“Sir, I’m Zachary Wentworth.”
Troy chewed his lip. Zach always introduced himself using his full name to people he didn’t trust. When his name came back to him, he knew where it came from.
“These men all hold rank, and they have positions throughout the command between Pendleton, Bridgeport, and here. We’ve positively identified Major William Cook, military police, and Senior Special Agent George Stacy, NCIS. In addition to being involved in these crimes, we believe Stacy murdered his supervisor, Richardson Boyle. He was killed after he shared some information about other cases,” Zach said.
“We’ve confirmed twenty-five cases, but we suspect many more that may have been misclassified.” Troy shook his head. “These are photos of our two employees.” He pulled them out, and his gloved thumb ran across Gwen’s photo. “We have Major Cook, in uniform, kidnapping Gwen North and Kip Brennan.”
“That explains why Lieutenant General Glenn North from the National Training Center at Fort Irwin is flying in aboard a Pave Hawk requesting search and rescue clearance,” the sergeant major said.
“Yes, sir. Gwen is his daughter.”
“Gwenny North. That was such a shame. You remember her, Derek. She was held by ISIS. They did a number on her,” Colonel Hurst said.
Zach stepped back and raised his automatic rifle. Julian and Wes followed. Trask and Tim stepped around Troy and blocked anyone from getting close to him.
“What’s the matter with you people?” Hurst bellowed.
“Hurst, you went to Sam Carter Military Academy?” Troy asked.
“That isn’t a crime.” Hurst began to walk away.
“I don’t think so. Where are they?” Troy hissed.
“Hurst, what are they saying?” the commanding general asked.
“Oh please, Derek, you’re a bleeding heart. The change ofthe military includes womenBS.The culture has to change.Yeah, it does. There’s no place for women. And, Bremen, I’m surprised Ian and Kieran Chase are sanctioning this,” Hurst said.
Troy lifted his chin. “Why is that?”
“I’d figure they’d keep you locked up inside, considering,” Hurst said.
“Say it, Colonel. Put it out there,” Troy’s voice rumbled on the tarmac. Trask stepped directly in front of him to defend him.
“Face it, you got in over your head. You lost control of the operation. The whole thing was consensual. In your state of mind, and with what happened, don’t you think someone else would be better-suited for this task?” Hurst dumped his prejudice on Troy.
Hurst turned as if he planned to leave. Instead, the man’s left hand rose. Troy shoved Trask out of the way. BOOM. Hurst’s shot went wide as Troy’s well-placed shot blew apart the hand holding the gun.
Martin, at point, led Bravo Team’s alpha squad out of the Chinook and rushed Troy, the commanding general, the sergeant major and Brody Garrett into the helo.
Chapter 42
The night grew quiet except for an animal’s call or an insect’s buzz. “They stopped,” Gwen said.
“I hope it’s a good sign. How are you doing?” Kip asked.
“Just fine. How’s your arm?”
“Just fine, XO.” Kip offered the standard response when saying how you were when there was nothing to do about it.
“Gwenny, where are you?” Will’s voice echoed in the mountainous terrain.
“Come on, Gwenny. We can have fun again,” another male voice called out.
“Gwenny?”
“Gwenny?”
The calls kept coming. “Kip, they’re circling us. You need to go. The exercise—they were firing about three clicks to our northwest.”
