Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
G abriel picked up the phone in his node and called Anna, who answered immediately. “Is she okay?”
“A little banged up. But she’s home, and she’s done.” Thank God. He couldn’t put her in the line of danger like that again. And no, it wasn’t because she was his daughter. He hated the thought of any of the people he loved in the line of danger. He was thankful the Kings were all in management positions now. He loved those kids like his own. Hell, he’d helped raise them and had accepted them into Guardian, finding positions for all of them. Not that that was a hardship; they were all exceptionally talented.
“When will you be home?” Anna yawned, and he glanced at the clock.
“Shit, babe, I didn’t realize it was this late.”
“You mean early? You’ve been gone almost two days, but I’m going to get up, take a leisurely shower, and then make you a big breakfast. It must have been some operation.”
“So many problems, you wouldn’t believe.”
“After all these years, I would believe anything you told me.” She yawned again. “After you sleep for a bit, I might be convinced to give you a back massage,” she purred.
“Vixen, you can’t offer things of that nature when I’m at work.” He smiled as he spoke to the woman who still sparked the hottest fires after all these years.
“Really? I wish you would have told me that years ago.” She laughed, and damned if that sound didn’t make his day.
“I have one more call, and then I’ll be on my way home.”
“Hmmm … maybe I should just be lazy until you get home, and we can shower together.”
“I think you should doze for an hour or so,” he agreed with her.
“I’ll see you then. I love you.”
“And I will love you until the world no longer exists,” he said softly and hung up the phone. That woman was his solid ground. When the rest of the world seemed to be falling to pieces, she was the one certainty he could always count on. He hoped Conner was that person for Gabby. Not that he was rushing the relationship. He’d be happy if they dated for ten or twenty years to make sure they were compatible.
He glanced out at Conner, who was assisting with the requirements of the Switzerland mop-up. They’d found ten missiles that were finished and four more in the stages of assembly. The payload was constructed to the point the nuclear and explosive materials were needed to complete the assembly. Two of the payloads were complete. Where Abrasha had gotten the components was yet to be determined. When the payloads were disassembled, they’d be able to track the materials and parts.
He picked up his direct line to Jason. “I’m here.”
“Tell me what’s happening.” They’d gotten word Molchalin had escaped custody again.
“The secure holding area was breached. Every one of the people, guards, prisoners, and janitors were killed. Abrasha’s cell door was torched open. They cut the hinges and pried the door open. It wasn’t a short operation.”
“And the alarms and cameras?”
“Spoofed and looped. I was talking to Magus about the technical expertise it would take, and he said we’re looking at someone his or Merlin’s caliber.”
“And the British government?”
“They’re handling it as if it is a national security issue.”
Gabriel bounced the eraser tip of a pencil on the top of his desk. “Get to Kowalski, give him the deal. He’s released only if we find Molchalin and only if he hasn’t been alerted to our inquiry.”
“He may just sit on his ass for another year,” Jason admitted what Gabriel had been thinking.
“Then sweeten the pot for the man. Two million with the authority to go to five. But if we find out he’s screwed us, he knows the consequences.” Gabriel chuckled. “Send Fury. He has a lot of built-up angst. Tell our man to make Kowalski an offer he can’t refuse.”
Jason chuckled. “I expected Con to come on and quote the movie that line came from.”
“He’s … unique, but in the same way Jewell is unique. They have so much intelligence it comes out in ways we’re not used to handling.”
“True,” Jason agreed.
“Centurion is officially done. Retire her code name. She’s out.” The lightness that statement gave him could not be described. He was so grateful she chose to walk away.
“Is she in agreement?”
“She initiated it,” Gabriel admitted. “I want her to be able to work with Con when he needs assistance.”
“Is she that technically proficient?”
“No, but I’m sure Con will get her up to speed on what he needs assistance with, just like Jewell did for Bengal.”
“Speaking of Jewell, we’re going to need to schedule some downtime for her in about seven months.”
Gabriel sat up. “Are you serious? Congratulations to both of them.”
“I’ll pass that on. She’s terrified she won’t be a good mom because of the way she relates to people.”
“Nonsense, she’ll be fantastic, and I know Bengal has to be beside himself. Anything they need, we’ll make happen.”
“She suggested promoting Con to her level and bringing Honor back on in a node.”
“How’s she doing? Honor, I mean?” Gabriel was glad Sage was with the woman. She’d hit bedrock, and if he hadn’t been there to pick her up, Honor might not have made it.
“She’s a recovering alcoholic, and she’s taking it day by day as she should be. Together, she and Sage are doing very well.”
“Let’s get Wheeler to do one of his comprehensive interviews with her. If he believes she isn’t a risk, make it happen.”
“I already called him.” Jason chuckled.
“Sorry, it’s so easy to slip back into your shoes.” Gabriel smiled. He didn’t miss it, but he’d done Jason’s job for so long it was second nature.
“No worries. The next hurdle is what do we do if and when we get a location on Molchalin.”
“That isn’t a hurdle. We bring in Maximus.”
Gabriel heard the long, heavy sigh from his CEO. “He’s a loose cannon, Gabriel. Valkyrie and Smith with Malice would be a better fit if he’s in Russia.”
Gabriel leaned forward in his chair and stared at the pencil on his desk. “No. Maximus will be the weapon we use. We’re sending a message on this one, my friend. Those who dare to threaten this country and our allies will be destroyed. Val, Smith, and anyone else necessary will work on the case with Maximus, but he will be the destruction of Abrasha. We will find this bastard, trap him, and then we’ll let Maximus loose on him. Abrasha is coded and a wanted criminal in the open. He. Is. Ours. And Maximus will send a message.”
Jason sighed. “That’s a gory message, Gabriel. Maximus is a cross between Fury and Phoenix with a dash of Ice. Letting him go will make huge waves.”
“And it’s exactly what’s needed. Trust me, my friend, people are watching this bastard and taking notes.”
“All right. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Jason acknowledged the direction they were heading.
“In this case, it will take all of us, and Maximus will leave the statement that we’ll search down the monsters in this world for as long as it takes,” Gabriel added. “Make sure Abrasha doesn’t slip through our fingers, and make sure Maximus knows his leash is off.”
“Yes, sir,” Jason said.
“Saint is clear.” He put the phone down and gazed out of his node. His daughter was sitting with Con, and he was pointing at things on the computer screen. She laid her head on his shoulder, and his arm came around her protectively.
Gabriel closed his eyes and said a silent prayer of thanks for all the people under his care. They emerged unscathed from this mission, and for that, he was truly grateful.