Tree . . . dva . . . odéen . . .
He pushed the button, and his face lit up as he heard the car explode down the road.
* * *
HAWK HAD BARELY PUT HIS FOOT on the gas before his phone buzzed with a call from Samuels.
“You gotta get out of the car now,” Samuels said.
“What are you talking about?” Hawk asked.
“I spotted what looks like an explosive device on the back as you were driving away.”
“Who could’ve—?”
“Forget that. Just get the hell out of the car now before you’re toast.”
Hawk had just started to descend the hill when he slowed the car.
“Get out now and run,” he said to Alex.
She didn’t hesitate, following his lead. They both unstrapped their seatbelts and sprinted toward a ditch along the side of the road. Just as they reached a safe distance from the vehicle, it exploded.
Hawk put his head down and covered Alex’s, protecting them from any falling shrapnel. After a few seconds, Hawk put his head up to inspect the damage. Instantly, the searing heat from the blast warmed his face to the point that he couldn’t tolerate it more than a few seconds.
Hawk’s phone buzzed again.
“Yeah,” he answered.
“Thank God you’re all right,” Samuels said.
“I appreciate the heads up.”
“Well, you’re not out of the woods yet because I just saw a car roar out of here. Not that we can do anything about it since we don’t have a viable mode of transportation.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Hawk said. “If I’m not mistaken, Blunt told me he was keeping one of his old motorcycles up here.”
“You better get moving if you don’t want to lose him.”
Hawk watched as a black Jeep roared past. Since the man refused to stop, Hawk assumed it had to be the assassin. Most people in this part of the woods would likely stop to see if they could help.
“Let’s get back to the cabin,” Hawk said to Alex. “I’m going to see if I can go after him.”
Sprinting up the hill, Hawk made it to the cabin in less than a minute. It took him half that time to put on a helmet then rip the cover off the bike and kick-start it. Alex handed him a comlink as he prepared to leave. After pocketing the device, Hawk roared out of the storage shed and down the road in the direction he’d last seen the Jeep traveling.
Working quickly, he shoved his hand between the side of his face and his helmet, jamming the comlink into place.
“Can you hear me?” Hawk asked.
“Loud and clear,” Alex said.
“Okay, I need you to be my eyes on this one since I have no idea where he went.”
“I’m hacking into the NSA database to get satellite imaging online right now, but I imagine he’s going to be heading for the highest populated area in an effort to blend in and lose you.”
“Well, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen, okay?”
“You’re driving, chief,” Samuels said.
Hawk grimaced. “Slap him for me will ya, Alex?” Hawk smiled as he heard a playful slap.
“What was that for?” Samuels asked.
“No pet nicknames for Hawk, got it?” Alex said.
Hawk approached a T-intersection. “Which way, Alex?”
“I can’t see anything yet, but I’d go left. That’s the fastest way back to the highway.”
Hawk followed her instructions, accelerating quickly and speeding down the road.
“Watch out for the local deputies around here,” Alex said. “I hear they can be quite the pain in the ass.”
“The story of my life today,” Hawk said. “But lately it’s felt like that every day.”
Silence for the next half minute as Hawk buzzed along the winding stretch of blacktop.
“Wait,” Alex said finally. “I think I’ve got him . . . Yes, up ahead. He’s turning left onto Pine Road.”
“Got it,” Hawk said.
Less than thirty seconds later, Hawk spotted the green Pine Road sign and turned hard left. He glanced at his watch, giving him an idea of how far behind he was from the Jeep.
I’m coming for you, bastard.
Hawk entered the edge of the small town that had been their original destination. The heart of the city was less than a mile from the highway, so Hawk knew if he could stay close to the assassin, he’d be able to catch him—especially since surprise was on Hawk’s side.
Hawk maneuvered through the city at a slow pace, hoping no eager deputy spotted him and saw it as an opportunity to pad the community’s coffers by issuing him a ticket for driving without valid plates. But that was the least of his worries. Getting a visual on the Jeep was his top priority, and he’d yet to accomplish that.
“Take a right onto Surrey Street,” Alex instructed. “He’s not that far ahead of you.”
Hawk took the right Alex suggested and scanned the road ahead for the black Jeep. After a few seconds, he spotted the vehicle.
“I’ve got him,” Hawk said.
“I’ll keep monitoring everything on this end,” Alex said.
Hawk was careful not to speed in an effort to both disguise his pursuit as well as not draw the attention of any local law enforcement. But it was killing him. He wanted to roar up to the assassin’s window and deliver a quick kill shot and dig through his personal effects to find out who he was and working for. Yet, Hawk restrained himself.
Soon enough.
He went another quarter of a mile before he heard Alex screeching in his ear.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“NSA just cut me out,” she said. “You’re on your own.”
“No worries. I can handle it from here.”
Hawk rolled up to a stop sign. Before he came to a complete stop, he’d confirmed that the intersection was clear. But when he went to rev the accelerator, the engine sputtered.
“Come on, come on,” Hawk said.
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked.
Hawk glanced at the fuel gauge. It was pegged a half an inch below empty.
“Damn it, Blunt,” Hawk said, pounding one of the handlebars. “I’m out of gas.”
Hawk looked up and watched the Jeep turn onto the
