Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(78)

Garrett pushed forward. “Do you know where he is, Adam? Do you have any information at all?”

Resnick sank into the pillow, and for a long moment was silent, his chest barely moving with air exchange. Phillips shot them a nervous look.

“Maybe you should go now. The nurse would have a fit if she knew we were pushing him this far.”

Rio leaned down, so he was just inches from Resnick’s face. “You care about her. You care about her and Shea both. You tried to protect them. Shea has Nathan, but now Grace has me. I’m going to get her back, Resnick. If I have to turn the whole goddamn world over, I’m going to get her back. Now help us, damn it. Anything. Give us a starting point. You have to know something. You’re a goddamn library of classified information.”

Resnick’s eyes opened to narrow slits, like he didn’t have the strength to open them farther.

“It’s rumored he has an island in the Mediterranean, just off the coast of Greece. He’s generous to the local economy, and with Greece in the economic state it’s currently in, his money has bought a lot of loyalty. Even if they do know who and what he is, they’ll never give him up because he provides jobs for the entire island and keeps the economy afloat.

“He’s flown in doctors from all over the world, and the word is, they’ve all told him the same thing. That there is no hope and that she doesn’t have long. Such news would have made him desperate enough to

do whatever it took to save her.”

Resnick paused and labored to catch his breath. His face was strained and it was evident he was in a great deal of pain. Again, Phillips stepped forward as if to put an end to the inquisition, but Resnick stopped him with a barely raised hand.

“Most notable is that CIA surveillance tapped into a phone conversation between Farnsworth and the man they believe led Titan when it was still in existence.”

“Hancock,” Rio muttered. “Goddamn Hancock.”

Sam put a hand on Resnick’s arm. “Thank you, Adam.”

Resnick stared up at Rio. “You just get her back. I very much want to meet the woman I consider a sister.”

Rio swallowed and nodded. “Failure isn’t an option.”

“Unfortunately that is also Titan’s motto,” Resnick said quietly.

“Yes, I know,” Rio said calmly. “I’m the one who coined it for them.”

CHAPTER 35

“YOU realize if you try to communicate with your boyfriend, Rio, that you’ll just get him killed.”

“Fuck off,” Grace said rudely from her perch on the couch in the airplane. They’d flown from the airstrip in the small jet that Hancock had appropriated from Rio’s group, but they’d landed an hour later and boarded a larger jet, taking off immediately. She still had no idea where they were going and she was pissed enough not to feel fear. Yet.

Hancock laughed. “I can see what he sees in you. You’re well matched, I think. I can’t ever imagine Rio with a dainty little mouse. He’d eat her alive.”

Grace faked a yawn. “I’m not interested in your analysis of Rio’s love life. I want to know where the hell you’re taking me and why.”

Hancock ignored her and looked out the window before checking one of his handheld devices. “We’ll be landing soon.”

“Soon? Soon would have been six hours ago. We’ve been on this plane forever.”

“Such a complainer. Don’t bite the hand that will have to keep you alive once you’ve served your purpose,” he said in a dangerously soft voice.

The subtle threat sent chills dancing up her spine.

She glanced toward the window, but Hancock snapped it shut, blocking her view. All she knew was it was daylight and they were over a large body of water.

She wouldn’t panic yet. There was plenty of time to glean information to pass on to Rio. Shea had been a quiet presence in her mind. As was Rio. It was the only reason she hadn’t lost her composure yet.

Neither had tried to talk to her. She’d been very specific in asking them not to use the pathway until she initiated contact. Knowing Rio, he’d wait only so long before his impatience got the better of him and he would be yelling in her head, asking her if she was okay.

Strangely, that thought brought her comfort. It was nice to have someone who cared.

The plane continued its sharp descent and then she heard the sound of the landing gear lowering. She instinctively braced herself, tensing until they touched down.

Now fear began a steady thrum in her chest. She tried to swallow it back, but it chooked her, cutting off her air.

This was it. Wherever it was that Hancock was taking her, they were here and hell awaited.

Grace, goddamn it, I can feel your fear. Tell me what the hell is going on. Where are you? Can you tell me anything about your location?

Rio’s voice blew into her mind, taking away some of the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

We just landed. I don’t know anything more yet.

She forced calm into her message and made sure to include Shea. Neither of them needed her to be hysterical. They felt helpless enough not knowing her fate, not knowing what lay in store for her or where she was.

I’ll tell you more when I’m able. Please be patient. He watches me and he knows when I’m communicating with you. I have to remain conscious or I’ll never be able to give you any information.