Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 125037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 625(@200wpm)___ 500(@250wpm)___ 417(@300wpm)
Leila’s eyes searched his for a long time, and then she turned her attention, first on Joe, then Ezekiel and last on Rubin. Slowly she nodded her head. “I’m with you.”
16
Diego had never seen so many generals gathered in one place. They wore their uniforms with stars and medals, looking as if each was trying to outdo the others. The meeting had been set up in Maryland, close to the compound where General Chariot, the commanding officer, oversaw the laboratory where the experiments were done.
The GhostWalkers had counted on General Pillar giving himself the advantage. The moment the venue for the meeting was chosen, they moved to secure Chariot’s home, knowing little Grace was being held there. Guards were surrounding the home. The estate was behind locked gates. They had plenty of time to study the guards’ movements as well as the position of all security cameras. Joe was certain Pillar had already made up his mind to hold Grace back in order to force Leila’s compliance.
There had been several meetings with Logan Maxwell, leader of GhostWalker Team Two. He was a brilliant lawyer, had worked for NCIS and had a reputation in the military as a man who won his cases. Like all the GhostWalkers, Logan was enhanced, and Diego suspected his psychic gifts were a good part of the lawyer’s success, along with his intelligence and knowledge of the law.
Frank Henderson had recently been promoted to vice admiral. He had been overseeing Team Two since that GhostWalker team had been formed. He was a rear admiral at the time, and he’d never relinquished his leadership over the team. They trusted him, and when he walked in with Logan, he did so with great authority.
General Theodore “Ted” Ranier oversaw Team One. He had been looking out for the first team of GhostWalkers since they had broken out of Whitney’s lab after several had already succumbed to the experiments he was doing on them. With him was Ryland Miller, the commanding officer leading the team. Team One had the most problems, but Miller was married to Whitney’s daughter, and she worked hard at helping the GhostWalkers overcome the lack of filters in their brains and other debilitating problems.
The two men entered the large meeting room together, exuding the same confidence Vice Admiral Henderson had. Technically, Ranier outranked General Pillar. Pillar eyed him with wariness but made no comment as the men took their seats at the large conference table.
Theodore Griffen was a phenomenon in the Marine Corps. He attributed his fast movement up the ranks to sergeant major of the Marine Corps in a few short years to his handling of GhostWalker Team Three. He was senior listed adviser to the commandant of Marines. He had worked tirelessly in Washington with the president and was extremely skilled in planning covert operations. His name and reputation were very well-known—especially the fact that he didn’t back down when he believed he was in the right. And he always fought for his GhostWalkers. With him entering the meeting was Mack McKinley, the commanding officer leading Team Three. They were very skilled in urban warfare. McKinley had a reputation, along with Sergeant Major Griffen, for getting the job done no matter the odds.
Diego and Leila entered with Joe, Ezekiel, Rubin and Major General Tennessee Milton. Milton had been in charge of their team since it was formed. The Pararescue Team had originally been kept secret even from the other teams, but Major General Milton didn’t believe they were safer completely alone, without backup. The GhostWalker teams had too many enemies. Milton wanted all the teams to be united. More than once, in the worst of times, he had come through for Team Four.
Leila was seated beside Logan, with Diego on the other side of her. Deliberately, when they walked in, Diego held her hand. Pillar scowled as if they were doing something wrong. Aside from showing they were a couple, Diego was making a point that Leila wasn’t in the military. She wasn’t under anyone’s command and could show public affection even in a military setting. He was making a blatant statement.
Chairs scraped as they were pulled out and everyone was seated. Pillar took up a position at the head of the table, with Chariot on his right.
“I believe we have a problem, gentlemen,” Pillar greeted.
“I believe you’re correct,” Logan answered.
Pillar scowled at him, staring, his shaggy brows drawn together. It was clear to Diego that Pillar was doing his best to intimidate Logan. That wasn’t going to happen. Logan returned his gaze steadily.
“Leila Fenton belongs here with us, and she must return,” Pillar stated.
“Leila Fenton and her sister, Bridget, were supposed to have been given to Luther Gunthrie on the death of their parents. He was never told that he was to take guardianship of them, nor was he told their parents were deceased,” Logan said. “Perhaps you were unaware of this detail, sir, but it was illegal for anyone to ignore the wishes of the parents and kidnap these two young girls. Someone made the decision. The moment they did, they put the entire program here in Maryland in jeopardy. Kidnapping young girls, giving one of them to Dr. Whitney, a known madman, was illegal as hell, not to mention immoral. If this information were to get out to the public, that our military kidnapped young girls and forced them into a program that potentially could harm them without any compensation whatsoever, without any guardian looking out for their well-being, the repercussions to our military and our country would be enormous.”