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“Where did it go?”
“Malta airport.”
If the NRO knew where Mithras went from there, Ares would’ve said so.
“Keep me updated with whatever they learn.”
“You got it.”
“I suggest we take a break to see what progress is being made with the two guards,” said Poseidon. “We also haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours, Cay.”
“I have to keep looking. I’ll rest once I’ve found her.”
“You won’t be any good to Bexli if you’re dead on your feet,” Zeppelin added.
“There seems to be some confusion as to who’s leading this mission,” I snapped, looking between the two men.
“While I agree with you, Cayman, I also agree with them,” said Nemesis, who’d approached from behind me. “Either take a break of your own accord, or I’ll order it.”
“Excuse us,” I said, walking a short distance away after motioning for Nem to follow. “As my friend over my commanding officer, please don’t ask this of me.”
“Cay, you must—”
“Regardless of whether you demand it, I will not rest until I find Bexli. Icannot.”
Before she could respond, an SUV pulled up next to us. “Get in, Trace,” ordered Z, who was behind the wheel and had lowered the passenger-side window.
While I could appeal to Nem as a friend rather than my CO, I could not do the same with Z. Based on his tone alone, I knew he would not abide insubordination.
“How’s Puck?” I asked after we’d ridden for several minutes without conversation.
“As you’d expect him to be.”
“I guess, by now, you’ve seen the footage of Mithras being transported from the villa.”
Z slowly nodded. “Oleander is fit to be tied, as they say.”
“What’s happening with victim recovery?” I asked, attempting to make conversation designed to distract Z from ordering me to rest.
“It’s as difficult as it was in Felixstowe, Cayman. Worse, actually. Although, can either be? Both were harrowing experiences.”
By my estimation, the victims may have been held captive in Malta for a month or more. They’d likely been drugged the majority of the time and kept shackled to a bed. I had no idea what the mental, emotional, and physical ramifications of that type of captivity might be. Nor the effects of being repeatedly drugged for such an extended period of time.
The victims in Felixstowe had been locked inside a shipping container under unimaginable conditions and transported across the Atlantic Ocean. Z was right; it was impossible to say which was worse. Both were horrifying.
I raked my hand through my hair, rested my head against the seat, and closed my eyes. I felt Z’s hand on my shoulder and looked over at him.
“We’ll find her, Cayman. Bexli is somewhere on this island. Of that, we’re certain.” Z said, repeating the sentiment Poseidon had earlier.
“I know,” I muttered in response, hoping it was that simple, but somehow knowing it wasn’t going to be.
When we arrivedat the compound that served as our command center, I saw another SUV had followed us there. Poseidon, Zeppelin, Magnet, and Nem exited the vehicle when it parked beside the one Z and I were in.
“They aren’t giving up a damned thing,” Magnet muttered after looking up from his mobile.
The news didn’t surprise me. The guards knew as well as we did that Mithras was still out there, lurking somewhere in the shadows, albeit not likely still in Malta. My guess was he’d returned to Egypt. No doubt, though, the two men feared for their lives.
“Let’s have Zeppelin and Magnet take a stab at the first one,” I said to Ares, whose team members, Blackjack and Atticus, hadn’t gotten anywhere.
