CHAPTER 86

BY THE TIME REECE emerged from the depths of the catacombs, the beach was teeming with local police, Ukrainian military, and a few Secret Service agents left behind to coordinate with the host nation.

Reece spotted CIA case officer Douglass and briefed him on what he’d seen in the tunnels, stressing that two terrorists in white chemical suits were contaminated with a nerve toxin and needed to be shot on sight if they made it to an exit. Dr. Belanger had sounded the alarm after his call to Reece, which set off a chain reaction and triggered the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Situations WMD response protocol, which was on its highest level of alert, due to the high-profile event in Odessa. HAZMAT teams were already sealing off the catacombs, while the military coordinated an evacuation of the immediate and surrounding areas.

“How’s Scheer? ” Reece asked as soon as he was able.

“She’s going to make it, Reece. But I do have some bad news. It’s about your friend. ”

• • •

By the time Reece made his way back to Freddy’s last position, Alpha Group had secured the scene. The wounded Secret Service sniper had been transported to a local hospital where U. S. medical personnel were fighting to save his life. There were black tarps over two bodies on the roof. Reece knelt at his friend’s side and pulled back the dark plastic. Tears welled up in his eyes as he cradled the head of the devoted husband and father of three who had given an entire career in service of his nation and now his own life to protect its president. After the shock of losing his entire troop in Afghanistan and his pregnant wife and child in his own home, Reece didn’t think he could feel any more grief. He was wrong.

Reece’s world went into slow motion as activity swirled around him. The Ukrainian reaction force efficiently maintained security while doing their best to protect what was now more than a crime scene. This had been an act of war. All Reece could manage was to stare into the lifeless face of one of the best men he’d ever known.

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