“Maybe…” She launched a map. “Most of the saved data is encrypted. I should be able to access it, but it’ll take time and more power than I have in the truck. But the device doesn’t archive the data for the past week, and I’ve got multiple hits to a location about twenty minutes from here.”
“What kind of location.”
“That’s the interesting part. It’s a clinic — the Cascadia Institute. Looks like it might be a private sports rehab center but… Why would Ramsey’s men have gone there multiple times in the last week?”
Coulter grinned. “Because it’s a front for where he takes his guys when they need medical support. Sure, his soldiers fight through hits, but once the op’s over, they’ll still need bullets removed or lacerations stitched up. And I doubt they can pop into the ER, so…”
Wynn grunted. “They’ve got a few doctors and nurses on the payroll. But wouldn’t Finch already have a team of doctors?”
“I’m sure he does, but if Ramsey’s squad used them, there’d be a paper trail connecting Hyperion to Blackridge, and based on how hard it’s been finding any kind of link, I doubt Finch would be that naive.”
Neve nodded. “Agreed. Though, it might be best to let the heat die down a bit. Do a recon mission tomorrow just before it closes.”
Zadie cursed. “I’m not sure we can afford to wait. I just decrypted another message Ramsey sent out right before we picked you up. He wants this crew, Fraser I guess, to meet him at one more location to help with the last of his sanitation jobs. The coordinates are for the same clinic.”
Coulter glanced at Neve. “He’s going to burn all the records. Maybe call in the doctors, eliminate them, too.”
Neve scrubbed a hand down her face. “Shepherd? We’re making an audible. Head for the clinic. And this time, we go in prepared for war.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Neve stared out the window as Shepherd drove down the dead-end road, the last streetlamp illuminating a small patch of blacktop a good twenty meters behind them. Fog threaded across the area, clinging to the lower branches of the forest nestled behind the private clinic as he maneuvered the truck onto the end of a gravel driveway that stopped at the edge of the encroaching tree line. The thick canopy blocked out the hint of dawn just clawing at the darkness, lightening the sky enough the trees looked like black monoliths against the indigo sky.
It had taken a bit longer than expected to navigate the series of back alleys and nondescript streets all the way to the site, but they hadn’t wanted Fraser’s team to suddenly appear behind them and open fire if Fraser recognized the vehicle.
Neve bit back the scream that tried to push past the lump in her throat. She’d had Fraser dead to rights — his head in her crosshairs, her finger curled around the trigger. One shot, and she would have brought her teammates a glimmer of closure.
She shoved down the riotous thoughts. The ones that weren’t sure if it had been morality or practicality that had stayed her hand. Both, she supposed because killing him then, with other options on the table, would have made her no better than the men they were chasing.
Would have branded her a murderer, too.
Coulter squeezed her hand. He hadn’t asked her about it, and she’d been happy to sit beside him, his quiet confidence easing the jumpy feeling in her gut. She wasn’t sure what it was about his simple presence that soothed her raw nerves, only that she wanted to spend a lifetime puzzling it out.
The engine cut off, the momentary silence weighing heavy in the still air before Shepherd twisted in his seat. “Are you sure you’ve got enough resources for a stealth mission? This wasn’t part of our original plan.”
Neve glanced at her teammates. “If our combined firepower isn’t enough, we’ll never be prepared. Zadie? Any luck on that jammer?”
Zadie tucked her tablet into a MOLLE pouch on her vest. “I’ve got it configured to block internal wi-fi and cell service once we’re in range. That should prevent anyone from sending out a silent alarm. Keep our federal partners from getting involved.”
“Then, let’s head out. See what Ramsey’s trying to sanitize.”
They poured out of the vehicle, checking their equipment one last time.
Coulter hooked her arm, easing her off to the side as he leaned in close. “You sure you’re up for this?”
Aware he’d see through any attempt at lying, she steeled her expression. “Am I sore? Sure. Can I push through? Absolutely.”
“I know you can man up, sweetheart. I’m more concerned if you should.” He held up his hand again. “How many now?”
She arched a brow. “Three.”
The muscle in his temple jumped a few times as he clenched his jaw. “You’re guessing.”
“Maybe, but at least I guessed right.” She palmed his chest. “I promise to let you or Wynn know if I think I’m compromising the mission.”
“Realizing that when we’re neck deep in a firefight isn’t going to help you much.”
“Then, I’ll just have to be okay until we’re done.” She clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re losing our window.”
