Countdown - Iris Johansen [139]
“Too bad. Everything doesn’t always work out like you think it will. And what’s to keep the helicopter from blowing up the minute it sets down?”
“I set the wire a foot from the pad and covered it with snow. The vibration won’t set it off, but direct foot pressure will.”
“You’re sure?”
Jock stared at him in bewilderment. “Of course I’m sure. I don’t make mistakes.”
“And what if Reilly doesn’t use the landing pad?”
“He will. In less than ten minutes,” Jock said. “Reilly is a very cautious man. He might not be alarmed about dealing with us, so I put on some pressure.”
“What kind of pressure?”
“I called the police and told them about the training compound across the Montana border.” He checked his watch and then his gaze focused on the back door. “About forty minutes ago. If Reilly hasn’t gotten a call from the compound already, he’ll get one soon. He’ll be off and running. He’ll have that helicopter here ASAP.”
“Christ.” Trevor turned to MacDuff. “You said you were good with mines. Jane’s bound to be with Reilly. He may even make her go first. Can’t you do anything about that charge?”
“Not in five minutes. I’d get out there just in time to meet Reilly and his crew.”
“Shit. Then we try to go in after them.”
“No.” Jock was shaking his head. “I told you. We can’t risk—”
“We can’t risk Jane being blown up,” Trevor interrupted. “So find us a way to get in there before that helicopter comes.”
“I’m thinking about it.” Jock’s forehead was furrowed as he reached down and picked up his rifle. “The distance is a little too far for a safe shot. It was going to be fine. You shouldn’t have been here. Now I’ll have to— Shit!”
“What’s wrong?”
“The wind has picked up and is blowing the snow away from the wire. I can see a little bit of it from here.”
Trevor could see it too. “Good.”
“No. If he sees it, then everything is ruined. I can’t let him get on that helicopter. This may be our last chance.” He started forward. “Maybe if I’m careful I can go out and try to cover the wire again.” His head lifted and he looked up at the sky. “Too late. Time’s run out.”
Trevor could hear it too. The beat of the rotors of a helicopter.
“Hell’s bells.” His gaze flew to the house.
The back door was opening.
Hurry. Get out there.” Reilly pushed Jane through the doorway and said over his shoulder to Kim, “You stay here and make sure Norton packs up everything into the truck and go with him.”
“You’re not taking me? That wasn’t the plan.” Kim looked at him, outraged. “You’re leaving me behind?”
“If the police are at the compound, they’ll be all over this place soon. They’ll seize my collection. I have to be sure—” He stopped as he saw her expression. “Very well. Just tell Norton to pack everything and get out of here within the next half hour.”
“I’ll tell him.” She handed him the personnel records. “You wait for me.”
“Arrogant bitch,” Reilly muttered as he pushed Jane ahead of him. “If I wasn’t afraid she’d torch my collection, I’d leave her here to rot. She’s not going to be that useful from now on anyway.”
“That’s loyalty.” Jane watched the blue-and-white helicopter land. “Can’t you see that everything’s going down the tubes for you? The police are closing in. Forget about the agreement you made with the Muslims. Cut a deal.”
“If you could see what’s in these personnel records, you wouldn’t even suggest that. They wouldn’t deal.” His pace quickened. “And as soon as I get in the air, I’m going to make those calls to my men in Chicago and Los Angeles, and within two hours I’ll have a very happy partner who will meet us in Canada and whisk us to North Korea.”
Jesus. She couldn’t let him get on that helicopter. He mustn’t make those calls.
What the hell could she do to stop him?
Stall. She halted. “I’m not going.