Kelly stared back at Sinclair. “I’ll get it done.”
Sinclair leaned back as a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. “Now was that so difficult after all?”
Kelly got up. “I’ll let you know as soon as it’s done.”
“And I’ll put half of the money in your account by this evening, the balance when everything is final,” Sinclair said. “You have my word.”
“Thank you,” Kelly muttered before spinning on his heels and striding out of the room.
Sinclair lit another cigarette as he watched the prime minister exit the underground tavern.
We’re almost there.
CHAPTER 25
Undisclosed location
BLUNT MUTTERED A PRAYER under his breath after he finished dialing Hawk’s satellite phone number. With each ring, Blunt resisted the urge to end the call. He weighed the life of his agents against his own niece. The decision wasn’t one he wanted to make, concluding that he wasn’t really qualified to play God. But President Young’s ultimatum forced Blunt to choose.
In the moments leading up to the phone call, Blunt ultimately decided that the Phoenix Foundation team had a fighting chance against other government agents. But Madeline would’ve been chum for the sharks.
On the fourth ring, Hawk’s voice came through loud and clear.
“If only you could see me now,” Hawk said, “drinking bourbon and chewing on a cigar.”
Blunt chuckled at the moment of levity. “I really do wish that was the case, but I’m afraid I can’t share in your jovial news.”
“They’re hunting you, aren’t they?”
“In a manner of speaking,” Blunt said. “It won’t be long before they catch me or you either.”
“I know,” Hawk said. “And to be honest, I think we’re fortunate that we’re here for now.”
“Don’t tell me where you are,” Blunt warned. “I wouldn’t want anyone listening in to get a bead on your position.”
“Don’t worry, we’re not at any of your safe houses, but we are safe. So, why are you risking calling us if things are as dire as you said?”
“I think I know a way to clear our names for good.”
“Once and for all?” Hawk asked, his voice perking up.
“Yeah, but it’s going to be a bit of a gamble, if you know what I mean.”
Hawk grunted. “High stakes, high rewards. That’s what you always say.”
“Well, it’s never been truer than right now. There’s only one way I can see out of this situation.”
“I’m glad you came up with something because we’ve been racking our brains trying to figure out how to prove our innocence. That’s why I’m drinking bourbon and gnawing on one of your Dominican cigars.”
“Dominican? You know I only chew on Honduran ones.”
“Maybe that explains why my ideas have been garbage,” Hawk said with a chuckle.
“Okay, we don’t have much time, but I will advise you to get on a plane and return to Washington. Meet me at my new safe house in two days. I’ll fill you in when you get here.”
“Roger that.”
“And Hawk?”
“Yeah?”
“Bring the whole team. We’re going to need every last one of them.”
“See you soon, boss.”
Blunt depressed a button, ending the call. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, lamenting what he’d just done.
A man’s voice boomed from the speaker in the corner of the room. “Excellent work, Senator. Your niece’s new identity will remain a secret.”
Blunt sighed, all too cognizant that he’d just become Young’s lackey. If Blunt ever resisted fulfilling any assignment—or even went against the White House or the intelligence community’s wishes—he knew this would be held over his head. He did the exact thing he taught his agents never to do: “Don’t ever reveal your weakness. Once you show your hand, you’ll be controlled forever.”
He wasn't sure he’d ever felt so much regret wash over him so quickly. The agony over what to do had tied his stomach up in knots. And following through with what was asked of him didn’t change the situation either. Blunt’s mind was still filled with plenty of uncertainties, trying to pick his way through the minefield of regret.
“It’ll get easier,” the man said over the intercom, almost as if he was reading Blunt’s mind.
“Easier, my ass,” Blunt fired back. “You made me choose between my blood and my family. And I’ll never forgive you for it. You better pray nothing happens to them because I'm holding all of you responsible for this.”
“Don’t worry,” the man replied. “You won’t be holding on to anything much longer. It’ll be somebody else’s problem to worry about.”
“You bastard,” Blunt shouted as he jerked on the chains.
“Settle down, Senator. A guard will be in there shortly to escort you back to your cage.”
Blunt screamed as he twisted in his chair. He stopped when a pair of guards hustled inside and freed him from the table. They ushered him back to his cell and eased him down inside.
As he sat in darkness, he replayed the brief conversation he had with Hawk in his mind. His top agent was good, yet Blunt wasn’t sure that the message was received. All he could do was hope that it was and pray that he didn’t just hand over the entire team, gift-wrapped for President Young.
An hour went by before the floor started moving again, ascending upward. Light penetrated the darkness as the hatch at the top sprang open. As he drew closer to the opening at the top, Blunt shielded his eyes.
Moments later, the ladder dropped down with a man clinging to it with one hand while holding a tray in the other.
“I’m going to set your food down on your table over there,” the guard explained.
Blunt strained to see the hulking man’s figure amidst the pale light, but there was something strangely familiar about him.
“Thank you,” Blunt said. “Did you bring a cigar for me to chew on, too?”
The man spun and looked back at Blunt. “J.D. Blunt? Is that you?”
CHAPTER 26
Berlin, Germany
MIA WAITED UNTIL the train left the underground station before hopping onto the tracks and hustling down the tunnel.
