The Rescue(83)

“Negative,” said the team leader.

“Family?”

“Nothing. We’ve pretty much turned the place over.”

“What about more tunnels like the one dug into the ramp? The openings are big enough to squeeze through.”

“We haven’t found any more yet,” he said. “The only way they could have slipped away would be to head directly north.”

“I was up there,” said Green. “There’s a small rise north of this place, about a hundred yards away, but the ground is nothing but flat after that. We’d see them on thermals, no matter what direction they took.”

“Then they’re in another tunnel,” said the team leader.

“Find the tunnels,” said Green, before walking over to the group gathered around the ramp.

He splashed through the water, stepping over the beam that had crushed the flimsy aluminum-framed pool. Now this was sad as hell. A cheap aboveground pool. Aleman had really screwed his family over big-time with this deal. The swing set was even more depressing. Made him want to pinch Aleman’s nose shut and shove a rag down this throat, instead of putting a bullet through his head. When he reached the three operatives standing halfway up the ramp, he quickly determined that one of his snipers’ bullets had robbed him of that satisfaction. Aleman was moments from dying.

“Has he said anything?”

“Not until a few seconds ago,” said one of the men, glancing uneasily at Green.

“What’s wrong?”

“He asked to speak with Gunther Ross.”

“Interesting,” said Green, kneeling next to Aleman. “How do you know Gunther Ross?”

A trickle of blood ran from the corner of Aleman’s mouth, his eyes opening a few centimeters. “We go back a long way,” he said.

“Like hell. Your paths never crossed,” said Green. “Did Decker give you the name?”

Aleman barely shook his head. “I linked Gunther Ross and Aegis to this mess a long time ago. He’ll want to hear what I have to say. There’s more.”

“Where did Decker go?” said Green. “Where’s your family?”

“I’ll tell Gunther.”

He shook his head. “I can’t get a satellite signal in here.”

“Then pass this message along,” said Aleman. “Praetor is finished.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“If you don’t know, Gunther will probably kill you, too, when this is over,” said Aleman. “Praetor.”

Green took the satellite phone out of his vest and handed it to one of the operatives. “Go topside and call the first number on speed dial,” he said. “Unplug the headset from your tactical comms rig and hold the radio up to the sat phone. It’s the best we can do.”

“Copy that,” said the mercenary, taking off for the ladder.

Green unsnapped the pouch on his vest holding the tactical radio and pulled it out, unplugging the wire that ran through his body armor to his earpiece.

“It’s only a matter of time before we find the other tunnels,” said Green.

“I know,” said Aleman.

“Save me the hassle of looking and I’ll spare your family.”

“After I talk to Gunther,” whispered Aleman.

“We found a tunnel facing east,” said a voice on the tactical net. “Second floor of the structure, hidden behind a wheeled shelving unit. Looks the same size as the one dug into the ramp.”

“Can you see inside?” said Green.

“The night-vision image just washes out after a certain distance,” he reported. “There’s no way to see all the way to the end without climbing in.”

“Do not climb inside. And stay clear of the tunnel opening. We’re working on something out here.” Green glanced down at Aleman. “When I find the rest of these tunnels, we’re gonna start playing a little game called tunnel roulette.”

His earpiece crackled. “Mr. Green. I have Mr. Ross.”

“Thank you,” said Green. “Mr. Ross, I have Kurt Aleman here. He wants to talk to you.”

“What is this all about, Derek?” hissed Ross.

“We can’t find Decker or anyone else. This place is unreal, with tunnels going everywhere. Aleman said he’d tell us where to find them if he got to talk to you.”

“And you believed that?” said Ross. “Call me back when you’ve unfucked all of—”

“He told me Praetor is finished.”

The line went silent for several seconds.

“Mr. Ross?”

“Is Aleman there?” said Ross.

“Right here,” said Green, lowering the radio next to Aleman’s head.

“Good evening, Gunther,” said Aleman.

“You wanted to talk to me?” he said.

“About Praetor.”

“I’m familiar with the Latin word,” said Ross. “But I don’t see how that applies here.”

Aleman turned his head toward Green. “Have one of your men wake the computer in my office. Just shake the mouse. I have the whole Praetor file up. I was showing Decker when you interrupted.”

“What did he say?” said Ross.