The Gates of Hell

CHAPTER THREE

Hayden Jaye watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean. It was her favorite part of the day and one she liked to spend in solitude. She slipped gingerly out of bed, wincing at the pain in her thigh, and padded carefully over to the window.

A relative peace settled over her. Creeping fire touched the waves and for a few minutes all her pain and worries melted away. Time stood still and she was immortal, and then the door opened behind her.

Ben’s voice. “Nice view.”

She nodded at the sunrise and then turned to see he was looking at her. “You don’t need to get fresh, Ben Blake. Coffee and a buttered bagel is enough.”

Her boyfriend brandished a drink carrier and paper bag like a weapon. “Meet me on the bed.”

Hayden took a last look at the new dawn and then took a slow walk over to the bed. Ben placed the coffee and bagels within easy reach and gave her puppy-dog eyes.

“How—”

“Same as last night,” Hayden said quickly. “Eight hours ain’t gonna make a limp go away.” Then she softened a little. “Anything from Drake?”

Ben settled back on the bed and shook his head. “No. I spoke to Dad though, and they’re all doing well. No sign of— ” He faltered. “Of…”

“Our families are safe.” Hayden laid a hand on his knee. “The Blood King failed there. Now all we have to do is find him and get the vendetta lifted.”

“Failed?” Ben echoed. “How can you say that?”

Hayden took a deep breath. “You know what I meant.”

“Kennedy died. And Drake… he didn’t even go to her funeral.”

“I know.”

“He’s gone, you know.” Ben stared at his bagel as if it were a hissing snake. “He won’t come back.”

“Give him time.”

“He’s had three weeks.”

“Then give him three more.”

“What do you suppose he’s doing?”

Hayden gave a half-smile. “From what I know of Drake… Covering our backs first. Then he’ll be trying to find Dmitry Kovalenko.”

“The Blood King might never turn up again.” Ben’s mood was so depressing, it leached away even the bright promise of the new morning.

“He will.” Hayden shot the young man a glance. “He has an agenda, remember? He won’t go to ground like previously. The time displacement devices were just the beginning. Kovalenko has a much bigger game planned.”

“The Gates of Hell?” Ben mused. “You believe that shit?”

“Doesn’t matter. He believes it. All the CIA has to do is figure it out.”

Ben took a long swallow of coffee. “That’s all, eh?”

“Well…” Hayden slipped him a sly smile. “Our geek forces are doubled now.”

“Karin is the brains,” Ben admitted. “But Drake would break Boudreau in a minute.”

“Don’t be too sure. Kinimaka didn’t. And he’s not exactly a poodle.”

Ben paused as there was a knock at the door. His eyes betrayed terror.

Hayden took a moment to reassure him. “We’re inside a secure CIA hospital facility, Ben. The layers of security surrounding this place would put the President’s inauguration parade to shame. Chill.”

A doctor popped his head around the door. “All good?” He entered the room and proceeded to check Hayden’s charts and vitals.

When he closed the door on the way out, Ben spoke again. “You think the Blood King will try for the devices again?”

Hayden shrugged. “You’re assuming he didn’t get the first one I lost. He probably did. As for the second one we recovered from his boat?” She smiled. “Nailed on.”

“Don’t be complacent.”

“The CIA aren’t complacent, Ben,” Hayden said immediately. “Not anymore. We’re ready for him.”

“What about the kidnapping victims?”

“What about them?”

“They’re certainly high profile. Harrison’s sister. The others you mentioned. He’ll use them.”

“Of course he will. And we’re ready for him.”

Ben finished his bagel and gave his fingers a lick. “I still can’t believe the entire band had to go into hiding,” he said wistfully. “Just as we were beginning to get famous.”

Hayden made a diplomatic grunt. “Yeah. Tragic.”

“Well, maybe it will make us more notorious.”

There was another quiet knock and Karin and Kinimaka came into the room. The Hawaiian looked despondent.

“That bastard ain’t gonna squeal. No matter what we do, he won’t even whistle for us.”

Ben rested his chin on his knees and pulled a gloomy face. “Damn, I wish Matt was here.”