Whistleblower (16 page)

“She doesn’t know. I have it,” Zan hissed out between trying to catch his breath. “I already called it in and sent the information to a friend. I’m afraid your little secret’s out.”

The major shifted to look at him. “Nice try, but we’ve been monitoring your phones. Even the little side one you picked up.” He pulled it from his pocket, held it up then opened his fingers and let it fall to the concrete. There was a cracking sound and one piece flew off, but Snyder wasn’t finished. Lifting his booted foot, he brought it down hard, crushing the phone.

“You want to try again?” He turned back to Marley.

“Might I suggest,” Oscar Hymas broke in. “It seems if Miss Reynolds has taken on such interest in Gladiator, that maybe it would be wise to let her see it firsthand. After all, as I said earlier, we can always use another test subject. It has been somewhat hard to get good candidates, and Lieutenant Colonel Masters is perfect, right down to his experience.”

“No,” Marley went to charge him only to be pulled back by Snyder. She cried out when he jerked up on her arms.

Behind him, Zan heard Jansen snicker.

“The idea has merit. What do you suggest?” Snyder said thoughtfully as if the idea hadn’t already come to him.

The doctor was quiet a second. “First, I think we should put Miss Reynolds in the cage. After all, I’m sure she really wouldn’t want to miss this.”

Snyder nodded and motioned to the door. Atkins walked toward them.

“No.” Marley pulled back as he approached. “You can’t do this.” She rammed her shoulder into Snyder almost taking him down before he caught his balance. Marley wasn’t so fortunate. She went down. Her head hitting Snyder’s foot was the only thing that kept it from striking the floor. She remained down, dazed but still conscious.

“Marley!” Zan pulled against the restraints, not caring how futile the attempt. He wanted to get to her.

“How touching,” Jansen mocked, just before he jabbed the cattle prod in his side one more time.

Zan clenched his teeth and twisted to the side, catching hold of the end of the device. He continued to twist, ripping the prod from the security guard’s hands. Zan then changed directions, swung out his leg, catching the man at the ankles, swiping his feet out from under him. Zan came down on him with his knee on Jansen’s chest.

“Don’t touch her, or he dies.” Zan edged his knee closer to Jansen’s throat until the man made a gagging sound. Zan knew, with his hands fastened the way they were behind his back, his threat wouldn’t work, so he was surprised when Snyder halted Atkins in his reach for Marley.

“Very nice move, but since Dr. Reynolds has already taken Mr. Jansen down and broke his nose, I can’t be too impressed. So if you want, you can go ahead and kill him, but I do wonder how you would fare against Atkins and Rees.”

Zan’s first thought was how it was Marley had broken the man’s nose, accompanied with a sense of pride in her. He then locked onto what he was being offered. Number one, it would buy them some time. Greater still, it was a chance to get his hands free, and maybe he could do something to free them. One on one, he figured he could take the men, but he knew that was not what was being offered. The big thing was to avoid being given the drug.

“My hands free?” Zan decided to see exactly what he could get.

Snyder nodded.

“No drug.”

Again the major nodded.

“What about using him as a subject?” Hymas burst out.

“If he loses, he’ll be given the drug,” Snyder said, and Zan didn’t doubt the man was certain he would lose. “It will be a much more viable test with a base to start. With his and Dr. Reynolds’ lives on the line, he will have greater motivation.”

“But if he wins?” There was a whine in the doctor’s voice.

“Will he win, gentlemen?” Snyder’s gaze remained locked on Zan as the two men shook their heads.

“Your call Lieutenant Colonel”

“Zan.” Worry touched Marley’s voice and wavered in her eyes.

“I’ll fight,” Zan said coolly.

“Excellent. First things first. I think we need to find a good seat for Dr. Reynolds.”

Zan kept Jansen pinned down while Snyder and Atkins helped Marley up. Not that he really held any leverage in the action. It was all show. Atkins led Marley to a four row high metal bleachers on one end of the cage, while Snyder walked to a workbench not far away.

“I think we can change Dr. Reynolds’ hands to in front of her.” He picked up a pair of handcuffs and tossed them to the man, who caught them with one hand while reaching down to remove a wicked looking knife from a sheath strapped to his thigh.

Zan’s breath caught as Atkins brought it up, but he simply sliced through the band at Marley’s wrist with an effortless stroke. A groan escaped Marley as she brought her hands around in front of her to rub her wrists. The man actually gave her a minute before demanding her wrists to put the handcuffs on and forced her to sit down.

“Now, Colonel Masters.” The major motioned to the cage.

Zan got to his feet, waited as they released the chain. He walked slowly toward the cage, keeping an eye on all the men in the room. Jansen stayed down, his hand going to his throat. Rees remained by the door, the gun in his hand a subtle warning not to try to escape. Not that it was needed. Zan wasn’t going anywhere without Marley. Atkins met him at the cage entrance, opening it for him to pass through.

Zan heard Marley’s hiss of breath as he stepped in. He turned back, sending her a look that he hoped would reassure her. Atkins followed him. Rees crossed the floor, paused to place his gun on the same bench that Snyder had picked up the handcuffs from before entering the cage, confirming Zan’s suspicions of not being allowed to face them one at a time.

Mills came over to secure the opening. He turned and nodded to Snyder, who glanced toward Hymas at a control panel, activating what Zan guessed, was the recording equipment.

“Ready?” Hymas asked.

“Wait,” Marley interrupted. “Their knives, they’re still armed and you haven’t freed him.”

Atkins smiled like a snake, sliding his knife from its sheath, turning it side to side so the blade reflected the light. “Wrists,” he said.

Zan held them away from his body as he shifted to the side while keeping an eye on the man. The blade slid through the restraint as easily as it had cut Marley’s, but it was lucky he was watching because, as soon as it cleared his wrist, Atkins arched it around, slicing out at him.

Zan heard Marley’s cry, but he was already spinning out of the way of the blade which missed him only by a quarter of an inch. Zan kept going to the left, so his back was in the corner and neither man could get behind him. While the two men separated, each going wide to opposite sides in a well-practiced move, Zan rolled his shoulders and rubbed his wrist to ease the stiffness in them. Stiffness right then could be deadly.

Rees was the first to come in, swinging out in a distraction move that Zan was ready for. Zan blocked, countered the hit, catching the man in the side with enough force to knock the air from him, and continued around to meet Atkins’ attack from the other side.

Atkins had replaced the knife, coming at him with fists. Zan caught the punch, deflecting his hand up as he turned, sending his elbow back into the ex-military man’s chest. Zan still had his hands locked on Atkins when he kicked out at Rees. He caught the man full in the stomach dropping him to the ground.

Atkins hit him in the side, and Zan dodged, barely missing a kick that would have taken out his knee. He spun, and they came together in a succession of punches. Out of the corner of his eye, Zan saw Rees rush in. Zan sidestepped and the man’s momentum carried him into Atkins who hadn’t noticed him coming. Both men went down.

Zan staggered to the opposite corner of the cage, gulping in air. His shoulder was on fire again. He brushed the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Zan watched as the men got to their feet, coming at him more cautiously.

Instead of dividing, they came in with a concentrated attack. Blows rained from all sides and though he was out of practice, Zan’s training served him well. He met Atkins’ strike and countered Rees at the same time, sending his fist into Rees’ neck. Rees backpedaled, saving him from an incapacitating blow.

Atkins wrapped his arms around Zan, effectively pinning him down. Zan struggled, trying to throw him off. When that didn’t work, Zan planted his feet and pushed back, slamming them into the fence. Zan thrust back again then spun forward, throwing Atkins to the ground.

Zan let his motion carry him around, barely missing the swipe of the knife in Rees’ hand. Zan forced his gaze from the blade to watch Rees’ movements instead. When Rees lunged, Zan was ready, knocking Rees’ hand up then wrapped his hands around to lock onto Rees’ wrist, twisting it over.

Rees cried out and released the knife. Zan continued to force him over and down to the ground then sent his fist into the man’s face. Rees dropped unconscious to the concrete. Zan snatched up the knife as he dove and rolled to his feet, moving back as Atkins slid his own knife from its sheath.

Marley fought to keep from screaming when she saw the shorter man stagger to his feet and pull his knife. She knew if she cried out it could be a fatal distraction to Zan, but her fear almost got the better of her when the man struck at Zan. Marley didn’t know how Zan was able to block the knife, but in a blurring string of movement, he had the man to the ground and the man’s knife.

The only place she had ever seen anyone fight like that was the movies, but she knew the blood that trickled down at the corner of Zan’s lip was real.

When the other man turned on him pulling his knife, Marley felt as if her heart would stop. Cold rage shot from the man. If he could kill Zan, he would. Atkins slashed out setting off another flurry of movements. Marley held her breath, afraid that any moment the razor sharp metal would slice through Zan’s skin or would be wedged deep into his body.

Tears spiked in her eyes when the blade ripped through the front of Zan’s shirt and blood colored the area. Zan made no reaction to pain, slashing out to leave two similar marks on the man. Both men were breathing hard, circling, making small jabs that she figured were to either distract or test the other. When Aktins attacked, Zan was ready, countering the move, knocking the knife away.

“Freeze.” The order cut through the air, halting Zan in mid-strike.

Marley had been so wrapped up in the fight that it wasn’t until Zan started to turn her direction that she realized Snyder had moved in behind her. She jerked as she felt the circle of cold metal brush her temple. A hand clamped down on her arm with bruising strength.

“Drop the knife.” The demand came low and forceful so close to her ear, Marley felt the air stir the hair on her neck.

Tears burned her eyes as she watched Zan’s fingers open, and the knife slip to the ground.

“Most impressive, Colonel Masters. I’ve never seen Atkins and Rees bested. But I’m afraid I must change the rules of the game. Over in the corner.”

Zan complied slowly, going to the corner just left of Marley. His chest rose and fell with the depth of his breathing. He raised his forearm to wipe the sweat from his brow but his eyes were fixed on her with hot intent.

“Check on Rees,” Snyder ordered.

Atkins staggered as he moved to comply. The other man had regained consciousness. Atkins helped him to his feet.

“Mills, Jansen, get over here,” the major barked out.

Jansen’s eyes bore down on her as he approached. Revenge and hatred warped his already swollen, harsh face. “It looks like we’re ready for the good time.”

“What?” Marley’s stomach clenched.

“Payback.” The man sneered.

Before she could question again, Snyder spoke up. “Dr. Hymas, do you have the hypodermic ready.”

“Right here.” The rat faced man scurried past.

“No.” Marley started to stand only to be jerked back and have the gun jabbed once more to her temple.

“Marley.” Zan cautioned by just saying her name as the three men entered the cage.

“You c-can’t do this,” she cried but got no reaction.

Zan looked past the approaching men to Snyder. “How are you going to explain our deaths? People will ask questions. We aren’t your street people.”

It was Dr. Hymas that answered. “Quite simple really. I should’ve thought of it earlier. If you survive the first round, we’ll give you a double dose and blame it on Miss Reynolds. That she was doing some experiments on her own.”

“Doc was looking for a real exciting time,” Jansen cut in.

The doctor glared at him before turning back to Zan. “Yes, she gave you too much. You went berserk and killed her then yourself. It won’t take much at the lab to point evidence to her.”

“W-what about the information I c-copied.” Marley spoke up trying to think of an argument. Zan stood calm, but she couldn’t manage it.

“With you gone, there’s no problem,” Snyder answered.

The men swarmed around Zan. Rees stepped forward and shoved him back against the fence. Mills and Jansen caught his right arm, while Atkins took the left. Rees shoved his forearm up under Zan’s chin, forcing his head up. Beside Rees, Hymas held up the syringe, directing the tip to Zan’s arm.

“No!” This time Marley screamed it at the top of her lungs and threw herself back into Snyder. Her head caught him square in the face and, for the second time that day, she heard a sickening pop just before they toppled off the bleachers. Marley landed on top of the man who remained still beneath her.

In the ring attention shifted for a brief second, but it was all Zan needed. He brought his knee up, dropping Rees. Jerking his right arm up, he lifted Mills a couple inches off the ground and jabbed his elbow into Jansen’s face, catching him in his already broken nose. The guard howled and collapsed. Zan felt the prick of the needle in his arm just as he swung Mills into the doctor. They both went down.

Atkins landed two punches in his side before Zan turned to the man. They traded several more blows before they staggered back. Atkins barreled in, driving Zan back against the wire.

Zan brought his arms up breaking the hold, jabbing an elbow into the man’s neck muscle, followed immediately with a fist to his stomach. As the man doubled over, Zan locked his hands behind Atkins’ neck and smashed his face into the knee he drove up. Atkins dropped limp to the floor.

“Zan.”

Zan looked up to find Marley in the cage, the syringe in her hand. Fear on her face. The syringe wasn’t empty but about half the liquid was gone. Zan wanted to say it had just been injected out, but he could already feel it burning in his bloodstream. Before he could say anything the doors burst open. Men carrying weapons, dressed in camo and helmets poured into the building.

Marley let out a little shriek and spun. “Not more,” she cried out.

“Marley, get your hands up,” Zan ordered, as he locked his hands behind his neck. “It’s okay. These are on our side.”

The men fanned out as they came toward the cage, surveying the scene. “Colonel Masters?”

“Yes.”

“We were told you needed rescuing.” The man eased his hold on the gun.

“We can definitely use your help.” He lowered his hands, stepping over the men at his feet. He went directly to Marley though talking to the soldiers. “All these men need to be taken into custody.”

Marley reached for him, wrapping her arms around him. He pulled her tight, losing all thought of what he was saying the instant he came in contact with her.

“It’s all right.” Zan buried his face in her hair. The sweet, spicy smell of her was intoxicating. He brushed his lips across her neck and wanted more, wanted all.

It took him only a second to realize what was happening to him. He pushed her back. “The drug.”

“He jabbed you?” It was as much a statement as a question. Her gaze skimmed over him.

Zan nodded.

“About h-half what was in there is gone. I don’t know what they consider a full d-dose.” She reached up to brush his cheek then placed her fingers to his neck to take his pulse.

“Marley.” He pushed her hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

“What?” She looked confused, reaching for his wrist.

“The drug, I can feel it in my system. Don’t touch me. I don’t want to hurt you.” He shook his arm free, catching her wrist then dropping it.

“You wouldn’t,” she said with confidence, reaching for him again.

“I don’t know that,” he ground out, stepping back away from her.

“I do. I need to monitor your vitals.”

“No.” Sweat broke out on his brow at the thought of her touching him. “I need you to move farther away. I’m feeling a little … lustful right now.” He took a deep breath and even at the distance between them, the smell of her filled him again. He fought to control his flooding desire.

Marley must have finally recognized his struggle because she finally pulled back. Her gaze locked on him, but she stepped out of the cage. “Is there a medic?” There was a tremor in her words, but she didn’t stumble over them.

“Here, ma’am.” A man came forward.

Marley turned to him but her gaze kept flickering back to Zan. “You have to monitor Zan’s, Colonel Master’s, vitals. He was injected with the Gladiator drug. It over stimulates the system. It can send the person into an uncontrollable, violent rage or cause a coronary. I don’t believe he was given a full does. But I don’t know how much they had in the needle. He would know.” She pointed to Dr. Hymas.

The medic nodded his understanding and entered the cage, going past the other soldiers working to detain Snyder and Hymas’s crew.

“Dr. Reynolds?” A man approached her.

“Yes.”

“I’m Captain Williams, if you’ll come with me. You’re to be taken in for debriefing.”

Marley looked back at Zan. The medic was checking his vitals, but Zan’s gaze was lock on her.

“Go with him,” Zan said to her.

Her desire to return to Zan was almost overpowering. Only the knowledge that she was causing him discomfort had her stepping away. Still she paused and turned back.

“Go,” he growled through clinched teeth.

She felt the tug on her heart. With reluctance, she nodded and let the captain lead her out of the building. Marley was surprised to see the sun was starting to set. She couldn’t believe all that had happened in a single day.

“If you’ll wait right here, they’ll bring a vehicle up for you,” the captain said to her, easing her to the center of the yard.

She didn’t have anything to do but study the area. A shiver went through her. The place felt tainted to her, but she knew it was just her imagination filling in what she knew had happened there. An SUV so similar to the black ones that had hounded them pulled up, and Marley felt another wave of trepidation, though this one carried a military insignia on the side. The captain started to direct her to it when Zan stepped from the building with a medic.

She turned to him. “How is he?” she directed her question to the medic.

“His vitals are elevated but holding steady,” the medic assured her.

“I’m okay,” Zan added.

Marley ignored the way he tried to brush the threat away. “Watch him. That drug has killed at least a dozen men.” She waited until she received a nod from the man before she looked at Zan, unable to hold back her tears. “You make sure they take care of you. I mean it, Zan.”

A harsh oath cut from him. He strode to her, hauled her up against him, kissed her savagely then pushed her away. “Get her out of here.” He locked his hands together behind his back. His shoulders and arms muscles bulged with restraint. The fire that burned in his eyes took her breath. She hurried and climbed into the vehicle not in fear but in effort to ease some of the stress that radiated off him.

The officer shut the door behind her and waved the vehicle away. Marley couldn’t take her eyes off Zan as the SUV drove off. At her last glimpse of him, he still stood in the center of the yard, staring after her. The medic had a hand on his arm talking to him, but Zan looked like a warrior statue illuminated by the setting sun.

Exhausted, Marley laid her head on the armrest, closed her eyes and tucked the image of Zan in her heart, wrapped in the knowledge that she loved him. Somewhere along the way to wherever they took her, she fell asleep. She woke as they came to a stop at a guard post and a high-powered flashlight hit her in the face. Marley hardly got her hand up to block the beam before it was gone and they were driving through.

A few minutes later, after several turns they pulled up to a large, four-story, cinderblock building, she was ushered out of the SUV, up the stairs and inside. There began the introductions to numerous military officers, of varying high ranks with whom she went over her story, only to answer a string of questions and repeat all that happened again.

Marley was reassured so many times that, “Colonel Masters was doing fine. That he was under medical supervision and also being debriefed”, she wanted to scream. What she really wanted was Zan.

She understood the need for all the details of what happened, but it didn’t help her fear for Zan. Marley was ready to plead for just a single minute to see for herself that he was all right, when they finally called a halt to the questioning.

“May I see Colonel Masters now?” she asked the two men who escorted her from the room. There was a silence. Marley thought for a moment they weren’t going to answer her then the two exchanged glances, and the taller of the two looked down at her.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but it isn’t allowed.”

“I’m a doctor. I want to check and make sure he is all right.” Marley tried imposing another angle.

“Colonel Masters has received medical treatment,” the man answered back plainly.

Marley knew he was trying to reassure her but it wasn’t helping. She bit back the threatening explosion and wondered how much trouble she’d get in if she punched him in the nose. She sighed heavily knowing she couldn’t do that to him. He was just trying to help and was being very pleasant.

“Where are we going then?” Marley gave up and asked.

“We’re to escort you to your room.” The words were hardly out of his mouth when they stopped in front of a door, and he reached over and opened it. “You can stay here tonight. We’ll be out here on guard.”