Deep Rising (An Outside the Lines Novel) (Entangled Select) by N.R. Rhodes

coast. He didn’t note anything unusual, so when he glimpsed a scenic turnoff, he took it. The mountain peak glowed with blooms of hibiscus. In the distance, the ocean shimmered. Tiny, fragrant, yellow flowers lined the ground. Parking, Jared got out of the car and headed for the rear of the SUV.
    He opened the doors to the trunk, lifting the floor mat to expose the spare tire compartment. Within the tire well, he found a metal case. Jared extracted it and punched his PIN into the digital key. The suitcase opened.
    About eighty thousand dollars in cash stared back at him. Two grenades, a container of PBX, a polymer-bonded explosive, three guns with their serial numbers acid-washed off, magazines of hollow-point bullets, and an assortment of paperwork in files stamped “classified.” A second partition housed a state-of-the-art laptop computer.
    “And so it begins,” he murmured.
    He continued his investigation of the briefcase. At the bottom, he exposed a secure satellite phone. Turning it on, Jared pressed send.
    “Are you situated?”
    Jared would’ve recognized Gordon’s voice anywhere. “Yes, sir. The scientist is with me.”
    “Is she cooperating?”
    “Thus far.”
    “Is she a liability?”
    Jared considered the question for a moment. Gut instinct assured him of her innocence. His mind told him no one was. His dick didn’t give a damn either way.
    Unfortunately, none of his thoughts pertained to Gordon’s question. “I cannot make an affirmative assessment at this time.”
    “Your best guess.”
    “Eighty-twenty, she’s innocent.”
    “Hmm. Do you want her removed?”
    “No. She mentioned a few places we can explore. If anything, she’ll lead me to her brother. If she’s on his team, it’ll draw him to me. If she’s on the fence, it won’t matter.”
    Gordon grunted.
    “Sir, I’ve been informed of teams in place here on the island, but what about the other vulnerable areas?”
    “We have two teams on La Palma, two on the Big Island at the Hilina Slump, one in Alaska at Palmer, and three teams on an island off the coast of Greenland.”
    “Greenland?”
    “Yes. We made NASA perform a survey using all twenty-eight global satellites, and every military bird we could redirect. We’re covering any and all potential US attack zones. There are nine additional sites in the South Pacific that could be attacked, but they aren’t a threat to us.”
    “Let the other guys worry about it, huh?”
    Gordon made a sound resembling laughter. “Yes.”
    “We’ll begin scoping the area tonight. Do I have full access?”
    “Yes. FYI, a Navy SEAL team nearly intercepted The Wolf in Valjevo.”
    “He’s one slippery son of a bitch, that’s for sure. Did they manage to tail him?”
    “Yes. Tyler Houston and his team are in pursuit. Keep your fingers crossed.”
    Jared snickered. Luck had nothing to do with it. And the name Houston, it rang a bell. Back in the teams, Tyler had earned a nickname for his uncanny ability to get the jobs done. Houston’s Madmen. Fitting, he supposed, for that group of SEALs and the mad-dog missions they managed to pull off.
    “Is there anything else?” Gordon asked.
    “I need a boat. Three rebreathers. Searchlights. Dive suits for each of us. Oh, and a fallback location prepped and ready for immediate occupation.”
    “Done. You can upload into our database for anything further or communicate with Katherine for something specific.”
    “I’m interested in topographic maps of the area.”
    “I’ll have them sent to your encrypted e-mail. Check in again by 0600.”
    Something else bothered Jared, and he figured he might as well mention it. “Sir, I meant what I said about getting out.”
    “This is hardly the time…”
    “I have two orphaned nieces and a nephew to consider,” he said.
    “I’m aware of your sister’s death.”
    “If I make it through this mission, I’m going to have to find a job conducive to helping my mother raise my sister’s kids. If I