Page 46 of Cole
“On it,” said Moose, running back toward the villages.
“Let’s go,” said Ham. “We’re about to spoil the party for this bastard.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“Did you open the dam?” he asked one of the men.
“We did, sir,” he nodded.
“Good.”
“Sir, the men are starting to get sick. I think they’ve been too close to the devices. Many can’t stand up any longer.”
“Then get me men who can,” he snapped.
He walked briskly back up the passageway until he was at the opening of the cave. Once he received the signal that the water was in the villages, he would make his way back to his own home. Far enough from the site that no one would suspect him.
In the expanse near the cave opening, he’d created a home away from home. There were carpets on the floor, several chairs, even a television with satellite connected. He liked to stay up to date with what was happening in the world and every now and then, actually watch a movie.
He settled into his seat, waiting for the all-clear to make their way out of the cave when two of his men came running.
“What now?” he frowned.
“Sir, the water didn’t make it to the village. We released the dam but they said it didn’t come into the village. Someone from the government is delivering barrels of pure water to them.”
“No! No, how could they know? It’s not possible,” he frowned. The men back up, knowing all too well what his wrath might cause.
“What do we do?” asked another man.
“Set the explosives. We’ll blow the entire mountain.”
“B-but that will kill our families. It will kill everyone,” said one of the men.
“I don’t care!” he yelled. “This is for the good of everyone. Blow it!”
The men stared at one another, understanding all too well what that would mean. Their friends were already sick, probably dying from their exposure to the chemicals. Now he was asking that they intentionally expose everyone to it.
“No,” said one of the men shaking his head. “No.”
Hilal raised his weapon, shooting the man in the chest. The others stared at him but shook their heads as well. He raised the gun, pointing it from one man to the next. He wasn’t a fool. He knew that he didn’t have enough ammunition to kill them all.
“Drop your weapon,” said the decidedly American voice.
He turned quickly toward the cave entrance, seeing only dark faces and large bodies. He raised the pistol and a shot rang out, not his own. The bullet pierced his wrist causing him to drop the gun, screaming in pain.
“I told you to drop the weapon,” said Tobias.
“On the floor,” said Rush shoving the other men to the carpets. They were searched for weapons and then zip-tied.
“You won’t stop this. Stupid Americans. You think you can stop this, interfere with our country but you can’t.”
“Actually, it looks like we are,” said Cole. Hilal stared at the tall, muscular man with the blonde hair.
“You. You took my granddaughter,” he seethed.
“I didn’t take her. I asked her to come with me, come with us and she said yes. In fact, she said yes at the altar. She is my wife,” smiled Cole.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” said Patrick.
