Page 114 of Once a Hero

All doors were heavily guarded.

Jake noticed that Benjamin did not mentioned Ansel or his team.

“Is Molyneux inside?” FSB asked.

“Presumably.” Benjamin didn’t say more.

“Then we take her home in a body bag. She is wanted in Russia.”

Jake remembered that Beatrice wanted Molyneux alive so that she would have more opportunities for repentance. Truth be told, some people had gone too far to repent. While he hoped that Molyneux had more chances yet, he also knew that only God could read the human heart.

As a former FBI agent, Jake no longer had jurisdiction here. He had come as a civilian working for Hu Knows, Inc. If he still had his badge, he could claim that Molyneux was his to take home to the USA or to hand over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

From the corner of Jake’s eye, he spotted more people fanning out. “Ben, better let Ansel know.”

Benjamin nodded. He texted Ansel.

Ansel replied that he had already met his FSB counterparts. It helped that Ansel spoke multiple languages, including Russian.

When Jake saw the weapons moving all around him, he was more than worried.

Beatrice was inside.

But inside where?

Jake prayed silently that God would let Beatrice know that they were coming to rescue her. He wasn’t sure if such a prayer would be answered, but God could do anything. It said so in Luke 1:37.

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Jake whispered the verse into the wind. Then he felt little drops of water on his exposed forehead, and more water on his night vision goggles.

Then the rain poured.

Great.

* * *

Jake could barely hear Benjamin in the pouring rain. They were the last people ones behind the mausoleum.

Benjamin checked the map on his waterproof phone strapped to his wrist. He tilted it so that Jake could see the map of the thirteenth century church.

“Not too many heat pockets on the main floor,” Benjamin said.

“I think they’re in the basement.”

“In the undercroft,” Benjamin said.

“Or further down. The crypt. Somewhere an old golden key could be used.”

“Does this place have catacombs?” Benjamin swiped his phone. Shook his head. Then he pointed to what looked like the transept of the church.

Jake nodded.

They made a dash in the rain. Hampered by the wet soil and grass, Jake dragged a bit with his bad leg. It wasn’t too bad, but it had only been days. He could use a few more weeks of healing.

Ansel’s men stood watch at the transept nearest them. They let Jake and Benjamin inside. At least a dozen of Ansel’s men followed them in.

“Look out for friendly fire,” Jake told Benjamin through their headsets. He saw a door, just like what Benjamin’s phone was showing. “That way.”

---