Roth(Hell Squad 5) by Anna Hackett Page B

comp, swiveled in her chair and started tapping at her comp screen. “Let me pull up a map of the area and isolate any underground installations that could be prime candidates for conversion to a bunker.”
    The large screen on the wall filled with an aerial map.
    “Nothing military,” Roth said. “He sold all military info to the raptors.”
    “Bastard.” Tane’s voice held no inflection…which made it sound even scarier.
    A handful of dots appeared on the screen. Elle was frowning. “Old railway tunnels.”
    Holmes frowned. “When were they built?”
    “The late 1800s,” Elle answered. “They were all closed after about thirty years. They were very steep and narrow.”
    The general shook his head. “Don’t sound like promising prospects.”
    “The rest of the options are all underground coal mines.”
    Roth frowned, too. “A mine wouldn’t be very comfortable.”
    “And most of these mines were longwall coal mines. They used high-tech equipment to support the roof above, and used large shearing machines to mine the coal in long slices. They would have chewed through large panels of coal, leaving empty space behind it.”
    The general frowned, tapping his fingers again. “But it would have been unstable afterward, right?”
    “Sure,” Elle said. “But Howell would have had some time, and of course the resources and money, to turn that mined-out space into something safe and useable.”
    Holmes nodded. “He would have thrown a lot of money and resources at it. Decking out a mine may not have been that hard. There would have been some utilities already in place.”
    “I need to go in and get a closer look. See if anything stands out,” Roth said.
    Holmes nodded. “It’s too late to go today. First thing tomorrow morning, take the Darkswifts.”
    In his head, Roth already started planning the mission.
    “I’m coming.”
    The familiar voice had him spinning. Avery stood in the doorway. She looked okay. A little pale and shaky, but that fierce, fighting look was back in her eyes.
    “Ms. Stillman, how are you feeling?” Holmes said, standing.
    “Like I just got dropped from a quadcopter, but I’ll be fine soon enough.” She took a step forward and when she wobbled, Roth closed the distance in two large strides.
    “You pick me up and I’ll punch you,” she hissed under her breath.
    “Cool it.” He gripped her arm and helped her to a chair.
    She faced the general. “I’m trained. I might have more information about Howell’s bunker that I could remember if I see the area. I can help.”
    “The medical team haven’t cleared you—”
    “Because of my patchy memories. I have most of those back now.” Her chin lifted a notch. “I need to help.”
    Roth heard frank honesty in her voice. Avery Stillman was a straight shooter all the way.
    The general considered her, then his tapping fingers stopped. “Roth’s in charge of the mission. It’s his call.”
    Her head turned, her gaze hitting him.
    He sucked in a deep breath. The caveman part of his brain was shouting at him to keep her safe. That part of his brain remembered what it felt like to lose his family in one violent act of terror.
    The rest of him knew Avery could be a vital part of this mission. He had to use her.
    He’d be with her. By her side the entire time. He’d keep her safe, no matter what.
    “You’re in.”
    ***
    Avery stood in the doorway to the small office and watched Roth work. He was completely absorbed in planning his mission.
    He pushed some maps on the desk aside and scribbled some notes on a tablet. He leaned forward, his desk chair squeaking a little, circled a location on the map, and then sank back. He looked up and finally noticed her.
    “How long have you been there?” he said.
    “Long enough.” She stepped inside and closed the door. “Nice digs.”
    He shrugged. “It’s barely bigger than a closet, but it’s a space where I can sit in silence and plan. Sometimes my squad gets pretty opinionated