Ed paused for a moment. “No. You’re not—he’ll go ape shit.”
“There’s no other way. You know how he his. He’ll kill himself doing this,” said Alex.
“He didn’t have to come along,” said Ed.
“I understand that, but we have to face some realities here, really quickly. If he drops halfway through the city, we’re double fucked, unless you’re willing to ditch his ass in exchange for Chloe’s safety.”
“This isn’t all on me,” said Ed.
“I didn’t say it was. If I have to choose between dragging Charlie along and Ryan?” he said, glaring at Ed.
“All right,” he groaned. “What do you need me to do?”
“Do your best not to complain. We have to make this look like a normal speed. I’ll keep reinforcing how we’re going to pick up the pace once we hit Medford—like hardcore Special Forces operators.”
“Was all of that cover story bullshit just for his benefit?”
“Negative. You’re still the team’s geek. We say our third guy landed in the reservoir. Couldn’t get untangled and drowned.”
“No way this will work.”
“Trust me. It’ll work—if we don’t kill him by accident in the next fifteen minutes. You didn’t see him at the bridge. Looked like he was having a heart attack or something,” said Alex.
“You looked a little rough yourself,” said Ed.
“You didn’t see the inside of the church. I’m running him into the ground. Stay hydrated.”
The bushes near the front of the Jeep shook for a moment and parted, revealing a huffing, red-faced Charlie. A dark brown sweat stain formed a thick ring around his neck. Alex raised a thumb in approval, and Charlie nodded, wiping his face with his sleeve. Ed cast Alex a disapproving look, shaking his head.
“Shouldn’t you get those frequencies programmed?” he whispered.
“I did that before we left Scarborough,” said Alex.
Ed cocked his head. “I hope you’re not planning to ditch my ass at some point.”
“Not unless you keep pissing me off.” Alex winked. “Here he comes.”
“I put the keys in Ed’s pack. Hot out, huh?” Charlie panted.
“Perfect—and you tied an IR chemlight to the bag. I think we’re ready to step off,” said Alex.
“Chemlight? Shit—I didn’t think to do that,” said Charlie.
Alex rubbed his chin and grimaced, weighing the fake decision. “Don’t worry about it. If we get here before sun-up and can’t find the packs, we’ll just set a perimeter and wait until it’s light. That should be fine. Right?” he said to Ed.
Ed pretended not to hear Alex’s question.
“No. No. We need to be able to make a quick departure. The situation out there is too fluid. I’ll run one back,” said Charlie, handing his rifle to Alex. “Am I even carrying any?”
“You should have two of them in one of the side pouches on your vest. I wrapped a small strip of duct tape around the center,” said Alex.
“Okay. I remember those,” he said, patting his vest and turning.
“Better make sure. You don’t want to make two trips,” said Alex.
Ed shot him a glance, and Alex mouthed, What?
“No. I remember you giving them to me,” he said over his shoulder. “Be back in a minute.”
Alex waited until Charlie disappeared beyond the foliage.
“I give him one mile.”
Chapter 36
EVENT +37:06 Hours
Middlesex Fells Reservation, Medford, Massachusetts
A droplet of sweat dangled from the brim of Alex’s hat, flying over his shoulder when he checked on Charlie. The man had to be close to his breaking point. A dark ring of sweat had formed around the top of his thick nylon tactical vest, spreading past the protruding chest-mounted magazine pouches and extending halfway down his half-rolled shirtsleeves. The shadow of perspiration had even reached his pants, darkening his crotch and upper thighs. Sweat poured in a steady stream from the tip of his hat as he sucked at the CamelBak valve. Alex suspected that Charlie’s body had expelled more fluid in the past thirty-two minutes than it had accepted. He couldn’t possibly last much longer at this pace.
He tapped Ed on the shoulder and slowed the pace enough for Charlie to catch up.
“How we doing back here, Charlie?”
He knew the answer from the look on Charlie’s beet-red, pained face.
“I think… I think I’m going to need a short break,” he huffed. “Just five minutes to adjust my gear, catch my breach. Less than that, probably. Just a quick one.”
“All right. We should get all of our breaks in now, before we hit the city. We won’t be able to stop there,” said Alex. “Ed, let’s hold up for a few minutes.”
Charlie stopped midstride, nearly falling over. He put both hands on his knees and breathed deeply, blowing air out of his mouth.
“Grab some earth for a second,” said Alex, lowering himself to the ground.
Ed slid his backpack to the worn, grassy trail and took a seat on the ground next to Alex. He shot Alex a dirty look when Charlie buried his head in his hands and sighed. Alex shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s hotter than balls out—another reason I’m in no hurry to hit Medford. Trees are the only thing keeping my undies dry, even with the leaves gone,” said Alex, smirking at Ed.
“Too late for that,” said Charlie into his hands. “My nuts are chafing like a son-of-a-bitch. That’s why hunting season’s in the fall. Fuck this weather.”
“I think it’s still hot down south when the season hits,” said Alex.
“Well, they’re idiots for living down there,” said Charlie, laughing at himself.
“Ed?” said Alex.
“Miserable, but good to go. Pace is about right. I could pick it up if we had to,” he said.
“We’ll keep the pace where it is. We’ve got about another mile and a half to the edge of the reservation. Then an hour of rest before we push through to the river,” said Alex. “Everyone ready?”
“I guess,” said Ed.
“Yep. I’m good,” muttered Charlie.
Alex raised himself off the ground using one hand. He readjusted his rifle, positioning it across his chest for quick access. Charlie struggled to get up, and Alex offered him a hand, picking up his pack at the same time. He helped Charlie slide into the pack, pulling on a few of the straps to tighten it.
“Thanks, man. I feel like an oldtimer. I really hope I’m not slowing us down,” said Charlie, slinging his rifle over his shoulder.
“This is a good pace for now. Remember to drink while you walk. Little sips. You’re leaking water like a sieve,” said Alex, patting him on the back.
Ed cast him a critical look as he passed them. Alex mouthed a kiss and winked as he stepped around Charlie.
“All right, ladies, step it out,” he said, picking up the pace, resigned not to look behind for ten minutes.
Eleven minutes later, Alex risked a glance back to find Charlie more than twenty-five yards behind the group. This had to be it. His walk was labored, and he sucked air through his mouth. One way or the other, Alex would send him back. Another five minutes might kill him.
“Hold up,” he said and jogged back to Charlie.
“I’m-I’m good,” Charlie barely managed.
“Charlie, look at me,” said Alex.
Charlie raised his head, tears streaming down his deep-red face, building momentum with each bead of sweat they absorbed.
“I d-didn’t want to let you guys d-down,” he stammered.
“You didn’t let anyone down, Charlie. Let’s get this off you,” he said, removing Charlie’s backpack. “Come on, let’s grab a seat. There’s a tree trunk with your name on it right over here.”