Page 84 of Ground Zero

“And Agent Mendez? Be careful. Whoever is behind this won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.”

As Sheridan headed for the door, she realized she was now as much a fugitive as Maverick.

Her own agency was investigating her. The real traitor was still hidden. And Maverick was fighting for his life while the clock ticked down to a devastating attack.

Sheridan had to find Maverick. She had to stop this.

Before it was too late.

CHAPTER 46

Maverick dragged himself onto the rocky shore near the lighthouse, his body shaking violently from cold and exhaustion.

Every movement sent spikes of pain through his ribs where he’d impacted the water. His muscles barely responded, cramped from the cold Atlantic and the desperate swim to shore.

He crawled into the dense maritime forest that surrounded the lighthouse, using the last of his strength to get out of sight. The thick canopy of live oaks and pine would hide him from aerial surveillance, at least temporarily.

Collapsing against a tree trunk, he reached for his pocket with numb fingers. His phone was still there, sealed in the waterproof case he always used—a habit from years of surfing. He pulled it out, amazed it had survived both the ocean impact and the swim.

Even more amazed when it powered on.

The screen was cracked, spider-webbing across the display, but it worked. Barely any battery left, maybe ten percent. One bar of signal.

He hoped that was enough.

His frozen fingers fumbled with the keyboard as he typed a message to the only person he could trust.

Alive. Near lighthouse. Sigma has helicopter. Need help. Norfolk still target.

He hit Send and watched the message struggle to go through. The sending icon spun once, twice . . .

Then: Delivered.

Maverick leaned back against the tree, his wet clothes clinging to him like ice. Every breath hurt. Every heartbeat felt labored. The early signs of hypothermia were setting in—confusion, drowsiness, the overwhelming urge to close his eyes.

He forced himself to stay alert, watching the phone screen for a response. The battery dropped to nine percent.

Come on, Sheridan. See the message. Believe me.

A minute passed.

Two.

The phone screen started to dim to save power.

And all he could do right now was wait and pray.

Sheridan read Maverick’s text but tried not to let her expression show anything.

Alive. Near lighthouse. Sigma has helicopter. Need help. Norfolk still target.

Relief washed through her. He was okay!

But for how long?

She had to get to him, to help.

Sheridan headed outside, careful not to show how jumpy she actually felt.