Page 81 of The Death
The pursuers’ anguished shouts continued as Celine ducked back down next to him. She might have been horrified by their death screams if they hadn’t just been trying to kill her. “Cool gadgets.”
“I thought you’d approve.” He was dialing Caleb as hespoke. When Caleb picked up, he said, “You know you said you wanted to escalate the action?”
“Yes, and you were being very boring about it.”
“I hate to disappoint. Escalate.” He paused. “All the way.”
“Yes! I’ll be right back with you.” Caleb pressedDISCONNECT.
And Dominic grabbed Celine’s elbow and pushed her into a run. “Let’s keep going.”
After he’d hung up with Dominic, Caleb crouched on a hillside with his binoculars, staring at the twisted spectacle of Zakira’s army celebrating their dear leader with music, sparklers, and a feast that could have fed a group a hundred times its size. In the middle was a huge platform altar equipped with leg and arm restraints. The sight sickened him. Zakira was obviously prepared to serve up Celine’s human sacrifice for his assembled guests.
To hell with that.
He reached for the knapsack Dominic had given him.
Celine and Dominic had traveled less than a mile from the site of the sentry guns when a familiar voice called out from the darkness.
“Celine Kelly!”
More than familiar to Celine. It had to be Caldwell.
“How naughty you were, Celine,” he shouted again. “You’re responsible for the death of almost twenty of my men. How does that feel? Not that I minded you ridding me of that fool Jossland. In fact, you chose a very convenient time. But it annoys me not to be in control of a situation. So I think I’ll have to kill Dominic to teach you a lesson. Of course you’re reserved for Zakira. But I’ll enjoy watching your face as Dominic is torn apart.”
Dominic was motioning her to stay silent, and there was no way she’d give Caldwell the satisfaction of even thinking she’d heard him. Evidently, she had discouraged him, because he didn’t call out again.
“That wasn’t pleasant,” she murmured to Dominic. “I hope that surprise you arranged is right around the corner? I’m afraid I’m a trifle breathless.”
“It is. Caleb reminded me that you’re still wounded, so I made plans to accommodate.” He had his arm around her waist again and was bearing most of her weight as they reached the edge of the forest. “There’s a cave only a few yards away. Tuck yourself inside it, keep quiet, and prepare to watch the show.” He was climbing a tall sycamore tree as he spoke and pulled out his automatic pistol and adjusted it on one of branches near the top of the tree. “Come on, Caleb,” he whispered. “It’s almost time. I promised her that surprise, and we don’t want to disappoint her.”
As if on cue, Caleb’s voice came over his mobile phone. “I’m all set here. Zakira’s soldiers are standing by for an attack at the parade grounds when they bring Celine down for the ceremony. Zakira has a particularly deadly-looking machete that he’s brandishing while he’s waiting for her.”
“He’ll never get a chance to use it,” Dominic said coldly as he aimed at one of Caldwell’s men who had appeared on the horizon. “Not if you did what I asked you to do.”
“Of course I did,” Caleb said. “There’s nothing I like better than a carefully coordinated attack on a fine night like this. I told you how envious I was about you taking over the heliport action. I’m still available if you need any assistance.”
“I’ll let you know.” Dominic took out the sniper, watching the man drop to the ground. He set up the next shot. “I’m well aware of your willingness to accommodate. Or perhaps I should use the termeagernessinstead.”
“Perhaps you should,” Caleb said quietly. “It’s definitely more appropriate. I consider Eve Duncan family, and those bastards have been putting her through hell. It’s been a pleasure finding a way to work out the right payback.”
“I believe we’ve found it,” Dominic said. “Though I’m sure Caldwell will disagree. He was hurling threats at us when we were running through the forest and probably thinks he’s got us cornered. But I was just about to phone and nag you for dragging your feet when you called me.”
“I never permit nagging, Dominic. You should have realized that perfection always requires a little longer. But I’ll forgive you since you’ve engineered such an entertaining evening for me.” Then he added crisply, “I’ve just had Kontara forward Zakira’s location coordinates to your phones.”
“Perfect,” Dominic said.
Caleb suddenly chuckled. “Well, it just got a little more perfect. Caldwell just showed up here with a couple of his men.”
“Caldwell?” Dominic repeated. “He was just here.”
“Evidently, he’s impatient. He probably wants to borrow a detachment of Zakira’s soldiers to hunt down you and Celine.”
“Oh, my God,” Dominic murmured. “We’ll never have another chance like this.”
“Tell me you’re ready.” Caleb was whispering. “Tell me you’re going to let me be the one to do it.”
“I’m not shutting you out. I thought I might send some of our best snipers to pick you up to help.”
