Edge of Valor: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller(55)
There was nothing.
He settled down to watch, periodically checking the radio for Luther’s checkin. 2300 hours came and went. Then midnight.
Every hour, he switched the radio to their private channel and keyed the mic twice, paused, then twice more.
If Luther were available and in range, he would find a secure place to respond.
While he waited, Liam field-stripped his weapons and topped off his magazines. He cleaned the Glock and carbine and examined the contents of his go-bag and everyday carry.
He’d replaced the paracord used to bind the prisoner’s feet, but he was running low on bandages and blood-clotting granules.
When he finished, he repacked each item for ease of access in an emergency. Then he sharpened his Gerber, checking the window every so often.
His thoughts strayed to Hannah.
He had little use for humanity. A few people made the whole thing worth it. And for those people, he would willingly sacrifice everything he had, including his life.
For little Charlotte and L.J. For Travis and Evelyn. Quinn, Milo, and Molly. But first, last, and always—Hannah.
He wished she were here beside him, her warmth, her laughter, those beautiful green eyes he could get lost in.
He missed her with every beat of his heart. In her presence, the nightmares faded. With her, he believed he could be more than a soldier with blood on his hands.
Liam pushed every thought out of his mind and forced himself to rest.
Time passed.
He didn’t sleep but instead allowed himself to drift into a state of half-awareness, stilling his body, aware of his physical senses, alert only to a potential threat.
As the first blush of dawn pinked the sky, he sat up, wide awake.
Liam suppressed his frustration as he flicked up his NVGs and stashed them in his go-bag at his feet. He took out his water bottle and drank before returning it to its proper pouch.
It was past time to go. He’d be late meeting Quinn. He had a full day’s worth of chores, training, and security on the docket. After that, a few stolen minutes with Hannah.
He couldn’t waste another moment on James Luther.
Luther had failed him. Liam should’ve known better than to take a chance on someone like him. He should’ve— The radio crackled. “This is Echo Three. Alpha One, you there?”
38
Liam
Day One Hundred and Thirteen
Liam seized the radio. “This is Alpha One. You’re a go.”
“I managed to sneak away,” Luther said. “The soldiers think I’m trying to find a private place to crap. You wouldn’t believe how difficult that is around here.”
“I don’t give a damn.”
“Well, okay—”
“Why the hell didn’t you warn me?”
“What?”
“The operators the General sent.”
“I didn’t—what operators?”
“Two hostiles breached our perimeter on foot and headed straight for Tanglewood Drive. They knew where Hannah lived. They went after her infant daughter and almost killed Hannah.”
Silence on the radio.
“You didn’t warn us!”
“I didn’t know!”
“I sent you in there to help us, not to give our enemies the coordinates to our destruction!”
More silence. The radio hissed static.
The sunrise ribboned the sky in shades of scarlet, tangerine, and salmon pink.
“I swear, I didn’t know.” Luther sounded pained, his tone contrite.
Liam didn’t care. “How the hell did he know where Hannah lived? I doubt Sutter had the time to give him that little crumb of intel.”
“You told me to give him information if I had to!”
“Not that information.”
“Look,” Luther stammered. “He didn’t tell me what he planned to do. He wanted to know the location of the children to spare them in the event of an attack—”
Liam gave an incredulous snort.
“I know how it sounds, okay?”
“Whose side are you on, Luther?” Liam said in a low, dangerous voice. “Because it certainly doesn’t sound like you’re on ours.”
“I am sorry,” Luther said. “Truly, I am.”
“Be very careful before you make me an enemy.”
“I’ve already caused great harm to Hannah Sheridan’s family. I am incredibly aware of that fact.”
“Are you?”
“Yes! I wouldn’t do anything to hurt them, I swear to you. I nearly killed her son, okay? The whole reason I’m out here is to…I don’t know, make up for it or something. Certainly not to put her in further danger. I wouldn’t do that. I didn’t. Not intentionally. I swear it.”
He sounded remorseful. Liam recalled a comment Quinn had made about Luther: a polite killer was still a killer. She’d made a good point.
Some people used their guilt and good intentions to justify their own atrocities.
Luther was a snake in the grass. A harmless garter or a lethal black mamba—Liam still wasn’t certain.
“Look, you wanted me on the inside,” Luther said. “I had to give him usable intel. I did. I gave you information, too! You know how many men he has, where they’re stationed. I gave you everything I had on the mobile units and the reaction force. You destroyed half our transports and a good chunk of our rations. We’re all hungry and miserable now, thanks to you.”