Reid slows the SUV just outside the entrance to the warehouse where the rest of his pack waits.
Something is wrong. There are no guards outside, no vehicles. Syracuse usually waits for them to report, but the man’s car is missing. Reid shuts off the headlights and pulls over.
“What are you thinking?” Marcus peers across Reid into the dark parking lot.
“I wish I knew.”
“Let me check it out.” The seat belt buzzes its way back into place when Marcus hits the button, but Reid stops him before he can open the door.
“Together.”
Reid turns off the ignition. The engine ticks softly as the two of them climb out and circle the fence that edges the yard. The chain link is achingly familiar, but this one is old and cold, and the gate is wide open.
The closer they get, the more paranoid Reid is feeling until he is vibrating from it. Marcus looks just as tense, a silent snarl twisting his face, shoulders hunched forward as he walks without sound on his rubber soles.
The side door they always use is unlocked, pale light shining under it.
“We could just run,” Reid says.
Marcus’s grimace turns into a grin. “As if. After you.”
Reid feels the butt of a gun against his side the moment he steps through the door.
“Take it easy,” a voice says. “Just keep moving and no one gets hurt tonight.”
He risks a glance at Marcus, sees his friend raise his hands in the air and does the same.
“Move.” The muzzle digs into his ribs, shoving him forward. Reid obeys the command, taking it nice and slow.
He’s only a few feet into the bay when he understands. Not Dr. Lund’s forces. Nor are they Syracuse’s men. He catches sight of Rhymer and his mercenaries on their knees, hands behind their heads, under guard against the far wall. Reid resists the urge to flip the commander off and grin at him.
Instead he focuses on the new threat in front of him. If the shift of power isn’t enough to keep his attention, the look of the man who stands waiting for him in the light of the overhead bulb fills in the rest of the picture. How odd this formally uniformed officer chose the exact spot Syracuse always used.
Reid comes to a halt in front of the man, taking in the bristling white mustache and buzz cut, the cold green eyes, the medals on his chest. Regular military.
“Where is your employer?” The man’s voice is soft and deep, like old velvet.
“Which one?” Reid isn’t trying to be flip. But he’s been under so many hands the last little while he’s almost lost.
The officer nods once as if understanding. “I’m General Compton Aberdeen. You must be Reid. And Marcus.”
Both nod. How does he know their names? Of course. This is the general Syracuse told Reid about. But why is he just showing up now?
“I’m referring to John Syracuse. We understand this is his property.”
Reid shrugs. “We were wondering the same thing. He’s usually here when we get back.”
“From where, exactly?” The general’s voice is harder, less kind.
“From killing the men he tells us to.” Reid doesn’t see a reason to candy coat it. Aberdeen probably knows already.
The general looks startled but not surprised, confirming it. “You admit to murder?”
“You’re going to kill us anyway,” Marcus says. “What’s the use in lying about it?”
“Maybe if the military weren’t so greedy to make super soldiers,” Reid says, “we’d still be ordinary kids, General. But we’re not. And I’m done playing games.”
The man nods once, sharply. “So you think he’ll be coming here?”
Reid frowns. “Pretty sure. I’m surprised you’re looking for him. Since you know him so well.”
Aberdeen frowns. “I’ve never met the scum in my life.”
Reid exchanges a look with Marcus. “He told us he knew you. That he was the reason we were able to escape, that he alerted you.”
The general snaps his fingers and one of his soldiers drops a familiar hand held device on him. “Brackett’s aide called for back up, leading us to the enclosure. An anonymous tip led us to the prison after you were already gone. This GPS,” he holds it up, “did the rest when we finally figured it out.”
Reid wants to scream. He’s been played yet again. And when he knew better than to trust Syracuse. He was right. The only reason the man rescued them was to make them his personal hit squad.
“What happened to Colonel Brackett?” Marcus’s voice is soft.
“Dead.” They knew that already. “Not that it changes anything. He would have faced court martial.” Aberdeen’s eyes travel over Marcus’s face like he’s only now recognizing him. “He had a son,” the man says. “About your age. Hispanic.”
Marcus just nods. Reid sees the momentary shudder pass over Aberdeen’s face, the brief, fleeting touch of pity and loathing. But for whom?
Marcus meanwhile, just twitches at every word, as if the general is hitting him over and over again.
Reid recognizes the fury in his friend and cuts him off before Marcus can speak.
“Now what happens?” He’d really like to know anyway, so the question serves two purposes. Three, really. He needs to understand the general. If they are enemies. Or if there is a chance they could ever be allies. Not that Reid’s holding his breath. But Aberdeen’s flicker of humanity at least gives him a little hope.
“You will be detained and questioned,” Aberdeen says, all professional again, “before being imprisoned for the rest of your lives. If you’re not executed as dangerous terrorists threatening the US government.”
Terrorists. It’s too much. Reid’s been hunted and shot at, died once and been brought back to life. Lost friends and the girl he cares about while being forced to kill.
“We’re just kids.” He didn’t mean to speak up. Or expect the response he got. Aberdeen’s whole body jerks, as though startled. He clears his throat and when he speaks, the words are thick and heavy.
“I know, son,” he says, very softly, as though he hates for his men to hear. “But it’s not my decision.”
This time it’s Marcus’s turn to distract.
“Then whose is it?”
Aberdeen takes a small step away, green eyes not so cold anymore.
“I’m sorry,” he says. Reid’s thin strand of hope snaps and recoils.
“Screw you.” Marcus spits at the man’s feet.
Reid instantly feels better.
They are herded to their friends who are again hunkered down on their cots. But when they try to talk they are jabbed painfully with rifle butts until they fall silent.
Emme glares at Reid like it’s all his fault. He can’t argue with her there.
Reid can hear Aberdeen on his radio, calling for transport. This is the end for them. They will be stuffed into some hole far from civilization, constantly tested, then either locked away forever or killed. The future looks very bleak and he has only himself to blame.
He can’t even explain to his friends he’s sorry he failed them. And will never get the chance to tell Leila how he feels.
It’s enough he almost charges one of the soldiers just to end it all.
Drew’s hand reaches out, squeezes his. Minnie’s soft head lands in his lap. A fat tear trickles down, lands on her nose. She licks it away with a soft whine.
Reid strokes her ears, despair finally winning.
He is so wrapped up in feeling sorry for himself, he almost doesn’t notice when her head lifts, ears cocked toward the back wall of the warehouse.
Just before a massive explosion sends it flying inward.
***