Vengeance

88 LURAY, VIRGINIA

Discovered in 1878 by Andrew and William Campbell, along with Benton Stebbins, after the trio detected a rush of cold air from a limestone sinkhole, Luray Caverns are the largest and most popular caverns in the eastern United States, featuring enormous chambers filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies, and crystal-clear pools. Designated as a Registered Natural Landmark, Luray Caverns also features a half dozen other attractions, including a one-acre maze of eight-foot-tall evergreen hedges.

It was almost noon when Brenda Verbeck’s silver Mercedes-Benz SL roadster coasted into a parking spot near the maze entrance. It had been an hour-and-a-half drive from her home in Potomac, Maryland, making the trip after receiving a message from Christine O’Connor, who had requested a meeting at noon today to discuss a sensitive matter. Brenda was twenty minutes early, so she ordered a cup of coffee from the Stalactite Café and took a seat with a view of the maze entrance.

Standing by the entrance were two men in suits — CIA protective agents by the look of them — and Brenda noticed that they were preventing guests from entering the maze. It was almost noon when she finished her coffee and moved toward the entrance. The two men scrutinized her as she approached, but made no attempt to stop her from entering.

Once inside the maze, she pulled her cell phone out. She had never been through this maze and had no intention of wasting time. After launching a map app, she selected the satellite view and zoomed in on the maze. It took only a moment to identify the quickest way to the center, where she would meet with Christine.

A few minutes later, after spotting no one else in the maze along the way, she reached the center via one of its two entrances. It was an open space containing a large square fountain. On one side of the fountain sat a man, not Christine O’Connor as Brenda expected. She recognized him — one of the two CIA officers who had arrived at Rolow’s home during her and Rolow’s confrontation with Christine. Brenda wasn’t sure what type of officer he was, paramilitary probably, by the look of him. But she remembered his name: Harrison. Jake Harrison.

Brenda stopped before him. “I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced,” she said, extending her hand. “Brenda Verbeck.”

Harrison stood and shook her hand, introducing himself as well, confirming that she had correctly recalled his name. He gestured to the edge of the fountain and waited for Brenda to sit before joining her.

“Thank you for coming,” he said. “Unfortunately, Christine sends her regrets. She’s unable to attend today, and I’ve been assigned to meet with you instead.”

“I heard about what that terrible man, Mixell, did to her,” Brenda said. “I’m so glad he’s dead.”

“I’m sure you are,” Harrison replied.

“How is Christine doing?”

“She’s recuperating.”

“Well, please pass on my wishes for a speedy and full recovery.”

Harrison smiled. “Of course.”

“What did Christine want to talk about?”

“I don’t know what she would have said to you, but I’ll probably be more direct. You got away with murder before, but this time your luck has run out.”

A chill raked Brenda’s flesh. The topic of today’s meeting had unexpectedly taken a precarious turn.

“Could you be more specific?” she asked tersely.

“Your interactions with Mixell are no longer a legal issue.”

“Mixell? I’ve never had anything to do with him. I’ve never even met him.”

Harrison stared at her, not even bothering to counter her claim. Then her thoughts snapped back to Harrison’s comment. “What do you mean it’s no longer a legal issue?”

“We finally get to the crux of the matter,” he replied. “The president considered some sort of financial retribution, arranging for all of your assets to be seized. However, you come from a rich family, and the impact of losing your personal fortune would not have been terribly traumatic. So, the president made a more draconian decision.”

Harrison’s last sentence hung in the air before he explained. “I regret to inform you that you’ve been classified as a terrorist — an enemy combatant.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, Brenda, that the rules of combat apply to you. There will be no arrest, no lawyers, no courtroom drama.”

It took a moment for Brenda to process what Harrison said and its implications.

“Are you going to kill me?”

“No,” Harrison answered, “I’m not going to harm you. The last time we met, in Rolow’s home, I stopped Khalila from killing you, remember?”

“I do,” Brenda replied, relieved. “And I’d like to offer a belated thank-you for intervening.”

“You’re welcome,” he said as he stood. “But I won’t stop Khalila this time.”

“This time?”

Harrison looked across the courtyard, and Brenda’s eyes followed his gaze. Khalila was standing at one of the entrances, glaring at Brenda.

Khalila flexed her wrists, and a knife dropped into each hand from inside her sleeves.

“Goodbye, Brenda,” Harrison said as he headed toward the other exit.

Brenda sat transfixed on the stone ledge, her body momentarily refusing her mind’s command to flee. Not that it would have mattered. Harrison would surely block the other exit, and Khalila had already closed half the distance between them, moving swiftly toward her.