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“Unit four is thirty seconds away, Assistant Director.”
“Thanks, Christine.”
As the wristcom disconnected, a dark gray Ford turned the corner. Gabriel waved it down and returned his attention to Haynes.
“I apologize for my methods, but we don’t know who’s behind the threats and didn’t dare take a chance with your safety. Lyle, White and Benson have all recently been murdered, and we’ve reason to believe both you and Cooper are next.”
“We all worked together,” Haynes murmured, face pale.
“We’re well aware of that, sir.” Gabriel gripped the older man’s arm, helping him up as the Ford pulled to a halt beside them. Haynes climbed in. Gabriel slammed the door shut, then walked around to the other side.
“Where to, Assistant Director?” The driver, a red-haired, freckle-faced youngster, asked.
“Headquarters.” Gabriel glanced at the driver’s dark-skinned partner, recognizing him from a recon trip they’d done several years ago. “How’s that knee, Ford?”
The man smiled. “They have me teaching recruits how to drive. Scarier than missions, sometimes.”
Ford had taken several bullets in his left knee when a mission went sour. Though doctors had replaced the shattered joint, he’d been left with a permanent limp. At only thirty-five, he’d been too young to retire, and too young to send to the vaults. The way he’d sent Sam to the vaults. Gabriel ignored the momentary stab of guilt. “Do you still carry that knife in your boot?”
Ford smiled. “Yeah. It comes in handy when the recruits get uppity.”
The y
oungster driving grinned. Obviously, knives and dour instructors didn’t worry him. Gabriel returned his attention to Haynes.
“We’re taking you to SIU headquarters. You should be secure there until we find out who’s behind these murders.”
Haynes scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “What about Cooper?”
“I’ve sent another team out to retrieve him.”
“I still don’t understand why you couldn’t have told me this at home. I would have gone with you willingly. So why knock me out and haul me away?”
Gabriel wasn’t about to tell him the truth, especially if the military were listening in. “Because I believed we had very little time to play with.”
Haynes grunted. “I left the damn heater on at home. It’ll probably burn the place down.”
Gabriel glanced at Ford. “Can you secure Mr. Haynes’s place once you drop me off?”
“Yeah. No problem.”
“Thanks,” Haynes muttered.
Gabriel nodded, then leaned back in the seat, watching the traffic roll by. It didn’t take them long to reach the city and SIU headquarters. The redheaded driver swung the car into the underground parking lot and stopped next to the elevator.
“Nice driving, kid.” The youngster looked seriously insulted at the compliment, and Gabriel half-smiled and looked at Ford. “Be careful at Haynes’s place. You could have company.”
Ford’s brown eyes narrowed slightly. “What type?”
“Kite.” He hesitated. Though there were scramblers down here that should prevent their conversation being overheard, he didn’t want the powers-that-be behind the chip to know that the SIU was well aware of what was going on—at least where the microchips were concerned. But, by the same token, Ford needed to know there might be trouble. In the end, practicality won out over wariness. “The military might also be present.”
“Treat them as hostile?”
“Unknown.”
Ford nodded. Gabriel climbed out and walked around to assist the old man out of the car and into the elevator. He swiped his security card through the elevator slot and pressed B25. Not only did that floor have short-term apartment cells, but it also possessed the latest in both electronic and psychic deadeners. The military would not be able to hear or track them.
The elevator swept them downward. When the doors opened again, Haynes made a surprised noise.
