Page 114 of Defending You

That scenario made Asher’s blood run cold. He didn’t bother asking himself what he’d do. He could think of no solution that would get them out of that situation alive.

Not without Grant and company. Thank God Asher wasn’t alone.

But even if Gagnon did try torture, did he really think he could get the information before the dead-man’s switch activated? Not that therewasa dead-man’s switch, but Gagnon didn’t know that. He believed he still had a shot to keep his secrets from going public.

Or did he?

The pieces clicked into place. That “contingency plan” remark Asher had dismissed as bluster… Was that exactly what was happening now?

He considered every angle, and the longer he thought about it, the more his gut told him he’d stumbled on the answer.

“He’s flipping the board.” The truth tasted like poison in Asher’s mouth. “He’s not trying to get the SD card back. He’s spilling gasoline on his operation and lighting a match on his way out.”

Nobody replied to that, not Grant or Bartlett or the other team members who listened in. Not Callan, still looking for Alyssa.

“Think about it.” Asher’s pulse hammered as the implications crystallized. “Gagnon’s whole operation dependson information and leverage. But I have the SD card now. If the information on it releases, he’s finished. Prison’s his best option, but even there, his enemies could get to him. I told him I uploaded it…”

Meaning, Asher had pushed Gagnon to this. Asher hadcausedthis.

If he couldn’t save Cici, he’d live with the implications of all his mistakes for the rest of his life.

“What are you saying?” Grant’s voice was tight.

“He’s planning to escape. But first, he’s going to clean house. Take out Souza—whose boss will be fingered when that information goes public. Same might be true for these commandos. Who knows that they’re not on loan from some criminal organization.” Asher’s throat went dry. “And he’ll take out Cici just for spite. Me too, if he can get his hands on me.”

Gagnon wasn’t negotiating. He was buying time. He was going scorched earth. “He’s going to kill her.”

“Then why the second team?” Bartlett asked, bringing the question back where they’d begun.

“To make sure he takes out anyone who tries to stop him. You heard me. I told him I had people en route—my people and Cici’s. He’s expecting an army to come against him. This second team is here to make sure they don’t get to him before he escapes. Are you two in position?”

“Inside the fence,” Grant said. “It’s your move.”

If he walked up to the front gate, he’d be shot. He started working his way toward the chain-link fence. “We’ve got to get her. Now.”

Bartlett said, “Without Callan?—”

“We’re out of time.” Asher scanned for enemies as he jogged closer to the factory grounds. “Tell me where to go in.”

Grant said, “Get right back to you.”

One way or another, Asher was getting inside that factory. No more games.

He had to rescue Cici before it was too late.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Cici would rather be locked in a cage with a nest of snakes than precede Souza into the cramped storage room. On Gagnon’s command, he’d manhandled her out of the office, his fat fingers digging into her arm. They’d walked along the catwalk overlooking the factory floor. On the way, they passed a meeting room and a break room. She’d glimpsed sofas and chairs, even a little refrigerator. Why would Gagnon set up shop in the office when he could’ve been in a more comfortable room?

Men’s voices carried from below. They were making a plan, but she didn’t hear enough to know what they were discussing.

She stared into the cramped storage space, too frightened to move.

Souza shoved her forward.

She stumbled against a metal shelving unit straight ahead, got her footing, and spun, terrified of turning her back on her captor.

He filled the doorway, his bulk blocking her only escape.