The Last Second (A Brit in the FBI #6)(96)

The darkening moon was visible, as she’d hoped. It was incredible to see the red-tinged shadow caused by the Earth’s atmosphere settle like a dusky pink sunset on the face of the moon. Even more incredible to know the Earth was passing between the sun and the moon, causing this shadow to move across the entire mass. The shape of the moon was unique in this moment, a view rarely seen, and it brought tears to her eyes.

How many people were staring in awe at the skies? She’d done so as a child, as a young woman, as an adult—stared up into the sky at celestial events with wonder, with hope, knowing one day, if she did everything right, she would be among the stars. Their ancestors must have been terrified at such a sight—the moon growing dark, then becoming drenched in red. Unexplainable, so for many it became an evil portent of what was to come.

As an astronaut, she’d been in orbit during an eclipse, had seen the moon’s shadow move across the Earth from the window of the space station.

She said softly, “You are coming to me.”

The Numen spoke as one, their voice clear as the tolling of bells. Yes, we are coming to you.

A small chime sounded, a warning that a door had been opened into her sanctuary.

She called, “Go away. I’m working.”

Kiera raced into the room, calling for the lights to come on. They blazed to life, and she saw Nevaeh lying back, dressed in white, looking ready for a Roman orgy.

Had she been talking to the Numen again? No time, no time. She ran to Patel and tried to pull her off the chair. “Someone has breached the gates. You’ve got to get up.”

Nevaeh stared at her. “What did you say? Someone is here? That’s impossible. Through a hurricane? Through the jungle? Through our gates?”

Kiera shook her. “Yes, yes, they’re inside the gates! I need to get you secure.”

No time, no time. Kiera slapped at the button to close the roof of the observatory as she ran with Nevaeh through the door.

She didn’t realize she’d missed the button.

The roof stayed open.





CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX


T-MINUS 40 MINUTES

Nicholas and Mike called in to Adam, who answered before the first ring ended. “What blew up? Are you okay?”

“It was an IED,” Nicholas said. “We have two casualties and three injuries on the team. We’re going to need a medevac. Vince Mills, the CIA agent, is hurt badly. Mike and I are all right, we were behind the main group. I don’t know how you get someone to authorize a chopper to come up here, Mills said everything was grounded, which is why we drove in the first place, but someone has to do it, or he’ll die.”

“I’m on it. Grace is on the other line freaking out. Let me tell him, hang on.”

Mike shouted, “Grace is on the other line? What’s that about? Adam, what’s going on there?”

Nicholas gestured at the other CIA agents. “I would assume Grace is watching his team.”

Adam came back. “Yes, many more than Grace are watching. The White House Situation Room has all of this being broadcast live, so make sure you wave at the satellite next time you’re outside. They’re working their end to help you knock out this nuke, trying to identify the satellite. There’s a ton of classified stuff happening. You’ll be happy to know the International Space Station has changed course and if the EMP goes off, they’ll be okay—one win.”

Mike said, “Good. The winds have calmed, Adam, are we in the eye?”

“Yes. If the countdown coincides with the peak totality of the eclipse, you have exactly forty minutes. The eye will finish passing over you in forty-five minutes, so you have no time to waste. I’ve been watching the satellite feed, and the roof of the observatory opened about fifteen minutes ago and the telescope moved. As far as I can see, the roof is still open.”

Nicholas shot Mike a look, rubbed his hands together. “We’ve always had good luck with roof entries. Well, maybe some good luck.”

Mike said, “If the team can draw the guards’ attention to the main entrance, we can get past them undetected and go in the roof. Adam, we’re signing off, but we have comms. Shout if we’re about to run into trouble.”

“Will do. The president and vice president say good luck—and get this stopped, or else.”

“Or else what?”

“Well, that was implied. They’d probably have you pay back taxes or something. Lia’s going to take over now. See you on comms.”

A moment later, their earwigs in place, Lia Scott’s voice crackled to life.

“Hey, you two. I’m going to walk you in, Adam’s going to keep working the computer. When you’re ready, let me know.”

“Copy that. Good to hear your voice, Lia.”

Nicholas grabbed Bernard and Honeycut. Mills was too out of it, so Nicholas was going to have to take over his CIA team.

He said, “Here’s the plan. Honeycut, you take your crew and head straight at them. Draw the guard’s attention away from the observatory. Mike and I will circle the periphery and head in. The roof is open but we have no idea for how long. We have to move now. We’ve called in a medevac for Mills and anyone else who ends up needing help off the mountain.”

Bernard said, “I will stay and coordinate the rescue.”

Mike shook his hand. “Thank you, Bernard. You’ve been a lifesaver.”