Deep Rising (An Outside the Lines Novel) (Entangled Select) (19 page)

His mother shuddered at that point, and Lana feared the woman would crumble again. She didn’t know why, but the thought of seeing this proud woman break made her own eyes glisten.

“She was my angel,” Annabelle whispered. “We were so close.”

“I know.” Jared shook his head.

“I have the kids in counseling. I wish to God I had done that for you when Pa died. It helps.”

“You did fine by us, Mama.”

Annabelle held her hand to Lana. “Come here.”

Lana accepted the woman’s hand.
It
lingered there, she realized. The strength, the patience, all the acceptance she found in Jared. It came from this woman.

“I had fabulous breasts like yours once.”

Jared burst out laughing.

Annabelle beamed. “Enjoy ’em before gravity takes over.”

“I see where Jared gets his sense of humor from,” Lana managed. Her cheeks burned.

“I need you to keep an eye on Lana until I return,” Jared told his mom.

“Keep an eye on me?” Lana cut in. “Did I hear you correctly?” She didn’t realize that she had wrenched her fingers from Annabelle’s grasp until her hands shot to her hips. “Oh, no, cowboy, don’t even think about it!

“It’s too dangerous,” Jared argued in a reasonable tone. “Help with the kids until I get back.” He jerked his head toward the fireproof box. “Take them on an extended vacation. Try Disney.”

“Did I all of a sudden become a shrinking violet?” She took a steadying breath. “Jared, I need to see this to the end. You have no right—”

“Children, there is no need to bicker,” Annabelle interrupted. “Let me relay what your boss told me and then I’ll leave y’all to hash it out.” Meeting her son’s eyes, she continued, “Security is compromised—obviously you know this or you wouldn’t be here. Your boss is investigating the matter personally. They received some information—but he didn’t say what or from where it was received—”

“What did he say?” Jared interrupted.

“Only that, and I quote, ‘there could be more dogs splashing in the pool.’ Which is obviously code for something, but…whatever.”

“Quaid has teams situated in Greenland, Alaska, La Palma, and Cancun,” he told Lana. “His message could pertain to additional target sites. Could be that there are new players on the field.”

Lana expelled a deep breath. “Each of those locations has a potential mountain or volcano with an unstable flank. The location on the Yucatán Peninsula would only generate a Caribbean wave, with limited damage to the Gulf Coast and Texas. But we do have a number of processing facilities along the coasts, so it could pose a problem. The Alaska site, again, threatens the Pacific.”

“The others?” he asked.

“Transatlantic. The entire Eastern Seaboard. Depending on the location, the wave could cross the Atlantic in under six hours. The height of the wave would trump the Empire State Building and push inland at least a dozen miles. And you saw the moon last night. It’s almost full. That’ll wreak havoc with the tides…”

“What does a tide have to do with it?” Jared wanted to know.

“Depending on the day of the month, we experience different tidal cycles. When the earth is aligned with the sun and moon, we experience something called a spring tide. And during a spring tide there’s extra gravitational pull exerted by the sun and moon because everything is essentially in a straight line. More pull means stronger tides. Higher highs.”

“That isn’t good.”

“No. Lucky for us a spring tide only occurs on the full and new moons.”

Annabelle had remained quiet throughout the discussion, but Lana saw the woman’s eyes narrow. She could practically hear the gears in the woman’s head turning, processing the snippets of information.

“It’ll be a full moon either tomorrow or the day after,” Lana said.

“Shit,” Jared mumbled.

“What should I do?” his mother asked. “We’re talking about a mega-wave, right? Your girl said transatlantic—anything ocean-wide has got to be dangerous.”

Woman, you have no idea.
And Lana didn’t want to be the person to spell out the true devastation such a wave would cause.

“Stock up on fresh water,” he said. “Canned foods. Rice, flour. We’re far enough inland and high enough in the mountains to escape the rising waters, but society will go to hell in a heartbeat with that kind of impact. Do you still have Pa’s guns?”

“Yes. I’m teaching your nephew how to hunt.”

“Make sure they’re all in working order. Stock up on shells when you head into town. And I’ll leave some of mine.” He glanced at Lana. “Which spot is the most likely candidate?”

She pressed her lips together.
Nice try, bucko
.

“Lana, I don’t have time for this!” he shouted. “Which one?”

“Intimidation won’t work. I’m going with you.”

“Lana, things can go wrong. I might not make it.”

She shrugged. “Then we’ll go down together. Come on, Jared,” Lana cajoled.

“No.” His eyes took on a hard glint. “Which one, Lana?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” Her smile had an equally hard edge to it. “Looks like you’re going to need my expertise.”

They sprawled on the cabin floor and made their plans. Annabelle handed Jared the package that had arrived on her doorstep that morning. Jared opened the box using his CIA clearance codes.

More money, two government-issued fake passports, a gun, files on the targeted locations.

“This says a plane will be available at Tullahoma airport. The pilot has instructions to take us to any of the hot spots, or to a Pacific island if we choose to avoid the situation. Guess my boss is fully aware of the hit on us, and trying to offer some support.”

“Um, I hate to ask a stupid question, but is this legit? I mean, couldn’t this be a trick to bring us in? You said yourself that the corruption might go all the way to the top.”

“Exactly. All the more reason for your ass to stay at home.”

“Not. Gonna. Happen.”

“This is my job, Lana. You’re a civilian. Tell me the most likely location.”

“When we’re on the jet halfway over the ocean and not a moment sooner.”

“Which ocean?”

She shrugged.

“I need to head back to the house,” Annabelle said. “The kids will be coming in from school and the ranch hands are expecting supper. You’re welcome to stay with me, Lana.”

Rising, Jared escorted his mother to the door. As she hugged him, she whispered, “We could hog-tie her until you’ve gone.”

“I would. But she’s right. I need her. I could guess where these bastards would strike next, but she’s the expert. She has a…unique perspective on the situation.”

“I’ll have the truck fueled and food prepared. Is there anything else you need?”

“No.”

“I want to tell you to take that trip to Fiji, but I know you won’t. As a mother, I don’t want you in harm’s way.”

“I don’t have a choice, Mama. Far too much is at stake. Take the kids. Either camp out here or take that vacation.”

“I will. Your boss says it’s safe here. He said he destroyed all evidence of us the moment after he contacted me.”

“I’m not willing to gamble with your life.”

“I am very proud of you, Jared,” Annabelle managed before she choked on her tears and rushed from the cabin.

He raked a hand through his hair and spun on Lana.

“I want you to go with my mother,” he growled.

“Well, Jared,” she mimicked his drawl. “We don’t always get what we want.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

October 18 - 8:02 am

Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma

The two men trudged around the base of the mountain. Having parked the truck at the bottom, they would drive into the tunnel after they secured the area. For now, they remained on foot to avoid detection. Plenty of hikers chose this pass. It offered a breathtaking view of the Atlantic. Vehicles were not so plentiful. Restrictions limited traffic to scientists with special permits and law enforcement personnel.

“They have two teams within the village,” the husky man said. “I made them within ten minutes of crossing the piazza. The brutish Americans are like ogres amid the people here.”

Matteo glanced at the seaside town, and then past it to the crowded beaches and the sapphire waters beyond. A submarine could lurk offshore. A hundred marines could be housed in any one of the hotels. He recalled Kilauea, where he had narrowly escaped the Navy team in the lava tube. “I have little use for Americans,” he admitted. “But their military is not to be underestimated.”

The other man coughed, spat. Thick bloody spittle clung to the uneven rocks.

“Are you all right?” Matteo asked.

“
Da.
” He stared across the water. “The time draws near. Your brother understands this.”

Matteo shrugged. “My brother does as he chooses. I do only as he says.”

The man coughed again.

“You do not look well,” Matteo said quietly. “I can secure the tunnel. Wait here.”

“No. I must go with you. I make the wave. Take a moment, please, and tell me again what I must say.”

Matteo took a couple of deep breaths, giving the bilious man an opportunity to do the same. “We are scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey,” he explained. “In order to determine the density of the underlying rock we must obtain core samples.”

“Thank you,” he said. “My injuries make it difficult to remember. At times I cannot concentrate.” He pointed to the gated area. “Aren’t the scientists here doing the same thing?”

Matteo shook his head. “These are physicists. They look for WIMPs.”

“What?”

“Dark matter.”

The man cackled. “The prophetic fabric of the universe which cannot be seen or measured? Bah! It does not exist. Russian scientists, the finest in the world, have searched for twenty years.”

“Science is different now. It must exist in order for the universe to function as it does.”

“I disagree,” the sickly man argued. He ran a handkerchief across his mouth. “Parallel universes also fit the physical data.”

“I have not studied them.”

“When we finish this task, go and read. With multiple universes, physics correlates with Gospel. Heaven exists.”

Matteo didn’t believe in mixing science with religion, but he refused to instigate a debate over it. And amid brokering weapons exchanges and executing mass destruction, reading didn’t rank high on his list of priorities these days. Things had been simpler before his brother, the infamous “Wolf,” sought a partnership with that cursed corporation.
Da
, they stood to make billions of euros, but at what cost?

“You’re bleeding,” he remarked neutrally.

If the other man heard, he didn’t comment.

They crested the rocky hill and started up the next.

The barren, rocky island bore the ebony and mustard colorings of a volcanic desert. The homes and resorts rested at the base of the extinct volcano, clustered along the beach where the trade winds blew across from the New World.

“When will the boat come?” Matteo asked.

“Tomorrow,” the man replied. “If the harbor is watched as your brother claims, we will not be able to transport the merchandise.”

“We need not worry,” Matteo assured him. “The very teams sent to stop us will carry the materials for us.”

“Your brother is an angel!”

Matteo laughed. “The Wolf has been called many things, but an angel? Never.”

Four men strolled from a gated area at the base of the mountain. They wore white lab coats and carried either thermoses or metallic briefcases. Matteo waved. The four men smiled back.

Matteo extended his hand as he approached.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen,” he said. “I’m John Gelonese…”

October 18 - 9:12 am

CIA Headquarters

Langley, Virginia

Taking a handful of pills, Gordon washed them down with cold coffee. His secretary would gladly provide him with a hot cup, and he had a coffeemaker in his office if he chose to brew a fresh pot, but the taste and temperature of his caffeine were the least of his concerns. Reading the Svetlana Orskya report for the twelfth time established irrefutable doubt in Gordon’s mind. She convinced him that the country was more at risk now than ever before.

A mega-tsunami. Who would’ve thought?

When he had started in the agency, things had seemed simpler. The lines were easy to see, easier to draw. Now, in this global age where information flowed as readily as money and people, he could not account for what would come next or from which direction it would come. Biological warfare, computer and technological attacks, hell, mass invasions would be easier to combat.

The cataclysm of a mega-tsunami presented an irreversible calamity.

He punched a button on his desk, calling Christopher’s office.

“Christopher, I need you to check on something else.”

“Yes?”

“Every major real estate company with revenues over five hundred million a year.”

Christopher whistled. “That should limit my search. Domestic or foreign?”

“Both. Look for all major conglomerations, especially those that may have made recent land purchases along either coast. Check for high insurance policies too.”

“I’m on it.”

“Christopher,” he began.

“I know, sir. Keep my mouth shut. Honestly, it goes without saying.”

“It used to,” Gordon agreed. “But somebody’s been talking out of turn and I mean to find out whom.”

Gordon punched another button to terminate the call. As he did, Katherine entered his office.

“Take a seat,” he told her.

She stopped midstride, collected herself and claimed the chair across from him, looking as flawless and composed as ever. Scrutinizing her posture and eyes, he noticed that something wasn’t right. They’d worked together for twelve years, maintaining an intimate relationship for most of that time. He could sense her discomfort. No one else would have noticed. But he knew Katherine as no one else did.

“The autopsy, Katherine. The one regarding Sergei Aleksandr. Do you have the file?”

“I forwarded you a copy three days ago. We obtained confirmation from the blood and hair samples. I hand-delivered the lab results. Did you misplace it?”

Gordon thumbed through the piles of paper on his desk. “It was here…”

She smiled and flipped through the portfolio she carried and handed him a set of papers. “Here. Take mine. The official report is logged and filed. I can make another copy.” Her body shifted marginally, and the graceful muscles along her jaw and throat flexed.

“Are you… How are you, Katherine?”

“Tired, but otherwise fine.”

There were lines of tension around her eyes, and he didn’t like the way she avoided looking at him. But as they’d done for the last eight years, she would meet him at his home for dinner and an evening of no-strings sex. But clearly there were strings. Because he cared about her and recognized that something wasn’t right. “Perhaps you should leave early?”

“No. I’m waiting for Jared to check in.”

“Jared’s no fool. He’ll take to the ground until this blows over.”

“I’m worried about the woman.”

“Why?”

“It isn’t easy for a girl alone in the world. She’s in danger.”

“Is she?”

Katherine’s eyes narrowed. “Alone in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest? A target of terrorist assassins…I’d think the danger was obvious.” She cocked her head.

“You look,” Gordon hesitated… “I don’t know. Troubled. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No. I miss you,” she whispered.

With the high alert of an US attack, they had not been able to see much of each other. He cleared his throat. “Has a team swept through Svetlana Orskya’s cabin?”

She flinched, though if he hadn’t been watching so closely he would not have detected the motion.

“Yes, sir,” she said in a dead voice. “A team has been through.”

“Would you mind following up?”

“Of course.” She shuffled to her feet.

Gordon glanced at the papers on his desk. He caught the patter of her heels against the carpeted floor.

“Katherine.”

She turned with her hand on the door.

He frowned. “I miss you, too.”