The Gates of Hell

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Hayden and Kinimaka hadn’t even started the car engine when Drake’s call came in. She saw his number on her screen and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Drake. Where have—”

“No time. I have Claude’s location.”

“Yeah, so do we, smartass. It’s amazing what some criminals give up for a quieter life.”

“How long have you known? Where are you?” Drake fired off the questions like a drill sergeant barking orders.

“Slow down, tiger. We just got word about a minute ago. Listen, we’re gearing up for an immediate strike. And I mean right now. You game?”

“Damn right I am. We all are. That bastard is one step removed from Kovalenko.”

Hayden filled him in on the terrorist alerts, as she signaled Kinimaka to drive. When she’d finished, Drake went quiet.

After a moment he said, “We’ll meet you at the HQ.”

Hayden speed dialed Ben Blake. “Your op is a go. We’re hoping our asset in London will get you what you need in the next few hours, then he’ll send the copies straight over to you. I hope it’s what you need, Ben.”

“I hope it’s actually there.” Ben sounded as nervous as she’d ever heard him. “It’s sound guesswork, but it’s still guesswork.”

“I hope so too.”

Hayden threw her cell on the dash and stared blankly at the streets of Waikiki as Kinimaka drove the back to the HQ. “Gates thinks if we can take Claude down quickly we may be able to stop the attacks. They hope Kovalenko might even be there.”

Mano gritted his teeth. “Everyone’s on it, boss. Local PD, special forces. Everything’s being squeezed until it pops. Problem is — the bad guys are already in place. They must be. It’s gotta be nigh impossible to stop any attack that’s imminent, let alone half a dozen on three different islands.”

The overwhelming belief among everyone in authority was that Kovalenko had indeed commissioned the multiple attacks to keep everyone busy whilst he embarked on his dream quest — the journey he’d devoted the latter part of his life too.

To follow in Captain Cook’s footsteps. To go one better. To explore beyond the Gates of Hell.

Hayden snapped back as the HQ loomed outside. Time for action.

Drake led Mai and Alicia into the CIA building and were immediately escorted upstairs. They were shown to a room bristling with activity. At the far end, Hayden and Kinimaka stood amidst a gaggle of police and military officers. Drake could see SWAT and a HPD crack team. He could see uniforms undoubtedly belonging to CIA special-ops teams. Maybe even some Delta around.

The Devil was surely on the Blood King’s tail now and baying for blood.

“You remember when the Blood King sent his men to attack that Destroyer to steal the device?” he said. “And they tried to kidnap Kinimaka at the same time? I bet that was a chance snatch. They just wanted Kinimaka’s Hawaiian knowledge.”

Then Drake remembered that neither Mai nor Alicia had been present when Kovalenko’s men had attached the destroyer. He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

Drake spied Ben and Karin parked over by the window. They each had a drink in their hand and looked like wallflowers at a school disco.

Drake thought about losing himself in the crowd. It would be easy. Kennedy’s loss still ran hot in his blood, making it impossible for him to discuss. Ben had been there. Ben had held her as she died.

It should have been Drake. Not only that. Drake should have prevented her death. It was what he did. Time blurred and for a moment he was back home in York with Kennedy, and they were cooking something in the kitchen. Kennedy was splashing dark rum in the frying pan and raising her eyes when it sizzled. Drake was marinating a steak with garlic butter. It was mundane. It was fun. The world was normal again.

Stars flashed before his eyes like fireworks gone wrong. The world abruptly returned and the voices clamored around him. Someone pushed by his elbow. Another man spilled hot coffee on one of his superiors and took off for the toilets like a bat out of hell.

Alicia was staring at him. “What gives, Drakey?”

He pushed through the crowd until he came face to face with Ben Blake. It was the perfect moment for a quick Dinorock comment. Drake knew it. Ben probably knew it. But they both stayed quiet. Light streamed through the window behind Ben; Honolulu stood framed by sunlight and bright blue skies and a few ribbed clouds outside.

Drake found his voice at last. “Those CIA computers prove useful?”

“We hope.” Ben reeled off a quick version of the story behind Captain Cook’s journey underneath Diamond Head and finished with the revelation about the CIA using a British asset to rob the National Archives.

Alicia inched forward at the young lad’s news. “A British super thief? What’s his name?”

Ben blinked at the sudden attention. “Hayden never told me.”

Alicia cast a quick glance at the CIA operative, then broke out into a cheeky smile. “Oh, I bet she didn’t.”

“What does that mean?” Karin spoke up.

Alicia’s smile was turning a little wicked. “I’m not best known for my diplomacy. Don’t push it.”

Drake coughed. “Just another international criminal that Alicia’s shagged. The trick has always been finding one she hasn’t.”

“It’s true,” Alicia said with a grin. “I’ve always been popular.”

“Well, if it’s the asset I’m thinking of,” Mai cut into their conversation, “he’s known to Japanese intelligence. He is… a player. And a very, very good operative.”

“So the chances are he will take care of his end.” Drake studied the bliss of the Pacific city laid out before him, longing for a bit of peace himself.

“That’s never been a problem for him,” Alicia said. “And yes, he will deliver your logs.”

Ben was still staring between Alicia and Hayden, but held his tongue. Discretion was the better part of disclosure at this stage. “It’s still an educated guess,” he said. “But if we do end up at the Gates of Hell, I’m positive that these records could save our lives.”

“Hopefully”—Drake turned and scanned the mayhem—“It won’t come to that. The Blood King will still be at the ranch. But if these pricks don’t hurry it up, Kovalenko will do a runner.”

“Kovalenko.” Alicia licked her lips as she said it, savoring her vengeance. “Will die for what happened to Hudson. And Boudreau? He’s another that’s truly marked.” She too looked over the bustling throng. “Who’s in charge here, anyhow?”

As if in response a voice rose from out of the gaggle of officers surrounding Hayden Jaye. When the din subsided and the man could be seen, Drake was pleased to see Jonathan Gates. He liked the senator. And grieved with him.

“As you know, we have a location for Kovalenko’s Oahu ranch,” Gates said. “Therefore, our mission must be fourfold. First, secure all the hostages. Second, secure intel on the alleged terrorist attacks. Third, find this man Claude and Kovalenko. And fourth, find the location of the other two ranches.”

Gates paused to let that sink in and then somehow managed to make every man and woman in the room think he was looking at them with a single sweep of his eyes. “This must be done by any means necessary. Kovalenko has willingly endangered many lives in the course of his mad quest. It will end today.”

Gates turned away. All of a sudden, the chaos inside the room died away and everyone began to walk quickly to their designated areas. The details had been thrashed out.

Drake caught Hayden’s eye. She waved him over.

“Tool up and saddle up, guys. We’re hitting Claude’s ranch in thirty.”