“Dad, please,” James pleaded.
“Sergeant, I have this. Mr. Richmond, your choice.” Troy glared.
“I’m paying for this. I’m done with this bullshit.”
Troy pointed to the door. When Mr. Richmond didn’t move, Troy grabbed his right arm, turned him around, placed him in a chokehold, and dropped him to his knees. “Trask, take out the trash for me.” Mrs. Richmond followed Trask meekly.
“I’m sorry, James.” Troy pulled up a chair.
“Troy, that was great. Thank you.”
“Look, I hate having to push, but we have a time-sensitive op in progress to avert two more people from getting hurt. I am trying to pinpoint where you were taken,” Troy asked.
James looked at the map. “We were wrapping up here.” He pointed.
Running his finger across the map, Troy could see he was struggling. “Nice deep breath. Close your eyes.”
James followed Troy’s instructions and reopened his eyes. “Blue building, dirt everywhere. The windows are blocked out. Over here somewhere.” James pointed.
“Fantastic job. I need to go. I’ll send in one of the nursing assistants to make sure you get yourself a reward to eat.”
“Troy, watch your six. People like me need people like you.”
“Thanks.” Troy gave him a thumbs up.
When the elevator opened, Trask was inside. “Boss, you okay?”
“Fine. He gave me a similar description to Jessie’s.”
“I wasn’t asking that. That was some takedown.” Trask raised a brow.
“I didn’t hurt anything, if that’s what you’re asking. I was not going to lose that takedown either.”
“I spoke with General North. He’s on his way down by helo, flying into Twentynine Palms too,” Trask said.
When Troy’s comm buzzed in his ear, he listened and looked up. “Clock is running twenty minutes out.”
He and Trask walked into the conference room where Josh Stone and Bravo Team’s alpha squad stepped to attention.
“At ease,” Troy ordered. “Thank all of you for being here. Our clock is ticking at eighteen minutes for dust up. Tech is analyzing satellite photos for a building similarly described by two victims as to the likely location where Gwen and Kip are being held. As far as the captors, we know Will Cook is one. We have a list of eleven other graduates of the Samuel Carter Academy.”
The door flew open, and Julian walked in. “You’re not doing this without me.”
“You have a new baby,” Troy huffed.
“Your point? Someone said on national television that it’s the nature of the job. So shut up.” Julian made a face at Troy.
“Okay, hit the head. Make your phone call. And leave your letter with Ian,” Troy said. The room cleared, leaving him alone with Ian. “Boss, make sure she’s taken care of.”
Ian nodded. “We will. You watch yourself. I don’t… damn it… the first day I knew you recognized me in that hospital bed… You’re as close to me as Kieran is… I’m not losing you. Do you hear me?”
Troy swallowed. “Roger.” Troy gave a two-finger salute, patted his heart and pointed at Ian. With a wink, he headed out.
Chapter 40
The ATV stopped in Johnson Valley. When the driver beeped the horn, one of the doors opened. Gwen’s heart sank at the sight of the familiar man. George Stacy opened the rear passenger door. She was too sluggish to react.
“Hi, Gwenny. I wish things could be different, but you know too much. That could destroy a lot of careers. And our fun.”
