Between the data Jade had downloaded from Viktor’s computer, hers and Keira’s testimony, and other damning information Swede had been able to uncover along with Senator Hartley and a secret team he’d assembled, they’d had enough evidence to shut down an attempt to turn the government into an authoritarian regime. They’d positioned people all over the country in advance of the meeting of the National Security Council.
When Strickland had stood in front of the council, he’d shown images of the smoking wreckage of the compound in South Texas and the one near Corsicana and had called them the result of domestic terrorists. He’d declared that the country was under an imminent domestic terrorist threat.
He’d manipulated the data, used fear to create a sense of urgency, and recommended the immediate need for a specialized black ops organization, the expansion of executive authority and the suspension of oversight.
At that point, Senator Hartley had exposed the truth, displaying videos of the training that had been taking place, of the black ops army Alan Strickland, the late Viktor Rousseau, Marcus Kaufman and their co-conspirators had been building without congressional knowledge or sanction. He’d shown records Viktor had kept on the girls they’d kidnapped, brainwashed and turned into weapons, along with the names of the targets they’d been assigned and more.
Strickland had been arrested. Three of the council members had been taken into custody, identified as conspirators in the data collected, and Marcus Kaufman had been detained at the Dallas International Airport before he could board his private jet and escape the country.
Senator Hartley had assured Royce and Rogue that more arrests would be made as other names surfaced in the files they were sifting through. Onyx had been shut down, and the Kaufman Syndicate was being dismantled. Those men they’d been able to round up, who’d been recruited into Strickland’s black ops army, had been detained and held for further investigation.
The helicopter landed near a sprawling ranch house with an incredible view of a mountain range.
As the pilot shut down the engine and the rotor blades slowed, Rogue climbed out of the aircraft and stretched the stiffness out of his leg. Though it hadn’t been broken in the explosion and subsequent collapse of the gas station building, it was still bruised and sore. He walked with a bit of a limp.
Royce joined him as they made their way toward the ranch house.
Three people descended from the porch, heading toward them.
Rogue recognized Hank Patterson and Swede from the video calls he and Royce had conducted with them since the firefight in Texas. It was the woman on the other side of Hank who commanded Rogue’s attention.
Keira’s smile lit Rogue’s world.
Hank reached them first and shook Rogue’s hand. “Glad you’re back. Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome of the NSC meeting. It’s all over the news. What you all did to make that happen was phenomenal.”
Swede shook Rogue’s hand next. “You did good.”
“Couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help,” Royce said.
Once Swede released Rogue’s hand, Keira flung herself into his arms, nearly knocking him off his feet. He laughed and held her tightly, amazed at how much he’d missed her in the short time he’d been in DC.
“Come on up to the house,” Hank said. “Sadie and the team have enough food prepared to feed an army.”
Hank, Swede and Royce walked ahead.
Rogue slipped an arm around Keira, his heart lighter just being near her. “Tell me what’s happened with you and the girls while I was in Washington.”
Keira drew in a breath and let it out. “Wow. Where to begin...?” She shook her head and laughed. “We can start with my new name.”
He studied her face. “New name?”
She nodded. “I’m no longer Keira Davies.”
Rogue cocked an eyebrow. “No?’
“Keira Davies, as well as Jade and Lily Than, died in the terrorist attack at the South Texas compound. The same goes for all the Onyx girls. We all have new identities and a chance to start over.”
“So, what’s your new name? Wait, let me guess...” He tipped his head to one side and studied her face. “Is it Phyllis? No, wait. Gladys. Or maybe Deloris?”
She laughed. “It’s Karra Lyons.”
“Karra Lyons,” he said, letting the name roll off his tongue. “I like it.”
“Jade is Jackie, and Lily chose Lucy.”
“How are Jackie and Lucy?” he asked.
“They’re recovering,” Keira said. “Hank had them and the other five girls taken to the Brighter Days Rehabilitation Ranch, where they’ll get the therapy they’ll need. Jackie wanted to be with Lucy. She’s already started homeschooling Lucy. She wants her to have a chance at going to college, if that’s the direction she chooses.”
