A surge of relief swept over Robert Hunt when he saw the snowmobile parked outside the small, white-walled barracks at Drill Site Seven. He parked his snowmobile and ran inside. The men were warming themselves beside the wall heater. Both rose when he entered.
“We tried to wait, but we were freezing. We couldn’t stay.”
“I know. It’s ok,” Robert said. He surveyed the room. Exactly like the last six. He glanced over at the radio. “Have they called—”
“Three times, on the hour. Asking for you. They’re losing patience.”
Robert thought about what to say. “What did you tell them?” The answer would tell him where they shook out in all this.
“We didn’t answer the first call. The second said they were sending backup. We told them you were working on the drill, and we needed no assistance. What did you see?”
The last question sent Robert’s mind racing. What if they’re testing me? What if they talked to the employer and they have orders to kill me? Can I trust them? “I didn’t…” Winters started.
“Look, I ain’t no genius, hell, I didn’t even graduate high school, but I’ve worked an oil rig in the Gulf my whole life, and I know we ain’t drilling for oil, so why don’t you tell us what you saw?”
Robert sat at the small table with the radio. He suddenly felt so tired. And hungry. He pulled his hood off, then his gloves. “I’m still not sure. There were monkeys. They killed them with something. Then I saw kids, in a glass cage.”
CHAPTER 108
Clocktower Safe House
Gibraltar
Kate tried to estimate the distance between the balconies. Four feet? Five feet? Could she make it? Below, she heard a guard walking by, and she crept back into her room. She listened. The “crunch, crunch, crunch” of fine gravel under the man’s feet slowly faded into the distance. She returned to the balcony.
She stepped to the edge and put one leg over, straddling the rail, then cartwheeled the other leg over. She stood on the four inch lip outside the rails, which she held with both hands behind her back. Could she make it?
She reached a leg out, holding the rail with one hand, like a ballet dancer in a lunge during a high note. She extended as far as she could, felt her grip slipping on the rail, and almost fell. She reeled back just in time and slammed back into the rail. She was going to break her neck. The other balcony was just out of reach — less than two feet.
She leaned back against the rail and was about to jump for it when the door on the other balcony slid open and David walked out. He drew back at the first sight of her, but then, after recognizing her, he walked to the rail. He smiled at her. “How romantic.” He held out his good arm. “Jump. I’ll pull you up. I owe you one.”
Kate glanced down. She could feel the sweat on her hands. David held his arm out over the rail. It was a few feet from her. She jumped, and he caught her and pulled her over the rail and into his arms. Then it all happened so fast, like a dream. He swept her into the room, not bothering to close the door. He tossed her on the bed and climbed on top of her. He pulled his shirt off and ran his hands through her hair. He kissed her on the mouth and pulled her shirt up, only lifting his face from hers long enough to pull the shirt past her face.
She had to tell him. Had to stop it.
Her bra was off, and his pants were coming off.
It felt so good. The release. They could talk after.
Kate watched David’s chest rise and fall. It was a deep sleep. She made her decision.
She put her clothes back on and quietly exited his room, slowly closing the door.
“I was clear.”
The voice frightened her. She turned — Keegan, standing behind her, wearing an expression of… sadness, disappointment, regret?
“I haven’t told him—”
“I doubt that—”
“It’s true.” Kate cracked the door, revealing David lying on his back, a sheet covering only the lower half of his body. Kate gently eased the door back. “We didn’t talk at all.” She looked down. “I was saying goodbye.”
30 Minutes later, Kate watched the lights of Northern Africa out of the window as the plane flew south toward Antarctica.
CHAPTER 109
“David, wake up.”
David opened his eyes. He was still naked, lying in the same place he’d fallen asleep. He felt the bed beside him. Empty. Cold. Kate had been gone for hours.
“David.” Howard Keegan stood over him.
David sat up. “What is it? What time is it?”
His former mentor handed him a note. “It’s around 2am. We found this note in Kate’s room. She’s gone.”
David opened the note.
—————
Dear David,
Don’t hate me. I have to try to make a trade for the children. I know you’re attacking Immari Headquarters this morning. I hope you’re successful. I know what they’ve taken from you.
Good luck,
~ Kate
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