All Is Bright - K. Sterling Page 0,39

would the CIA care?” He asked and Toly grinned.

“Because the CIA and the Chinese have been in a race to find a list of North Korean double agents that was lost on its way out of South Korea. Apparently, it was meant to pass through customs in your vase because it would be waved through but the receiving agent was never able to intercept it when it arrived in the states,” Toly explained and Cyril pressed his knuckle against his lip as he chuckled.

“Those incompetent bureaucrats have been trying to get it back before I figured it out,” he realized and Lavender snorted.

“It must be worth quite a bit to them if they’re willing to pull us all into it,” he noted and Alon nodded.

“Lahav isn’t cheap and his budget would be astronomical,” he said.

“They paid O’Malley’s widow a million dollars,” Cyril said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Farris hasn’t inspected the meiping yet. Let’s see if we can find it before they realize we’re on to them.”

“Sir, I believe they know we’re on to them,” Toly said heavily and Cyril spun around.

“What?” He demanded.

“I have grabbed two very recent messages: one between Shamir and one of his surveillance people and another between Shamir and his handler at the CIA. They saw Sloan return to Blackhurst from DC after his visit to the CIA and they see that their files for Operation Blackout have been corrupted. It couldn’t be avoided. They don’t know who is looking but they know someone’s been looking,” he said and Cyril’s head snapped toward the elevator in the foyer.

“They're going to come in after it. They’re going to try and get into the vault,” he realized and they all ducked as the ground shook and the walls rattled as they heard a loud explosion.

“It’s the front gate!” Alon said.

“Farris!” Cyril hissed and ran for the foyer and they froze when the power went out. “Get the generators turned on!” He ordered but Alon stopped him.

“The vault doors and the elevator are designed to only operate when power is coming from the main grid, so it can’t be entered in the event of a break-in or an attack,” he reminded Cyril and he swore as his hands dragged down his face.

“It’s designed to act like a panic room,” he explained and Lavender winced as he looked around.

“I’m sure we can find a way inside but we should see what the weapons situation is like, since it looks like we’re under attack,” he suggested and a menacing smile spread across Cyril’s face.

“Alon, gather everyone and escort them to the armory.”

Chapter 25

Lavender was like a kid in a candy store and his eyes sparkled as they scanned the walls and shelves of Blink’s armory. Wilder and Denver went to work, stowing ammo clips in their vest pockets and taking M16’s off the racks on the wall but Lavender’s arms spread and he turned in the middle of the wide bay as if he was in a cathedral addressing a congregation. Their party was finally allowed to leave the house and they sped into one of the stables in a convoy of golf carts. Grim and Hawk peeled away in their own cart and Lane heard Lavender make note that they were headed for the C stable. Grim’s storage was there and that’s where he kept his more dangerous samples and weapons, apparently.

“Here. To keep you warm,” Lavender teased as he handed Lane a bulletproof vest.

“You’ll wear one too,” Lane ordered and gave Lavender a hard look before he could protest.

“Fine,” he said and quickly took off his coat then looked around for someplace to hang it.

“I’ll have it sent to your room,” Alon offered quietly and Lane laughed.

“I just saw a tank speed up the lawn to hold the front gate but you two are worried about his coat?”

“I take my job very seriously, sir,” Alon murmured and for a moment, Lavender looked like he was in love.

“God, if I could afford you...”

“I’m afraid you’re not even close,” Alon replied with a gentle grimace then went to have Lavender’s coat whisked up to the main house. Everyone traded their coats for bulletproof vests as footmen filed in and out as they armed themselves and headed out to defend Blackhurst.

“Alright, Casper’s still stuffing his cloak with as much as he can before his bay is locked down,” Hawk announced as he arrived wearing a backpack full of medical supplies. “I’ve got my SIG but throw me one of