Jake listened to his headphones on a private channel and then switched over to a channel that Jake and Kolke could hear. “I’ve been told that reports are coming in from around the world—from basically everyone studying nanites—that they’ve disintegrated,” he said triumphantly. “The full story of the Armageddon we just dodged, and how we dodged it, is now being released around the globe,” he continued. “Also, the Copernicus is setting up a press conference. They were frantically searching for Matt to headline, so Dutton had to disclose that he was no longer on board.”
“How was that received?” asked Desh.
“Not well,” replied Jake. He frowned and turned to face Griffin. “I just wish the big guy was awake so we could lift him on our shoulders.” He made a face. “Metaphorically speaking, of course. When he’s not the world’s biggest asshole, he’s a heck of a sweet guy.”
Desh laughed. He wanted to ask if that meant Jake would stop trying to kill him, but he didn’t want to spoil the festive mood.
They landed forty minutes later at another hastily constructed heliport near the coast of South Africa, and were finally forced to awaken Matt, as well as remove his IV, since the bag was nearly drained. They showered him with congratulations, but he was too exhausted to even smile, barely able to lift himself out of his seat to exit the helicopter.
The staging area handled all helo traffic to and from the Copernicus. A U.N. security force patrolled the perimeter and ensured that no weapons were smuggled aboard the international ship.
A Humvee pulled up as they exited the Sikorski and drove them to the American quarters, consisting of several hangers, temporary barracks, and a hastily constructed office building that had been designated as headquarters.
As they emerged from the car, now beyond the U.N. perimeter and on what was considered American soil for the duration of the Copernicus mission, four soldiers surrounded them, each aiming a semi-automatic pistol at the group.
“You’re under arrest!” barked one of the men, a lieutenant.
“At ease, Lieutenant,” snapped Jake, a hint of barely contained rage in his tone. “These men are my guests. I gave explicit orders that a jet was to be readied to take us all stateside.”
None of the men moved in the slightest.
“Lower your weapons!” shouted Jake. “That’s a direct order!”
The lieutenant shook his head. “You are no longer in command,” he said. He turned to face John Kolke. “What are your orders, Colonel?”
“Colonel?” snapped Jake incredulously.
“That’s right,” confirmed Kolke. “I’ve been given a field promotion.” His lip curled up into a snarl. “And you’re under arrest for crimes against your country you son of a bitch.”
57
Desh was exhausted, but his body and mind snapped to full alert, not that this would do him any good. Jake had intended to keep his word, as Kira knew he would. But as they had feared, those around him had no intention of doing so, although it was surprising they had enough power to throw Jake under the bus. Desh glanced at his bearded friend, but he was as emotionless as a zombie, his body still in a low energy state as it fought to regain equilibrium.
“What crimes?” demanded Jake, his eyes burning like twin lasers.
“Don’t worry,” replied Kolke as he joined the soldiers, obtaining a spare weapon from one of them. “I’ll list the crimes and show you the evidence against you soon enough.”
“And you’ve seen this evidence?” asked Jake skeptically.
“That’s right,” said Kolke. He gestured to the men who surrounded them. “We all have. It’s as tight as a drum.”
“It’s a frame and you know it!” spat Jake.
“Not this evidence,” insisted Kolke. “But enough of this. You’ll have your day in court.”
At Kolke’s order, plastic handcuffs were ratcheted around the wrists of all three prisoners. Kolke gestured to Desh and Griffin. “Bring them to the C-20 and have the pilot take off as soon as possible. As for the colonel, I’m taking him into the headquarters building for immediate interrogation.”
“We were told he’s to be sent to the States in a separate jet,” said the lieutenant.
“Keep it ready,” said Kolke. “This won’t take long. But there’s some key intel I need from him immediately.”
“How many of us would you like to accompany you, sir?” asked the lieutenant.
“None, Lieutenant.” He raised his gun and pointed it at Jake’s chest. “I’ve got this. And I need to be alone. If he doesn’t talk willingly, things may get a little . . . messy.”
Desh and Griffin were driven to the airfield several miles away and marched into the C-20 waiting for them there, a military version of the Gulfstream corporate jet. Once inside, additional restraints were added, and Desh knew they had no chance of escape during the flight—not with elite soldiers on board to mind them. Desh could only hope that once they landed, whoever they were up against would let down their guard long enough for him to make an escape attempt. But the odds of this were long.
Eric Frey had told him he had someone planted inside Jake’s camp, and it looked like this someone was John Kolke—or at least the recently promoted colonel was working closely with whoever it was.
But regardless, the stench of Eric Frey was all over this. He had no doubt that the captain of the recently deceased Codon would be paying a visit soon after they landed. Desh’s last encounter with the man had been a disaster. But he was certain his next encounter would be even worse.
58
John Kolke entered the office behind Jake and ordered him, still at gunpoint, to take a seat. He closed the door and took a seat himself behind a large desk, facing his ex-commander.
Kolke lowered the gun. “I’m really sorry about this, Colonel,” he said earnestly. “But I do have a plan.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Does that mean you’re still with me?” he asked in surprise.
Kolke nodded. “Dutton has unimpeachable evidence against you. Evidence of treason, payoffs, millions of dollars in accounts in the Caymans, and more. Much more. It’s a spectacular frame.” He allowed himself a shallow smile. “Hell, I was half expecting to see evidence that you were responsible for 9/11.”
“If the evidence is so good, why don’t you believe it?” asked Jake.
“I don’t care if God himself came down and told me you were a traitor, I wouldn’t buy it. I’ve worked with you too closely not to have gained a sense of your soul. I’ve seen what this job has done to you. I’ve seen you make hard choices when a lesser man would have made easy ones. I’ve seen the agony you feel when you cause others unnecessary pain. You wouldn’t work against this country.”
“Thanks, John. Your faith in me means more than you’ll ever know.”
Kolke gave Jake an almost imperceptible nod to acknowledge these words and then continued. “Dutton says he’s long suspected you. He shared his evidence with me and the men here at the staging area, so we could move on you the moment you left the Copernicus.”
“And you decided to play along.”
“Right. I figured it was the only way I could help you. If he suspected I didn’t buy the evidence against you, he’d have rolled over me as well.”