Chapter 46

46

The deep, low waves of sound rolled toward them from across miles of tundra, dissipating quickly, but the fireball only grew, a dazzling display that would have been beautiful under different circumstances.

Stomach roiling, Kate turned away.

Hunching their upper bodies against the subzero cold, the team headed back into the Frostbite.

Bridger grabbed his duffle and pulled out his sat phone. "I'll check with command at the military base. They could use our help."

Before he could dial, Rog shot into the tavern, eyes wide, face pale. "Chatter from the base is someone shot down an enemy combatant stealing a Chinook."

"Hawk," Fenn and Kate said in unison, their voices tinged with a mix of dread and resignation.

"That'd be my guess," Rog agreed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

The team exchanged skeptical glances, their brows furrowed with suspicion. "How exactly are you connected to the base, Rog?" Tai asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Fenn stepped in, his voice calm and reassuring. "Rog has a personal connection to the base."

Rog's cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink. He ducked his head, a sheepish grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "One of the scientists there's kinda sweet on me."

"Do you think Hawk was really on board?" Paige asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"Only one way to find out," Mason replied, his jaw set. "We need to check out the crash site."

Above the murmured conversations, Kate caught the ring of Bridger's sat phone. He answered, his expression growing more somber with each passing second. After a brusque exchange, he signed off, tapping the edge of the phone against his chin as he stared at the flickering light. "That was the base commander. He can neither confirm nor deny that an unauthorized foreign agent was shot down stealing an experimental aircraft. Apparently, Jason contacted the base, warned them Steele might try something like this. The commander says he owes us one."

Bile rose in Kate's throat. She swallowed hard. "So they're certain Hawk was on the aircraft?"

"A hundred percent." Bridger stowed his phone. "Clear visual confirmation. One occupant. Steele. The commander said he's certain Steele is the only casualty."

Kate dug her fingers into the strap supporting her sling, bracing herself for the rush of grief and anger that would knock her off her feet. Instead, she felt nothing. A hollow emptiness settled in her chest, as if her heart had been scooped out and replaced with sand.

She could feel everyone's eyes on her, their gazes boring into her back as they wondered how she was feeling, what thoughts were swirling through her mind. Truth be told, she wasn't sure herself. She stared out at the fading glow of the explosion miles distant.

The big helo would have been fully fueled. Even on a sheet of ice, the fire would burn for a good long while. She whispered a prayer for Hawk's soul, the words feeling hollow and empty on her tongue. A nasty stew of emotions swirled in her belly, a mix of sadness for a life cut short, grief for the nonexistent man she thought she loved, and relief, if she was honest with herself. There was a metallic tinge of shame, too, for letting Hawk play her in those early years…and again now.

Her gaze drifted over the group, her eyes seeking out Fenn's familiar form. He was standing on the far edge of the table, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he stared out the window at the glow. She couldn't blame him for keeping his distance. She was a trainwreck, a walking disaster who seemed to leave a trail of destruction in her wake.

Even so, she couldn't help but appreciate his handsome profile, the way the firelight played across his chiseled features. His quick wit and steadfast loyalty had been a balm to her battered soul these past few days, but now, with the shocking loss of Hawk still swirling around them, she knew that whatever had started to grow between them had turned to ash.

Another casualty of Hawk's betrayal.