“Do you know the frequency?”
“No. It’s coming from a tiny transmitter. Start with the types of tracking signals your people use in your applications, then have him scan other wavelengths that may seem to fit the bill. If you can lock on it, it’ll make your search for Waldridge and Michaels a hell of a lot easier. Time is of the essence because we could have some company here soon.”
Koppel asked warily, “What kind of company? And how soon?”
“Federal law enforcement. And I can’t give you a time frame. You’ve just got to locate Waldridge before they get here. I’ve given you the tool you need, now do it.”
“Damn. Okay, we’ll see what we can do about homing in on that tracking signal. I think we can do it. Stand by.”
CHAPTER
18
San Diego Airport
“WAIT! DON’T YOU DARE take off without me, Lynch!”
Lynch had just turned on the rotors of the helicopter, but Jessie’s voice was still piercing enough for him to hear her. He glanced out of the window to see her running across the tarmac toward him. “I’m not waiting for anything,” he yelled back at her. “And I don’t want passengers.”
“You mean witnesses, don’t you?” Jessie had reached the helicopter, and she was glaring up at him. “That’s why you wanted Griffin to go ahead. You didn’t want him to get in your way.”
“Step aside, Jessie,” he said coldly. “I’m taking off.”
“Not without me. I don’t give a damn about what you do, whom you kill, and whether it’s by the book. Do you think I don’t know what’s been building up inside you? You’re ready to explode. You did your research on me? I didn’t have to do any on you. I probably wouldn’t have found anything anyway. But I know you. You don’t play by any rules but your own. That’s why you win. Winning is important to you.”
“Go away, Jessie.”
She ignored the words as she took a step closer to the window. “Maybe only one thing is more important to you, and she’s in that desert. So Griffin’s rules won’t only be ignored, they’ll be decimated. That’s okay with me this time. Why do you think I’m here instead of hitching a ride with Griffin? Sure, he’s going to go out there with a crackerjack team. But sitting back in his office is his boss, Director Howell, who’s putting pressure to make Waldridge top priority. If Griffin has to make a choice, who would it be?” She met his eyes. “I’ve already made my choice. I’ll keep Waldridge alive if I can, but I let Kendra walk into this mess. I was stupid. I should have realized that Biers could be a phony. I told her I could protect anyone. But I didn’t protect her the way I should. So now I have to make it right.” She straightened, her shoulders braced for battle. “And I can’t let Griffin or anyone else stop me. Not when I have you as an alternate. I can help you, dammit. So, if you think this helicopter is going to take off without me, you’re sadly mistaken.”
He was silent, staring at her without expression. Then he asked, “How can you help me?”
She released the breath she’d been holding. “The usual way. I’m smart, well trained, and considered lethal. Anything else we can work out between us.” She paused. “I will not be a witness. I see only what you tell me to see.”
“You’ll obey orders without question?”
She hesitated. “Yes, until we leave the desert.”
Another silence. Then he nodded curtly. “Get in the helicopter. We’ve got to get moving.”
“Right.” She didn’t wait for him to change his mind. She was around the helicopter in a heartbeat and jumping into the passenger seat. She pulled out her tablet as he took off. “I figured I’d navigate. I pulled up the app, and I can track where Kendra is going and check the terrain. I’m also going to Google and try to see what other movement is going on around her. And maybe I could—”
“So much for obeying orders,” Lynch said dryly. “I don’t recall discussing any of this with you, Jessie.”
“But you would have,” she said quietly. “I’m just anticipating the order…” She smiled. “Sir.”
*
LIGHTS SPEARING THE DARKNESS.
Coming in their direction?
Kendra felt the fear gripping her when she first saw those lights in the distance.
She and Waldridge had climbed atop the small ridge overlooking the large basin, and the first thing they had seen when they reached the top were those three road vehicles separating in search patterns as they thundered across the desert. The second thing were the lights of a low-flying helicopter some distance to the east.
Waldridge gave a low whistle. “Not good. What do you think the odds are that’s our rescue party?”