Chapter 48

forty-eight

ALEX

After Dylan left the kitchen, I pulled out my satellite phone. What I was about to do went against everything I knew was right. You never give terrorists what they want. While I appreciated the sentiment, it didn’t help the people around me. There was a quick way to end this, and I wouldn’t miss my opportunity.

If the Haqani Army wanted the program, they’d have to meet me in person, not make threats over the internet. No more car accidents, no more kidnapping attempts.

For my entire childhood, I dreamed of having a sibling to share the good and not-so-good times with. Now that I knew I had a brother, I’d do everything I could to keep him safe.

I opened my email and scrolled through the list of messages. The last email from the terrorist cell had arrived a week ago. I expected the barrage of threats to continue, but they hadn’t. Their silence was just as worrying as the emails.

I found what I was looking for and pressed the reply button. If I didn’t make them come into the open, no one would ever find them. And if someone died, I’d never be able to live with myself.

Looking over my shoulder, I listened for Dylan’s footsteps on the wooden floor. Apart from the hum of the refrigerator, the house was silent.

After I typed a quick message, I dropped my satellite phone onto the counter. The damage was done. Now all I could do was wait.