Page 114 of Until the End

His mouth flattened into a grim line. “Don’t do that. Don’t use gender against me. You can’t go because I love you and because I don’t trust that evil prick.”

She flicked a glance at Howe, who was eating an apple, his gaze glued to them. “Well, I love you too. But you’re injured. So I’m the one going. If you push me on this, I’ll kick your ass right here, right now. I’ll hurt you, really hurt you, so you can’t go.” At least he’d still be alive.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t stand a chance against Logan one-on-one, but they both knew by exploiting his injury, she could make good on her promise.

“You fight dirty, Ash.”

“Only when I have to.” She kissed him, hard but quick.

“We’ll probably all go dark at the same time,” he said, referencing the communications shutdowns at the beginning of the next step of the plan. “But I need you to keep me abreast of what you’re doing. Where you’re going. Agreed?”

It was a violation of protocol, but this exception had to be made. If the situation was reversed, she’d ask no less of him. “Sounds reasonable.”

They walked over to Sanborn, both resigned to their respective paths.

“I’ll join Alpha team,” she said.

“Here.” Sanborn gave Logan a USB flash drive. “That has the details you’ll need for Zulu’s next phase. And this you’ll both need to review,” he said, handing them a new cell phone. On the screen was a picture of a man. “Those are my people. Scroll through and have the others memorize their faces.”

“What are their names?” Ashley asked.

“We’re not allowed to know,” Howe said. “But on my team, we’ve had a few run-ins with the big, brown, bald guy. We call him Caretaker.”

“If you encounter any of them,” Sanborn said as Logan and Ashley scrolled through the photos, “the rules of engagement are that they are not to be killed. Injuries might be unavoidable, but you are to spare their lives. I want them getting through this relatively unscathed.”

“As heroes,” Howe chimed in, staring out the window. “While we’re expendable.”

“Zulu team isn’t expendable,” Sanborn said, his tone harsh and low. “They’re my people too.”

“Well, fuck me.” Howe tossed the apple core to the floor. “I guess it’s just me and my guys who are dispensable Lego blocks.”

“When you’re done with the pictures—”

“Destroy the phone per usual protocol.”

Sanborn nodded. “Load up Khan. Ashley, from here on out, you’re Foxtrot.”

“Heads up,” Howe said. “We’ve got company.”

They all went to the eastside window. A white Kia Optima pulled up in front of the fence along the perimeter.

“Do you want me to handle it?” Howe asked.

A woman got out of the car and peered at the building. She looked familiar. Yes, she was in one of the pictures on the phone. Strawberry-blond hair, blue eyes. Based on the skirt and heels, the jewelry twinkling in her ears, around her neck, and on her wrist, she wasn’t black ops.

Sanborn stiffened. “No. I’ll take care of it. Get going.”

* * *

This was the last headache Sanborn needed. He still had to deal with Castle, but apparently Doc had to come first. His thoughts raced as he crept around the perimeter of the abandoned warehouse. He had Doc in his sights.

She abandoned the idea of coming closer to the building and got back into her car but didn’t drive off, simply sat there. Probably debating her next move.

How could she be so reckless? And why did she have to be so darn resourceful?

With quick, deft steps, not making a sound, Sanborn snuck up behind her vehicle, skulked around the side, and sprang up like a jungle cat beside her car window.

“Oh my God!” Doc jumped, her eyes flaring wide with panic. She rolled down the window. “You scared the crap out of me. I almost had a heart attack.”