unless they’re staff. Anyone else, just pretend you don’t speak the language. Don’t talk to each other. I find pretending to be asleep helps. Just don’t actually fall asleep and miss your flight. Stay calm, and you’ll be fine. Remember, you’ve done nothing wrong. The bad guys are all outside.”
Tommy gripped Mai’s hand. “What about the authorities?”
Jack shook his head. “That all depends on how deep the pockets go that are involved, and if they’ve had time to get your information to their contacts. My guess is you’re okay, since everything has gone down in the past few minutes.” He jerked a thumb toward the terminal. “Now go! You’ve got ninety minutes.”
40 |
Leaving Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Stander pulled away from the hotel as his phone connected with the SUV’s Bluetooth. Curses sputtered from his mouth as he slammed his fist repeatedly into the dash before grabbing his phone. His men were dead, a mess left behind, and worse, the targets had escaped. Whoever had rescued them was good.
Too good.
That meant professional, possibly an intelligence operative. It had to be CIA or something equivalent. But that made no sense. Why the hell would the CIA come rescue two kids? Who were these people? How connected were they? He had to know more, and right now the professors were God knows where, the kids were probably getting on a flight out of the country, and he was no closer to knowing what was actually going on.
It was unfamiliar territory for him, and it was driving him mad. He needed intel, but all he knew from his extensive contacts was that Mai Trinh was a Vietnamese citizen living in exile in the United States—and no one knew why. Thomas Granger was a former hacker gone straight. James Acton was a professor who had made the news several times for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was former National Guard. And his wife, Laura Palmer, was rich through an inheritance received from her late brother, and also made the news a few times, always with her husband.
His mouth slowly opened as he realized a possibility. She was rich. Fabulously rich, apparently, and that could mean private security. They might already be here, in place, though they definitely hadn’t come in on the charter flight. That could be who rescued the kids and killed his men. His head slowly bobbed at the possibility. It was far preferable than dealing with the CIA or some other spy agency’s assets.
It didn’t solve his problem, though his problem just might solve itself. Tommy had given him the coordinates that the professors were heading to, and he already knew the destination. The mine. All they had to do was wait for them to show up, and then they’d have them.
One problem soon to be resolved.
The next was the bigger one. Who knew what? The two kids obviously knew something, and they’d have to be dealt with stateside. He chewed his cheek for a moment.
Unless palms could be quickly greased.
He swiped his thumb and dialed his contact.
41 |
Mine Site, Eastern Mongolia
Arban watched the excavator continue its work, the depth of the curiosity discovered in the core sample almost reached. The going was slow in the dark with his corrupt asshat of a boss at least appearing to take care in not damaging whatever the void might contain. But they were running out of time.
A phone rang and Elbegdor answered it, the one-sided conversation begun within earshot, but finished outside of it when Elbegdor noticed him listening. His boss returned a few minutes later.
“Killing more innocent people?” asked Arban, pushing his luck.
“It’s none of your concern.”
“I suppose not, since I’m dead anyway. You’re married. You have kids. How can you go home at the end of the day and look them in the eye knowing what you’ve done?”
Elbegdor regarded him. “With ease.”
Arban’s eyes shot wide. “Excuse me? With ease?”
“Yes, with ease. I know that what I am doing here will result in a more prosperous Mongolia, and that means a better future for my children.” He regarded Arban for a moment. “And I told you, never give up hope. There’s still a chance you’ll get out of here alive, go back to your wife, make babies, and know that someday they’ll have a better life than yours because of what happens here tonight.”
Arban grunted. “You’re mad.”
“No, I’m a realist. Like I said before, if it wasn’t me here, it would be someone else. The only difference is they might not care what we find here tonight. I do. If it is important, it will be preserved, and the mine will continue its expansion. This resource is simply too valuable, too important. Without it, entire economies could fail, wars could be fought over it.”
Arban shook his head. “Has it ever occurred to you that it could make us a target? Have you looked at a map lately? We’re trapped between Russia and China, essentially two of the most immoral countries on the planet today. It’s not as if the Americans are going to leap to our defense if one of them decides to cross the border and take what they want.”
Elbegdor shook his head. “No, you’re wrong. With this properly developed, the clout we will have on the world stage will be immense, and the West who are desperate for it will protect us. Yes, the Chinese or the Russians might invade, but the real weapon today is trade. Sanctions, tariffs, barriers. Neither country would dare invade because they’d know their economies would be crippled if they did.”
“You’re taking one hell of a risk with our nation’s future.”
“Thinking like that, my boy, would mean no one would risk anything, and there’d be no progress outside of those with militaries mighty enough to protect their economic interests. We must take the risk, forge on, and build a more prosperous nation. I really wish you could see the good that will come of this. If I could just convince you, I know I could convince those in charge to spare your life.”
Arban turned away and stared at the excavator. Was he willing to die for his principles? All he had to do was trick Elbegdor into thinking he was on his side, that he had been swayed, and he just might see his wife again, just might have those babies they had been planning, and then grow old and fat, and in twenty or thirty years see if Elbegdor had been right. It was appealing, obviously, but it also made him sick to his stomach.
Does Badma deserve to be left alone because of your principles?
Elbegdor was right. No matter what, this mine was moving forward. Even if he had successfully got the word out, the government was corrupt. Officials would be bribed, the story buried, misinformation spread, and soon it would be dismissed as fake news, if his limited experience with the modern way of life was any indication.
The truth didn’t matter, it was who controlled the medium meant to spread it that did.
He drew a deep breath, deciding he had no choice. He turned to Elbegdor. “You promise that if we find something, it will be preserved properly?”
Elbegdor smiled. “You have my word.”
42 |
Heathrow Airport London, England
“Are you sure?”
Reading wasn’t sure at all, so he understood his partner’s confusion. This wasn’t any ordinary request, and could get them both in hot water if things went south. “Yes. But don’t put them in the system yet. Just get them ready in case I need them. I don’t want any delays once I pull
the trigger.”
“You’re going to get fired for this for sure. And so am I for helping you.”
Reading chuckled. “They won’t fire you. They like you. Me? I’m long overdue to be given the boot. Besides, I’ll tell them I lied to you.”
Michelle Humphrey laughed. “They won’t believe you.”
“Okay, I used your user ID to access the system and did it myself.”
“Ha! They’d believe that only if they thought you could use a computer.”
“Haw haw.” He thought for a moment. “That’s actually a good idea. When I tell you to pull the trigger, do it remotely then deny knowing anything about it. I don’t want you getting in trouble, but this might just save their lives, and two of them are just kids.”
Michelle sighed. “I knew when I was partnered with you, you’d be trouble.”
He smiled. “Yes, but living on the edge is more exciting, isn’t it?”
“It is, but if I wanted excitement, I never would have joined Interpol.”
He laughed. “Good point. So, will you do it?”
“Consider it done, Hugh. But when you get back, you’re buying the pints.”
“Deal!”
43 |
Genghis Khan International Airport Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tommy gulped as he spotted half a dozen armed men approaching in the distance. He stood, pushing Mai back into her seat without looking, then moved to the next row of seats. He sat and closed his eyes, feigning sleep like Jack had suggested.
The hammering of boots on the tile floor were almost in unison, each clap of rubber on stone sending his heart beating faster, and he had to stop from squeezing his eyes shut like a child hiding from the monsters under his bed.
Shouts erupted and he flinched, his eyes shooting wide open, there no point in feigning sleep anymore, as no one could through the racket.
The Tomb of Genghis Khan Page 11