Whispers in the Dark (KGI #4)(95)

“It’s where this all began.”

CHAPTER 39

“I guess what they say is true. Anything the government wants to hide, they stick in New Mexico,” Garrett muttered.

Nathan didn’t say anything. He was staring out the window of the SUV as they sped the remaining distance from where they’d landed toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. Wheeler Peak was the highest mountain in the range and the highest peak in New Mexico, but it was one of the lesser mountains that housed the top-secret research facility.

While hikers flocked to the more popular areas, the research facility was in a nondescript, hard-to-find valley, and access was only available from the south.

According to Resnick, the facility had been closed for years and the project had been shelved after the Petersons escaped with Grace and Shea. But now Nathan doubted just how much Resnick really knew.

“I think we’re idiots for trusting him,” Ethan said, not even bothering to disguise his hostility as he stared Resnick down.

Resnick fiddled with a cigarette but didn’t light it, probably because Sam was giving him an “I dare you” look.

“I’m probably going to lose my job over this,” Resnick snapped. “I don’t give a goddamn if you trust me or not. I’ll be lucky if I don’t do jail time for this shit. Depending on how far up the line this goes, I might have already signed my death warrant. Now if you think that’s dramatic, f**k you. People have been silenced for far less. You’ll need to watch your asses after this.”

A sick knot formed in Nathan’s stomach. He didn’t want this for his family. He didn’t want them to have to worry that in a week or a month or even a year they or the people they loved could be taken out all because they got involved in this thing with him and Shea.

Nathan looked up to see Sam’s gaze boring a hole through him. There was reprimand in that stare, almost as if he knew exactly what Nathan was thinking.

“I don’t give a goddamn if it means we have to move to some remote island that’s not even on the map. There is no f**king way I’m going to lie down while someone in my family needs my help. I’d do it for Sophie, Rachel and Sarah. I’d sure as hell do it for the woman you’re going to marry.”

“You are going to marry her, aren’t you?” Donovan asked dryly. “Tell me I’m not busting my ass here and you end up not having the balls to propose.”

“Swear to God, you two need to shut the f**k up,” Nathan said around the knot in his throat.

He was overwhelmed by the unwavering support of his family. Even when he’d done his best to push them away. Even when he didn’t deserve the sacrifices they made for him. They were still there. Always there. No conditions. No questions asked.

“I expect a goddamn invitation,” Resnick cut in. “I’ll be out of a job. I’ll want the free booze.”

“Holy shit, did he just make a joke?” Donovan asked. “Mr. Uptight, makes Garrett look like a poster child for serenity, made a joke?”

“Fuck you,” Resnick said in disgust. “I’ve put up with your shit for years. The upside of unemployment is that I won’t have to see any of your sorry asses again.”

“Make that a double f**k you,” Garrett said darkly. “I’m sure there was an insult aimed at me somewhere in all that.”

“Resnick’s missing us already,” Ethan said solemnly. “I think I might have a tear or two.”

The vehicles pulled to a stop and silence fell. Expressions went completely serious. Tension vibrated through the SUV holding Nathan, Resnick and his brothers.

SUVs pulled up on either side of them. One carrying Kyle Phillips and his team. The other carried Steele and his team along with Swanny.

They got out and, after conducting a weapons check, gathered at the front of the vehicles. Resnick stood with Sam in front of the three groups.

Resnick held up a topo map and pointed to a low-lying area that led north into an area surrounded by three higher peaks on all sides. “We’re here. We could drive in. This road goes on for another mile before you turn off onto a dirt road leading to the compound. It used to be heavily monitored. Video surveillance. Iron gate. Lots of no trespassing, dire warnings, property of the U.S. government, et cetera, et cetera, all the usual ‘keep the f**k away from here or we’ll shoot your ass’ type of stuff.

“If it’s being used again, I can’t imagine they aren’t employing the same security measures and I’d imagine they’ve beefed them up.”

“I still don’t get it,” Garrett said. “It seems awfully stupid to go back to the same facility they used before. Risky at best.”

Resnick shook his head. “Who would know? The Petersons are dead. Grace and Shea were too young to remember this place much less get anyone back to it. They have Shea. They may even have Grace. We don’t know. Two of the scientists are dead. Two others went back to Russia. I know because I immediately did a search of everyone who was involved in this whole thing.

“All that’s left is me. And the few members within the government who okayed funding and got reports on the research findings, and believe me, none of those people are going to be lining up to do anything that would bring attention to this project or their involvement in it.

“If they’re getting this program up and running again and are using Grace and Shea as the basis of their research, they don’t want their dirty laundry aired, which is why they took out the Petersons and went after Grace and Shea. If they’ve made the connection between me and the Petersons, I’ll be next,” Resnick said quietly.