give them the occasional victory. So when he’d told them someone on the inside was betraying them, the agency had been in such disarray trying to find the culprit that it hadn’t been difficult to break into classified files and see what agents were working undercover in Tussad’s organization. He’d been handed Derrick Kyle and Gabe Brennan on a silver platter.
He’d heard whispers of Gabe before, of course. Everyone had heard whispers. But no one really believed he existed. Men like that didn’t really exist. But Gabe Brennan did exist, and Kimball had seen it as a personal challenge to make the legend nothing more than a pathetic memory.
Once Kimball had found out about Gabe, he’d known immediately he would have to betray him to Tussad to get the exact outcome he wanted. They’d had to work quickly because Gabe was trained to be aware when things were about to turn to shit. They’d managed to find out as much about Gabe Brennan as anyone knew in less than twenty-four hours. As soon as they’d discovered he had a wife and daughter, it was clear what their course of action should be. And when they dug a little deeper into Grace’s background, it was decided that she’d be left alive. Her kinds of talents might be of use in the future.
He laughed despite his throbbing face. She was about to become very useful. And William Sloane was about to get a rude awakening. The Passover Project was about to go on the open market to the highest bidder. And Gabe Brennan was going to help him do it.
He picked up the dead pilot’s phone and pressed the button to dial back his last call.
“What’s going on, Simon?” Gabe said on the other end of the line.
“Simon isn’t available at the moment. He’d have to pick up all of his intestines off the floor first.”
There was a slight pause on the other end of the line, but Gabe didn’t disappoint him. His voice was cold and unemotional.
“And who would this be?” he asked.
“Someone who has a deal to offer.”
“Ahh, this must be the infamous Shawn Kimball. You’ve got a lot of varied interests. I found your file interesting.”
“Did you?” Shawn asked. “I found yours interesting as well. Of course, I read it before it was wiped from the system. But I remember you well.”
“I had a feeling we might have crossed paths before. But I don’t think you’re the man in charge of this particular operation. Have you decided to take matters into your own hands?”
“You could say that.” Shawn appreciated the fact that he didn’t have to spell things out for his adversary. It put them on a much more level playing ground. “I’ve decided my employer isn’t the man to handle The Passover Project. I’m even willing to give you his name once we get down to business.”
“And do we have business, Kimball?”
“I’ve been impressed with how quickly you’ve tracked us down. Killing Standridge certainly put a wrench in things, but you didn’t destroy all of his research. I’ve already found another scientist willing to take up the good doctor’s work.”
Kimball knew he had Gabe’s attention now. “I know you’ll have the second part of the formula once you steal the painting.”
“You still need the third part of the formula from the second painting. And even then it will only work if your scientist can recreate the first part that was destroyed.”
“It’s awfully nice of you to warn me of these obstacles. But don’t worry. I’ve had the missing part of the formula all along. My employer was kind enough to already have it in his possession. It seems he’s somehow related to the original scientist who created the formula. Genetics are damned interesting. Haven’t you ever wondered where you come from?”
“I don’t have the time to have the birds-and-the-bees talk with you, Kimball. You’ve yet to tell me how we have business. In the next few hours, I’m going to be in possession of the last part of the formula you need. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I give it to you.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You’ll give the painting to me and walk away.”
“Will I? Why would I do something like that?”
“Because I have something I believe you’ll want back.” Kimball looked at Grace once more, wishing he could slit her throat and send him the pictures. But the time for her to die would come soon. “She’s not dead yet. Your wife put up a hell of a fight. Of course, she’s still a woman. It wasn’t hard to take her down.”
He appreciated the fact that Gabe didn’t even pause to think as he lied.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kimball.”
“I think you do. We’ll make an even trade. You’ll give me the painting, and I’ll give you back your wife. If you manage to do it within the next sixteen hours, I’ll make sure I don’t give her back to you in pieces.”
“Give me the name of the man who hired you as an act of good faith.”
Kimball leaned back in his chair and adjusted his ice pack. Damned if Gabe Brennan wasn’t entertaining.
“Sure,” Kimball said with a shrug. “If you kill him, it’ll save me the trouble. It was going to be a real pain in the ass anyway. I’m working against the clock as it is. You’ve probably heard of him. His name is William Sloane.”
The silence on the end of the phone was very telling. “As in the Speaker of the House, William Sloane?”
“That’s the one.”
“Interesting,” Gabe said.
“Mr. Sloane is under the impression that he would make an excellent dictator. That power can only go the person who controls The Passover Project.”
“And what if I refuse to meet your demands?”
“Then I’ll keep your woman alive.” His voice rang with the promise of truth. “She’ll be begging for death by the time I’m through with her. And while I’m at it, I hope you’re not too attached to the boy wonder you’ve got stashed away in that fortress of yours. My men have been busy in your absence. He’s only got a few minutes left before he’s just another part of the rubble. It’s a shame, really. I’ve heard he’s quite brilliant.”
For the first time he heard the urgency in Gabe’s voice, and he smiled.
“When do we make the exchange?”
“Oxford Park Station at noon. Platform seven.”
“I’ll be there.”
The line went dead, and Kimball wished he’d be able to see Gabe’s face when he realized he was too late to save his wife.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Ethan,” Gabe said into their com link. “Evacuate now. Sound the alarm so the guards will know, and use the emergency exit. Don’t argue. Start running.”
He mouthed the word
Gabe listened to Ethan’s muttered curses just before the line went dead. He tossed his phone on the table and willed it to ring. He knew it would take Ethan a few minutes to work his way through the underground tunnels that ran beneath the building and get to the safe house he’d designated for any agents who might be in trouble.
The phones wouldn’t work in the tunnels since they were made of reinforced steel, but ten minutes passed —and then fifteen—and he still hadn’t gotten the all clear from Ethan.
“Fuck,” Jack whispered. “Who was on the phone, Gabe, and what the hell was that conversation about? Listening to your end wasn’t reassuring.”
“Shawn Kimball,” Gabe said. “And he has Grace. He wants the painting.”
He tried to keep his emotions locked away. Grace needed him, but he couldn’t slow his frantic heartbeat, and he couldn’t help but imagine what Kimball was putting her through. His fist tightened at the thought, and he
