“We’re at Parker’s excavation site.And during the quake we discovered an Operation Gladio arms cache underground.”
She would know what Operation Gladio was and what could be contained in an arms cache.
“Are you both ok?”
“We’re a little dinged, but essentially ok.I’m wounded and cannot pull myself out.I called Jacob Black to coordinate a military response.”
She took a moment, and he gave it to her.There were a thousand unexpressed things here.Caroline would be a little miffed that he hadn’t called her to organize a cordon around the arms.But she knew it wasn’t really her call, and the Consulate was not officially involved.And the Consulate would definitely not have specialized personnel.The Consulate had some Marines but was mainly staffed by admins.She also knew Jacob Black would know exactly who to call.
“Right.Do you need anything?”
“Nothing that the Consulate can provide.”The Consulate’s Marine guards were good men, but there weren’t enough of them.And the Marines could not desert the Consulate, particularly after a heavy earthquake.
“Right.So Parker’s okay?”
“Yes.”
“Make sure she stays that way,” Caroline said and closed the connection.
“Is Aunt Caroline alright?”Parker asked, with a little frown of anxiety.“She hold up in the earthquake?”
“She seemed fine.”Nick bent to kiss the frown away.“A little miffed I didn’t call her first.And I have strict instructions to look after you.”
“Call her first?Why would you call the Consulate first?Isn’t this a military matter?”
She got it.“Exactly.I called her as a courtesy and probably shouldn’t have.But I’m not in the military anymore and don’t have a chain of command.I called Jacob Black because he knows exactly?—”
Nick’s satphone rang and he held up a finger, looking at who the caller was.Jacob, getting back to him.That was quick.Jacob had set it to a video call.
“Speaking of the devil… Hey what have you got?”
Jacob nodded.“The Naples Security Force from the Naples naval base is arriving right away to secure the site.They’re en route.A NEST team from Norfolk is en route too, but they won’t land until after midnight.NATO is scrambling its CBRN unit from Brussels.But you’re free to go as soon as the Security Force gets there.They’ll extract you and you get the hell out of Dodge.The Security Force will have a medic.”
“Gladly get out of Dodge.And get Parker out of Dodge.Can’t wait.But I don’t know what state my vehicle is in.”
“No problem.I’ll let them know they need to provide a car and a driver.Someone will get your vehicle later.You guys okay?”
“Yeah.Will be good to get out of here, though.”
Jacob gave a wintry smile.“Trust me.When the cavalry arrives, they won’t want you there.They can’t wait to get you out of there, either.”
“Ditto.”
“Oh, Dylan’s coming, too.He was in Rome, wrapping up negotiations with Niram Shipping, as you know, and he’s flying in, to help.”
Dylan Gardner.Besides Jacob Black, his best friend.They’d fought together, bled together.But why the fuck?—
“Wait.”Nick scowled at the screen.“You told him I was wounded, didn’t you?”
Jacob remained impassive.“Maybe.”
“Damn.”If Dylan thought Nick was in need and wounded, there was nothing in this life, or even after, that would keep him away.“So when is he arriving?”he asked, resigned.This excavation site was going to be busier than the train station in Rome, Stazione Termini.
Jacob checked his watch.“Probably in about an hour.I sent him your coordinates.”
“Dylan loves skydiving.He’ll probably jump out of the plane, land right on top of us.”
“Probably.Keep me informed.”
