The Ajax Protocol

CHAPTER 61

"We've got it," Elizabeth said. "Westlake's wife owned a cabin in Colorado. It's still listed in her name. It's up in the high country, on the Western Slope. I'm sending you to find out if he's there."

"I know that part of the country," Selena said. "I grew up on the Western Slope."

"Why not call in the Feds?" Nick asked. "They've got a big presence in Colorado. Or SOCOM?"

"I talked it over with Rice," Elizabeth said. "He wants us to do it. He doesn't trust the military at the moment. It's not certain all of the plotters have been identified. Someone could know where Westlake is and tip him off. That leaves out SOCOM."

"What about the Feds?"

"The Bureau can get clumsy. Remember Ruby Ridge and Waco? If Westlake saw them coming, he'd launch. You have a better chance of getting to him before he can launch. Assuming he's there, of course."

"We'd have spotted him if he'd tried to leave the country," Nick said. "It makes sense he'd go to ground where he thought no one could find him."

"You're wheels up as soon as you can get to Andrews," Elizabeth said. "The Air Force will get you to Colorado Springs and from there to Aspen. There's no place to set a chopper down near the cabin without Westlake hearing it. From Aspen, you'll have to drive."

"How far?"

"It's around seventy miles or so. He's in a remote area. Mostly only hunters go up that way. I've already tasked a satellite. Steph, can you bring up the shot?"

Stephanie entered the commands. The wall monitor lit with a live satellite view of the area where Westlake's father-in-law had built his getaway cabin. It was rugged country. A winding dirt road led to a tiny dot Nick assumed was the cabin. It was almost invisible among the trees.

"The satellite will be out of range soon," Elizabeth said. "Zoom in, please, Steph."

The picture grew large. Now they could make out more details. A dark colored truck was parked under the trees near the cabin. The picture was good enough to see smoke rising from the chimney. There was a shed in the back of the cabin.

"Someone's there," Nick said.

"It has to be him," Selena said.

"No power lines."

"He's got solar panels on that shed," Ronnie said. "Probably runs everything on batteries."

"There's the antenna," Selena said. She pointed at a mast on the roof of the building, topped with something that looked like a TV dish.

"Bingo," Ronnie said.

"You'd better get your gear together," Elizabeth said.

Down in the armory they sorted out what they wanted to take with them. This wasn't a long term engagement. They could keep it light. Pistols and MP5s. Flashbangs. Comm gear. Armor. Ammo. Night vision optics. They'd drive close to the cabin and go in on foot.

Ronnie finished what he was doing and went upstairs. Nick's ear itched. He scratched it. Selena saw him.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing. Just an itch."

"Why don't I believe you?" she said.

"I don't have a good feeling about this," he said. "It seems straight forward enough, but something feels off."

"Maybe it's anticipation. You know, like pre-game jitters."

"Maybe." He pulled the straps tight on his pack. "I've been thinking."

Selena looked at him.

"We need to set a date for the wedding." The words were rushed. "When Westlake was going to kill us, all I could think about was you. I don't want to waste any more time. I'll say what I said before. Will you marry me?"

"Nick." Selena had been checking her MP-5. She set it down on a table and took his hand. "This has got to be a first," she said.

"What is?"

"Getting proposed to in an armory."

"I asked you before, remember?"

"Yes, but this is different."

"So?"

"Yes, I'll marry you."

"Hey." Ronnie called down the stairs. "Get a move on down there."

Nick kissed her. "Come on," he said, "lets go get the son of a bitch."