“If we had we could have hunted them down before any of this happened.” The chief took a deep breath. “Do you think there are any more of them around?”

  Flame shrugged. “I have no idea. I did notice that the two attackers we had yesterday were young guys—early twenties maybe.” He indicated the bodies that were being removed. “Two of the new ones—the ones who shot your deputies—are older—forties, maybe fifties.”

  “Do you think that’s significant?”

  “Again, I have no idea. It might mean something—it might not.”

  “Should I leave a deputy on guard here?” The chief looked around. “Would it help?”

  “I think Aesop and I can handle this end of things.” As he spoke, Flame glanced over at the Forrest family, now awake and numbly watching as the police moved black body bags past their house and into the ambulance sitting in the drive. They look scared, Flame thought, nodding grimly. I can’t blame them.

  He turned back to the chief. “You gonna run the prints and DNA on this bunch through the various official data bases?”

  The older man snorted. “Does a bear shit in the woods?”

  “Let me know if you get a hit, will you?”

  “You’ll know as soon as I do.”

  “Also,” Flame hesitated. “Let me know how your deputy does. Maybe I can come over to the hospital and visit.”

  The chief nodded, “I’m going there now.” Flame saw the pain in his eyes. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  Flame gave him a comradely clap on the back and watched as he headed for his car. He looks older, the big SEAL thought, as if he’s aged a decade in a day.

  The ambulance pulled out, followed by the chief and his men. Flame walked to the house and escorted the family inside as silence once again surrounded them…

  ***

  Dana was on her third cup of coffee as she got off the Metro and headed for her office. The station was nearly empty this early but she knew that the federal office workers would fill it soon enough.

  For now, she enjoyed the solitude.

  Bivens was not at his desk when she unlocked the office door—the first time that had happened in more than a week.

  Maybe my orders to get some sleep have finally gotten through to him, Dana thought. Or maybe his alarm didn’t go off.

  Whichever it was, she welcomed the blessed silence as she activated her own computer. I need to figure this out, she told herself. The repeated attempts on the Forrest girl mean something. She brought up the accounts of the managers the CFO had requested them to go through. Eric gave them a clean bill of health. She began to page through the data. But maybe he missed something—something small, subtle…

  She found herself relaxing as she worked through the minutiae. It was good to be doing something useful, something familiar. She thought of Flame several hundred miles north. He’s doing his job—keeping the girl safe. She leaned closer to her screen. It’s time for me to do the same. She yawned, stretched her arms upward—it had been two days since she had a full night’s sleep. I just wish I wasn’t so tired…

  She stared at screen, her eyes slowly closing. I need some coffee. She saw something glide by—something important. Wait… She scrolled back, leaned forward. Her eyelids dropped as she studied the information in front of her over and over again, her dulled mind unable to make sense of it…

  She was sound asleep at her console when Bivens arrived an hour or so later.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Masayo Kano lay on her bed, hating everyone around her. She hated the men who had held and beaten her. She hated the young women who had stood around, watching.

  Most of all, she hated her father for not paying whatever ransom these men wanted to set her free.

  He watched while they did that to me, she thought, remembering the camera set up in front of her. Watched as they shamed me in a way I have never been shamed before.

  She winced as she shifted her position, her sore bottom aching as it moved against the rough blanket.

  Now these men—these Gaijin demons—will feel they have license to do it again. And next time, they may do something even worse to me. She trembled as she thought of what they might—and could—do.

  And whatever they do, they will force my father will watch! She had no idea where the camera images had been sent. As will dozens—hundreds, perhaps thousands of strangers!

  She hid her face in the sweat-stained pillow that was all she had been allowed. I will die if they do it again. Die while they all watch.

  Die before my father’s eyes.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Dana woke to the aroma of good, strong coffee.

  “Glad you’re finally back with us.” Bivens grinned from his console. “I went out to Starbucks about an hour ago.” He gestured toward a tall cup on the corner of her desk. “I think that’s the way you like it.”

  “Thanks,” Dana pushed herself upright and made a grab for the coffee. “I guess I need it.” She looked around and saw the sunlight coming in through the windows. “What time is it?”

  “Not quite eleven.” He raised an eyebrow. “You must have had quite a night!”

  “It was Flame.” She swallowed more of the coffee, the dark liquid filling her with warmth. “There was another try at the Forrest girl.”

  “How many dead this time?”

  “Four.”

  Bivens shook his head and whistled softly. “I’m glad he’s on our side.”

  “You don’t know the half of it.” Dana thought back to Mexico and the running battle along the freeway that she and Flame had won with their foe just a few hundred yards from his target—and a potential national disaster.

  “Incidentally, your cell phone went off a while ago.” He pointed to where Dana had left it on the edge of the desk. “I saw it was a text but didn’t think I should read it.”

  “Probably wouldn’t have mattered.” She glanced at the message, and saw it was from the admiral, requesting a meet around lunchtime. “But I’m glad you’re still security conscious.”

  “I don’t know about that.” He shrugged. “Right now I just want to make sure I don’t do anything that might piss you off and get me shuffled back to that damned box store.”

  “It’s always good to have a goal—even if it’s a negative one.” She finished the coffee and glanced back at her screen.

  And remembered something.

  “Eric, I was going over accounts when I fell asleep—accounts from that Gulf State Bank that’s been taking in all the ransom funds.”

  “And?”

  “I found something odd.” She pointed to the figures on the screen. “Check these out.”

  He did something with his fingers and the image on her screen was duplicated on the big one at his desk. “I don’t see anything…”

  “Check out this investment account—the really big one.” She pointed. “Every time a payment comes in, money goes into this account—not all the money, but enough to be noticeable.” She looked at Eric. “It’s possible the same thing is happening with similar accounts—check it out, will you?”

  “Will do.” Eric split the screen, pulled up saved data and began running a comparison. “Although with stock markets all over the world rising and falling every second, it may be nothing at all.”

  “Maybe not,” Dana shrugged. “But anything unusual is worth a look.”

  “I’ll check it out.”

  “Please.” Dana tossed the coffee cup into the trash. “Anything else going on?”

  “I’ve narrowed the search on the videos these guys are transmitting—they’ve sent seven so far.”

  “I assume they’re bouncing them through a series of IP addresses.”

  “They are,” he waved her closer. “But I’ve been analyzing the imagery,” he said while he called up one of the early videos—with a pretty blonde girl staring at the camera. “The camera they’re using automatically tags the video with a time and date stamp when it takes an image and when it sends one over the internet.” He keyed in a series of commands. “Note that this was not transmitted live—it was recorded on a Wednesday but didn’t go out for nearly twenty hours.”

  “So?”

  “So these guys are holed up in an isolated location with no internet access. They probably travel to another location—an internet café, maybe—and send the video from there.”

  “Any way to get that location?”

  “Maybe.” He called up the IP information embedded in the transmission. “It’s been bounced around some—as you assumed—but I might be able to backtrack to the original source.” He shrugged. “It’s going to take some time.”

  “There might be a way to narrow the possibilities.” Dana had been staring at the original video on her own screen. “Call up that video again.”

  “What do you see?”

  “Look at the girl.” Dana touched the screen with her finger. “See how erect her nipples are?”

  “Yeah,” he shrugged. “She’s scared—with good reason.”

  “Check out the way the man we can see is dressed. He’s wearing a long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and boots of some kind.” She raised an eyebrow. “See any sweat on either one of them?”

  “They’re not in the Mid-East!”

  “We’d see signs.” She bit her lip. “Check the audio track—separate it out, eliminate the voices, maybe we can get something there.”

  “It’ll take some time.” He grinned. “Not like those CSI shows on TV.”

  “Go ahead and get on it.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m going to go home, grab a shower…” She touched her hair. “I need it, then join the…” She stopped herself. “Join one of my contacts for lunch.” She grabbed her jacket. “Call me if anything comes up.”

  “Will do.” Eric smiled. “And say ‘Hi’ to the admiral for me.”

  “You did read my text!”

  “No I didn’t,” Eric’s smile widened. “But I was—am…” He shrugged. “An intelligence analyst and I am well aware you and the admiral are pretty close. It didn’t take much for me to assume that he’d be the most likely government contact we might have.”

  “Don’t tell anyone else.”

  “No chance of that.” He tapped the side of his temple. “Not while I can still remember that damned box store!”

  Dana watched him turn back to his console as she exited. He hasn’t changed much, she thought. Just as smart as ever. She snorted. He’ll have to be if we’re going to find out where these girls are…

  She exited the building that held her office and turned west toward the Metro stop. She didn’t notice the van parked across the street or the eyes that watched her from inside that van.

  ***

  Flame finally managed to get into bed a couple of hours before sunrise. He left Aesop on guard, confident that the big man could handle anything that came up.He moves pretty well, Flame thought as he settled into his bedding, even with that artificial leg. He yawned. I’ll offer him a permanent spot—he was always a good guy to have watching your back and now that I’m sure he can still do the job…

  He yawned again.

  But that will wait until tomorrow. For now… He closed his eyes. It’s time to get some sleep!

  Like most military men, Flame could fall asleep anywhere at anytime—he did that now and was snoring within seconds.

  And dreaming soon after.

  Shit! He found himself in that same water-drenched and shadowed room that he had visited so many times before. What do I know that I haven’t allowed myself to see? He had come to the conclusion that these dreams were just a way for his subconscious to nudge his conscious about things he had missed while awake. Who’s going to come? He looked around, the M4 in his arms familiar to the touch.

  It was Mo.

  “Hey, lover.” She smiled at him from the other side of the room, somehow visible even in the darkness. “Glad to see you’re keeping fit.”

  “Mo!” Flame tried to move toward her but found himself restrained by some invisible force.

  “You like the Forrest girl, don’t you?”

  “She’s a child, Mo.” Flame shook his head. “She’s only eighteen years old!”

  The dark-haired marine smiled at him. “That wouldn’t have stopped you in Virginia Beach, would it?” She moved toward him. “Hell, what were you doing when you were her age?” She came closer. “Trying to enlist?”

  “It’s not the same…”

  “I know it’s not.” She was only a few feet away now. “And I admire your attempt to do the right thing.” Her finger touched his cheek. “But you need someone—and she might be good for you.”

  “I can’t…”

  “Not now.” Her face was close now, inches away. “I know that. But don’t push her away.” She smiled at him. “Don’t close that door.” She kissed his eyelids, brushed her lips across his. “I want you to be happy, Flame.” She held her head between her hands. “And I think she might be the one to make you happy.”

  “Mo…”

  And she was gone.

  Shit! Flame shook his head. Was she—or was it me—right? Would Kimberly be good for me?

  He didn’t know, but it was something to think about assuming that he—and the girl—survived whatever it was that was going on.

  ***

  Back in the District, Dana enjoyed a quick shower before climbing into her car and heading out. The admiral had suggested they go back to their original meeting place in Manassas. It served a decent burger—perfect for a lunch meeting.

  Traffic was heavy until Dana got past the Pentagon, then it was clear sailing through the Virginia countryside until she pulled into the graveled parking lot of the bar they had chosen.

  Admiral’s not here yet, she thought, running her eyes over the few vehicles in the little parking lot and ignoring the dark-colored van that pulled into a spot just to her right. Just as well. It was her turn to buy the drinks today.

  She locked her car and headed for the door.

  Before she moved ten feet, she heard a sound on the gravel behind her. She started to turn, curious who was in such a hurry…

  A foul-smelling bag was suddenly pulled over her head!

  Shit! Dana tried to pull out her handgun—but her arms were pinned to her sides by the bag. She tried to struggle, tried to push the bag up high enough to let her see her attackers.

  It was no use.

  Dana wished she’d had more time at the Farm—the CIA training facility—but she did remember one thing they’d taught her.

  Don’t panic. She swallowed hard. And when you’re held by a larger opponent…

  She brought the heel of her shoe back—hard—and felt it bite into the shin of the man who was holding her. She felt his grip weaken and tried once again to pull away.

  Something—a forearm, a fist—something, smashed against the side of her head. Dana slumped, the world shrinking around her. She heard the rapid beating of her own heart, felt hands touch her shoulders and tighten into her flesh, then…

  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

  The sound echoed around her as she fell in what felt like slow motion to the gravel below.

  ***

  “Dana!” A hand shook her. “Are you all right?!”

  Dana slowly opened her eyes—and quickly blinked away tears at the unexpected brightness. As her sight returned to normal she saw a familiar face.

  “Admiral.”

  “How are you?” He was kneeling alongside her. “Can you move?”

  “I…” Dana touched her head, wincing at the pain. “I’m okay, I think.” She sat up, helped along by the older man’s hand on her shoulders. “What happened?”

  “I believe that someone wanted to make you disappear.” The admiral gestured at the two bodies sprawled facedown in the gravel at her side. “They were trying to drag you away when I pulled up.” He tapped an engraved 1911 Colt he’d stuck into his belt. “Fortunately, I had Old Betsy here with me, although...” He glanced at the nearer of the two. “I seem to be a bit out of practice.” He smiled at Dana. “It took me two shots to take that one down.”

  “Any idea who they were?”

  “That’s what I was going to ask you.” He glanced around. “I’m sure the bartender has called the police by now.” He looked into her eyes. “Can you hold yourself up?”

  “I’m fine.” Dana nodded.

  “I’m going to let you go.” He did so, waiting a moment to make sure she didn’t fall over. “Good—keep an eye out while I…” He moved to the nearest of the men. “See what I can find on these two.” He began to work his way through the man’s pockets. “No wallet—not a surprise.” He held up a key ring. “Car keys only.” He patted the man’s jacket. “Nothing else.” He shrugged. “Let’s check the other one.” He moved to the second man. “Aha!” He held up a cigarette lighter. “Look what we have here!” He flipped it to Dana who caught it—surprising herself. “The crest look familiar?”

  She stared at the design—identical to the one Flame had discovered. “Son of a bitch!” She muttered.

  “Indeed.” Dorrance stood up. “It’s what I asked you here to talk about.” He reached a hand down to help Dana to her feet, grabbing her when she almost fell down. “You okay?”

  “It’s my shoe.” Dana looked down. “Heel’s broken off.”

  “Probably still stuck in that guy’s shin.” The admiral grinned. “You kicked him pretty hard.”

  “I can stand.” She pulled her shoes off and found she could balance with no problems. “What have you found out about that crest?”

  “Later.” The admiral made sure she was stable and stepped away from her. “I’ll drop you a text to let you know when.”

  “Why delay?” Dana rubbed her forehead, wincing as she touched a bruise that was probably already black and blue. “Why can’t we talk now?”

  “Two bodies.” The admiral nodded toward them. “Police on the way.”

  “Oh.” Dana nodded. “Sorry—I guess I’m still a little rocky.”