Andy McDermott - The Midas Legacy

‘How? They can’t just take a cab across the DMZ.’

MacNeer gave him a knowing look. ‘North Korea’s air defence radars can’t pick up our stealth aircraft, and we’re sure of that because we’ve been doing covert overflights for years. And the B-2 can deliver more than bombs.’

‘What, they can carry paratroopers ?’ Eddie said in disbelief. ‘Since when?’

‘Since we built pressurised drop pods that fit in the bomb bays.’

Eddie laughed. ‘Thought you said this wasn’t a Tom Clancy novel!’

The official held in his amusement, then became serious once more. ‘Once you confirm that the facility’s being used to develop nuclear weapons, a team will HALO-jump on to the mountain above it, inside the perimeter, so the North Koreans won’t even know they’re there. They’ll descend to a position above the runway tunnel, which based on our thermographic analysis is the only way in or out, and plant explosives. When they’re clear, they’ll blow the charges and collapse the tunnel. Problem solved.’

‘But how will the soldiers get out of the country?’ Nina asked.

‘By doing what they’re trained to do. I’m sure Mr Chase knows what I mean.’

Eddie was still unconvinced. ‘Not saying I couldn’t do it, but getting out of North Korea without support? Not easy.’

‘They can do it,’ said MacNeer. ‘But it’s up to you whether or not they get the chance. If you don’t go, it might take months to confirm what’s going on by other means.’

‘And by then it may be too late,’ Seretse added sonorously.

‘You’re asking a hell of a lot,’ said Nina, worried. ‘We’re not spies, but you want us to go on an espionage mission into one of the most paranoid regimes on the planet! If they suspect anything , we won’t get out again even if a former president flies in to Pyongyang to ask for our release, like Bill Clinton did for those journalists.’

‘I know one former president who’d fly in just to tell ’em to keep us,’ muttered Eddie.

‘We’d be putting ourselves in danger again,’ Nina continued, ‘and we only just got out of it!’ She gingerly touched her arm, where a bandage under her sleeve covered the now-sutured bullet wound. ‘I got shot, and my grandmother almost died. And we’ve got a daughter now — if anything happened to us…’ She let the statement hang in the air.

Seretse nodded. ‘I completely understand your reluctance. But at the same time, I am sure you are aware of the seriousness of the threat. Perhaps if you take some time to think the proposal over?’

‘Not too much, though,’ said MacNeer.

‘I’m already fairly sure what my answer will be, but… yeah. We’ll think about it,’ she said. Eddie nodded in agreement. ‘I’ll let you know our decision as soon as we’ve made it.’

The State Department official was clearly disappointed, but kept his expression neutral as he shook their hands. ‘Do please give the matter full consideration,’ implored Seretse. ‘There is a great deal at stake.’

‘We will, don’t worry,’ Eddie told him. ‘All right, let’s go and get Macy.’

They made their way through the Secretariat Building to the IHA’s offices, where Macy had been left with Lola. When the couple arrived, they found that their daughter had drawn a small crowd of other colleagues. ‘Hey, Macy, here are your mommy and daddy!’ Lola trilled.

‘Told you it was “mommy”.’ Nina nudged her husband, smirking.

‘ Mummy ,’ he sighed, before picking up the little girl. ‘Ay up, love! Did you miss us?’

Macy shook her head. ‘Lola let me talk to all her friends!’ She waved at the smiling group around her.

‘Good to feel wanted,’ Eddie said with another sigh.

‘Is everything okay?’ Lola asked Nina as the others laughed. ‘You look a bit… you know, that look you get when something’s about to catch fire or explode.’

‘We’re fine,’ Nina assured her. ‘We’ve just got something big to think about, that’s all. Was Macy okay with you?’

The blonde grinned. ‘Are you kidding? She’s gorgeous. You two have made one heck of a little girl. She’s been drawing, singing — even showing off how much she knows about archaeology.’

Eddie groaned. ‘And so it begins.’

‘Quiet, you,’ said Nina. She took Macy from him. ‘We’ve got to go now, honey.’

‘Where are we going?’ the little girl asked.

Nina paused before answering, then smiled. ‘To see your great-grandma.’

When Nina cautiously entered the hospital room, she thought at first that Olivia was asleep. She was about to withdraw when a weak voice reached her. ‘Nina?’

‘Hi,’ she replied softly, going to the bed. Her grandmother looked older and far more frail than when she had first met her. Her skin was still pale from her ordeal. A colourless fluid ran down an intravenous line into her arm. ‘How are you feeling?’

Olivia opened her eyes. They at least still had the same spark as before, even through her exhaustion. ‘I’m as good as could be expected, thank you. A little lighter, though. They had to amputate two of my toes. Frostbite.’

Nina was horrified. ‘Oh my God!’

‘One from each foot, so fortunately they balance out.’ A faint weary smile. ‘Apart from the need to buy a completely new collection of shoes, I should make a full recovery, they tell me. Again, as well as could be expected for an eighty-nine-year-old. But,’ another smile, this time a little wider, ‘at least I should make ninety. Thanks to you and Eddie.’ She tilted her head, trying to see past Nina to the door. ‘Is he here?’

‘He’s just outside. With Macy.’

‘You brought Macy?’

‘Yeah. I wanted her to meet her great-grandmother. Properly, I mean.’

‘Looking like this? I’m more likely to send the poor girl running screaming. What about you two? Are you both okay?’

Nina indicated her bandaged arm. ‘I’ve had worse gunshot wounds. Which is kinda terrifying when you think about it, but yeah, we’re fine. I’ll go get them.’ She went to the door and called her family in.

‘Ay up,’ said Eddie. He was carrying a large bouquet of flowers. ‘You’re looking… all right.’

Olivia sighed. ‘Damned with faint praise. But thank you anyway. Both of you. If not for you, I’d be…’ She glanced at Macy, who was taking more of an interest in the monitoring equipment beside the bed than its occupant. ‘I wouldn’t be here,’ she finished. ‘You have my eternal gratitude.’

Eddie nodded, then presented her with the flowers. ‘These’ll brighten up the place,’ he said, regarding the starkly decorated room.

‘Thank you. But there’s someone here who does that much better than any number of carnations.’ She strained to sit up to see Macy.

‘Hey, no need to do that,’ said Nina, seeing that the bed had a remote control. She pushed the button to raise Olivia higher. ‘Macy, come here. I want you to meet someone.’ She perched her daughter on the edge of the bed.

Macy peered at the elderly woman. ‘You’re the lady who came to our house.’ A quizzical look. ‘Your hair’s different.’

The tight bun Olivia had worn before was now hanging in loose strands, hairstyling a low priority for the medics. ‘Yes, I am. And yes, it is.’

‘Macy, this is Olivia,’ said Nina. ‘She’s your great-grandma! That means that she’s my grandma. Say hello to her.’

‘Hello,’ said Macy politely, holding out a hand.

Olivia gently squeezed it in her palm. ‘Hello, Macy. I’m very, very happy to meet you.’ She gave the young girl the broadest smile she had managed in a while.

Her great-granddaughter returned it. ‘Are you very old?’