Blind Run (27 page)

Ethan put the envelope on the desk, moved over to the bed, and started packing his duffel bag.

“She’s
my
sister.”

Ethan glanced back over his shoulder. “And I’ll bring her to you.”

“You need me.”

“No. I don’t.”

That stung, and Danny fought the tears.

“What I needed was information.” Ethan pointed to the sketch pad. “Which you gave me.”

“That’s not the same. I know the island and the buildings better than anyone.”

Ethan picked up the envelope. “Take it.”

Danny stared at it as if it had teeth. Then, very slowly, he took it. He’d learned a lot over the last week from Ethan, but mostly patience.

Ethan studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. Eight hours, and if I’m not back—”

“Yeah, I got it.” Danny plopped down on the bed and grabbed his Game Boy. “I’m out of here.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

ETHAN SET OUT
at ten.

The night was damp and dark, the streetlamps reflecting off pools of silent water. The storm had never materialized, but a light mist had moved in from the Sound, chilling the already cool air. The streets were empty, with all sensible people indoors, tucked in their beds or in front of warm fires.

For Ethan, however, the weather worked.

He took the long way to the docks, circling back on his own path several times, watching and listening. Overconfidence wasn’t a mistake he intended to make. Not tonight. Not with so many innocent lives at stake.

He considered his last glimpse of Danny, still hacking away at the Haven’s computer system. Ethan hadn’t expected the boy to agree so easily to staying behind. A week ago, it would have been a battle. Danny had come a long way since the day Anna had left him and Callie on Ethan’s doorstep. He’d begun looking at Ethan the way Nicky once had, with trust, but Ethan wasn’t sure that was such a good thing. He’d never wanted the responsibility for another child’s life, yet here he was with the fate of a whole island of kids in his hands. And he’d be damned, or dead, before he let them down, before he allowed the trust in Danny’s eyes to fade again.

When Ethan got to the docks, he carefully inspected the
Sea Devil
to make sure everything was in order. He didn’t expect any problems, but this was Cox’s turf, within an hour’s boat ride from the island. Ethan couldn’t be too careful.

As soon as he was sure nothing had been tampered with, he readied the engines and made one last check of the navigation charts. Then he went down into the cabin to wait.

For his plan to work, he needed Ramirez’s help. Ethan hated the idea, but not as much as he hated the thought of Sydney in Cox’s hands. He’d do whatever it took to get her off that island, even cut a deal with the devil. Or Marco Ramirez. That is, if he showed. And if he didn’t, well then Ethan would have to go with his backup plan, a slightly modified and riskier version of the original.

He didn’t have long to wait.

The boat swayed gently against its mooring. Footsteps, barely audible, moved overhead. Then Ramirez appeared in the hatchway.

Ethan greeted him with the Glock. “I wasn’t sure you’d show.”

Unruffled, Ramirez descended the remaining steps. “You do not need the weapon,
amigo.
”

“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for that. Now, lose the hardware.” Ethan flicked the muzzle of the Glock at the assassin, reminding him of his precarious position. “Slowly.”

“If I wanted you dead”—Ramirez removed the Beretta from his jacket and placed it on the floor—“I could have killed you many times.”

“You could have tried.” Ethan gestured toward the Beretta. “Nudge it this way, and the one on your ankle, too.”

Ramirez arched an eyebrow and smiled, a slow, caustic smile. “Oh, I think I would have done more than try.”

“The ankle.”

“Oh, yes.” Ramirez bent, unbuckled the holster, and slid it over next to the Beretta. “Satisfied?”

“Anything else?”

The assassin opened his jacket. “You are welcome to search.”

“Turn around and put your hands on the bulkhead.”

Ramirez grudgingly obeyed, and Ethan patted him down. When he was sure the assassin was clean he backed away, picked up the discarded weapons, and placed them in a cabinet behind him. “Okay, sit.”

Ramirez complied. “So, we are going to Haven Island.”

“You said you wanted answers.”

“As do you. But, if we are to work together,” he nodded toward the gun in Ethan’s hand, “you must trust me.”

Trust Ramirez?
Hardly. But for the time being, their interests ran along the same path. After Ramirez had his answers, it would be a different story. Ethan returned the Glock to its holster.

“Since we are displaying trust.” Ramirez slid a hand inside his jacket. “I have some information for you.”

“Easy.” Ethan reached reflexively for his weapon but stopped before drawing it.

Ramirez made no comment, opened his coat, and retrieved a manila envelope from an inside pocket. “I was not idle while waiting for you.” He pulled out a sheaf of paper and handed it to Ethan. “I found this in Mulligan’s home.”

Ethan studied the document. It was a receipt from Cooley Cryobank and Laboratories, San Francisco, California, made out to Timothy Frederick Mulligan, dated 1983. Sydney was right. Mulligan had been a sperm donor and, if the Haven’s records could be believed, probably Danny and Callie’s biological father.

Then Ramirez handed him a five-by-seven glossy. “Do you recognize this man?”

“Should I?”

“It is James Cooley, founder of this Cooley Cryobank. He looked familiar to me, so . . .” Ramirez showed Ethan a second photograph, this one computer generated. “I had the original aged twenty years.”

Ethan studied both pictures and waited for an explanation.

Ramirez tapped the edge of the second picture. “That is George Taleb.”

Ethan leaned back, another detail falling into place: the link between Cooley and the island. He and George Taleb were the same man, now dead. It didn’t tell them how or why Cooley got tied up with the Agency, why he ran, or what they were doing to those children, but it was one more piece in the puzzle.

“There’s more,” Ethan said, and explained what little he knew about the children, how they tended to disappear, and his belief the doctors were using them as guinea pigs.

Ramirez grew quiet, his mask of civility eroding. “Cox will not make it off that island alive.”

The same thought had crossed Ethan’s mind, but he couldn’t afford to indulge it. “Our first priority is Sydney and the kids, then getting proof to shut down Cox’s operation. Understand?”

“I will keep my part of the bargain.”

“See that you do. After that, Cox is yours.” Unless he harmed Sydney, then Ramirez would have to get in line behind Ethan.

“So, how will we accomplish this great task?” Ramirez asked.

“I have a plan,” Ethan said, offering the devil his deal. “Check beneath the bench where you’re sitting, and you’ll find a hidden compartment.”

Ramirez glanced down, surprised.

“Go ahead,” Ethan said. “Move it aside, the latch is all but invisible unless you know where to look.”

Ramirez followed Ethan’s instructions, releasing the locking mechanism to reveal a storage space beneath the floor: a space big enough for a man.

“Smuggling along the U.S. and Canadian borders is a fact of life,” Ethan said. “It’s simply a matter of knowing the right people.”

Ramirez squatted down and pulled out the Remington 700. “You have some very unsavory friends.”

“We all have our sources.”

Ramirez grinned like a kid in a candy store and stroked the rifle barrel. “A fine weapon.”

“It’s not loaded.” Ethan nodded back toward the compartment. “In the duffel bag you’ll find ammunition, a supply of C4, blasting caps, and a transmitter.”

“We are going to war, yes?”

“When we get close to the island, you’re going into that hole.”

Ramirez looked back at the small space.

“Don’t worry,” Ethan said, “you’ll fit. As soon as we put in at the island, Cox’s people will take me ashore. They won’t be too happy that I came alone and will search the boat. But they won’t find you.”

“If you are wrong?”

“Then we’re both dead.”

Ramirez snorted in disgust. “I do not like this part of the plan.”

“You got a better idea?”

When Ramirez didn’t reply, Ethan said, “Look, I know Cox. He’ll expect me to try something, but he won’t expect me to come through the front door.”

For eight years Cox had used and directed Ethan’s team. He knew Ethan’s standard operational strategies, his skill at slipping into secure areas without detection. That’s why he had to do the unexpected. “Cox will blanket the island with men watching all the back doors, shallow beaches, rugged shorelines, the least hospitable places to land a boat or receive a diver.” Ethan had thought about this on the long drive west, analyzed it from every conceivable angle, and knew this plan was their best shot. “That’s where he’ll expect me to come ashore.”

Ramirez didn’t look convinced.

“Plus we have one other advantage.” Even before the disastrous raid three years earlier, bad blood had existed between Ethan and Ramirez. “No one, especially Avery Cox, will ever suspect us of working together.”

Ramirez’s eyes sparked. “About this, you are right.”

Tension crowded between them, a reminder that theirs was a temporary truce. The past had not been forgotten. Old hatreds crouched in the wings, ready to pounce.

“Once they take me off the boat,” Ethan said, breaking the silence, “it’s your turn. First I’ll need a diversion, that’s where the C4 comes in. Then I want you to even the odds.” He motioned toward the Remington in the assassin’s hands. “That’s what your friend’s for.”

Ramirez laughed abruptly.

Ethan pulled out Danny’s map, giving a rough overview of the island’s layout, and explained his strategy. Ramirez listened attentively until Ethan had finished. “And do we have a way off that rock?”

“Well now, that’s my insurance policy.” Ethan smiled tightly. “If anything happens to me, you’ll be stuck. Unless you want to try getting out on the
Sea Devil
, which might prove difficult under the circumstances. So I suggest you make sure I stay alive by taking care of the resistance outside the facility. Meanwhile, I’ll get Sydney and the girl and enough proof to shut Cox down for good.”

“And then?”

Ethan pointed to a position on the map, behind the main building. “We’ll meet here, and all get off the island together.”

Ramirez’s eyes had gone cold and hard. “It is a crazy plan.”

“Just up your alley.”

“And yours,
amigo.
”

“We’re not friends.” Ethan rolled up the drawings, secured them with a rubber band, and dropped them into the hold next to the bag of explosives. “If I had any other choice, I’d drop you where you stand.”

“We are in agreement then.”

“Looks that way.” Ethan gestured toward the hatchway. “I want you topside where I can keep an eye on you until we get close to the island.”

“So much for trust.” But Ramirez climbed the stairs.

On deck Ethan turned his attention to the boat, releasing the ropes and pushing away from the dock. He took the wheel, slid the throttle into reverse, and eased the boat out of her slip.

“There’s one other thing you need to know,” he said as he maneuvered toward open water.

Ramirez glanced back at him briefly, as if uninterested.

“My team wasn’t ordered to terminate you,” Ethan said. “I was told to bring you in alive. And, I didn’t know about the girl.”

Ramirez’s eyes remained fixed on the dark water.

They left the marina behind, but Ethan kept the speed down. Despite the charts and expensive electronic equipment, he was unfamiliar with these waters.

When he finally spoke, Ramirez’s voice was deadly calm. “Cox wanted his secret dead with me no matter the cost. No price was too high, they sacrificed you, your team, and then . . .” He paused. “And then your son.”

Ethan felt the deck shift beneath him. “What are you saying?”

“I do not kill children.” Ramirez met Ethan’s gaze and held it. “Not even yours.”

“And I’m supposed to believe that?”

“Believe what you want.”

Ethan gripped the wheel to steady himself. It was a lie. Ramirez was covering his ass. “What about the letter?” And the coin beneath Nicky’s tongue? “The one telling me Sydney was next on your hit list?”

“I sent it.” Ramirez admitted. “It was
my
insurance policy to keep you from coming after me.”

“Bullshit.”

Ramirez shrugged and looked away.

“Why didn’t you contact me?” Ethan asked. “If you didn’t kill Nicky, why not just tell me?”

The assassin turned, and even in the dim light, Ethan could see his anger. “Would you have believed me?”

No, Ethan wouldn’t have believed him. There was too much history between them, too much blood. Ethan had led a team after the man and ended up killing a child instead. In return, Ramirez had assassinated Ethan’s team, one by one. Nicky was the last to die, a more fitting revenge than Ethan’s own death.

An eye for an eye. One child’s life for another.

Ramirez was right. If he’d made contact three years ago and claimed innocence, Ethan would have killed the assassin with his bare hands. Gladly.

Ethan turned back to navigating the boat, a fresh wave of rage rising within him. All these years he’d blamed Ramirez for his son’s death, when it had been the Agency’s doing, Cox’s warped strategy to maneuver Ethan into killing Ramirez. And it had almost worked.

Ethan jammed the throttle forward.

CHAPTER THIRTY

SUDDENLY, THE BOAT LURCHED
and picked up speed, lifting the bow from the water. Hiding in a cramped storage hold, Danny and a stack of life preservers went sliding, hitting the side of the compartment with a thunk. Although he knew Ethan couldn’t have heard him over the whine of the engines, Danny remained perfectly still for several minutes. When no sound of footsteps came from the hatchway, he breathed a little easier and shoved the spongy preservers off him.

After Ethan had left the motel room, Danny had waited five minutes before following. Then he’d raced through the wet streets, taking a shortcut to the marina across yards and over fences. But his fear of arriving too late had been for nothing. He’d had plenty of time before Ethan showed up, and he should have used it to find a bigger place to stow away.

For about the tenth time since climbing into the dark, musty space at the front of the cabin, he tried to straighten his legs and failed. Chances were he could climb out without being seen. Navigating the channels in the Sound would keep Ethan busy, and he wasn’t likely to return to the cabin anytime soon. But Danny didn’t want to risk it.

He had to time this just right.

If he came out of hiding too soon, Ethan would turn around and head back to Anacortes. On the other hand, if Danny waited until they reached the island, it would be too late. He’d heard Ethan’s plans and knew things would get confusing on the island. Ethan needed his help, so the best time to show himself was when they stopped to let Ramirez into the smuggler’s hold—which was about the neatest thing Danny had ever heard.

Meanwhile, he made himself as comfortable as possible, using one life preserver as a pillow and the others for warmth. Despite the cramped quarters and adrenaline pumping through him, he must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew, the boat slowed and came to a stop. A few minutes later, he heard the approaching footsteps as the two men returned to the cabin.

It was now or never.

Taking a deep breath, Danny lifted the lid of his hiding place and stood. Startled, both men spun around, Ethan leading with a gun.

“Wait.” Danny raised his hands defensively. “It’s me.”

Ethan lowered his weapon, his fierce expression shifting to anger. “What the hell are you doing here? I told you to stay put.”

Danny glanced from Ethan to the dark man beside him, then back. “Callie’s my sister.”

“Damn it.” Ethan turned away, dragged a hand through his hair, then came back at Danny. “What the hell did you think you were doing? This isn’t a game we’re playing here, Danny. People are going to get hurt, and I don’t want you to be one of them.”

“I . . .” Words failed him, Ethan’s anger smarting more than he’d expected. “I wanted to help.”

For a moment no one spoke, and Danny fought the sudden sting behind his eyes. Ethan couldn’t take him back, could he? It was too late.

Ramirez broke the tense silence. “Your plan will work better with the boy, Decker. You turn him over as a sign of good faith.”

“And get him killed in the process?” Ethan turned his anger on the other man. “We’re bringing a war to that island.”

“And to the other children, no?” Ramirez motioned toward Danny. “The boy has a right to be here, they are his family.”

The silence descended again, and Danny watched Ethan struggle with his choices.

“So are you going to take me back?” he asked, afraid of the answer.

Ethan looked at him. “You know I can’t.”

ETHAN EASED THE THROTTLE
forward. To his right, Danny sat in the copilot’s chair, his spine stiff.

Ethan tamped down his guilt.

He’d had no choice but to bring the boy. If they turned back, Ethan would have to cancel the mission for the night. That would mean another day in Anacortes, which they couldn’t afford. With each passing hour, the risk of someone connected to the Haven discovering their presence grew exponentially. He had to catch Cox by surprise, and that meant hitting that island tonight.

Ethan glanced at Danny.

Besides, the boy was determined to help free his sister, and who was Ethan to fault him? As much as he hated to admit it, Danny had earned the right to be here. That didn’t mean Ethan had to like it.

“What’s in the backpack?” Ethan asked.

“Nothing much.” Danny seemed surprised by the question. “The usual stuff, clothes, my Game Boy.”

“Not the laptop?”

“I left it in the motel room.”

“Good, we don’t want them knowing we’ve been inside their computers. Now I want you to take this.” Ethan pulled out his knife. “Just in case.”

Danny’s eyes brightened. “But won’t you need it?”

“They’ll search me for sure, but they might not look at you as closely. Get out the first-aid kit from under the console, and I’ll tape the knife to your rib cage. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

Danny found the white tape, then pulled up his shirt. Ethan used two long strips to secure the knife. “This is only a precaution. Use it only if we get separated and it’s absolutely necessary.” Ethan echoed his brother’s words, spoken half a lifetime ago. “Don’t tell anyone you have it.”

Danny nodded.

“This is important, Danny. If the Keepers discover you have this, it’s gone.”

“I understand.”

“Once we dock, follow my lead and do exactly what I tell you.” They were drawing close, the protected cove of the southern shore emerging from the dark mass of the island. Ethan slowed the boat. “And don’t be surprised by anything I say or do. Remember we’re here—”

The glare of a spotlight cut off his words, and a disembodied voice rumbled through a bullhorn. “Bayliner motor yacht, this is a private island and you’re in private waters. Turn about.”

Ethan flipped his own microphone switch, sending his voice back across the water. “Haven Island, this is Ethan Decker. I’m expected.”

The voice went silent for several minutes, but the light continued to track them as they moved toward the landing. Ethan could almost feel the hairs of a high-powered rifle scope following them as well.

Finally, the voice returned. “Put in.”

Ethan maneuvered the boat toward its berth where Morrow waited with four armed men. A little closer, and Ethan could see they were obviously mercenaries, hard-looking and mean, men without conscience or allegiances. Ethan hadn’t liked the idea of going up against Agency officers, righteous men following orders. Mercenaries would make what he and Ramirez intended easier.

He tossed out his lines, and Morrow directed two of his hired thugs to catch and tie them off.

Once the boat was secure, Morrow stepped forward. “You’re early.”

“Yeah, well, I aim to please.”

Morrow scanned the deck. “Did you forget something?”

Ethan reached inside the hatchway, where he’d told Danny to wait, and grabbed him by his jacket collar. “I brought the kid.”

“Hey—,” Danny started as Ethan pulled him out into the open.

“Shut up, boy. No one wants to hear it.” Ethan shoved Danny forward. “So, Morrow, why don’t you run along and tell your boss I’m here?”

Morrow scowled, obviously unhappy with the reminder that he wasn’t calling the shots. Stepping back brusquely, he motioned with his gun. “Off the boat.”

Ethan gave Danny another shove, then followed him up onto the dock. With a gesture toward the large building set back from the shoreline, he said, “You first, gentlemen.”

“Search him,” Morrow said.

Ethan held out his arms, while one of Morrow’s lackeys patted him down, relieving him of the Glock and Anna’s .38. “Is this necessary?”

Morrow nodded toward Danny. “Check the kid’s backpack.”

Ethan tsked as the man rummaged through Danny’s pack. “Better be careful, John, Mr. Cox wouldn’t like it if you damaged one of his precious children.”

“Shut up, Decker.”

“Nothing here,” the mercenary reported.

“Fine.” Morrow looked back at Ethan and grinned. “Search the boat.”