Relentless (Option Zero 2)

“Maybe so, but this happened on my watch.”

“And you gave him the option of protection, which he declined. You’re gonna have to let the guilt go, man. Focus that energy on finding the bastards. Remember, there are at least a dozen victims needing to be rescued.”

As usual, Gideon’s sound reasoning was hard to argue against.

Liam jerked his head in assent. “Let’s go.”

While Sean, Serena, Jazz, and Xavier examined each room for any evidence that could be used, Liam, Gideon, and Eve took off down the stairs of the hidden tunnel. Even though the group was likely long gone, finding their exit point might give them a clue to where they were headed next.

The tunnel was damp and old, almost as old as the house. It hadn’t been on the original blueprints but likely had been added not too long after the house was built. Though musty smelling, the brick work had held up well. Whoever had built the tunnel had put some work into it.

Liam looked over his shoulder. “What are the odds that these pricks purchased the house without knowing about the tunnel?”

“I’d say that was the biggest selling point,” Gideon answered.

“Yeah. Chances are they’ve been transporting their victims through here all along.”

In grim silence, they continued through the tunnel. The only evidence of recent use was the cigarette butt at the entrance to the tunnel and a small scrap of fabric hanging from a protruding nail. Liam collected both items. Might not tell them anything, but he didn’t plan to leave any stone unturned.

The tunnel was shorter than he’d expected. Less than a mile. A small set of stairs led to an unlocked steel door. The hardware was only a few years old.

Guns at the ready, Liam pulled back the door and walked out into a small wooded area. Hearing Gideon and Eve behind him, he turned. “Looks like the ideal spot to bring in new people and take them out, too.” He made a 360 observance. “Plenty of tree cover. No houses close by. Bring them in under the cover of night, and no one’s the wiser.”

“Stryker, you copy?” There was a unique tension in Jazz’s voice.

“Yeah. What’s wrong?”

“I think we’ve figured out who gave them Myron. You’re going to want to see this in person.”

“Copy. I’ll be right there.” He swung his gaze over to Eve and Gideon. “You guys keep searching. Let me know if you find anything.”

With that, Liam took off back down to the tunnel and ran. Since he was no longer looking for clues, he made it to the house in less than five minutes.

Jazz met him at the entrance. “We searched every room and was about to call it a bust, then we found this lying in an ashtray.”

Taking the evidence bag Jazz held out, Liam didn’t need any explanation. There was only one man arrogant enough to have left the calling card. The Arturo Fuente cigar was not only one of the most expensive in the world, it was also one of the rarest. And Liam knew only one man who had a strong addiction to these cigars—Barnabas Drury.

Son of a bitch.

Chapter Fourteen

Burnsville, North Carolina

Aubrey gasped in delight as she rounded another curve and gazed up at the majesty before her. Oh how she loved the mountains! The forty-minute drive from the Asheville airport had been both awe-inspiring and breathtaking. The trees were gloriously colored in every hue and shade known to man. It took every bit of her willpower not to stop at the various pullover sites to snap a dozen pictures and just enjoy the beauty.

When the GPS voice announced she was close to the turnoff to her destination, Aubrey frowned. Had she typed in the right address? This heavily wooded patch of road didn’t look like home to anything other than forest creatures. When the voice announced her turn, she slowed to a crawl. And then she saw a sign that blended so well into the surroundings, it almost looked as though it was part of the forest. The sign simply said, Haven.

Intrigued, Aubrey turned onto the paved drive, following the curves for at least a mile. When she spotted the mansion, she lost her breath. It was one of the largest homes she’d ever seen in the US. That was saying a lot, since she had been to homes of some of Hollywood’s most elite. But this…this was as if someone had spirited an ancient castle away from the moors of England and dropped it into a small valley in North Carolina.

She’d done some research. Kate Walker was a former FBI agent who had married tech billionaire Lars Walker. Lars had died a few years ago from complications of Alzheimer’s. Kate had inherited his wealth and was apparently very much a recluse. Little was known about her current life. After she’d left the FBI, it was as if she had stopped existing. Looking at her home, Aubrey could understand why she would never leave. It was magnificent.

As she parked in front of the mansion and stepped out of the car onto the paved drive, Aubrey cautioned herself. Though Mrs. Walker could likely fund her entire project many times over, that didn’t mean Aubrey would agree to take her money. How much control would the woman want?

She’d had creative differences with Lawrence Medford but had known they could have eventually worked things out. That didn’t mean Kate Walker would have the same goals or vision. Either way, Aubrey would give any deal careful consideration before making a decision. She knew how she wanted to do this documentary. Having someone interfere, no matter how well meaning, wasn’t something she would allow.

“Aubrey, thank you for coming.”

A woman of indeterminate age came swiftly down the steps toward her. Dressed in gray slacks, white turtleneck and tweed jacket, Kate Walker was the epitome of casual elegance. Her hair was pulled back into an intricate braid, and though she wore little makeup, her pale pink lipstick emphasized full lips and a light application of mascara brought out the emerald green of her eyes. She was slender but not fashionably so and had a twinkle in her eyes that made Aubrey warm to her immediately.