Chapter 25
Steve was silent in the back of the SUV, they’d switched back to, as they drove back to the Farm. It was one-thirty. What if Volkov had already left? In his career, he’d seen some terrible things, done some terrible things. At times it woke him up in the middle of the night. As SEALs, they were trained to turn off emotion to complete the mission. In the heat of the action, he could do that. But late at night when you’re lying in bed, it was harder to keep the emotion switched off. He was human. Certain missions were burned on his brain and in his heart. If they did not get Diane back, he would never get past it. He would never forgive himself or be able to block out how he had failed her. This was his wife. The love of his life. His life, as he knew it, would be over.
“They got a location on the Honda.” Dex’s voice broke through his thoughts. “It’s at a parking lot steps from the memorial. Nyx are already there, checking all vehicles for the weapon. They’re looking for it now.”
“Are we headed there?” Steve asked, praying there were no bodies in the car.
“Yes.”
Dex rattled off the address to Tyler and through coms to Ryan, who was in the second SUV behind them. They were about fifteen minutes away. It was a very long fifteen minutes.
The brass were still not willing to raise any alarms over the potential attack for fear of panic. If it was due to go off during the memorial, then they had until sixteen hundred to secure it safely. No pressure.
Dumping the SUVs on the street, Steve and Raven found Nyx surrounding the blue Honda. Jay was going over the car with his scanner for any levels of sarin. Logan was under the car, presumably checking for any explosive device, wires, or booby traps. A woman sat in the driver's seat. Steve wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or relieved it wasn’t Diane.
“Liam, where we at?” Steve asked.
“Still checking the car. Ms. Costas is too scared to move.”
Steve felt for the woman. Dylan was talking to her through the window, keeping her calm.
“She told Dylan two of Volkov’s men drove her here, put her in the driver’s seat and told her the car was wired. If she moves, tries to open the door, it will blow,” Liam said.
“Jesus Christ,” Dex said from beside Steve.
“Jay, anything on the scanner?” Steve walked toward him, keeping his impatience in check. Ms. Costas may have seen Diane. Might know where she is.”
“Trace reading. It’s here somewhere, can’t rule out this car yet.”
“How do we know if the sarin is here, someone isn’t watching us right now and might detonate it?” Dex asked.
“We don’t,” Liam admitted. “However, they would need to transmit a signal. We’re jamming any signals in the area.”
Steve turned to Dex. “Fuck, I should have brought another scanner.”
“Donnie has it.”
Steve spun around to see Donnie going over the white Toyota, next to the Honda. Of course, if there was a trace reading on the Honda, it might be because it’s close by.
“If Volkov brought this car here, he did so for a reason,” Dex said.
“Close to the sarin.”
“That would be my guess. Let the sarin take care of Ms. Costas. No one would question her death.”
“They only won’t question it if Diane or Natasha don’t talk. Or can’t talk.” Steve rubbed a hand over his beard. Volkov was going to kill them.
“Guys, I got something.” Donnie waved a hand. “Jay, come take a look, see if you get the same.”