Sinclair placed his binoculars on the ledge in front of the window and clasped his hands behind his back. He resisted the urge to smile, though he couldn’t wait to surprise the two presidents once the weapons were airborne.
One of the guards tried to tell the command center something, but his words were broken up by static, likely caused by electronic interference.
“Did anyone understand what he was trying to say?” Sinclair asked.
One of the men seated at the controls offered an explanation. “I think he was asking what to do with the prisoner.”
“Open the channel,” Sinclair said. “Bring him to me so I can make an example out of him.”
“Roger that,” replied the guard.
“All right,” Sinclair said as he rubbed his hands together. “It’s show time.”
Another man’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. “Launching the rockets in t-minus fifteen seconds, fourteen, thirteen, twelve . . .”
CHAPTER 21
HAWK RESISTED THE URGING of the two security guards until they started whacking him with night sticks. Upon relenting, he went without incident to the makeshift holding cell they had in the security office. They chained Hawk to an empty desk and dared him to move.
He scanned the room, searching for anything to help get out of the situation. He spotted a paperclip nearby on the floor and hatched a quick plan.
“I need to go to the restroom,” Hawk said. “Can you help a guy out?”
The guard rolled his eyes. “Hold it.”
“I can’t. I’m sure you understand.”
The guard grunted. “Of course I do. But when I can’t go, I do like most adults do and hold it. Do you want me to get you a nappy?”
“You Aussies have such strange words. So, no. I don’t want a diaper. I need to pee, and I’m not going to hold it any longer.”
“For goodness sake, Marcus,” the guard staring at a bank of security cameras across the room chimed, “take the man the loo. Just keep his hands chained together. It’s not like he can go anywhere. Better to do it now than keep Sinclair waiting when he summons the prisoner.”
“Fine,” the guard mumbled. “Up you go.”
He used a zip tie to secure Hawk’s hands in front of him before removing the handcuffs. Then the guard nudged Hawk forward. Sticking with his plan, as soon as the guard made contact with Hawk, he stumbled and fell face first onto the floor. The guard growled and kicked Hawk in the side.
“Get up!” Hawk slowly stood but not before swiping the paperclip. He tucked it in his pocket before the man could see what he was doing.
When Hawk returned from the restroom, one of his wrists was placed in a cuff and tethered back to the desk. Waiting patiently for the guard to become interested in something else, Hawk got his opportunity and began picking the lock the moment the man looked away. The process took longer than usual since Hawk had to keep an eye out for anyone who might catch him in the act. But he loosened the latch before it flung open, springing him free.
However, he didn’t make a run for it right away. He was at a huge disadvantage since both guards carried weapons and he didn’t have anything.
“Is there any possibility that I could get a cup of water?” Hawk asked. “I’m really parched.”
One of the guards rolled his eyes. “You’re lucky the boss didn’t let me shoot you on the spot. Because I would’ve gladly put you down, you miserable excuse for a human being.”
Hawk resisted any pithy comeback lines. “Please? I’m very thirsty.”
“Marcus, get the man something to drink,” the other guard said with the wave of his hand. “You don’t have to treat him like a caged animal. Sinclair will take care of that.”
The man huffed as he stomped out of the room. He returned a half-minute later with a cup of water, but as soon as the man handed it to Hawk, he splashed it back in the man’s face and kicked his kneecap, sending him sprawling to the floor. Before the man could regain his bearings, Hawk snatched the guard’s gun and took two shots at the man sitting behind the controls. Seconds later, he slumped forward and smacked his head on the panels.
When Hawk looked down, he noticed the other guard squirming away. Hawk put his foot on the man’s head and applied enough pressure to pin him to the floor.
“What’s the fastest way out of here?” Hawk asked.
The man stuttered as he explained the quickest exit route. After he finished, Hawk shot the man then collected both access badges before shoving the bodies into a hallway closet.
After retrieving his rucksack, Hawk put his com unit back into his ear and tried to reach Alex.
“You out there, Alex?” he asked.
Nothing.
He pulled out the device and inspected it. The side was crushed, enough to let Hawk know the guards had fiddled with it somehow.
Hawk hustled outside, following the directions the guard had related. While Hawk wasn’t completely positive the man had told the truth, if he was lying, he was convincing. But with nothing else to go on, Hawk chose to believe the man was being honest.
Hawk rushed down several corridors before he reached the main launch area. The moment he did, he heard a roar and looked up in time to see the rockets blasting skyward.
He shook his head and cursed. Apparently, his efforts had failed.
Without hesitating, he scaled the wall again and headed back to Alex and Mia. They needed to regroup and come up with another plan—if there was still time.
CHAPTER 22
ALEX WANTED TO CURL up in a ball and cry. Without knowing where Hawk was or what was happening to him, she knew she required some extra tenacity to stay on task and finish the job. In the meantime, she was taking orders from Mia on the necessary steps to gain access to the
