Free The Ragnarok Conspiracy by Erec Stebbins Page B

came—Jones and Richards went down. I think they're dead.” He coughed, a harsh and grating sound. “I'm hit, but I can move. The rat ran. I tried to follow,” he paused, out of breath, requiring several seconds to speak again. “Couldn't keep up. Trace my cell. I need help. Losing blood.”
    Cohen stopped the playback. Her voice was soft and flat. “We have an ambulance on the way.”
    All eyes in Intel 1 turned to Savas. On the screens were the continuing images of the terror attacks: flashing lights of emergency vehicles, smoke, and statements to the press from US and foreign government officials. A voice called out that Kanter was on his way down.
    â€œAll right, people, we literally have the world blowing up around us. Let's think carefully but quickly.” Savas paced around the room, talking as much toward the floor and ceiling as to the members of his team. “We have major attacks in New York and Washington, coordinated attacks, unlike anything since 9/11. The FBI, the White House, the nation will demand that the majority of our resources be focused on these attacks—and they're right. So, unless Larry countermands me on this, I want most of you busting your asses to get everything you can on these bombings. However, if anything, this ambush on our protection squad convinces me that we are onto something. It may be too late—the Sheikh may be dead. But we don't know that. I'llwork with Frank to try to locate him, intercept him, and bring him in if he's not already flower food. Any objections?”
    â€œDamn inconvenient timing!” barked Kanter, who was standing in the doorway listening. “Your contact surely excels in planning, orchestrating his near murder right as we scramble to cover this nightmare!”
    â€œSomeone may indeed have a sense of timing, Larry, but I don't think it's the Sheikh.”
    Kanter waved off Savas's anger. “You and Miller go, and try like hell not to get yourselves killed if you find him—these boys out there are not playing around. Meanwhile, Intel 1 will be a little short-staffed but will sacrifice increasing amounts of their lives, or at least sleep, to make up the difference.” Kanter turned toward the group, focusing on Rebecca. “Agent Cohen, I assume that you have no objections if I elevate you to temporary group leader in John's absence?”
    â€œNo, Larry, of course—”
    â€œGood. Because I've got more calls than I have call-waiting circuits, and I don't have time to babysit you people. Your job is to figure out what the hell happened, who's responsible, and, if possible, have them in custody this evening.”
    â€œWe'll do our best…sir,” said Cohen.
    Kanter frowned and stormed out of the room.
    Savas looked at the ex-marine and sighed. “OK, Frank, you and I will carve out a little corner of the OR. The rest of you—Rebecca has the wheel.”
    Cohen nodded but instead walked over toward Savas and pulled him aside. He blinked. She almost looked angry.
    â€œJohn, you were unconscious after Indian Point for two days . You suffered radiation sickness and a broken rib. Do you think you need to be chasing this street punk and those assassins down while all the rest of this is going on? Is this mission really that critical?”
    â€œYes, I think so. Something important is tied into this.” He tried to calm her. “Look, we'll be careful, like Larry said. We know there are some nasties buzzing around this one.”
    She just stared at him disbelievingly. “Sure, zero to sixty in 5.4seconds, crashing explosives with a forklift in a radioactive death cell. Was your monster truck trick careful, too?”
    Savas was taken aback. “Rebecca, I did what I had to there! Those explosives were rigged to blow. The cooling rods were completely exposed!”
    Cohen nodded but with a frown on her face, her eyes distant. “John, it's not the details. It's the