Ryan’s head snapped toward him.
For the first time, genuine panic appeared in his eyes.
Elena saw it.
So did Mercer.
Ryan turned.
And ran.
“Cole!”
Elena went after him.
Ryan sprinted toward the equipment building.
Elena followed, closing the distance quickly.
He reached the side door and grabbed the handle.
Locked.
He spun around just as Elena arrived.
“Move.”
“Not happening.”
Ryan shoved her.
Elena staggered but stayed upright.
He tried to pass.
She caught his arm.
Ryan drove his shoulder into her chest, breaking free.
This was no training match now.
His movements were desperate.
Elena blocked a second shove and struck his forearm away.
“Stop!”
“Stay out of this!”
Ryan swung.
Elena ducked.
His fist missed her face by inches.
She stepped inside, hooked his leg, and brought him down hard.
Ryan hit the pavement.
Before he could rise, Elena pinned his wrist behind his back.
“Enough!”
“Get off me!”
Mercer reached them.
Two military police officers were already running across the yard.Military history books
Ryan stopped struggling.
Mercer crouched beside him.
“Your right sleeve.”
Elena pulled it upward.
Nothing.
Clean skin.
Mercer frowned.
Ryan laughed breathlessly.
“You thought I was your guy?”
Elena released some pressure.
Then Mercer noticed something.
“His watch.”
Ryan stopped laughing.
Mercer removed Ryan’s tactical watch.
Underneath it, partly hidden against the wrist, was a tiny black mark.
Not the snake tattoo.
A number.
Elena stared at it.
Mercer’s expression went completely still.
“Where did you get that?”
Ryan said nothing.
Mercer grabbed his wrist.
“Where?”
Ryan looked at him.
And smiled.
“You really don’t remember, General?”Military leadership courses
Mercer froze.
The MPs arrived and pulled Ryan to his feet.
Mercer stepped backward.
For the first time since arriving, the legendary general looked shaken.
“What does seventeen mean?” Elena asked.
Mercer didn’t answer.
Ryan laughed again.
“Tell her.”
Mercer turned toward him.
“Be quiet.”
“Why?”
Ryan’s voice grew louder.
“She deserves to know.”
One MP grabbed Ryan’s shoulder.
“Move.”
Ryan resisted.
“Ask him about Site Seventeen, Captain.”