She recognized it instantly as a remote detonator.
“We left one black bag on the west side of the barn. It’s full of enough C4 to take out more than half the structure,” he shrugged. “We didn’t know what we’d find when we got here.”
Meg nodded understanding his logic.
“That bag was the first of several to be left around the buildings.” He glanced at Harley. “Give her the rest, Yu.”
Harley Yu stepped forward and knelt near Meg. He began removing six more black bags the size of camcorder cases from his pack. He left them at her feet, stood and backed away respectfully from her. “Each bag is numbered, matching the ‘channels’ on the detonator your holding. Maybe you’ll find use for them during battle.”
Rhett turned and glanced back over his shoulder at Valen and Harley, motioning for them to start back to the base. Valen frowned deeply.
Meg didn’t need to be a psychic to see the respect and allegiance in his soldiers’ eyes. Harley Yu turned on his heels and began running on silent feet back the way they’d come.
Valen, however, didn’t leave so quickly, her wariness intense. She hesitated long enough to lock eyes with Meg—a silent warning clear in her expression—before she turned to leave.
“Your soldiers,” Meg glanced northward. “They’ll follow you into battle. Not blindly, because you’ve taught them to see for themselves, but they will fight for you.”
“Yes, I believe they will—all of them. I will report to them of our meeting and tell them of my decision.”
“You’re an exceptional leader, Hays.” Meg offered her hand.
Rhett’s face flushed as he took her hand in his and shook it firmly. For a moment, he saw the leader of the Original Three as just a girl younger than himself. Her curls, caught in the wind, stretched across her dainty nose and high cheekbones. Her dark eyes reflected the moonlight making them glisten with an ethereal light. His eyes dropped to her mouth to watch as a smile pressed against her full lips.
Rhett cleared his throat and forced himself to release her.
“About Williams, the longer he’s in the dark about our arrangement, the better.”
“Absolutely,” Meg agreed.
“He’s expecting me to report when I return to the base.”
“You’d better follow through so he doesn’t suspect anything. We don’t want to give him any indication you’ve changed loyalties.”
“I’ll keep the call short,” Rhett nodded.
“Right,” Meg hesitated, thinking about the ramifications of being discovered prematurely. “Rhett, be very careful when you speak with him. Sound matter-of-fact, calm and controlled. If he suspects there’s something amiss, we lose the element of surprise.”
“I’ve been living a double life for as long as I can remember, Miss Winter. I’ve had to. My Company depended on me to represent us as a well-oiled and obedient team to everyone, especially our superiors. If it would make you feel better, I can call him now while you listen.”
Meg was shaking her head even before he finished his sentence. “No. While I appreciate the offer, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Rhett couldn’t resist probing.
Meg took a deep breath. “Listen, my gift—I’m still learning all its intricacies—but I think when I channel someone, I create a link. Usually, I’m the only one aware of the connection, but with him—” Meg hesitated and shook her head. “I know you’re aware I’m his biological child.”
“Yes, I’m aware,” he frowned.
“We have an unsettling psychic connection—a two-way connection. I worry if you contact him while I’m near—” Meg hesitated then threw up her arms in frustration. “I don’t know. It sounds crazy, but it’s as though he senses me.”
Rhett raised his brows. “That’s gotta be disturbing.”
“You have no idea.” Meg gritted her teeth in frustration. “Anyway, I know you’ll handle the phone call just fine.” She scowled at the shadows on her boots, obviously haunted by Williams’ power over her.
A full ten seconds of silence passed between them before Rhett forced a change of subject.
“Here, take this.” Rhett removed his earpiece and held it out to Meg’s open palm. “Keep it on channel 3.” He motioned to the device as she placed it into her left ear. “And take this, too.” He ripped open another of the Velcro pockets on his pant leg and pulled out a sleek cell phone. “We’ll need to stay in contact, and it’s better to be doubly safe than sorry.”
“Right,” Meg said, taking the phone from his hand and pocketing it.
“Does your family know what’s happening here?”
“Just enough to get them hurrying to help.”
“So they’re on their way?”
“Yes, but they’re still a few hours out,” Meg confided.