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“Three hundred and twenty-seven,” Rodland said. “Big trouble if they hadn’t been scum of the earth. But I’m getting a little tired of playing with this train, Caleb. Time for you to figure how to get us out of this mess.”
“I’m working on it. But it may not be necessary.” Caleb had grabbed a pair of infrared binoculars hanging from the console and was looking behind him. “I believe I just heard something that sounded very familiar on the road heading toward the railway station.” He focused carefully and then gave a low whistle. “How the hell did he manage to get them here this fast? Wouldn’t you know that MacDuff would pull a stunt like this?” He started to laugh. “I believe the marines have landed. Just in time to reap the glory and cheers from all and sundry. I almost expect a ticker-tape parade.”
“What?” Jane took the binoculars and looked for herself. It was true. Trucks, armored cars, motorcycles all being operated by the marines they’d become so familiar with. All of them were engaged in the attack on Bohdan’s forces. MacDuff himself was at the forefront; she could hear the sound of explosions and saw Bohdan’s camouflage-clad soldiers scattering before them. “Thank God.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t you say one thing against MacDuff, Caleb. I think he looks absolutely fantastic at this moment.”
Caleb grinned. “Hey, so do I.” He took the binoculars and handed them to Rodland. “Take a look and admire the laird, a man who has even greater timing than I do. Then do you think you can get this train back to the yard double quick so that we can help them out a little?”
“I don’t think they’re going to need it,” Rodland said as he gazed through the binoculars. “They’ve got Bohdan’s guys on the run and most of them are disappearing into the forest.” He handed the binoculars back to Caleb. “Even Bohdan himself. But I’ll get you back to help do a final cleanup.” He started punching the buttons on his computer. “I don’t know about double quick, but it will be—”
Caleb stiffened. “Even Bohdan himself?” he repeated. “You saw Bohdan at the rail yard just now?” He raised the binoculars to his eyes again. “Itishim.” He began to curse softly.
Rodland nodded. “I thought it was him. He was on the run heading for the forest with his entourage. I know he got out of that mobile command center he always uses. That old Russian-made Ranzhir is hard to miss.”
“Yes, it is,” Caleb said. “Which means you should put on some speed getting us back to that station so I can see if he’s still there, or if I have to chase him down.”
“Chiswick didn’t mention to me Bohdan was on-site,” Jane said quickly. “Only that he had orders from him to get the two of us.” She felt a chill as she gazed at that expression she knew so well. Caleb was in hunt mode. “Why not let MacDuff and his marines go after him?”
“Because it’s my job. I should have gotten him when I took down the general.” He was staring straight ahead. “And I won’t let anyone else be butchered by him when I’ve got a chance to stop it from happening. And you know he’ll never stop now that he’s zeroed in on us.”
Of course she knew it. Nothing could be plainer after what they’d gone through tonight. “That doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. I told you I wouldn’t let you do that again.”
Just then a helicopter roared overhead. Then another. On the road behind them another half a dozen military vehicles suddenly appeared. “More firepower,” Jane said. “Call them and let them go with you, dammit.”
“No time. He’s on the run. He’s slipped through MI6’s fingers half a dozen times before this. He’ll disappear as he’s done before,” Caleb said. “And he could do it. The bastard has contacts all over the world. Stop here, Rodland.”
“That’ll take a while,” Rodland said. “But I’ve slowed down enough for you to be able to jump off. Just give me another couple of minutes.”
“Good enough.” Caleb crouched, preparing for the leap.
“I’m coming with you,” Jane said desperately.
“No, you’re not. For every reason we’ve discussed. And we both know there’s no way you’re going to jump from a moving train right now.”
“Don’t you dare do this.”
“I can’tnotdo it. He’s hurt too many people. Not this time, Jane. It will be okay. I promise.” Caleb’s face was sober as he leaped from the train. He rolled as he hit the ground.
Jane’s hands clenched at her sides. “Caleb!”
***
Caleb ran back toward the forest trying to duplicate the path he’d seen Bohdan and his men taking.
Move fast.
Be silent.
But it was almost dawn. Careful. Darkness would have been his friend. But there were no friends in this forest. He had to worry about not only Bohdan but also any of the other mercenaries in Bohdan’s army trying desperately to get away from those marines.
Track swiftly, accurately, just as he’d always done.
If he’d seen correctly, Bohdan had run in a cluster with two of his men. They had scattered in panic as MacDuff’s marines had attacked. His men had likely been wearing the boots that all of his soldiers wore; Bohdan favored black athletic shoes. Easy enough to track.
Move faster.
Keep a sharp eye out.
It didn’t take long for him to find Bohdan’s footprints in the woods. The two other sets of prints had peeled away from their dear leader’s after only a few hundred yards, indicating a possible lack of physical conditioning on Bohdan’s part. His men obviously had no intention of giving Bohdan backup in this dire situation.
