Rebel Heart

"I want to go back."

"-I think you want to go back." Tim chuckled. "You think she's alive, like I do."

"I think where she is, so is her micro and the Horsemen."

"I thought it odd none were found, but they didn't find the pilot or anyone else from the crash either. Dan searched the whole area, for ten kilometers out in every direction he could. Lana doesn't have the … skills for survival."

"The one thing you didn't teach her," Brady pointed out.

"If I'd known the world was getting ready to end, I might've taught her that, too," Tim replied smoothly. "What I can say is that she learns fast. She knew where we wanted her to go, and-assuming she's alive-she has access to every facility on the route."

"If she's not dead in a ditch somewhere. She has no sense for first aid, either."

"True. But …"

Brady knew what the ambitious man wanted. Tim's concern was as much for Lana as it was her precious cargo. Tim cared for Lana-that much Brady could see-but Tim cared as much for his career and getting what he wanted. Brady was a different kind of man. Even if he didn't put the same price tag on something material, he didn't begrudge Tim for being the way he was. Without Tim, none of them would've survived in the first place.

"When does this come off?" Brady asked, indicating the two fracture-snaps.

"Tomorrow," the nurse said as she reappeared with a small tray of food. Brady's stomach roared at the scent of real food. "You can leave in another week."

"He leaves tomorrow," Tim said before Brady could speak.

"Very well, sir."

"I'll need a team. Five men, from our unique pool of soldiers," Brady said, exchanging a look of understanding with the Undersecretary. "We'll have to risk flying past the river if we want to find her."

"They'll be here in the morning with enough supplies and ammo to take out Texas," Tim said.

"And I need a micro with all emerops facilities between Tennessee and Colorado marked."

"You'll have one in an hour."

"Sir, I need you to approve his release at the desk," the nurse said. "And you, Major Brady, need to eat all you can if you plan on walking out of here in the morning."

Brady grunted in response and dug into the steak on the plate before him. He'd wolfed half of it down by the time the two left him alone in the room. He was weak; he could feel it. He'd have to catalyze his healing with adrenaline and other drugs.