He was talking fast now, urging me to get up and go with him. I didn't get much time to think as he had me by the arm and was practically pushing me towards the door. This wasn't working out the way I wanted to and a sick feeling got hold of me again. It was clear to me that my father was more than just a pawn in this organisation. He was with them of his own volition. It made me feel scared. I didn't know what to do. I could make a break for it, using my self- defence techniques, knowing that within minutes Zack would be there to help me or use the signal and ask to go to the ladies. But doing that could risk people's lives. Rick had warned us he had people to protect him here.
I was convinced he wouldn't harm me, but I wasn't so sure he wouldn't harm another Sensorian. So I decided to stick with my father and hear him out.
Moreover, if I bailed out now, we would lose him. He would go underground and our chance to get to him would vanish. I had made my decision, and crossed my fingers it was one that Zack would endorse. Though, his order not to put myself in danger at any time still rang in my ears.
CHAPTER 44
The damned stubborn girl hadn't used the signal and I was heading Rick's warning not to intervene. Eliza hadn't given up yet so she must have thought there was still a chance that this could end peacefully. Maybe Rick had given off signs as he'd find it difficult to hide them from Eliza completely, her being his daughter. She'd better be right as I'd given her the order to withdraw if it looked like she was in any danger, and it seemed like she was. Whatever the outcome of this mission, she would have to bear the consequences for violating that order.
We were in full swing, following the car that had appeared, as if by magic, to pick Rick and Eliza up from the pub. The tracker worked beautifully so we could keep a good distance. I hadn't been happy with the way Rick manhandled her into the car and nearly made the call to extract her. However, maybe against better judgement, I relied on Eliza being sensible. She must have thought it was safe and that there was a chance she could find out more about the organisation her father worked for. As our cover was blown we needed everything we could get now. Rick wasn't going to help us voluntarily, that much was clear. It certainly looked like he'd put himself in danger of our severest punishment, which was something I had desperately wanted to avoid, for Eliza's sake.
It was frustrating not being able to hear what they were talking about and not knowing when to go in and get Eliza out. We had plenty of people available to charge and take her but I'd already clocked that Rick was also not travelling on his own. There were at least two other people in the car with them and I'd also noticed three vehicles in the vicinity of them. They were keeping their distance but definitely were part of their gang. I really didn't want an out and out fire fight, there would be too many casualties. I decided to give her an hour, before undertaking any action, unless something else cropped up that would warrant a quicker response.
I double checked with Frank and he agreed with my decision, though he looked worried. It was an understatement to say that Frank wasn't happy to be confronted with the fact that Rick was part of the organisation willingly rather than being coerced . Even though we had seriously considered that eventuality, it was still hard to come to terms with. Rick was one of us, and had been a tremendous Sensorian, part of the leadership team. Frank was probably already contemplating what had gone wrong and how to prevent something like that from ever happening again.
“Frank, you know Rick better than me. How far do you think he's willing to go to protect himself?”
I had an inkling, but wanted to know from someone who knew him, even though I feared the answer.
“I don't think there's much he wouldn't do, to be honest. The family bond might stop him from seriously harming Eliza, but if he feels there's no way out for him, he'll be pretty ruthless." Frank sighed.
“Sir, if Eliza's in any danger of being harmed I will issue a shoot to kill order." I said grimly.
I didn't care about the looks everyone shot each other. The stench of heightened stress and worry penetrated my nostrils but, fuck it, I wasn't letting any harm come to my girl. Even though it would mean she'd hate me forever, if it did come to that.
I wondered where Rick was taking Eliza, or whether he was just driving around. I hoped Eliza would stay strong and not be swayed by whatever Rick was telling her. He could be extremely charismatic and persuasive, but I knew Eliza had a healthy dose of scepticism and wasn't easily influenced. She was always questioning and critically thinking about things, which would come in handy now. I had tried to curb it in training to make her more compliant, but I was absolutely sure it was so ingrained, it would come to her when needed.
The car led us to the industrial part of town, an area not known for its welcoming atmosphere. I hoped they weren't going to stop here as it was too deserted for my liking. It made me wonder what Rick's intentions were. It didn't look favourable.
CHAPTER 45
“Who are they?" I asked nodding towards the two rather intimidating looking men in the front seat. I was just about recovering
