‘Speak into the microphone. Tell Gold Command you’re being well treated.’ Gabe was emotionless. The cold, efficient voice of a soldier.
‘Sorry. What exactly do you want me to say?’ Carter said.
He was being stubborn on purpose, and Allie found herself smiling, even as a tear rolled down her cheek.
It was just so Carter.
Gabe muttered something low and threatening the microphone didn’t catch.
Carter cleared his throat. ‘Uh… Hey, Gold Command. This is the item. I am being very well treated. If by “well” you mean handcuffed and carted off by some murderous arsehole and stuffed in a…’
Muffled sounds of a struggle followed. The microphone clicked off abruptly.
Seconds later, it clicked again.
‘Verification complete.’ Gabe sounded slightly breathless.
I hope Carter punched you in the face, Allie thought.
‘Copy that, Eight Leader,’ the voice from headquarters responded. ‘You are advised to use Protocol Seventeen. Repeat, Protocol Seventeen. Verify that you receive and understand.’
‘Protocol Seventeen. Received and noted.’
The voices disappeared.
Allie wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand and took a tremulous breath.
‘When did you record that?’
‘Last night,’ Dom said. ‘Shortly after 3 a.m. I’ve been trying to trace it ever since without much success. Like I said… they’re good.’
‘What was happening exactly?’ Allie was trying to piece together what she’d just heard. ‘Where were they taking him?’
‘We believe he was being moved from wherever they’ve been keeping him to a new location. Someone – Nathaniel probably – was monitoring his location and condition.’
‘Is there more?’ Allie asked hopefully. ‘More of Carter?’
Dom shook her head. ‘That’s all we got. They gave Nathaniel proof he was alive and well.’ She met Allie’s gaze. ‘That itself is pretty interesting, though. It indicates a lack of trust between Nathaniel and his lieutenants. Which ties in to what Isabelle saw in the fight on the heath – Gabe turning his gun on his boss.’ She leaned back in her chair. ‘There’s definitely something going on there.’
Allie lowered herself into a nearby chair. She needed to process everything but her brain kept having its own celebration – Carter’s alive! He’s alive!
Still, the last bit she’d heard puzzled her enough to keep her focused.
‘What’s Protocol Seventeen?’
It was the right question. Dom shot her an approving look.
‘We’ve been talking about that all day. We’re assuming it’s a humane treatment protocol similar to the one we used for Jerry Cole. If I could just get into Nathaniel’s system, we’d know more.’ Dom ran a tired hand across her short hair. ‘His security is damn good. I’m going to need time and help.’
‘But where is he?’ Allie couldn’t keep the frustration out of his voice. ‘Are they even in the country?’
‘We think so. At least, he was last night.’
Dom’s words left Allie hollow. Between that recording and now, Carter could have been bundled onto a private plane and spirited across the Channel. Nathaniel had the means. Nothing was beyond him.
Her desolation must have shown on her face because Dom left her desk and came to stand near her.
‘Look,’ she said with uncharacteristic gentleness. ‘The thing you need to take from it is this: Carter is fine. And we are going to get him back. I need you to be positive, OK?’
She knew Dom was right. But hearing Carter’s voice had been a kind of sweet torture. He’d seemed so close. So reachable.
And now he was gone again.
She bit her lip so hard it hurt. Then she nodded. ‘I’ll try to be patient.’
To her surprise, Dom shook her head. ‘Don’t be patient.’ Her dark eyes flashed. ‘That’s bullshit. Be angry. Use your anger to help you think clearly. That’s what Carter needs from you now.’
That night, all the senior students were early for Night School. No one could wait. They wanted to get started.
Everything was different now.
When Allie told the others she’d heard Carter, Rachel and Zoe tackle-hugged her.
Lucas had walked away from the group for a moment to gather himself. Allie thought she’d seen tears of relief in his eyes.
The mood at the school had changed. There was a kind of barely controlled energy – it fairly crackled in the air.
Everyone wanted to win. Just this once.
Allie decided not to tell the others what she and Isabelle had discussed. They needed to believe in their own power first. They needed to believe they could win. If she told them now it would deflate them at precisely the worst time.
As they headed downstairs, for the first time ever Katie was with them, albeit lagging just a little behind.