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  “We had a secure method of accessing the key so we didn’t have to memorize it. I don't have access to that anymore, and the key changes weekly.”

  “Will you please check once more, KC, to see if you've received anything?”

  “Sure. Be back in a couple of minutes. I have to run to the study.”

  “Let me talk to Steve while you check.”

  “Here’s Steve.”

  “Sergeant Bancroft reporting for duty, sir.”

  “That's what I need. Sergeant Bancroft on duty here, ASAP. I'm going to make two plans for the assault, one plan with the access keys, the other … a high-risk, rapid assault with an explosives expert by my side. But I pray to God we don't have to use the second plan.”

  “Me too. If the DUCC is nuclear hardened, I’m not sure how much help I’ll be.”

  “Pack up whatever you need, Bancroft, and be ready to leave when I call back. I'll call the pilot first, then you. Your pilot will pick you up at the Redmond Municipal Airport, Roberts Field.”

  “The Redmond Airport? Is that safe, sir?”

  “Safe.” Craig laughed. “Bancroft… nothing we've done for the past six weeks has been safe. But nobody is going to shoot you or detain you at Roberts field unless you do something really stupid.” His phone flashed and vibrated for an incoming call. He looked at the display. Belino's number. “I've got another call. Got to go.”

  “KC just came back in the room shaking her head. No keys yet, sir.”

  “That’s the way this day’s been going. I'll call you back with rendezvous instructions when it's time to head for the airport. Be ready, Bancroft.”

  Craig ended the call and picked up the incoming call. “Hello, Belino.”

  “Sir, I'm afraid I have some bad news.”

  Great. Hannan must've deployed the troops. “So, Hannan found some loyal, trustworthy troops to protect him?”

  “It's not about events in DC. This is about KC, Brock, and the rest of the group on the West Coast. They may be in serious danger, sir.”

  Chapter 27

  The group of seven congregated in Julia's dining room shortly before noon. As Julia took a seat beside Steve, the reality that he would soon leave brought an icy chill to her heart. She had faced almost certain death beside this brave, strong warrior. That had drawn them close, and it had shown her how deeply she could trust this man … how deeply she had come to love him.

  She opened her hand underneath the table, palms up.

  Steve took it just as he had, for the first time, five weeks ago after boarding the Israeli Gulfstream.

  So much had happened since then. Julia had learned that she was stronger than she thought and that her fears weren’t as horrifying when someone she trusted and loved was by her side. That was the problem. Soon, Steve wouldn’t be with her.

  Steve dropped her hand and reached for his side.

  Julia looked down.

  Steve's phone flashed an incoming call.

  He pulled the sat phone from his pocket. “It's Craig again.”

  Julia's stomach tightened into a cramping knot. She knew what was coming, Steve's orders to fly to the East Coast, a mission from which he might never return, but one he must attempt.

  “Sergeant Bancroft here … News for all of us… The speakerphone… Yes, Sir.”

  Steve placed his sat phone on the dining table. “Craig says we all need to hear this.”

  Julia shot him a frown. “All of us? Why?”

  He shrugged and pushed the speakerphone toggle.

  “Craig here. Listen everyone, I just had another chat with Belino.”

  “This can't be good,” KC muttered.

  Craig sighed into the phone. “If that was you, KC, no … it's not good. Belino's White House contact told him Hannan is preparing to order troops from JBLM, near Tacoma, to deploy to Central Oregon. They will deploy as soon as Hannan gives the word. And Hannan has people poring over satellite data and traffic video obtained by his NSA hackers. He's looking for you and will probably deploy a whole company of Rangers to ensure you don't get away this time. Belino says Hannan is furious after reading Brock's post.”

  “Sir, sounds like he plans to wipe us out. Did Belino know how soon this deployment might happen?”

  “Whenever he thinks he's found you. It could be a few hours or a couple of days.”

  Steve shook his head. “They could load a company of Rangers on their Chinooks and be on our doorstep in three hours, maybe less.”

  “That's why you need to invoke your evacuation plan now,” Craig said.

  “Here we go again.” KC looked up at Brock. “Some honeymoon, huh?”

  “Kace, how many people get to go from Israel to Whistler to Oregon on their honeymoon?”

  “Craig …” KC stood. “The alarm on my laptop just went off. Be back in a couple of minutes, maybe with good news.” KC trotted out of the dining room toward the hall leading to the study.

  Brock folded his hands on the table. “Probably the cypher codes. Doesn't that create an interesting situation?”

  “Interesting?” Steve said. “I don't like it.”

  “Me neither,” Benjamin said. “It's an overwhelming force. We must not let them find us.”

  Julia met Steve's gaze. The look in his eyes stirred her heart. She knew what it meant and wanted to accept his sacrifice of love, but couldn't.

  Steve was going to back out, disobeying his commander. Still trying to atone for his sister’s death, he would do anything to protect Julia. Once again, she was an obstacle, a person in the way, causing trouble.

  Craig's mission required Steve. That meant America needed Steve or Hannan might actually win.

  Julia could not allow that. No matter the personal cost, she would make sure Steve went. The force driving him to stay must be strong if he was willing to sacrifice his career, his honor, and violate his oath. That force and Steve’s will must be broken.

  Julia was the problem and only Julia could eliminate the problem. No halfway measures would do. Though it would break her heart, crush her, she must drive Steve away or he wouldn’t go.

  The pain wouldn't last long, because Julia Weiss probably didn't have long to live, not if Hannan was sending a large body of troops to kill them. But Steve must keep his honor, his oath, and he must help Craig capture Abe Hannan.

  KC ran back into the dining room, carrying a sheet of paper. “Craig, KC here. Hannan’s in his study. Would you like the keys to the DUCC?”

  “That I would. I had a back-up plan, but really didn’t want to rely on it.”

  “A back-up plan for getting into the DUCC?” KC said. “How, exactly, did you plan to do that?”

  Craig chuckled “Find somebody in the underground complex to shoot and then shove their face in front of a retinal scanner.”

  “I think my plan is more reliable.” It took KC three or four minutes to read the keys and ensure that Craig had correctly repeated them.

  “Got them, KC. What's next?”

  “Did you get my map of your route through the building down to the DUCC?”

  “Yes. But I have a question about the map. How likely is it that you missed video cameras in the stairwell?”

  “It's possible I missed some. But I only remember seeing them at the exits to floors connecting to the stairwell. There are only four such floors. The cameras are mounted above the exit doors. And the Security Center is one floor above the DUCC. Maybe you should—”

  “KC, we'll take out security, if we can, on our way down.”

  “That's all I remember, Craig. I always used the elevator when I went down to pull my shift. The only time I used the stairwell was for a mandatory evacuation drill. It was a brutal climb out of the DUCC. I got really tired, so I may have missed some cameras.”

  “Thanks, KC. You may have just saved this detachment and the USA. I need to talk to Bancroft now.”

  “Sergeant Bancroft here, sir.”

  “Steve… I…” A commotion sounded in the background.r />
  “Something's happening here. I've got to check it out. I'll call back soon as I can.” The connection ended.

  They needed to pack up everything from Julia's house that they would need for staying in the Skylight Cave. But Julia's mind seemed to go numb each time she tried to make a list. So she started a new list, the list of things she had to tell Steve.

  “I guess our mission here is complete,” Benjamin said. “Let's make a quick list of what we'll need at the Skylight Cave.”

  “There's a spring for water outside the cave,” Jeff said.

  “Benjamin and I have filters for the water,” Steve said. “We don't want anybody getting sick from parasites when we don't even have an outhouse?”

  “I'll bring my Israeli laptop, maybe I can get it to connect via satellite. The batteries are good for six to eight hours,” KC said.

  “Kace, we’re hiding in the cave for good reason,” Brock said. “You’re not going outside it to try connecting to some satellite.”

  “We don’t know what might happen, Brock. I’m still bringing the laptop.”

  Allie pointed toward the kitchen as she stood. “I'll box up some kitchen supplies and food.”

  Julia hooked Steve's arm. “Steve and I will get my grandparents’ camping gear from the garage.”

  “I can help with that,” Jeff said.

  Allie shook her head and gave him a look that only a fool would ignore. “No, Jeff. You're coming with me to the kitchen.”

  After Julia and Steve stepped through the door into the garage, Julia pulled the door shut until the latch clicked. She may not have much time until Craig called back. Craig would order Steve to go, but he would back out. She had read that loud and clear in Steve’s reaction to Craig’s message about the army Hannan had sent to wipe them out.

  Steve’s strong drive to protect had to be broken, but that meant breaking his heart. She knew no other way.

  “Are there any sleeping bags out here?” Steve walked toward the shelves lining the back side of the garage.

  Julia took his arm and turned him toward her. In the semidarkness of the garage, she couldn't read his eyes well, but his body language looked uncharacteristically nervous and antsy, like a man contemplating a violation of his conscience.

  Before Julia realized what Steve was doing, he had her in his arms, holding her, tightly. His words came in a hoarse whisper. “If Hannan sends a large contingent of special forces, it won't be like before. Julia, they will find you this time and when they do, no one will survive.”

  She pulled her head back to see his face. “If Craig doesn't catch Hannan, America won't survive.”

  His eyes grew intense, blazing with a fierce emotion Julia could never remember seeing before. “Do you remember what almost happened the last time Hannan's men captured you? Remember what that creep, Abdul, wanted to do to you?”

  How could she forget. The man was like Satan incarnate. Julia shuddered, then took a calming breath and put on the best bravado she could manage. “You're just trying to scare me. It won't work. God … will … protect me.” She said the words but knew she didn't sound convincing. “You have to go and stop Hannan. Craig needs you, Steve.”

  “I … I thought you needed me.”

  This was the dreaded moment.

  God forgive me for what I'm about to do.

  “I did, Steve.”

  Steve pulled his head back, exposing a deep frown. “Did?”

  She nodded. “I thought so. But, Steve, no matter how hard I try, there are things between us that can never be reconciled, not in this life. The bottom line is … I need God more than I need you.”

  Steve exhaled like he’d been punched in the stomach. “Julia, God comes first. I know that, but—”

  She turned away so he wouldn't see her tears. Maybe the semidarkness would hide them. “It's more than that. When God says no, this is not something I want you to do, you have to listen to Him. And that's what He's telling me about us.”

  She had never lied so blatantly to anyone. She had even brought God in on her lie. Julia wanted to moan, scream, start sobbing, anything but continue this conversation. But Steve had to go, not for her, or for him, but for all Americans. And Julia Weiss was the person who had to make the sacrifice. She had done it before, but never when the stakes were this high and never had her heart been at stake.

  She could do this. It would be the last sacrifice she would be called to make, because she wouldn't be alive when Steve returned … if he returned.

  “You can't mean that. I love you, Julia. I want to protect you, to—”

  She pressed her fingers over his lips.

  The sun beamed through the small window in the side door of the garage, lighting Steve's face. Recognition of what she had said and what she had meant showed in his eyes, a look that he’d never displayed to her, the look of a little boy, lost, alone, and helpless. Then the look vanished. His shoulders slumped … resignation.

  Steve would go. A man like Steve Bancroft would leave as graciously as possible. He would never try to force himself on a woman he thought did not want a relationship with him.

  The victory of her will over his brought nothing but emptiness. If death was coming for her, she would welcome it.

  “Julia, will you please do one thing for me before I go?”

  “If I can, you know I will.” She looked away to hide her welling eyes.

  “Just … kiss me goodbye.”

  She was going to lose it. No, she had lost it. The first sob shook her body, then came the tears.

  Steve held her or she would have fallen.

  Sometime later the garage door to the house opened. Brock stood in the doorway. “Sorry, but Craig needs to talk to Steve.”

  Julia took a deep breath, wiped her cheeks, and walked to the garage door. “Tell him Steve's coming.” She closed the garage door and turned around.

  Steve was there. His arms held her.

  She kissed him, but not like in the lookout. This was a kiss of desperation, driven by a passion she could not mask. Julia would let Steve end this final kiss of a relationship she had killed with carefully crafted lies. And she would take this kiss with her, cherishing it to the end of what would probably be a very short life.

  Finally, Steve broke it off. “Goodbye, Julia.” He turned and walked inside, out of her life, leaving her leaning against the white van, her body convulsing with each violent sob.

  Inside that van, she and Steve had shared their dreams … the same dream—helping the helpless, the orphans—a dream that would never be realized.

  And now guilt burned in her heart, wedging its way between her and the God she professed to love and obey, the one she had tried to make an accomplice to her lie. Julia needed to pray but, after what she had done, would God even listen?

  Please, God, forgive me for deceiving him. You know I love him, but I had to do this, didn't I?

  Chapter 28

  Steve rode shotgun in the SUV beside Jeff as they drove to Richards Field in Redmond to catch Steve’s flight.

  It was over. Julia was choosing to die while refusing to let him protect her and refusing to have a relationship with him. His reason for living had been drained from him. Could he even do the job Craig needed him to do? Would he only get good men killed?

  Jeff had evidently detected Steve’s bad vibes and knew he didn’t want to talk.

  Didn’t want to talk? What an understatement. He didn’t want to live, because he’d failed again.

  Steve had walked away from the woman he loved, leaving her to die. It was within his power to stay and use his Ranger training to save her life, no matter what Hannan threw at them. But he couldn’t save all seven against such overwhelming odds. Leaving five people behind to die, while he saved Julia, violated the Ranger’s Creed. And staying to save only Julia also required Steve to violate his oath of enlistment and the trust his commander had placed in him.

  Life’s circumstances seemed to defeat him every time it really mattered. B
ut Julia had given him no choice. No, that wasn’t true. No one had bound him and drug him away. He had made the choice to leave and it was the wrong choice.

  Steve was losing Steph again, but this was worse because he had chosen to do this. No matter how hard Julia had pushed him, leaving or staying were still his choices to make, and he’d made a conscious decision to fail, to abandon her to a violent death.

  Could Steve Bancroft live with what he’d done? Where he would soon be, did it even matter? He might not live beyond the next few hours.

  To help him survive Julia’s rejection and to preserve part of his sanity, Steve’s mind went into male survival mode, numbness. If a man could shut off his thoughts and feelings, no loss could kill him … in theory.

  But something wasn’t right. In one unanesthetized corner of his brain, a niggling question burned, demanding attention.

  Julia had completely broken down when she told him their relationship would never work. He had seen her cry before, but never like that. When she kissed him, something happened in the middle of that kiss, something he didn’t understand. It didn’t end like a goodbye kiss. In fact, if he hadn’t ended it, they might still be there, lips pressed together, holding each other. What did that mean?

  Stop it, Bancroft. It’s over. You’re just grasping at straws.

  “Bro, there’s the pilot.” Jeff’s voice startled Steve, rescuing him, but leaving his question unanswered.

  A man in a flight suit walked their way.

  Steve looked at the gun in his lap. The M4 created another problem. Obviously, he wasn’t up for this. When a Ranger can’t figure out what to do with a gun, he isn’t fit to be a Ranger.

  He hit the down button on his window and tried to surrender to his battlefield instincts. Hopefully, they would take over and get him through the next few minutes … and hours.

  Steve snorted. “How am I going to walk through an airport carrying an M4?”

  Jeff gave him a palms-up shrug.

  The pilot stopped beside the door and studied Steve for a moment. “You must be Steve Bancroft.”