Deadly Echoes Read Online Free PDF Page A

risk and, of course, headquarters and senior management.”
    â€œWhat are our immediate plans once we land?” William asked. “The State Department has informed me that the Coast Guard is in charge of the vessel while the FBI is investigating the murders. We can pull on assets of both services.”
    â€œSince I believe we’re at the greatest risk, I took the liberty of calling ahead to some connections I have in the Navy.” Buck handed around sheets of paper that listed eight men’s names. “There will be a small group of former SEAL team members meeting us when we land, men I know. Their job is to protect the airplane, as well as us, and act as backup for anything we do. They’ll also be doing advance security sweeps at the hotel and any other destinations we travel without law enforcement on hand. I’vearranged for a helicopter to be standing by to fly out to Stratton’s yacht. I’m not sure if it’s still on the beach or if high tide has allowed them to pull it off the sand. We’ll know when we land.”
    â€œWhere’s Beverly?” Donovan asked, looking at William, as he knew the elder statesman had been in touch with her.
    â€œShe’s with the FBI. She identified the bodies of her husband and their crew. There was a captain, two engineers, three stewards, and the chef. All told, there were eight fatalities—all died by a single bullet wound to the head. All Beverly could tell me before she broke down was that John had been tortured before he was killed. They weren’t going to release the bodies anytime soon, so her intention was to turn around and go back to California.”
    â€œI can’t say I blame her. I’m sure you’ve told her that if there’s anything we can do to just ask.” William nodded and Donovan continued, “What else do we need to cover before we land?”
    Both Buck and William shook their heads.
    â€œOkay, keep working, and I want us to all be vigilant. To the FBI and Coast Guard, these are crimes to be solved. To us, it’s personal. We need to figure out who’s doing this to us and stop them—no matter what.”
    Donovan made his way up past a small seating area and galley, slipped into the cockpit, and eased himself down in the copilot’s seat. He fastened his harness and took in the panoramic view only visible from 48,000 feet. Out ahead, the vast blue Pacific Ocean spread out and merged with the sky, creating the illusion of infinity. Off to the left were a smattering of low clouds and underneath was the faint outline of an island. The big island was the easiest to spot, a smooth trail of steam drifting from the top of a volcano. The islands seemed small compared to the size of the ocean, until Donovan pictured each as the peak of an enormous underwater mountain range with only the tops breaking the surface of the water. Measured from the ocean floor, the highest peak of the Hawaiian Islands reached up over 33,000 feet, which was four thousand feet higher than Everest. As he scanned westward, hefound Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, and then finally their destination, Kauai.
    â€œYou get everything squared away?” Michael asked as Donovan settled in for the final phase of the flight.
    â€œI think so. Security has been arranged for you and the airplane. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”
    â€œI’ll pass. As fluid as this situation is, at least one of us should get some rest. You go, I’ll take care of the airplane and get it ready to go back out. I’m assuming we have no idea when or where that might be.”
    â€œNo clue.” Donovan shrugged. “Like I told William and Buck, this is personal, and we need to be flexible.”
    â€œI know. How are you holding up?”
    Donovan knew the question probed at several different levels. He and Michael were close friends, so it was no secret that his split with Lauren had been