Page 51 of Hawk on the Hunt

“Zara, do you know his home address?” Dylan asked.

“Yes, why?”

“I have an idea.”

28

Zara topped off her wine glass and turned back to where all the residents of Ace’s mansion crowded around the television in the kitchen. Dylan put his good arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. It was evening. Everybody had done their share today to make sure that nothing that had transpired in D.C. and the surrounding areas would lead back to them.

Fox and Michelle had worked on wiping all data related to the Stargate program from Polo’s electronic devices, so that they could leave them in his condo. It had been necessary, because simply taking his computers and cell phone would have raised suspicion and indicated foul play once they found him. Meanwhile, Yankee, Ace, and Tiger had returned to the building where the MRI machine was located, and had dismantled it, then transported it away with a van disguised as a moving truck. Dylan had stayed at the mansion where Lilly had attended to his gunshot wound, confirming that no vital nerves or bones had been damaged, and the bullet had gone straight through him. He now wore his left arm in a sling.

“Turn it up,” Yankee demanded, and a moment later, the newscaster’s voice filled the room.

“…now have confirmation that a bomb was diffused earlier today at Joint Force Andrews following an anonymous tip. No terrorist organization has claimed responsibility for this attempted bombing of a military airport.” The screen split, and in addition to the female reporter sitting in the studio, a camera feed showed a male reporter on the tarmac. “Michael, have you spoken to officials at Joint Force Andrews to give us more information on what is behind this attack?”

There was a brief pause, then the reporter spoke. “Hello, Caroline, sources here at Joint Force Andrews are tightlipped. The bomb squad was called here mid-morning, shortly after the plane carrying the body of the VP’s son arrived here. However, a military spokesman would not disclose where the bomb was located, and whether it could have killed the president and the VP, had they arrived here this morning. Nor would they speculate as to whether the downing of Marine One and the bomb at Andrews are connected.”

Caroline nodded. “In a press briefing earlier today, the White House press secretary stated that the downing of Marine One is an ongoing investigation, and was unwilling to divulge any information on whether these incidents were connected. Let’s talk to Tricia Black who’s outside the Capitol building, which was evacuated earlier today. Tricia, what’s the latest you can report?”

The screen changed, and a woman standing in front of the Capitol appeared. Behind her, heavy security was protecting the building.

“Yes, Caroline, earlier today, the Capitol was evacuated after the bomb squad was called. Details are spotty, but several staffers I spoke to claimed that a bomb had been found on the House side of the Capitol building. While paramedics were called to the scene, no injuries other than minor scrapes that resulted from people tripping and falling during the evacuation have been reported. For now, nobody has given any information as to who was the target of this bomb, which was successfully diffused. Over to you, Caroline.”

“Thank you, Tricia.” The screen filled with the newscaster again. “We will follow the developments of these incidents. In other news from the Hill…” A picture of Senator Johnson appeared in the top left corner of the screen. “Senator James Johnson, the junior senator of Idaho, who was appointed to his father’s seat only a month ago has suffered a massive stroke. A neighbor in his condo building here in D.C. was alerted by water dripping through the ceiling and notified the management company. They found Senator Johnson on the floor of his bathroom, his bath overflowing. It appears that he returned home after the Capitol was evacuated, and suffered a stroke in his condo, while running a bath. He’s been transported to George Washington University Hospital, but according to a statement by the treating physician, the senator is in a vegetative state…”

Ace turned down the volume. “It’s done. They bought it. There’ll be investigations, of course, but they’ll never really figure out the truth.” Then he motioned to Fox and Yankee. “The explosion of Bancroft’s house didn’t even make the news.”

Fox grinned. “I won’t take it personally. It was a busy news day.”

Yankee shrugged. “I’m not looking for a trophy.”

“It’s really over?” Phoebe asked, her newborn baby in her arms.

Ace put his arm around the two, and kissed Phoebe on the forehead. “Yes, babe. It’s finally over.”

“So, what’s next?” Dylan asked.

Ace grinned. “For starters, Phoebe is gonna make an honest man out of me, and you’re all invited to the wedding.”

Clapping and hollering filled the kitchen.

“I want to thank all of you for all the sacrifices you made, for the risks you took, for your friendship,” Ace said, a wet sheen covering his irises, “for your loyalty, and your tenacity to pull this through. And for helping me get justice for my father.” Ace lifted his glass. “To Henry Sheppard, for bringing us together.”

“To Henry Sheppard,” everybody called out and lifted their glass.

As they all—except for Phoebe—drank, Zara smiled at Dylan, and he leaned in and kissed her. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the other couples hugging and kissing too. They’d sacrificed so much of their private lives for much longer than she had. She could hear them talking, making plans for the future.

“I’m gonna have to find a job,” Yankee said.

“Me too,” Tiger added. “Not sure what I can get with my qualifications as ex-CIA agent and Yoga teacher. Any suggestions?”

“I’m sure our skills are useful in many jobs…” Dylan mused. “Risk management? Private Investigations?” He shrugged. “I don’t know.” He motioned to Ace. “Maybe Ace wants to open up an outfit where we could all use our precognitive skills…”

Everybody laughed.

“I think the first thing I’ll do,” Ace announced, “is to take a long vacation with the two people I love most in this world.” He smiled at Phoebe and their son, before he looked back at the assembled. “We’ll see about the future later. I have to figure out first what I really want in this life, now that I have choices again.”

At those words, Zara locked eyes with Dylan. They had choices too. One was a simple one, at least for her. “I guess we can now move to my place, can’t we?”