Knight Rescue (Rise of the Wolf Nation Book 1) Page 6

  “This is strange,” Angus said. “I’m having a hard time reading him. Shouldn’t be like this. I’m skeptical to go deeper.”

  “Go deeper, we need information,” Silas said leaning forward and clasping his hands together on the table. “Hawke, how’s it going?”

  “I’m getting dressed. I’m leaving Salvador in bed asleep. If anyone comes to check they’ll see a naked delivery man. How are things there?”

  Angus is touching Franz, lots of full-bloods, and I’ve been warned to go into town for a drink where it’s safer,” Silas said.

  “Safer? For humans?” Hawke asked.

  “I suppose.” Silas sensed three full-bloods enter the club before he saw them. Their energy was slightly different. The female stopped and stumped toward the bar. “We have a situation here.”

  “Do you need me?” Hawke asked.

  “No. We’ve got it.” Silas disconnected.

  “What the hell are you doing letting this bitch touch you?” the full-blood female yelled. Dressed in tight jeans, a short top and black combat boots, the bottle store blond stopped all conversation with her comments. Silas tried to get a better look at her but couldn’t.

  “Tasha, stop,” Franz said holding up his hand, disengaging Angus in the process.

  “He has some kind of block, took a minute to get beneath it. He’s linked to the wolves in this area. Rogue. The military doesn’t know about it. They’ve got an underground gang going on. He’s dirty,” Angus said.

  “Stop? I come here, on my turf by the way, see my man all cozy with some woman and all you say is stop? I’m kicking ass today,” Tasha said. Her chest rose and fell as if she needed more air to speak.

  Angus remained on his stool, ignoring the battle brewing next to him.

  “Shit,” Silas said. “Blocked? A human?”

  “Yeah, there’s nothing that’ll get him to share whatever secrets he holds. With more time, I could find out but I’d need to take him completely over, there’d be nothing left,” Angus said.

  Silas swore. They didn’t want to destroy life if they could help it. Especially a human officer.

  Franz stood and walked toward the muscular female. “Tasha, not here. You know better.” He looked at the other two men who had walked in with her. “I had a late meeting on post, Duke, you got my message?”

  One of the men nodded and sat at a nearby table. “That’s why we just got here.”

  Franz looked at Tasha who seemed to have trouble controlling her wolf. He stroked her arm and leaned into her.

  “Can you hear what he’s telling her?” Silas asked Angus.

  “He’s calming her beast, telling her to breathe and control it. Someone’s coming tonight from D.C., that’s why he’s late. He’s concerned because this person is a high-ranking officer. He’s concerned it may affect whatever they’ve got going on.”

  “Really? Did you get a name?” Silas asked.

  “Major General Robert Lee.”

  Silas contacted Jacques to run a background check on Lee. The waitress put Silas’ drink on the table. He gave her a large bill. “Keep the change.”

  Her smile widened as she pocketed the money. “Gracias. You should leave after your drink.”

  “I will, thanks.” He stirred the drink as she walked off and pushed it aside.

  “How will we handle this new distraction with him and these full-bloods?” Silas asked Angus.

  “I don’t think he’s a good candidate,” Angus said sounding disappointed. “There’s something going on with him and this bunch. We don’t need this. We’ll grab someone else.”

  Angus stood and walked toward the exit ignoring Franz and the others. Before he reached the door a large full-blood stepped in front of her. “I’m available, sweetness.”

  “For?” Angus asked in a hard, feminine voice.

  “Whatever you want,” he said offering his hand.

  Angus took his hand and they walked out. Silas watched the patrons in the bar for a few moments, noticed more full-bloods had entered. Franz, the only human, sat at the table with Tasha and the other two full-bloods who had entered with her as if it was the most natural thing in the world to be in the midst of wolves.

  Without taking a sip of the drugged gin and tonic, Silas stood and walked out the bar. Several full-bloods stared at him as he took his time walking down the steps toward his car. Angus stood nearby talking or pretending to talk to the full-blood from inside. He patted him on the cheek and sent him away before sliding into the driver’s seat of his vehicle. “They’re dealing all sorts of shit to the human gangs. Their gang runs this section of town. The cops leave them alone as long as the politicians gets their share of money.” He pulled out of the parking lot.

  “No big surprise there. We are not getting involved in that BS. Let’s go into town, maybe we’ll find someone who has to work on base tomorrow.” Silas slid into the driver’s seat. They left the parking lot and headed into town, fully aware they were being followed.

  SILAS SAT AT THE HOTEL bar eating a steak while Angus talked to an active duty serviceman. The full bloods who had followed them had sat in the back of the bar watching quietly. Silas had expected questions or some kind of altercation from the wolves but they left an hour after they arrived.

  Angus grew more and more frustrated with the soldier’s low level of knowledge. “It won’t do any good to use this one either, none of these guys security clearances will get us far. We’d be hopping from body to body to upgrade and that’s not good with the down time they need to recover,” Angus said his frustration lingering in their link.

  Silas wasn’t opposed to dropping bodies, however, he was opposed to anyone discovering the chameleon bracelets. “Maybe Hawke will have something for us soon, or he could get us on base as Contractors or something.” U. S. Military personnel were required to live on base, but not additional staff or Contractors who handled a lot of jobs there.

  “Hope so,” Angus groused as he pretended to listen to the obnoxious soldier.

  Thirty minutes later, Angus abruptly and left the table. “I’m done,” he told Silas without acknowledging the drunk soldier begging him to return. “How, forget that, why do women put up with this shit?”

  “Hawke, you got anything?” Silas asked when Angus sat next to him at the bar. “Angus is about to kick asses in an un-ladylike manner in this place.”

  “I believe so. One second let me verify two things.”

  Silas shared Hawke’s message with Angus.

  “Thank the Goddess, patch me in to listen when he contacts you,” Angus murmured and then took a long pull from his bottle of beer.

  Moments later Hawke returned. “A flight heading to D.C. was canceled earlier yesterday, there was no passenger list which made me suspicious, plus the cancellation happened not long after Rese talked to the Joint Chiefs.”

  “Shit,” Angus said.

  “Tomorrow there’s a convoy scheduled to move special cargo from the base to a secure research facility that’s shared jointly with the Honduran government and the U.S. near the foot of the mountains. General Lee arrives later and will be in charge of the move and the facility.”

  “Sounds like they changed their minds to send our men home after realizing you weren’t searching for them,” Angus said.

  Silas grunted. He would make sure they paid for that miscalculation.

  Hawke continued. “Salvador made the assignments for the research facility. I’ve already picked two single men for you. They’re civilian Contractors who live near the capital and work at the lab.”

  “Good.” Silas and Angus listened as Hawke rattled off more information.

  Silas stood, tossed a few bills on the bar and walked out as Hawke gave him the name and address of a contractor who worked at the facility. “On it,” Silas said as he strode to his car with Angus following. Moments later they left downtown.

  “Have you heard anything from Jacques about General Lee?” Angus asked Silas.

  “Not yet.
I’ll check and then take the contractor.” He drove toward the capital, Tegucigalpa.

  “Okay, it’ll be good to know a little more about him before he arrives,” Angus said.

  Silas paused. “Hawke?”

  “Sir?”

  “What do you know about Lee?”

  “Entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1986 where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from North Carolina State University, Raleigh. He has commanded at the squadron, group, and wing levels. He served as Deputy Director of the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Executive Action Group; and as Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. He was also the Vice Commander and Commander of the 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and the Commander of the 45th Space Wing and Director of the Eastern Range, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Prior to his current assignment, General Lee served as the Deputy Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, Chantilly, Virginia.”

  “His current assignment?” Silas asked.

  “Hmm, when I cut through the BS, he’s on special assignment at the Pentagon,” Hawke said.

  “Was he assigned to the Knight’s program?” Angus asked.

  “Nothing in his file regarding that,” Hawke said a few moments later.

  “Thanks,” Silas said.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  HAWKE SENT WORD THE convoy had left the base under guard five hours later. Silas and Angus arrived at the research facility within minutes of each other. Pat Keener, short on stature with a slight limp walked through security thinking of the day and hoping he would secure release for the four Knights enroute to this location. It wasn’t that Silas had a problem with Keener’s body, which he now shared. Or the extreme orderly way the man kept his home. But the ex-pat from California’s borderline fanaticism with porn, weird animalistic porn, twisted Silas’ stomach. He pushed down the images that kept surfacing and tried to lock them down without success.

  “How the hell did this asshole get a clearance?” Silas asked Angus as he walked down the concrete hall, returning nods and “good mornings”.

  Angus snorted. “Puedes, the guy I took over, wasn’t much better, but on the opposite end, religious zealot. He had more statutes of saints than I’ve ever seen. Every room in his house filled with candles and small statutes. Even had an altar in his bedroom. No wonder he’s single.”

  Silas noticed security guards standing about and wondered if they were because of the General and his cargo or normal protection. A brief search of Keener’s memories answered his question. Security had been enhanced. Were they expecting trouble? “Eyes open, I want my Knights out of here today if possible,” Silas said. “Hawke, did you find out anything else about the security in this place?”

  “No much. It’s jointly owned with the Honduras government and a private company. They allow the military to use it for tests. The security component is more vague; I’ll keep looking but you may have better luck than me.”

  “I hear cameras everywhere,” Angus said.

  “What part of the facility are you in?” Silas asked.

  “The lab. It’s set up like an operating room. Puedes assists doctors in their experiments which may be the reason for the altar. He goes home to get the stench of blood off him,” Angus said.

  “I’m not that far in, damn it,” Silas fumed. “I’m alone in the pharmacy right now. If someone doesn’t come soon, I’m heading to the lounge area to get information.”

  “Be careful, we can’t get kicked out of here for breaking rules, not yet,” Angus cautioned.

  Silas exhaled and allowed Keener’s personality to surface. The distasteful images rose along with the knowledge of what Silas needed to do to blend in. He picked up the clipboard and verified stock while waiting to hear news regarding the Knights.

  “They’re here,” Angus said 20 minutes later.

  “Did you get a visual?” Silas stopped moving and tried to connect with his pack.

  “No, but the energy’s changed. Puedes’ been called to another room for a meeting,” Angus said.

  “I can’t sense them yet,” Silas said as he made another attempt at contacting his Knights.

  “Stop,” Angus said.

  “What?” Silas asked.

  “Somehow they can sense when someone is trying to reach them. The General’s face whitened a few seconds ago as he looked at an electronic pad. He ran into the room where the Knights are being guarded by soldiers. They’re moving from there just that quick,” Angus said.

  “You saw them?” Silas asked, desperate to know his men were alive.

  “A glimpse but it’s them.”

  “Good. How can we take them?”

  “That’s going to require some planning if you don’t want anyone to know you’re here or about our ability to change with the chameleon,” Angus said slowly.

  Silas cursed at the delay and nodded to the person dropping off papers. “Hawke, they’ve arrived but have been taken somewhere.” He shared the information regarding the General from Angus. “Is there a way to block disrupt the pad so I can try to connect with our men?”

  “I’ll look into it. Franz is here at the base and he’s not happy. Something strange is going on with that guy,” Hawke said.

  Silas didn’t care about Franz.

  “He’s asking all kinds of questions about the convoy, who was in it, where they went, all kinds of stuff he shouldn’t be asking out loud. Insubordination is just one thing they’ll bust his ass on,” Hawke said. “I think he plans to come out there. You sure we can’t take him?”

  Silas thought about it. “He’s involved with the local pack, they don’t know we’re here and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

  “Can Angus get a visual of the General’s toy?” Hawke asked.

  The change in subject took Silas a moment. “Angus can you get a visual for Hawke of that pad?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Send it to Hawke when you do, and let me know if you learn anything else about where they moved my men.” Silas ran his hand through his hair forgetting how short the muddy brown strands were.

  “Will do,” Angus said.

  Silas turned to fill a few orders when the door opened and General Lee strode inside. Silas immediately allowed Keener’s personality to rise. “General, good to see you.”

  The General smiled, although it never reached his eyes. He wasn’t tall, a few inches over Keener’s 5’7”, with light brown eyes wide set apart in a face that spent a lot of time outdoors. “Keener, how’s life been treating you since you moved south of the border?”

  “Very good, Sir.” He stepped aside and opened two locked drawers. “Here’s your shipment. Came in three days ago.” Keener lifted three small sealed boxes and handed them to the General.

  The General inspected the seals before waving to one of the soldiers who stood nearby to take the boxes. Keener met General Lee’s gaze. “The General is in the pharmacy, stand by to see that pad,” Silas told Hawke.

  “Things okay at the base?” Keener asked although Silas knew the man didn’t care one way or the other.

  “Yes. Have there been any problems here with the locals?” the General asked and lifted his pad to stare at it before allowing it to drop to his side. In that moment, Silas captured the image and sent it to Hawke.

  “Major Franz has been dealing with them. From what I’ve heard they’ve come to several agreements but no volunteers have come in yet. We’re stocked and ready.”

  The General rocked back and forth on his heels. “Franz. Hmm, I’ll need to talk to him before I leave.”

  “How long will you be here this time?” Keener asked. “Long enough for a game?” The two men often played poker for hours.

  “No, this is a quick trip, I’m afraid. Maybe next time,” Lee said as he nodded and walked out the door.

  “Did you see his device?” Silas asked Hawke as he snatched control from Keener.


  “Yes, I’m running checks now but it may be something customized for one function. They may be further along in their research than we know. I’ll work on something to shield your search so it doesn’t broadcast,” Hawke said.

  “Will it stop him from knowing when I’m seeking my men?” Silas asked, needing reassurance.

  “Depends on what technology they’re using. If they’ve injected or implanted a device that sends an alert, we may not be able to get around that. If they’ve put a collar or something external to block you, the shield will by-pass that. Right now, without knowing more, it’s the best I can do,” Hawke said.

  “Thanks. Let’s start with that and move forward.” He told Hawke the chemicals the General had picked and wasn’t surprised when Hawke whistled. “Not good, huh?”

  “Not at all. Those are all illegal in the States. I can’t imagine what he’s planning to do with those.”

  “I’m positive he’s going to use those to test the Knights. We need to find out what he’s up to and stop him. Has Franz left the base?” Silas asked.

  “I’m not sure, why?”

  Silas told him of the conversation with Lee.

  “They’re negotiating with the local wolves? For what?”

  “I don’t know. Besides, Franz was dating one of the wolves and may have a separate deal going on. We’re working in the dark here. But if I have to use them to get my men out I will,” Silas said.

  “We’re doing another test in an hour,” Angus said. “Doctor Grenwald and Lee are meeting about it right now. Me and two others are setting up the room. Five tables with heavy steel body restraints for the neck, arms, legs and torso have been brought in. I’m getting the impression from my host that this is new.”

  “No. Fuck No,” Silas gritted as he struggled to keep his wolf at bay. He inhaled, tapped into his beast and searched for his Knights.

  “Alpha?” the voice sounded weak but the wolf responded to Silas’ wolf.

  “Don’t speak, just relax,” Silas said as he sought connections with the others.

  “Silas whatever you’re doing is causing Lee to shit bricks,” Angus warned. “He just moved up the tests.”