“The submarine theory we had!” Jordan slammed a fist on the bar counter. “Do you have communication with Jared and Brock, Cruz?”
“No, there seems to be some interference. I’m trying to clear it up but so far, no luck. They’re out there blind.”
“What about Bill and the FBI agents?”
“They just captured three players two klicks north of Fadhil. I can’t make out who they are. That damn tunnel must have numerous branches.” Cruz’s voice droned in the background as he spoke in an aside to Kezlin before he addressed them again. “The backup team is two minutes out. They’ll be able to cut off Boneiro but they’re too far behind Fadhil. I’m sending two drones to Oyster Point. If there is a boat moored offshore, we’ll be able to see if Fadhil boards it.”
“So far, so good,” Tanner said with a grimace. He glanced at Jordan and Paxton, aware of their concern for Brock and Jared. “Don’t worry about them, kitties. Those two are the best in the business. Trust me, Boneiro is going down.”
“Do you still have eyes on Fadhil?” Jordan checked her rifle and ammo pouches as she started moving toward the door.
“Yeah, he’s still headed east. For a big man, he knows how to handle a small four wheeler.”
“Good, I’m going after him.”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you go alone,” Knox was next to her as she stepped out onto the front porch. “Save it, Jordan. I’m going.”
“Then you better put your warrior face on, sister,” she sneered as they mounted two rough terrain four-wheelers parked under a shaded lean-to next to the cabin. “If we’re going to catch him, it’s gonna be balls to the wall.”
They set off immediately in the direction Cruz directed them over the comms.
“How much farther,” Knox stood in a crouch on the four-wheeler and adjusted her backpack.
“Couple of klicks,” Cruz said. “You’ve managed to close the distance on Fadhil. If you can keep up that speed, you’ll catch him. There’s no docking bay in Oyster Bay but there is a boat moored next to the 1300 Veterans Boulevard Parking lot. It has to be where he’s heading but he’ll have to keep to back roads once he’s out of the Park. Yep, the motherfuckers on the boat are packing heat. Lining up the shots now.”
“What the hell was that!” Jordan bellowed and they instinctively ducked low from a muted explosion overhead.
“The bastards just blew the drones out of the sky! They’ve got shoulder-fired weapons,” Cruz’s curse echoed sharply over the comms. “Keep going, Jordan! We don’t have a way to stop Fadhil now.”
“Contact the Coast Guard. Tell them to be on the lookout for a speedboat making its way for either the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge or the Golden Gate. My guess is they’re heading out to the Farallon Islands to rendezvous with something bigger. Once we have eyes on it, I’ll confirm the type of boat.”
“On it.”
“Be careful out there, Jordan.” Brock’s deep voice over the comms was a welcome surprise.
“You’re back! Are you okay, babe?”
“I’m fine. Just keep your eyes and ears peeled. Fadhil is a clever bastard.”
“I know. Don’t worry, Brock. I’m onto him.”
“Gotto go… and Jordan…”
“Yeah, babe?”
“Keep my heart safe, little one. It beats inside you.”
Jordan was completely stumped for a second. He’d caught her completely off guard but his words were a declaration of his growing love and it gave her the strength she needed to push on.
“I’ll guard it with my life as long as you do the same with mine.”
“Have been for months, love.”
A volley of gunshots was followed by a low grunt.
“Brock! Brock! Goddammit! Talk to me. Please, tell me you’re okay.”
“Sorry, Jordan. We lost comms with them again.” Cruz sounded tense and worried.