CHAPTER 16
Nuremburg, Germany
SINCE MICHAELS’ INTENTIONS became clear regarding the Firestorm team, J.D. Blunt had spent his time roaming about Europe at various hideouts. Relying on his ability to remain hidden in plain sight, he rented expensive villas that would’ve presented a challenge to conquer for even the best operatives the U.S. possessed. He’d only come out of hiding to discuss some issues with Alex, choosing a secluded lifestyle for the purposes of self-preservation.
But Blunt received a message from General Van Fortner that forced him to venture out again into public, albeit in a private place.
Blunt eased into his seat in a back corner of the Zwei Sinn restaurant, one of his favorites in Nuremburg. Located less than an hour from where he was staying, the dining establishment was somewhat close to Fortner, who was serving a stint at the U.S. Army base in Hohenfels. Fortner had been adamant that their conversation needed to be had in person, if anything for protection against Michaels.
Blunt enjoyed a glass of wine while waiting for Fortner. The pair had developed a closer bond in recent years due to the challenging climate foisted upon them by Michaels’ administration. Looking out for one another was imperative for surviving in that environment.
Fortner arrived five minutes late and apologized for his tardiness.
“I owe you more than you know,” Blunt said. “If it weren’t for you, I’d probably be buried somewhere in an unmarked grave by this point. I’m happy to wait five minutes for you.”
“You’re too kind, J.D.”
“Just being honest. I am very sincere in my gratitude for how you’ve helped the Firestorm team.”
“I’m hoping that I can be of help again tonight,” Fortner said.
“So, that’s what this is about?”
“It’s not a big message, but it’s one I needed to deliver because I feel like something is going on that you might want to know about. I just couldn’t risk sending this electronically. I’m sure it would’ve been intercepted by someone.”
“That was wise,” Blunt said before taking a long pull on his glass.
“Well, what I’m about to tell you is highly classified, so please use the utmost discretion when discussing this with any members of your team.”
“We have a protocol in place to handle sensitive matters, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“All right. Since that’s out of the way, here’s what you need to know. A group of Rangers have been deployed to the northern tip of Oman, just outside Khasab. Now, from the intel I’ve read in the past, that area is a secret rendezvous point for Al Hasib. It’s where they handle the majority of their weapons deals.”
“Sounds interesting,” Blunt said. “What’s this have to do with my team?”
“In the briefing I read, they are going not to obliterate Al Hasib but to arrest an American operative who’s been on the lam for nearly a year. I didn’t have access to the full document, but from what I read it sounded a lot like Hawk.”
“You think someone is trying to set him up right now?”
Fortner nodded. “Michaels is desperate to prove he’s going to be the candidate who keeps Americans the most secure. If he can bring home a supposed traitor trying to deal weapons to Al Hasib just a few weeks before the election, that’s a huge political win for him.”
“Are you sure it isn’t some other mercenary? I mean, why Hawk?”
“Former Navy Seal who is highly trained and labeled as very dangerous. Who does that sound like to you?”
“That could be any one of a dozen men.”
“And where is Hawk now?”
“I really shouldn’t say.”
Fortner cocked his head to one side and arched his eyebrows.
“Okay,” Blunt relented. “He’s in Oman.”
“They’re setting him up, J.D.”
“Hawk’s too smart for that. He’d smell that coming from a mile away.”
“What if he has no choice?”
Blunt sighed. “There’s not much I could do about it right now. Alex is the one who has contact with him. I have to relay all my messages through her.”
“Then call her tonight. Hawk’s future might depend on it.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Take this seriously, J.D. You know Michaels will relish the opportunity to put him away for good, effectively shutting you down. Even if you stay in hiding the rest of your life, he won’t care as long as you can’t touch him.”
“I appreciate you letting me know about this, I really do. I wish we knew further in advance.”
“Me too,” Fortner said as he picked up the menu and began studying it. “Metoo.”
* * *
WHEN BLUNT RETURNED to his house of the week, he called Alex to see if she could get the message to Hawk.
“Michaels is planning on doing what?” she asked.
“When I spoke with Fortner tonight, he seems to be under the impression that this is all one big setup.”
“Hawk has been trying to get a job through one of his former Navy Seal buddies. Surely he wouldn’t let Hawk twist in the wind.”
“Throw enough money at people and they’ll sell out their own mothers if it came down to it,” Blunt said. “You’ve been around long enough to know that.”
“I guess you’re right, but that’s what makes this all the more depressing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I can leave a message for him, but I never know when he’s going to check it. For all we know, he could already be on his mission now.”
“You’ve gotta try, Alex.”
“I can’t do anything until the morning when the library opens. I’ve been very careful about when and where and how I utilize the email account that he set up for us. If I opened it now from my apartment, it could set off alarm bells somewhere. And that’s the last thing we need right now.”
“Just send the message in the morning and pray it gets to him in time. Otherwise, he’ll be all on his own when he’s
