Page 14 of Hayes (Voodoo Guardians #37)

“We’ve been up and down this mountain three times,” growled Aamani. “He is not here, and we did not pass him. Do you care to explain this?”

“I left him in that fucking cave! You could see that he was in there, and there were medical supplies and water bottles.”

“And where did those magically appear from?” he snapped.

“I don’t know.”

Aamani’s men came back toward him, babbling in a language Bonds didn’t understand. He was getting nervous, shifting from one foot to another.

“A woman,” he said quietly. “My men tell me that it was a woman that rescued him. The footprint was very small, but not so small as to be a child.”

“Then maybe it was someone from the village,” said Bonds, feeling somewhat relieved.

“It’s possible, but they know the punishment if they go against me. Does VG have women operators?”

“Yes,” nodded Bonds. “Some. They’re every bit as good as the men. But I can’t imagine just one coming to rescue him. It doesn’t make sense.”

“No. No, it doesn’t,” said Aamani.

He rapidly fired off orders to his men, and Bonds watched as they ran toward the village. He knew what they would do. They would search every home, destroying people’s possessions, then begin the beatings, torture, and eventually, killing anyone who won’t tell them what they want to hear.

“Tell me what else you know of these men,” said Aamani. “I’ve heard tales of their fathers but thought they were all dead.”

“I think we all believed they were all dead,” said Bonds. “Their grandfathers were legends in the Special Forces communities. SEALs, Rangers, MARSOC, Delta, Green Berets, and others were FBI, CIA, or other agency.

“They have been the darlings of the security community for decades. Presidents called on them to do all the dirty work that no one else would do.”

“I am aware,” frowned Aamani. “Men, such as I, have been trying to kill them for as long as we’ve been aware of them. Do they still work with your presidents?”

“Some. As you know, they’ve been known to take down a few presidents. That endears them to the next man who moves into the office, but not necessarily to those waiting to take the office. The fear is that they could be next on their list.

“What you need to be more concerned about is the foreign governments that enjoy their services. There are not many who would rid the world of them.”

“Perhaps not. But I feel certain there are men and women of opportunity who would gladly rid themselves of their interference. How have they gained such advantage?”

“It’s not just the muscle they have, the skilled warriors, it’s the brain power. The brightest, smartest, most intelligent men and women in the world work for them.”

“Where?”

“I’m sorry, what?” asked Bonds.

“Where? Where do these brainy people work?” asked Aamari. “They must live and work somewhere. Where is it that they live and work?”

“No one knows. Literally. Anyone I’ve ever talked to has no clue where their physical address is located.”

“So, these men, these women brainiac people live and work in a location no one has ever seen or been to, in spite of what they provide to your country?” asked Aamari.

“That about sums it up.”

“Your government is stupid. I would demand to inspect their facility and see what I’m paying for.” Bonds stared at him.

“That may be, Khalil, but if they were the only ones capable of providing what you desired, the only ones capable of fulfilling the needs to make you the most powerful nation on earth, you would give them great leeway.”

Khalil nodded, staring up the mountain, then back down again.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I would kill them all and start over.”