Chapter Nineteen

Stryker

Before dawn, the team rendezvoused back at their rental house not far from the facility, where Spencer was busy accumulating all the data and information they'd recovered.

"I say we take them out now before they have any chance to cause further harm," Shaw said.

"Agreed, a few expertly placed charges ought to do the job," Stryker stated.

"Yeah, we could do that, but they'd only haul the test subjects to a different location. If we wait, we could free a number of these people while taking the Noah Group down," Brick explained.

"It feels like every time we take out one facility, another two pop up in its place," Jason said.

"We have to find the head of the snake," Brick said. "It's the only way to ensure this shit stops happening."

"We have to start thinking about the long game here," Spencer said.

"The long game?" Conor asked.

"Yeah, one in which we can follow the chain of command to find the powers that be."

"That'll mean getting somebody on the inside. That's easier said than done," Fletcher said.

"We'll have to consider all our options," Brick said. "For now, we keep an eye on this facility, and the moment test subjects start arriving is when we move in to free them and take these assholes down."

"What do you think they meant by rounding up the subjects?" Fletcher asked.

"Probably exactly what it sounds like, I'm sad to say. They're probably out there right now trying to track down any of those who've gotten away," Brick said.

"Including our friends and me," Conor said.

"Yes," Brick answered. "We can't allow that to happen."

"I wonder how many kids were tossed into orphanages and put up for adoption when the Navy shut down the initial project, just like Conor was?" Gunner asked as he hugged Conor close.

"I don't know," Brick said. "But I am sure of one thing. We'll need help with this case and the overall mission ahead of us to end the Noah Project for good and save the people involved."

The team sat around the dining room table going over the images they managed to get of the interior of the building, each one lost in their thoughts as to what lay before them.

"We can only go one step at a time," Conor said. "If we try to see the big picture, we'll never know where to begin. It's obvious we have the Noah Group's attention by that lovely gift they sent, so why haven't they attacked us head-on?"

"Maybe there aren't as many of them left as we think there is," Stryker said. "Maybe the group is so splintered they operate in different factions from one another, each vying to take the lead."

"That's a real possibility," Spencer said. "Because if we look at how the group has behaved, there doesn't seem to be one central command. For example, the compound in California had no record of the group in upstate New York or this group here in North Carolina."

"You think they're fighting it out amongst each other now that Dr. Isabel Noah has been taken out of the equation and, by all indications, Dr. Frauste is still in North Korea?" Shaw asked.

"That's exactly what I think might be happening. Each division is trying to bulk up their research and subjects to outdo a competing division and take over leading the Noah Group," Spencer said.

"So, then it would be fair to say that these divisions are racing each other by hunting down the missing subjects and stockpiling their strengths," Stryker concluded.

"How many divisions do you think there are?" Conor asked.

"I'd say at least three so far," Brick answered. "The initial one in New York that began all of this with that missing person's case we were sent on, the second in California with the cult, and now the third here in North Carolina."

"I wonder which division sent the bomb to the lake house?" Shaw asked.

"I'm thinking it would have been the group in California, considering we took the cult down and depleted a major source of laundering money for them," Spencer answered.

"Yeah, that would have ruffled a few feathers," Stryker said. "So as it stands now, the divisions are hoarding their resources and hunting for any missing ‘subjects' they can use in their power play to take over as the leaders of the Noah Project."

"Yep," Brick said. "Which means we're going to have to take them out one division at a time."

"Shit," Shaw huffed. "Just when I thought there was one organization we needed to take down, they sprout arms and take off in multiple directions. How will we know if we ever get them all?"

"I honestly don't know," Brick said. "I wish I did, but we can't stop trying."

***

John

On their nightly call, Stryker sounded weary.

"So, how are things going at the shop?" Stryker asked. John heard the buzz of the other guys talking in the background.

"Good, busier than ever. Elias has one of the deputies here at all times, so you don't need to worry. I've also been spending a lot of time out at the ranch and have been able to do some work out there."

"I'll try to do my best not to worry, but there's no guarantee."

"How is the investigation going?" John asked.

"More confusing all the time," Stryker answered. "There's no doubt that a division of the Noah Group runs this facility, but now questions have been raised as to whether or not the group is unified or torn off into splintered factions or divisions."

"That can make it even more difficult to shut them down."

"True, but if we can get the divisions working against each other, it might give us a chance to take them all down. If they're too busy with infighting, they'll never see the attack coming."

"I get that logic," John said.

"I need you to be very careful of your surroundings because it seems these divisions of the Noah Group are going around retrieving what they consider assets."

"Assets? You mean like test subjects?"

"Yes. I think it's like an arms race: whoever has the most strength in numbers or abilities wins."

"That means none of us are safe."

"That's why I need you to be vigilant until we have a chance to deal with these people and shut them down for good. You still have your gun?"

"I take it everywhere I go, along with my inhaler. It's become my favorite fashion accessory," John joked.

"Good. That, along with never going somewhere alone, should at least deter and prevent somebody from trying something rash."

"I hope so. How long do you think you'll be in North Carolina?"

"We want to stick around for a bit and ensure if they bring any former test subjects here, we can free them before putting them out of business."

"Is that why Gator's heading down there? You planning on blowing something up?" John asked.

"It's a distinct possibility. We don't like leaving shit behind that someone can come back in and use."

"What's going to happen to the people you free? Will they have a home to go back to? Will it even be safe for them out there because maybe one of the other divisions will come looking for them?"

"We're working on a plan for a safe place for those who don't have anywhere else to go, even if it's temporary. We're being forced to make this up as we go. The variables keep changing."

"I understand. It's not as if you guys planned on being the saviors to a group of genetically altered victims of the Noah Project. However, I know that the team members' hearts are in the right place. We'll figure this out."

"I'm glad you have faith in us."

"I'll always have faith in you."

"Miss you."

"I miss you too, Stryker. We'll talk soon."

John disconnected the call and set his cell phone back on the desk beside his gun. He missed Stryker more than he ever thought possible. It was a strange paradox considering when Stryker was in twenty-four/seven protection mode, John was searching for some free time, but now that he had it and Stryker was several states away, maybe it wasn't truly what he wanted.

"Relationships are confusing," he muttered to himself.

John returned to work on a set of chairs they'd been commissioned to create. The orders kept rolling in, and they were booked up several months in advance. It meant he often stayed behind to do a little late-night work.

The deputy assigned to him for today—Charlie, a fit forty-year-old man with a bald head and a jacked body—waltzed in, looking a little gray. He was an ex-SAS Brit with an impressive list of military commendations.

"I'll be in the bathroom, got a bit of a dodgy stomach. Be back soon. Don't go anywhere."

"Oh, something you ate, perhaps? Sure, take your time." John went back to his work.

He lost track of time, and when the bell above the store"s door rang, John frowned. The shop wasn't open and he didn't expect anyone. A frisson of panic swept his body and he picked up his gun. He noticed then Charlie was nowhere to be seen. He checked his watch.

"Fuck, it's been over half an hour. Is the man still in the damn toilet?"

He heard another noise from the front. "Charlie, that you?" he called out, thinking perhaps he'd gone out for a smoke or some fresh air. He walked to the front of the store and when he got to the front, he looked around but found no one waiting.

He walked to the front windows and looked up and down the street but saw nothing out of the ordinary. He went to the front door and opened it, making the bell chime. It appeared to be in working order. A cold chill racked his body. He was sure the door had been double locked earlier.

Holding his gun as he'd been shown, John went back into the shop. Everything seemed clear. He started to relax, thinking he'd been overreacting, when a sharp pain exploded from the back of his head. He fell to the floor, the gun still in his hand. As he lost consciousness, he caught sight of the outline of the deputy tied up in the corner, bleeding from the mouth. Then there was nothing.