Zero Separation Read Online Free PDF Page A

plunging the entire facility into darkness. The only light came from the taxiway and runway lights that were on a backup generator.
    Donovan pulled his phone from his pocket and sat down heavily at one of the science stations, switched it on, and waited for it to power up. When he checked to see if he had any messages, his heart sank a little when he realized Lauren hadn’t called. His thumb hovered over the button that would ring his house. He hesitated, Michael’s advice echoing in his head, and then he pressed it.
    â€œHello,” Lauren answered on the second ring.
    â€œHi there. I didn’t call at a bad time, did I?”
    â€œNo, I was just getting ready for bed.”
    â€œHow’s Abigail?”
    â€œShe’s fine. She went down hours ago. I trust your flight was uneventful.”
    â€œNot exactly. We couldn’t get into West Palm Beach, so we diverted to Boca Raton.”
    â€œI saw the cold front moving through Florida. I’m glad you’re safe. Are you going to call it a night?”
    â€œYeah, we took a lightning strike coming in, so we need to get that looked at before we go anywhere.” Donovan was about to tell her more, when through the window, momentarily illuminated by a flash of lightning, a man raced past. An instant later it was dark again, and Donovan was puzzled by what he’d just seen. As theimage crystallized in his mind, he decided it must be one of the lineman helping Michael put chocks under the tires to keep the
da Vinci
in place with the coming storms.
    â€œAre you still there?”
    â€œYeah, sorry, I’m here.” Donovan got up out of his seat and peered out into the darkness. Small drops of water dotted the acrylic window making it difficult to see anything clearly. Next to them sat a blue-and-white Gulfstream V. It looked buttoned up, the doors were closed and it was completely dark inside, obviously parked for the evening. Another flash of lightning lit up the ramp. In the millisecond of near daylight, Donovan caught sight of two men toe to toe near the tail of the
da Vinci
. One of them was Michael, and he seemed to be struggling against the other.
    â€œWhat the—” Donovan spun and hurried toward the door.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Lauren asked.
    â€œI’m not sure yet. I have to go. I’ll call you back!” Donovan pocketed his phone, snatched a black metal flashlight, and took the airstairs three at a time, landing heavily on the wet tarmac. In a crouch, he ducked low under the wing and ran as fast as he could. As he rounded the main landing gear, he searched the darkness, finding only a dark shape lying on the concrete. Donovan recognized the windbreaker and just as quickly caught the unmistakable odor of burnt gunpowder. A second later, someone hit him from behind just below the ear.
    The impact dropped him to his knees, and Donovan made a wild swing behind him with his flashlight and connected with something solid. He lunged forward and tried to turn and look at his attacker when another blow connected and he crashed to the ground, his head striking the concrete. The last thing he was aware of before he slipped into the darkness was something warm trickling down the side of his face.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Donovan heard the thunder explode and reverberate all around him. Fat raindrops hit his exposed skin. Reality began to seep into his consciousness, his thoughts forming slowly. He knew something horrible had happened before he could actually fix on the events. Another crack of thunder jolted him, and he opened his eyes and blinked against the pouring rain. His eyes darted under the tail of the
da Vinci
. All he could see was a blue windbreaker and short-cropped blond hair—Michael.
    He raised himself up on his knees and found his flashlight. He switched it on, the beam cutting through the darkness. Donovan stood and fought off the dizziness that threatened to put him back down. He wavered unsteadily,