“We should get back to headquarters,” Bryn said.“Warden needs to know about this.”
“You need anything?”Gunnar asked.
“Emmett’s snacks and a bottle of water in the car will do.”Bryn managed a smile.“Besides, this is the fun part, right?”
The ride back to GCR headquarters was tense.Bryn forced himself to focus on the implications of Malavita’s information.“Russo perfected the drug and created super-soldiers,” he mused.“How do we fight something like that?”
“Armed,” Gunnar replied.“And with a lot of backup.”
Emmett leaned between the seats to give Bryn a candy bar and some water.“Here.I think it all sounds very scary.”
Bryn unwrapped his treat then took a huge bite.“Me too, Emmett, me too.”
When they got back to Marlborough Street, they found Warden in his office, reviewing something with Giles.The moment they walked in, Warden gestured for them to take seats.
“I take it the reading was productive?”he asked.
“Productive is one way of putting it.Russo’s planning to massacre the entire Kozlov family at Pavel Kozlov’s memorial service this afternoon,” Gunnar said without preamble.“Using enhanced wolves and vamps.”
Warden frowned.“He made the drug work then.How many?”
“Six to eight confirmed but we can’t be certain of final numbers.There may be more.He’s going for a scorched earth approach.”
“And the FBI’s response?”
“Bell’s coordinating with his superiors, but he’ll be coming through official channels to request our help because of the gene-altered connection.”
Giles leaned back in his chair.“This could be exactly what we need.If we can capture some of these enhanced men, we’ll be able to analyze the drug.”
“At the cost of how many lives?”Bryn asked.“The Kozlov family may be criminals, but they don’t deserve to be slaughtered.”
“No one’s suggesting we let that happen,” Warden said.“But Giles has a point.This is an excellent opportunity to get more intelligence.The Feds should be able to close a net around Russo’s team now we know what the plan is.”
“Using the Kozlovs as bait,” Bryn said, not bothering to hide his distaste.
“Using the situation to our advantage,” Giles corrected.“The memorial service is happening whether we act or not.At least this way, we have a chance to prevent a massacre and capture some of Russo’s people.Maybe Russo himself, if we get lucky.”
“What about warning the Kozlovs?”Emmett asked.
“Absolutely not,” Giles said.“If they know we’re there, they’ll either run or try to handle it themselves.”
“And if something goes wrong?”Bryn challenged.“If Russo’s soldiers are as enhanced as Danilo Malavita thinks they are?”
“Then we adapt.”Warden turned back to them.“This is what we do, Bryn.We take calculated risks to protect civilians from threats they can’t handle themselves.”
Bryn wanted to argue, but the pounding in his head was making it difficult to think.The logical part of his mind knew Warden was right.They couldn’t pass up this opportunity.But the part of him that had read Katarina’s memories, that had felt her grief and rage, rebelled against using people as pawns.
“Fine,” he said.“But I want to be there.”
“Absolutely not,” Gunnar said.“This will be far too dangerous and besides, you’re in no condition to be in the field.You’re not hiding that headache very well.”
“I’m perfectly able to sit in a surveillance van, nice and safe,” Bryn retorted.“Besides, you have someone else who can poke around in people’s heads if it’s needed?”
“He has a point,” Warden said.“But you stay in the van.Gunnar, you’re his shadow.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Gunnar replied.
A slow smile spread across Giles’ handsome face.“This should be entertaining.”
