“More like swim. We’ve literally got nowhere to run, so we might as well enjoy the ride and see what happens.”
“You have a nose for danger. Do you know that?”
“Know that? I pride myself in that,” Hawk shot back. “It’s the only way I know how to live. It’s what keeps me alive.”
“There’s something wrong with that statement, but I’m not going to argue with the results. We’re still alive, if only for a few more hours.”
Hawk playfully punched his partner in the arm. “Don’t look so depressed, Samuels. It’s not fun unless there’s some risk involved. And this might be the riskiest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Didn’t Alex mention you escaped capture from Al Hasib in the past?”
“Perhaps,” Hawk said. “It’s become routine.”
“Then why haven’t they killed you yet?”
“Good question. Let’s ask Karif Fazil that in person when we find him.”
Samuels exhaled and shook his head. “You’re certifiable.”
“I’ve been called worse.”
Five minutes later, the vessel slowed down. By this point, Hawk had been able to ascertain they were on a private ferry. He’d managed to poke his head out of the back and identify several military-style vehicles.
“This is Al Hasib, all right,” Hawk said to Samuels. “They’re going to take us straight to Fazil.”
“Got any idea where we are yet?”
Hawk strained to read the sign near the dock. “I’m guessing we’re on Failaka Island.”
“Failaka Island?”
“Yeah, about a thirty-minute ferry ride off the coast of Kuwait City.”
“This is where Al Hasib set up operations for this attack?” Samuels asked. “Doesn’t seem like the most efficient location to me.”
“No, but it’s definitely where you’d want to go if you didn’t want to get caught. They can zip out of here in a hurry while the rest of the poor sots on the mainland would be left as martyrs for the cause.”
“Why don’t we end their cause?”
Hawk smiled. “I’m all for that. Just follow my lead.”
When the boat finally docked, the vehicles filed out onto the mainland, forming a small convoy. Hawk observed six trucks rumbling along with their vehicle being at the end.
“I can’t believe they wouldn’t put the prisoner transport in the middle,” Hawk said.
“It’s definitely not by the book,” Samuels said.
“Maybe Al Hasib doesn’t have a book.”
“My head would explode.”
Hawk flashed a grin. “Well, just so you know, everything we’re about to do is against the book. Instead of being quiet and maintaining our story in an interrogation setting, we’re never going there.”
“Roger that.”
After a few more minutes, the convoy started to slow until they came to a halt in a makeshift camp along a deserted beach on the western portion of the island. Two boats were anchored just offshore while a pair of wooden transport rafts were anchored on the beach.
A flurry of activity brought the dimly lit camp to life as the men began running around and unloading equipment. It was so chaotic that no one noticed Hawk and Samuels drag the two men who’d been in the cab of their truck into the back and knock them out. Hawk and Samuels kept their heads down and toted munitions boxes to a staging area along with the rest of the men. Then Hawk saw something that caught his eye.
“Do you see what I see?” Hawk asked.
“I see him,” Samuels said. “If I wasn’t following your lead, I would’ve already put a bullet in Karif Fazil’s head.”
“Wait. You see Fazil?”
Samuels scanned the area. “Well, I did see him. He’s gone now.”
“I was talking about Lee Hendridge, the American journalist who’d been captured about a week ago. We’ve got to take him with us.”
“Screw that,” Samuels said. “Our mission is all about Fazil. We need to take that bastard down, no matter what.”
“I don’t want to argue about this now, but we won’t be able to kill Fazil and get out of here alive. But we can get Hendridge safely out if we operate cautiously.”
“You’re crazier than you look, Hawk. I’m not sure I like this plan.”
“If you don’t go along with me on this, you’re on your own.”
“Fine, but I’m laying the blame all at your feet when we meet with Blunt.”
Hawk laughed. “When we meet with Blunt—I like your attitude. Keep it positive, okay?”
They made a couple more trips between the truck and the staging area, carting the munitions boxes, until Hawk saw the opportunity to free Hendridge and attempt an escape.
“You sure about this?” Samuels asked.
“I’m never sure about anything until I try it.”
Hendridge was bound and gagged, standing against a pole next to one of the hastily erected tents. A guard standing near Hendridge had left, leaving the journalist free for the taking.
Hawk ripped through the ropes quickly, while Samuels removed the gag from Hendridge’s mouth.
“Who are you guys?” Hendridge whispered. “I hope you’re know what you’re doing or you’re going to get us all killed.”
“Just stay calm, kid,” Hawk said. “We’re gonna get you out of here. Just stay low and follow me.”
The trio crouched low and moved swiftly across the camp, staying in the shadows. Hawk directed them toward a truck, instructing them to get in the back. He slid into the front seat behind the wheel and checked for the keys. They weren’t here. He checked the visor. Nothing.
Hawk noticed a small knife sitting on top of the console. He snatched it and used it to strip several wires beneath the steering wheel in an attempt to hotwire the truck.
He froze when he heard the jangling of keys and a clipped sentence in English.
“Looking for this?” the man asked.
Hawk looked up and was met with a vicious blow to his face.
CHAPTER 18
Washington, D.C.
J.D. BLUNT WAS ENJOYING a cup of coffee and reading the latest commentary on Michaels’s botched press conference when his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, Blunt sighed and put down his newspaper.
“I hope you have a
