Toward the Brink (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

others to safety.
    You don’t have time for this.
    There would be time later to reflect on the horrible loss of life, not only here, but all over the United States, Canada, hell, probably the whole world.
    Had he known that Richard Holmes, aka the Hidden One, was inside the truck just a few feet from where he stood, he would have dealt with him then and there regardless of the foamers.

3
    M ulhaven had kept watch for the truck’s return, and when he saw the Tall Man’s flashlight coming toward the plane, he yanked the door open.
    “Damn good job, you—” Mulhaven began.
    “Where’s Elliot? Where is he? Is he all right?” Cindy interrupted.
    “He’s fine.” The Tall Man attempted to calm her. “He’s making room in the back of the truck.”
    Cindy didn’t hear a word he said. Until she saw Elliot, she wouldn’t be satisfied that he was okay.
    “Cindy!” The Tall Man grabbed her arm as she tried to slide by him. “He’s all right, and the quicker we get everyone out, the quicker you can be with him.”
    The Tall Man’s firmness had the desired effect. “Yes. Yes of course … Thanks, Chuck.” She reached out in the dark and squeezed the Tall Man’s forearm before she went back to help the others.
    “Let’s get the ball rolling, shall we?”
    “CHUCK!” Before he could turn, he was caught in Kath’s arms. She locked him in a tight grip as if he had just returned from years abroad, though he’d only been gone five minutes.
    “Kath, we have to move and fast. We’ve got company, and it’s not pleasant.” He grabbed her hands and pried them loose, but gave them one more comforting squeeze. Enough for her to know that there would be time later.
    The Tall Man was impressed with the group’s efficiency as everyone moved into position. At least he believed it was everyone. He could see outlines, hear whispers, hear people breathing and footsteps shuffling past, but he could not see the faces. He had to go with that; there was no time for a head count.
    “Two, three, go, go, GO!” he yelled. He held the cabin side door open and released the extendable steps. “The back of the truck, straight to the back of the truck, and no flashlights.”
    Should’ve made a head count before, when I had the chance. Damn!
    By now, the ground below them trembled as thousands of foamers stampeded across the fields. Soon the red-eyed beasts would become aware of the truck, and if the group wasn’t on the move by then, they’d become foamer sashimi —a raw meal!
    “Elliot!” Cindy kept her voice low and ran to the back of the truck the moment she got off the steps and onto the ground.
    Elliot reached out and swooped her into his arms in a single motion. As he’d driven away in the truck he had wondered, as had she, if they would see each other again. Bravery can be such a stupid thing.
    While the two teens quickly embraced, Elliot’s father came up behind them. “You’re a brave man, Elliot, but let’s get in the truck.” Tears streamed from his eyes.
    The Tall Man kept an eye on the emotional moment. He wasn’t about to interrupt if he didn’t have to.
    Mulhaven helped the women and the teens into the back of the truck. The escapees from the C-17 couldn’t see who they were, but some of the soldiers helped locate seats for them in the dark.
    “Come on, you two,” James said again to his son and Cindy, saving the Tall Man from any unpleasantness.
    Cindy was next into the truck while Elliot stood aside for his dad.
    “Uh-uh, not after last time. You get in first.” James was firm with his son—he wasn’t about to let Elliot go off again.
    With everyone and their bags loaded, it made for a tightly packed truck. But army trucks weren’t built for comfort.
    “You jump in the back, Riley, okay? Mr. President, Tom, and Elliot, you ride with me—you too, Kath,” the Tall Man said. “Well, get a move on, don’t just stand there.” Beyond in the dark was a sea of red spots—the eyes of foamers—and