Page 29 of Hayes (Voodoo Guardians #37)

Victoria was shocked when Aamani changed the frequency codes and tapped into the Kuwaiti military communications system. She picked up on some of the words, but not all. He laughed, nodding as he listened.

“Well done,” he said, staring at her. “Well done!”

“It was just a few screws,” she said, shrugging. “I’m not even sure what I did except put the puzzle back together.”

“You lie well for a woman,” he frowned. “Now, there is another project for you. You will connect another device I have to the communication systems of a security company you know well.”

“I don’t know their communication system,” she lied.

“You’d better figure it out. You have two hours, or you’ll be dead.”

“You can’t be serious! I don’t understand any of this,” she said with well-choreographed fear. He only stared at her.

“You will figure this out like you did the other one. Do it, or before I kill you, I will find your boyfriend and bring him here, cutting off body parts until you do your job.”

“No. No, I won’t let you do this.”

“Of course, there is still this remarkable serum that my friends in China have invented. It will force you to answer all of my questions honestly, or intense pain will inhabit your body.”

She could only stare at him as he walked toward the door, turning, he held up two fingers.

When he was gone, she held up one finger. Only one to tell him how she felt.

“Anyone find anything?” asked Luke, staring at the group of men seated in the café.

“Nothing,” they all repeated, looking completely defeated.

“I thought I was close,” said Eric, “but she was terrified. She and her daughter both. Neither wanted to say anything. I did get a cute little trinket out of it.” He pulled out the small porcelain tray, wondering what it would even be used for.

It wasn’t big enough to eat off of, and it wasn’t anything special.

“Wait a minute,” said Gator, taking the dish. “I’ve seen that design. We walked past it a dozen times in the row we were working.”

Eric looked up and saw the young girl standing across the alleyway. He smiled at her, and she nodded, looking at the dish in his hand.

“It’s an image painted on a carpet,” said Gator.

“That’s it. That’s our door beneath the carpet,” said Luke. “Let’s go. Eric? Get the mother and daughter to safety. Whatever you have to do, do it.”

“Got it. Hex? Feel like a short flight?” Before Hex could answer, two of Omar’s guards were standing beside them.

“We will take the woman and her daughter, sir. We will take them to Dubai and get them to safety.”

“You guys are great,” said Eric. “Thank you.”

As the two guards took the woman and her daughter, the remaining guards, Eric, and the others walked toward the back of the market, finding the rug hanging on the wall. It matched the small dish exactly.

Looking around the market, they noticed several men watching them. If they pulled their weapons, this could be a bloodbath. Then one of Omar’s guards stepped forward and spoke rapidly.

“What is he saying?” asked Gator.

“He’s telling them that if they interfere, the hell and fury of Sheikh Omar will rain down on them. I believe our friend Omar is more powerful than we first thought,” said Hayes.

Although still glaring at the group of men, Eric pulled the tapestry aside and found the door. One by one, the men entered the tunnels.

“ AJ? Hiro? We’re headed into the tunnels and might be out of range. If you can give any direction that we should go, now is the time.”

“Head down until you feel as though it evens out, then take the tunnel to the right, then immediately to the left. If we can get Victoria on the system again, we’ll tell her you’re on the way.”

The tunnels were damp, dark, but definitely well-traveled. Using their night vision goggles, they could easily see ahead if there was anyone coming toward them. It made for slow-going since the tunnels seemed to be a bustling underworld city with men everywhere.

“We’ve got to get moving,” whispered Hayes. “If he finds out we’re in these tunnels, she’s dead.”

“Guys, can you hear me? If you can, you need to move now. Victoria found another exit and is on the run. In the opposite direction.”