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Absame paced the floor, waiting not-so-patiently for news on Radford. Amiin entered a few minutes later to report that there was still no sign of him.
“The CIA is looking for him too, so it’s safe to say that he didn’t suddenly switch teams.”
“Do you still have access to the grandchild?”
“Yes, Absame.”
“Keep looking for him, and have our CIA contact find out more. What the hell am I paying him for!”
“It will be done Absame.”
“Amiin, make sure we can get the child. I have a feeling we will need her.” Amiin bowed in response and left the room. His thoughts turned to what would happen to the child. Hurting women and children was something that he had never grown used to, but he would do what was required of him. He didn’t have a choice; it was their life or his.
Back at the compound, Kat asked the nurse to call Jake and Ryan for her. As soon as they entered the room, she told them that she wanted to talk to Carl.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea Kat,” Ryan hesitated.
“Please...I need to see him again.”
“Alright, I’ll have him brought up.”
“No, I want to see him where he is being held,” she requested. Jake had started to argue, but Ryan agreed.
“Maybe he will talk to her. All we’re getting is threats,” Ryan reasoned. Jake went to go get the wheelchair. When they made it to the stairwell, Jake picked Kat up and Bill came from behind to carry the chair down. Kat shivered as they made their way deeper into the dungeon. She was having flashbacks of being held in a place just like this. They could still hear Carl making a ruckus as they approached, but he grew quiet as soon as he noticed Kat.
“Can we have a few minutes to ourselves please?” Kat asked Jake, Bill, and Ryan. Jake refused, but Ryan ordered him out of the room. “How could you do this to me?” Kat asked as soon as they were alone.
“Kat, I wish I could explain. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I had no choice.” Kat just stared at him.
“I remember a time when you once said that we always have a choice. It’s just a matter of making the right one, especially in our line of work. So tell me, Carl, because I need to know, what made you think that betraying me and committing treason against our country was the right choice?”
Carl took a deep breath. “My granddaughter. They said that if I didn’t give them the information they were looking for, they would kill my entire family, starting with Laya. They had an entire file of surveillance photos of my family. They were watching every move they made and could have killed them all at any moment.”
“So you gave me up because I was the most expendable.”
“Yes, and I have regretted it every single day Kat. If I don’t get in contact with them right away, they are going to start killing my family,” he said sobbing. Kat just stared at him for a moment.
“I loved you like a father. You were the closest to one I’ve ever had. You made me a part of your family, and then threw me away. I hope you rot in hell Carl.” She wheeled herself to the bottom of the staircase and yelled for Jake to come get her.
She was quiet all the way back to her bed. The men respected her need to grieve. Janie was having x-rays done, so after Ryan and Bill returned to command, Jake and Kat had the room to themselves. Kat finally allowed herself to meet his eyes and saw the sympathy in them.
“I can only imagine how you are feeling right now,” he said softly. “But just know that we are your family now, and we won’t abandon you...ever.” Kat smiled at him as the tears returned to her eyes. He took her in his arms and held her until she couldn’t cry anymore.
“I honestly don’t care what happens to him, but isn’t there something that can be done about his family? They shouldn’t have to pay for his sins.”
“Protecting the innocent is what we do. I’m sure Ryan already has plans in place to make sure that they stay safe.” His reassurance made her smile. Janie was rolled back in just a moment later and both women were told to rest. Jake promised to check in on them later.
After leaving the room, Jake went straight to the command center and wasn’t surprised to see the rest of the team already there. As suspected, they were already formulating a plan to get Radford’s family into protective custody.
“We’re going in blind on this one guys. We can’t say for sure whether we’ll encounter Mendoza’s men or Absame’s, but either way, we can count on the situation to be extremely dangerous.”
“I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are more than willing to take on this assignment, regardless of how dangerous it might be,” Reese said. They all enthusiastically agreed.
“Count me in too,” a familiar voice said from behind them. They all turned and were shocked to see Janie standing in the doorway. Actually getting a clear read from the x-rays, the doctor had released her.
“Are you sure you are feeling up to this?” Ryan pressed.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world boss,” she replied.
“Alright, start with the grandchild. She is going to be the one they go after first. Intel tells us that she is living in Baltimore with her parents. They would need to be rescued first, followed by Mrs. Radford. You’ll have to work fast. Shawn, I will need you to escort Radford to Guantanamo, and then go to meet up with the team ASAP.”
“Yes, sir.”
Reese, Sarah, and Jake went over the intel as new information came in. They knew that they needed to perform to the best of their ability if the girl was to live; neither men had any qualms about killing women or children.