The Toymaker Read Online Free PDF Page A

So far we’ve turned up nothing.”
    “What makes you think she blew her cover?” Kaplan asked. “She’s good. She doesn’t panic. It’s unlikely she tipped anyone off to her identity.”
    “We’re confident they’re on to her.” Bentley hesitated. “No other scenario makes sense.”
    “We have to go after her,” Kaplan said.
    “First things first, gentlemen. Neither of you is going anywhere until this mission is complete. I need you both focused on the job at hand, not distracted. I hesitated even telling you about Isabella until the mission was over and under normal circumstances I would never have revealed anything that would jeopardize team focus, but since both of you have worked with her, I thought you deserved to know. When you get back, both of you will come here first and we’ll discuss our options for rescuing Isabella.” Bentley paused. “Gregg, I know you and Isabella have worked together over the past few months—but I need you at a hundred percent on this raid. Don’t let this distract you from your primary mission.”
    “No, sir." Kaplan said. “But after we finish here, I want to help find Isabella. You have nothing to be worried about.”
    Matter of fact, Jake was worried. Kaplan seemed to be getting close to Isabella Hunt. Too close. After she was shot in the leg when they were in Ireland, Kaplan had taken more than a platonic interest in her recovery—and she in his.
    Jake and Kaplan became good friends during their ordeal in Savannah and Ireland, but the abruptness of Beth’s death caused Jake to distance himself from everybody. Kaplan and Hunt tried to comfort him. It was obvious they wanted to be understanding, compassionate friends, but the trauma of his loss made him bitter and he resented their intrusion into his pain. A suffering he’d rather not share. He couldn’t explain why, but he wanted to feel the suffering. He needed it. He deserved it.
    His friend had tried to draw a common denominator since they both lost a loved one. But like Kaplan said, his girlfriend, Annie, had a secret side. He said he never really knew her and felt betrayed. Betrayed by her double identity. Betrayed by her involvement in the Savannah conspiracy. Jake didn’t buy any of it. Kaplan was making excuses, probably to himself, to mask how he really felt.
    Kaplan and Hunt’s budding relationship wasn’t lost on him either. He’d noticed them spending more time together. He was still grieving the loss of Beth, so how could Kaplan flaunt his newfound friendship with Hunt in his face like that? How could he even have a relationship with Hunt? It wasn’t right. It was too soon.
    “Don’t worry about Gregg, sir.” Jake grabbed Kaplan’s shoulder. “As always, he’ll give you his best.”
    “No problem, sir. I’ll remain focused.” Kaplan glared at Jake. “But like I said, when we get back, I’m going after her.”
    “Don’t forget who gives the orders, Gregg.” Bentley said. “Right now, back to work. Get some rest. Keep your wits about you tonight men and bring those two terrorists back alive. ”
     
     
    † † †
     
     
    18 Hours Later
    3:45 a.m.
     
     
    Jake and Kaplan, together with a team of nine specialized SAS soldiers were secured in their prearranged positions surrounding the terrorist training camp. Counting Jake and Kaplan, four ground teams of two each and three strategically located snipers.
    Two snipers positioned themselves along the surveillance ledge, both with optimal viewpoints of the camp below. A third sniper, the only man not paired, was situated along an adjacent ridge covering the only potential escape route for the terrorists.
    Every man was dressed in full black. Black clothes. Kevlar vests. Boots. Nomex gloves. Guns. Faces painted black. Black helmets outfitted with earpieces and voice activated microphones and night vision goggles.
    Eleven men, set for a surgical strike against the camp under the command of Gregg Kaplan. Only at his direction would the