True Honor

“Do we need to wait until tonight to slip into the hotel?”

  “I hope not. Be inconspicuous.”

  Wolf laughed.

  Their DIA escort popped the trunk and waved them to dump gear.

  “Who’s leading the takedown team?” Sam asked.

  “The Brits. I understand you’ve met Major Hamilton at least once before.”

  “Brandon’s friend who plays jolly good piano?” Wolf asked.

  Their DIA escort laughed. “That’s him.”

  “A good man.” Sam remembered him from Morocco. “Where are they at with preparations?”

  “Waiting for the word go. They took over a local warehouse and laid out a model of the penthouse floor to practice in. The planning is done; the rehearsals are running three times a day. I’m surprised how well the pieces have fallen in place.”

  Their driver took them through town and to the warehouse. Upon their arrival the warehouse door rose, allowing them to pull inside to park out of sight.

  Major Hamilton strode over to be the first to meet them. “Joe called and said he was sending his Bear Cubs. Jolly good to see you, Wolf, Cougar. We can always use two more shooters.” He and Sam shook hands. “I understand you’ve got a personal interest in this one, mate.”

  “You might say that.” Sam slipped Darcy’s picture taken during the carrier visit out of his pocket and showed it to Hamilton.

  “St. James, a fine lady. She briefs us every morning on happenings during the night and is one of the more pleasant voices in our ears conveying security camera images.”

  “Luther tried to have her killed.”

  “The man must be daft.” The major looked between the two of them. “We can use two men in the tail if you’re interested.”

  It was a better offer than Sam had hoped for given the circumstances. “We accept.” Sam was glad to be in the action, even if it amounted to securing the stairwells. This was a frustrating war, with many missions gathering intelligence, a few assignments where they had been given the green light to act, and a lot of waiting. It was hard to maintain his patience. They had a few thousand opponents spread around the world. It wasn’t often they got one pinned down like this. Sam wanted Luther.

  “Major.”

  The man turned at the call. “Excuse me. I need to take this phone call straightaway.”

  Sam left his duffel bag beside Wolf. “I’m heading over to the hotel. Stay with the guys and get acclimated; I’ll be back for the run-through.”

  Wolf was already checking out the new communication gear. “You sure you don’t want me to cover your six?”

  “I appreciate the offer. Stay, it looks like some interesting toys.”

  Wolf rubbed his hands together as he smiled. “I’ll say.”

  Sam caught the attention of his DIA escort and pointed to the car. He wanted to see Darcy, and the fact he was only miles from her raised that urgency.

  The DIA escort drove him to the hotel and slipped him in through the side entrance being used by the groundskeeping staff. “I’ll be back at 11:45.”

  “I’ll meet you here.” Sam took the stairs two at time. The corner room where Darcy was supposed to be was to the left as he came out of the stairwell. He tapped on the door.

  “Stay put, Gabriel. I’ll get it,” Darcy called from inside. The doorknob turned with a brisk twist. “Sam.”

  He caught the breadstick she dropped. “Hi, honey.”

  Her surprise turned to a laugh. “Warn me next time you’re going to show up unannounced and I’ll make sure I’m not wearing the modern art shirt Gabriel calls a collision.”

  He absorbed her laughter and relished the chance to study her. “The shirt does give the concept of color new meaning.”

  She tugged him inside the room. He nodded a greeting to Gabe sitting in front of the bank of monitors. Darcy’s partner hadn’t known he was coming, but the man didn’t look the least bit surprised. Sam handed Darcy back her breadstick. “An early lunch or a late breakfast?”

  “Probably both. The definition of time has become rather mixed up.” She crossed over to the dresser that held an assortment of trays to put the breadstick down. “Pull up a chair if you can find one. We’re in the watching game right now. I’m on shift for another forty minutes.”

  Sam found one not stacked with paper. “What are we watching?”

  “Gabriel was kind and gave me the hotel lobby. It’s easier to pay attention when there’s something to watch beyond a closed elevator door.” Darcy settled sideways onto her chair, putting her feet up on a cardboard box she’d fit into a niche between the monitors. “This chair is a misery device after the first few hours.” She pointed to the left monitor. “The hotel’s special guests check in there; these two monitors show the general lobby. I’m watching for anyone who seems familiar.”

  Sam had seen a lot of Darcy’s expressions during the past months. The focus to her work absorbed her in a new way, and the lightness disappeared when she wasn’t looking at him. This grief . . . it was new and deep.

  “Something is wrong. What’s happened, Dar?”

  “Sergey is dead,” she said softly. “He went after Luther, and he didn’t come back.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. I hadn’t heard.”

  “It’s been kept quiet so that Luther doesn’t find out we’re around.”

  Sam reached over and rubbed her shoulder. “When?”

  “Sometime between Wednesday and Friday.” She looked back at him. “You had to let the shipment of explosives go through. I’m sorry.”

  “The Navy is tracking the boat. We’ll still be able to pick it up.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Will you be part of this takedown?”

  “Wolf and I are going to be in the tail.”

  “I’m actually relieved you’ll be involved; we have to stop these guys.” She pointed to the monitor with red tape across the top. “Luther’s up there on the penthouse level, probably eating breakfast. Just looking at that screen makes me furious. He can afford that room because of profits from terrorist acts.” She pointed to the schematic. “Vladimir is in this room. He has a pattern of sorts to his security walkaround. Although no two days have been alike, the places he checks are somewhat predictable. He’s getting relaxed.”

  “The party guests are here.”

  She nodded. “Nine guests are now on the penthouse level and Reservations have the others arriving throughout today. Jerry remains the wild card. We’re not sure if he died stopping Sergey. All we know is that he didn’t arrive with Luther.” She reached for her glass. “Could you get me a refill? Cold sodas are in the ice chest we temporarily left in the tub.”

  “Glad to. Have you been getting any sleep?”

  She smiled. “Sleep. What’s that?”

  AUGUST 16

  Friday, 8:12 p.m.

  Pierre Hotel / Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas

  Renee’s birthday party was well underway. Darcy pushed off her headphones. “I can’t listen to this, Gabriel.” The listening devices planted in the flower vases gave them good audio of the main rooms in the suite. Too good. They had Luther on tape now, in conversation about a soccer game, talking about stocks, commenting on the weather and pleasant travel.

  Gabe nodded toward Sam. “Go take a walk. All of this is streaming to tape. It’s not likely we’ll hear where he stashed all his money. I’ll call if there are any movements we haven’t already anticipated.”

  She nodded. They weren’t going to take Luther in the suite with so many guests present. But if Luther tried to leave, they would stop him. “I want him, Gabriel.”

  “So do I. This party works to our benefit—they are going to be tired and less alert. The guests will leave, then we’ll take Luther.”

  Another day, another two days of waiting. She could endure this; she had no choice.

  Sam held out his hand. “Come on, Dar. We can walk the stairs if nothing else.”

  The room was crowded with agents keeping an eye on the monitors. P
rivacy wasn’t to be found here. She grasped his offered hand. “Is your partner going to tag along to watch your back?”

  Tom, stretched out on the bed, shifted the magazine he had spread over his face to provide some darkness. “Cougar, are you going to get lost?”

  “Don’t plan to.”

  Tom moved the magazine back up. “Then have fun, kids. I’m enjoying this article.”

  Darcy laughed.

  “What’s it about?” Sam asked.

  “Ask me when I figure out how to read German. The pictures show cool-looking cars. They are fueling a few dreams.”

  Sam picked them up two sodas and held the door for her. Darcy followed him to the stairs where there was some privacy from any possible guest or staff who might be working for Vladimir. She took a seat on the stairs.

  “Don’t want to walk?”

  “Not stairs. I don’t mind going down, but it’s the coming back up that I hate.”

  He settled beside her.

  She opened the soda he handed her and let herself relax for the first time since this shift began. “This desperately needs to be over. They are up there partying; I want them behind bars for the rest of their lives. Just don’t get hurt up there. I don’t think I could handle going up several floors to see you getting patched up after being shot.”

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “You know I will. And, Dar—the party we are going to have after Luther’s captured will make theirs seem tame.”

  “I bet SEALs throw good parties.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. She was worn-out and grateful he let the silence between them stretch out. “Have you been able to call home recently?”

  “I got through to my mom yesterday. What about you? Have you talked with Amy?”

  “A couple times. A tree blew down and took out part of my new fencerow. She said the oak chest I ordered is in. I’m homesick.”

  “It’s a good thing to be.”

  She closed her eyes. He could watch out for trouble for the next few minutes. “Would you wake me in a bit?”

  He rubbed her back. “Sure.”

  She let herself drift to sleep.

  * * *

  Sam shifted Darcy to a more comfortable position. She had fallen deeply asleep quickly; the last few days had worn her out. He studied her as she slept, smiling. Even her eyelashes were beautiful. The ring in his pocket would have to wait for another time. He wanted to give her a more impressive memory for the occasion than a stairwell. Maybe a day or two from now this would be over, and that would be possible.

  The logistics of making it work . . . They had both overcome tougher problems than geography. She might struggle to find words for the deep emotions she felt, but she excelled at adapting. They would find a workable plan. He’d found the perfect partner for his future. He kissed her forehead and settled back to let her sleep as long as she could.

  AUGUST 19

  Monday, 9:45 a.m.

  Pierre Hotel / Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas

  Darcy unwrapped a piece of gum, her eyes never leaving the monitor. Her chair had been relegated to the other side of the room. It was game time, and she was one of the people directing what was about to unfold.

  A faint hum in her ear sounded as someone came on the secure communication link. “The last guests have just cleared the lobby. They didn’t forget anything that would have them coming back upstairs. I’ve seen everything from golf bags to luggage going down.”

  “Roger that.”

  The penthouse level now held just their critical three people: Renee, Vladimir, and Luther. This mission was a go. Darcy looked at the clock. Renee had an appointment for a facial. They would go in as soon as she left the penthouse. Darcy saw movement on the security camera they had tapped into for the penthouse level.

  “Renee is leaving. Stand ready,” Darcy informed the leader of the assault team. “She’s in the elevator. Hold for doors closed.” These seconds mattered; they didn’t want Renee coming back up for some reason right in the middle of this, but they also needed to use the cover of the moving elevator noise to their advantage. “Doors are closed.” She touched her stopwatch. “Twenty seconds of sound cover is now running.”

  “Go, teams one and two,” the team leader ordered.

  The monitor in the stairwell caught the movement as the assault team rushed up the stairs. The second team came down from the roof, using the temporarily suspended service elevator shaft so they could fast-rope down to the exact distance.

  Darcy paced two steps in one direction, rocked on her heels, then paced two steps back, keeping her focus on the monitors.

  Their team had done everything they could to ensure they were in control for this. Renee had given them the perfect moment to act. They were going in to take the two men and end this now. She could only watch how it played out.

  Lord, please don’t let anyone on the team get hurt; don’t let Sam and Tom get into trouble. I want Luther, but not at the cost of someone I love.

  “Move in!” the team leader ordered. Men rushed through the stairway doors and the bells clanged as the service elevator door was jammed open. Battering rams crashed and splintered wood. Darcy braced for the sound of gunfire. The monitors on the penthouse level didn’t extend into the rooms and suites. She could only listen as agents called rooms clear to have a sense of the progress.

  “Clear!”

  “Clear in the east room.”

  The voices rumbled in a quick sequence as the plan executed and then the words came more slowly. The team leader began calling off names checking the floor. One by one they reported back clear. It was what she wasn’t hearing that had Darcy biting her knuckles.

  The team leader spoke on the secure net. “They aren’t here!”

  “You’re sure?” Gabriel demanded.

  “This floor is empty,” the man replied. “Luther and Vladimir somehow got away. Look around, Gabe. How did they get by us and when?”

  Gabe pushed the pager alarm, triggering the contingency plan they had hoped never to use, rushing agents into the lobby, restaurants, and hallways of the hotel. “What did we miss?”

  Darcy scrambled to run back tapes. They had Luther and Vladimir on tape early this morning seeing out some of the guests. She ran back through the video of Renee going downstairs and saw nothing. Over the secure communication link she could hear power screwdrivers whining as ductwork was opened and men tried to find some way Luther and Vladimir had been able to squeeze off the floor unseen.

  She fast-forwarded through the tapes of this morning. She stopped the tape showing the last departing group of Renee’s guests. Six people, the group from Germany. An older couple, three men, and one woman. She would have to return that Intelligence Star. “The disguise isn’t perfect but it’s decent. That’s Vladimir. That means one of these two must be Luther. This guy, from the general build.”

  Gabe touched his mike. “Team leader, they slipped out in that last group of guests.” Darcy held up the clipboard. “They have . . . fifty-seven minutes on us. That puts them possibly well outside the hotel perimeter.

  “Activate the containment plan for the harbor, the airport. They’ll likely leave Nassau for a nearby city and depart from there.”

  “Already done.” Darcy was punching in the new code, activating teams around the city.

  Gabriel pointed to the city map. Darcy tugged it over for him. “Team leader, finish the search for any communication gear and then egress. We take Renee. She may know where they’re heading.”

  “On it, Gabe.”

  Darcy circled places on the map where she’d head if she were Vladimir and Luther and getting away was her priority. “I underestimated them. Vladimir is good. I didn’t give him enough credit to be able to do something like this.”

  Gabe pointed to the tape playback. “Look at the time they left—they may not know we are on to them. That close call with Sergey may have taught Luther something about listening to those who know tradecraft. What better way
to cover a trail than to stroll out the front door and catch a limousine booked under another name, take a private flight under a new name? They may have intended all along to walk away from this hotel undercover.”

  She blinked and grabbed hold of the idea, for at least it gave them hope. “Okay. My problem is that Sergey thought like this guy, and I’m still learning. Luther’s not rushing to leave. He and Vladimir had a specific destination in mind.”

  Gabriel went on the net. “Team leader, Luther left disguised, but it may have been part of his original plan. He may not know we’re on to him.”

  “If we have to take him while he’s in public . . . ,” the team leader pointed out.

  “I hear you. It can’t be helped. We have to stop him here, now.” Gabe looked at Darcy. “If he’s still in Nassau, what are we missing that will help us find him?”

  Darcy hit Rewind to play the segment back again. I’ve already blown our best shot to get them, Lord. What’s the second best option? What am I missing? “Breakfast. No one brought breakfast up for Luther this morning.”

  “Good. He may stop at a favorite restaurant.”

  “A helicopter pad. He won’t fly by plane from here. He’d want to transfer to another island before creating a paper trail because Renee is still here. Tourist charters. Didn’t Sergey say that Luther had bought an island and a hotel or an island and a charter service, something like that?”

  Gabriel smiled. “He’s been ducking us by lingering in the one place we knew he avoided: among tourists.”

  It was a lead, but how did she get her hands around it given there was no time? “Do you have an idea how many charter services provide helicopter tours within this area?”

  The hotel room door opened and Tom and Sam joined them. Gabriel pointed at Tom. “I need some information fast. How many helicopters are departing this island airspace right now?”

  Tom grabbed the secure satellite phone to DIA to set up a picture relay from the nearest surveillance flight. “It’s probably faster just to go on the roof and count them.” Tom reached for the case of cables to get the hi-res screen changed over to the satellite feed.

  Darcy grabbed binoculars. “I agree.” She headed toward the door.