“According to Jessie, it works on about 95 percent of the locks out there.”
“And you have one?”
“I have six. All contained in this capsule. It has to be the right size as the lock you’re trying, so I brought an assortment. Jessie got them for me and showed me how to do it.” She glanced at the doors on each end of the lab. “There’s a good chance it will work here.”
Waldridge looked at the keys in her hand. “You regurgitated that capsule when you first woke up…”
“I really wasn’t all that nauseous. I just had to get it out.”
“You might have told me.”
“I didn’t know if the place was bugged or anything about the situation.”
He smiled. “You did come prepared for a rescue mission.”
“Sorry I couldn’t swallow an AK-47.” She walked over to the workbench. “So assuming I can get us through that door, what do you have in mind for those chemicals?”
“I’ll show you later. But we’ll need to be very careful with them. Volatile.”
“What isn’t in this situation? I’ll leave it to you. If it’s got to be done, we’ll do it.” She looked down at her side. “But everything would have been simpler if I could have managed to keep that device.” Her glance lifted to him again. “You’re all right? Once we get out of here, you’ll be able to function? That stuff they gave you didn’t cause you any internal damage? You said not to the heart or brain, but anywhere else?”
He tilted his head. “What would you do if I said it had?”
“I’d have to adjust to the situation.” She moistened her lips. “But it would scare me and make me angry.”
He smiled. “And make you go after the bad guys for me?”
“Not right away. I’d need to get you somewhere safe first. But I have someone who would show me how to do it later.”
“Amazing,” he said gently. “You must tell me about that someone. But I’m more interested in your dedication to punishing my oppressors. I feel honored.”
“Bullshit.” She braced herself. “Now, is there any immediate or permanent damage?”
“No. Weakness and soreness after the convulsions caused by the shots, but no damage. I’d be able to keep up with you, Kendra.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I don’t know what we’ll be facing once we get—”
Kendra was startled by the sound of the dead bolt being thrown on the large door at the far end of the lab. The door suddenly opened, and two men with automatic rifles shoved a third man into the room.
The third man wore a dark hood identical to the one that had been placed on Kendra. His hands were bound behind his back, and he fell to his knees.
The men with the rifles left the room and locked the door.
“Friend of yours?” Waldridge asked Kendra.
“No,” Kendra said as she moved toward the prisoner. “But I think he may be a friend of yours.”
She pulled off the hood.
It was Hayden Biers.
He was dressed just as Kendra had last seen him, but his shirt was now torn and showed several bloodstains on the chest and collar. His hair was covered in perspiration.
Waldridge turned to Kendra. “You said he was safe.”
“I thought he was.” She picked at the duct tape binding his hands behind him, but wasn’t able to loosen it. “Dr. Biers?”
“Kendra … I’m sorry.” He tried to stand, but fell weakly back to his knees.
Waldridge quickly stepped toward him. “Take it easy, Hayden. It may take a few minutes.”
Biers looked up at Waldridge as he approached. “Charles … I was afraid you were dead.”
Waldridge grimaced. “Not yet. But Dyle is constantly persevering toward that aim.”
“What happened?” Kendra asked.
Biers shook his head. “They knew Jessie Mercado was looking for me. I suppose they were watching her home and office. They grabbed me in her apartment.” His gaze shifted to Waldridge. “I’m sorry, Charles. I had one job, and it was to not let myself get caught.”
Waldridge shrugged. “I obviously didn’t do so well at that job either.”
The dead bolt rapped, and the door was once more thrown open. This time Ted Dyle entered the room. But the two men with automatic weapons were a silent threat behind him. Her gaze flew to the guard on his right. White hair, gray eyes, fortysomething … It was the man she’d seen when she’d been taken. That must be John Jaden. She could see how he might be in charge. There was a quiet air of authority about his demeanor and the coldness was also evident. Iceman …
“Good evening, Dr. Michaels.” Dyle was dressed more casually than in the photo Kendra had seen, in which he was wearing a suit. Here he wore slacks and a white pullover shirt. His sleek dark hair was as carefully barbered as she remembered from that night in Monterrey. “I see you’re with us again. It’s delightful to meet you at last. Though I’ve always been a fan from the first time I heard you speak. Inspiring. Really inspiring.”