The two hoists lifted, slow and easy, disappearing into the haze of dropped smoke, heading for the open doorway. Everything was falling in line for a smooth escape from the boat. From there, the group should be able to lose CT’s lock on them. How they’d found them this time was still a question to be answered.
A thought shifted in his mind, trying not to get lost in the excitement of the moment. “Hey, Drake. Liz said something about losing her job and losing her passport all in one day? Don’t you find that strange?”
“I wondered if you caught that. We’ll need to check what kind of assignments she’s been covering.” Drake grabbed the lowering chopper line, then pushed it in Mitch’s direction.
“You’re next,” Mitch said.
“I’m not going.” The boss motioned the chopper crew not to lower another line.
“The hell you’re not,” Mitch shouted.
“Hear me out.” Drake stood firm. “I think you’re right. CT used me to get to my best agents. And I think they also want Liz as leverage. We already lost one agent. I can’t afford to let them get you or Reese. Or any of the others. And, I can’t let them take Liz.”
“What are you saying?”
“If Liz and I are the ones feeding their operation, we need to break the food chain.”
“Such as?”
“I’ll stay with the boat. Me, and the two guys the chopper dropped. We’ll take CT on a merry little ride around the Gulf.”
That made sense on a lot of levels, but there was always the possibility the plan would backfire. Then his boss would, for sure, be in the crosshairs. “Let’s say I agree with the break-the-chain theory. What do you want me to do?”
The smoky haze was lifting, dissipating rapidly. He needed to decide whether to contest Drake’s idea or not, and he needed to decide now.
“Get on that chopper. Get yourself, Liz, and Reese someplace safe. Contact Josh and let him know what’s going on.” Drake looked like a man with a heavy load. He shoved a sealed envelope into his hand. “Give that to Liz when you land.”
Tucking the envelope in his pocket, he nodded. “Why Josh?”
“I plan to stay far away from him and Stealth and Cat, too. In fact, I’ll steer clear of anybody involved in this case. That’ll allow you to use the Shades to set up your position.” Drake sighed. “You know I’m right.”
Mitch swiped the back of his hand across his chin. “Okay, we’ll go with your plan. Where do you want us to head?”
“Anything I say would be tainted. So you get nothing from me.” Drake grabbed Mitch’s arm in a brothers-in-arms hold. “I’m confident in whatever you decide. You’re in charge of this assignment. You find a place. You keep her safe. And, you and Reese make damn sure you come out alive on the other side.”
“You stay alive, too, old man.” He wrapped his leg and arm around the ladder line then yanked for the chopper to lift him up. “If you don’t, I’ll hunt you down and kill you again.”
Drake laughed loud and long, then headed up the wheelhouse ladder.
This was not the way Mitch had planned for his theory to turn out. But for the life of him, he couldn’t see any other way. Time to head out. Keep his wits about him. Think with his own brain, not everything OPAQUE had drilled into his tactical training.
Once at the chopper’s open doorway, he stepped onto the landing skids, leaning back against the edge of the chopper floor.
Reese stood in the doorway. “He’s not coming?”
“Nope.”
“I figured as much.”
Liz slid up behind them, and both men braced their arms in front of her. “Where’s Drake?”
The boat roared southeast out of the remaining smoke haze.
“What’s going on?” Her voice held an edge of desperation as she placed her hand against Mitch’s back. “Please tell me what’s happening.”
“Everything’s under control. I’ll explain later.” He watched the boat speed out of sight, wishing he knew how this would all end.
The three of them moved inside the chopper and buckled up. One of the crewmen closed the door then radioed to the front that they were ready to leave.
