66
Seamus came inside, finding Kevin at the computer. Kevin turned around at the noise, his hands leaving the keyboard, and Seamus saw the surprise at the number of men who trundled in.
Seamus pulled the first aside and said, “You’ll sleep in the room down that hallway, on the left. The one on the right is where we’re already staying. We can take a couple more in there if it’s too crowded. I want two here in the kitchen, two at the side door, and two at the back door in the anteroom. That leaves four off. Work out your own schedule.”
The men began bringing in sleeping bags, coolers, and other comfort items. Kevin watched them work, saying nothing. Seamus asked, “Any word from Braden?”
“No.”
“Ratko?”
“No. Nobody’s called at all.”
Seamus rubbed his face and muttered under his breath, his eyes tired. The men continued coming and going around him.
Kevin said, “Something else I need to know about?”
“Yeah. Well, maybe.”
“What?”
“Aiden says there’s another reporter in the US sniffing around. A friend of the one he killed has picked up the story. He’s got an interview with someone in the administration about it.”
“But we’re close enough now it shouldn’t matter. Right? You’re going to send another Snapchat tomorrow? With the guys we have? Like we talked about?”
He sighed. “Yeah. But it’s going to be too close. Word gets out about what’s happened, and they will shut down. I can’t predict how much longer this will go on, but even one day in the news is too much. I know the Yanks. The administration will immediately start talking about being hard on terrorism and our window will close. Remember the shit storm that happened when they released that deserter Bergdahl? All the talk about dealing with terrorists? They won’t want a repeat of that in the press.”
“So what did you tell Aiden?”
Seamus looked out the window and said, “To kill him.”
Kevin remained silent. Seamus leaned forward, picking at a piece of wood on the makeshift table. He said, “Man, I didn’t want to do that. I’m being pushed into it. Fucking reporters.”
Kevin said, “We got half. Maybe we should just call it a win.”
Seamus glared at him. “No way. If Braden’s truly gone, then they’ll pay. I’ve already lost one brother to those arrogant fucks. We hold the keys. The vice president’s son is worth more money. They won’t give in at first. One of the hostages will have to die.”
Kevin said, “Which one? The girl?”
Seamus grimaced. He said, “Yes. She’s the best leverage. Her killing gets sent, and they’ll know we’re serious.” He leaned back again, then said, “Maybe not. Maybe that whiner from Brussels. I don’t know if I can kill the girl.”
Kevin said, “Colin can. That guy has no conscience. As long as it isn’t pinned to him.”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m the one giving the order. It’s irrelevant who pulls the trigger.” He looked around, then said, “Where is he, anyway?”
Kevin glanced down, embarrassed.
Seamus said, “Where is he?”
“He went out for a hot meal. I told him not to.”
“You’ve been here by yourself?”
“Yeah. But nothing’s happened.”
Seamus stood, fists clenched. “That fuck. I’ve had enough of his bullshit. How long has he been gone?”
“He left right after you did.”
Seamus’s mouth fell open. “Right after me? I’ve been gone for hours.”
Kevin started to answer, but Seamus exploded out the door, running to the root cellar. He slammed open the wooden hatch, jumping down the stairs by the light of a small torch. He aimed it in the dank prison, illuminating only two people. He ripped off their hoods, seeing the two males. He said, “Where’s the girl? Where did she go? If she found a way out, you’ll pay the price for her escape.”
The one called Travis blinked at the light in his eyes, holding his hands up to block it. Seamus pushed his shoulder with a boot. “Talk! I told you what would happen. Where is she?”
The vice president’s son spoke up, and for the first time, Seamus saw his face was swollen. More so than when he’d left.
“That bearded fucker took her. Colin.”
Seamus heard the words and felt his world begin to implode.
Nick continued, “We heard him talking to someone on the phone, afraid of being hunted. He said he could deliver you to them. Then he took her.”
Jesus, Joseph, Mother, and Mary.
Seamus snarled, “You’re lying. Tell me where she is!”
Travis said, “That’s what happened. It’s not—”
Seamus pulled out a pistol and jammed it under his nose, hard enough to tear cartilage. “You fucking tell me right now, or I’m spraying your brains on the ceiling.”
Travis began mewling, losing the ability to speak. Nick shouted, “She’s gone, you shit. Probably dead.”
Seamus sized him up in the glow of the space heaters, and Nick drew up as straight as he could in his binds. Nick said, “If she is, you’re going to pay. No court will keep me from you. No prison will protect you.”
Seamus let go of Travis and screamed in frustration. He stalked to Nick and knocked him to the ground, putting the pistol on his forehead.
“I should kill you right now.”
Nick showed nothing but defiance. “You and I both know I’m walking dead. I just pray I get the chance to take you with me.”
Seamus barely heard him. He backed up, keeping the weapon aimed at Nick, his brain trying to assimilate the damage. He stood still for a moment, then began running up the stairs.
He burst into the kitchen and shouted, “Quit your preparations. We’re leaving this place.”
The men looked at him in confusion. He said, “Colin has betrayed us to Ratko. I have no idea how close they are, but they’re coming. Where’s Michael?”
“Prepping his bed—”
“Michael! Get in here.”
A tall man with ropy muscles and a farmer’s tan came in. “What’s up?”
“We’re leaving. Fuck the preparations. Get the two hostages in here.”
“Two?”
“Yes, God damn it. Two. Get them ready to move. I’ve got drugs in my backpack from Clynne. Dope them up.”
Kevin said, “Where are we going?”
“To London. We’ve gotten all we’re going to with them. The Somalis have their attack prepared. We’ll give them the hostages. Get on the computer and get us ferry tickets. How long will that take?”
“Ferry tickets to where?”
“To England, damn it! How long before we can leave?”
For the first time, Kevin saw panic. Something Seamus had never shown. He said, “Hey, let’s plan our movement. Do some research. We can’t just run willy-nilly with two drugged hostages. Let me do some work.”
“How long?”
“Maybe an hour. Maybe longer. Let me find a place where we can hole up. Get the ferry passes. Plan a route.”
Seamus sagged back, the pistol held against his leg. He said, “Okay. Do it. Michael, all men at the ready. Put most up front. Looking for vehicles. Ratko comes, and he’ll drive right up, using Colin as security.”
“You want someone at the road?”
“Yeah. Definitely. A vehicle comes in here, and I want it shot to pieces. Especially if it’s Colin at the wheel.”