Page 10 of Scars of Fate

My jaw tightened.

“Either way…”

“We don’t have much time.”

A quiet voice came over the encrypted radio.

“Hawk in position.”

Another followed.

“Boone set.”

Then another.

“Russ ready.”

One by one, the rest of the Brave checked in until every operator was exactly where he needed to be.

Adam keyed his microphone.

“Radio silence unless necessary.”

A chorus of double-clicks answered.

No unnecessary chatter.

Just professionals.

Adam glanced toward me.

“You’ve worked this region longer than anyone.”

I nodded once.

“If this goes bad?” he asked.

“It’ll go bad fast.”

He smiled faintly.

“You’re a real ray of sunshine.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“I imagine you have.”

Silence settled between us.

Comfortable.

Neither of us needed to fill it.

I studied the compound again.

Something still bothered me.

A lone pickup rolled through the front gate.