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“I did. I found where they’ve set up their headquarters. I know that’s it because Paladin sniffed explosives behind all the rocks. Listen. What’s your next step at your location? And what about Leslie? She’s the priority here?”
“Yes, she is,” Hank agreed. “I think the four teams should get together so we can make a plan. Maybe at the top of the mountain. We can find a place to hide ourselves up there while we talk. And I’m keeping Paladin and Daks with me.”
“Whatever you need,” Hank told him. “I’m going to bring everyone here up to speed. Then we have to figure out how to get everyone from this mountain to the one where you all are without looking like the invasion of an army. I think when we make our move, a show of force is what we really need.”
“Amen to that,” Roman agreed. “I’ll get back to you as soon as I meet with the others and we have the outline of a plan in place.”
Beck had a hard time not saying a word while Roman was talking. She knew the Loyalists and the explosives and whatever their target was were primary here. She had to trust the Brotherhood Protectors when they said rescuing Leslie was also. Especially Roman.
As if she’d spoken her thoughts out loud, and despite Daks watching them, Roman put his arm around her and pulled her against his chest. When this was all over, she was going to remind him of his words earlier in the day and make sure they took off for someplace where they’d be alone and could explore this incredible sexual attraction that sizzled between them.
And something else. Something she was afraid to put a name to. Something she’d seen reflected in his eyes.
But business first because that’s how they rolled.
“Okay.” He tugged gently on the leash. “Come, Paladin. I’ve got a reward for you for finding the stash.”
In seconds, he had the dog back in the pickup with two dog cookies, and Daks headed up the mountain with him. Roman followed on the Ducati, Beck behind him, clinging to him. By the time they reached the mountaintop, the other teams were there. Dean and Melody had arrived first and set themselves up just below the summit. They had found a place far enough away from the road that was a mixture of rocks and wild grasses, trees, and wildflowers.
“It’s not the Ritz,” Melody told them, “but there are flat rocks to sit on and, with all the wild growth, no one can really see us.”
Cygny and Leo, Victoria and Logan, and Fay and Walker arrived within minutes and, in short order, they had all shared their information.
“We saw the spots where they cleaned up something on the shoulder,” Victoria said. “In two different places.”
Roman nodded. “Yeah. Despite the fact they don’t think anyone is up here but them, they’re making sure to clean up after themselves.”
“Roman, can you show us where Paladin sniffed the explosives?” Melody asked.
“Yes. Right here.” He took a heavy stick and drew a diagram in a flat patch of dirt. “Right here is where the road levels out a little and widens.” He made an X. “The shoulder widens here, too, and it looks like the granite curves at this spot.” He drew another X.
Logan frowned. “So how do they get the explosives inside that cave if it’s solid rock?”
“I think five years ago when they were the only people ever coming up this mountain, they figured out how to blow open an entrance and create some kind of door that blends in with the rock. The inside has to be bigger than hell because they’ve disappeared in there for months at a time, according to what Hank dug up. And we’re pretty sure they have a good-size store of explosives for whatever their upcoming assault is.”
Logan frowned. “You’re sure it’s an attack of some kind?”
“Oh yeah. Hank says that’s their method of operation. When they first came into being, they conducted a bunch of small ones. Then they disappeared for a few years, but apparently, they’re back and planning something gigantic.”
Cygny frowned. “What’s their end game?”
“To establish themselves as the only true patriots and get rid of everyone who disagrees with them. Impose their own form of patriotism on the country.”
Fay gave a distinctly unladylike snort. “Sounds a lot like Hitler.”
“You aren’t too far from wrong,” Roman agreed. “Okay, let’s take this apart from every angle and see what the best way is to breach this place. We can count on the fact they have Leslie, and my antennae tell me they’re going to make a move somehow tonight. They’ll try to use her to their best advantage, so we need to figure out how to counteract it.”
“And be prepared before they make a move,” Victoria added.
Roman nodded. “We need to create a plan, call Hank with it, and have him refine it. Then get the Brotherhood Protectors group over there on alert to make a move. We have to hope the Loyalists aren’t paying much attention to what’s going on outside their cave so Hank can get his people in position.”
“And if they are?” Cygny asked.
“We’ll plan for that eventuality, too. Brotherhood Protectors have worked a lot of similar situations before. We can handle this one, too.” He managed a lopsided grin. “That’s what makes us so good. But the problem is, we don’t know how much time is left before they make their move.”
“Then let’s get busy,” Leo said.
* * *
Vern was studyingthe information relating to their destination when the sat phone in his pocket rang.
“Yes, Rusty?”
“That couple is still right outside the entrance to the cave. And now I see they have a Ducati. And the other guy who brought the dog is still there with them.”
“Are they just hanging out there?”
“No, that’s why I called. They moved a little ways with the dog. Damn thing was sniffing closer to the cave entrance.”
“Fucking dog. I was right. He’s a bomb sniffer.”
“They can’t smell anything outside the cave, can they?” Rusty asked.
“I don’t think so, although it’s possible there is a lingering odor in the air from when we brought the stuff in.” He ground his teeth. “Fuck it all anyway.”
Why had they brought the dog in the first place? No way they could have found out what Vern and his men were planning. They kept a very tight lid on everything, and the Loyalists were known for being closemouthed.
Had they somehow gotten a hint of what the Loyalists had planned and were looking for their supplies? How the hell had that happened? Everyone had been sworn to secrecy, and he knew for a fact that they were all committed to this project, their biggest yet.
“Do you have your phone with you?” he asked.
