Survivalist - 20 - Firestorm by Jerry Ahern Read Free Book Online

wife proved to me that if the Nazis wish to kill someone in New Germany, for the time being at least, they can do so and the forces of law and government are powerless to stop diem. Certainly, the assassin might be apprehended, but not until his foul deed is done. What will happen, Herr Doctor, should Rausch not make an attempt on the life of Captain Darkwood? Or, for that matter, should Rausch make such an attempt and make good his escape as well?”
    “Shell be safe, Colonel.”
    “Until?”
    Rourke looked at him, smiled. “Shell be safe until Rausch is no longer a threat. I realize The Retreat was discovered by Rausch’s brother, penetrated by taking advantage of Kurinami and because of superior numbers. But when Rausch’s brother, Damien, died, he was the last of the men to have reached The Retreat. The secret died with him. Aside from a very few persons, persons whom I trust implicitly, the location of and means of entry to The Retreat remains a secret. Sarah will be there, but not alone. Tve taken steps mat as soon as Major Tiemerovna is well enough to travel from Mid-Wake, both die and my daughter, Paul’s wife, will join Sarah at The Retreat.
    “We’re coming down to it,” John Rourke concluded, “to an end to this war, one way or the other. The women have endured enough danger. No more.”

Chapter Eight
    John Rourke turned on the lights and sluffed out of his parka. The Retreat.
    He walked down the three steps to the floor of the Great Room. Til get the hot water and everything started,” Paul said, leaving his side.
    John Rourke only nodded. Paul Rubenstein knew the Retreat’s systems as well as he did.
    Rourke walked across the Great Room floor, dropping his coat on the arm of the couch. The couch, despite the business with the gunfight between Kurinami and the Neo-Nazis, seemed none the worse for wear. Sarah must have been reading his thoughts, a disturbing idea in light of their daughter’s singular abilities. “I was able to repair the bullet holes. Just temporary repairs, but I thought you’d want me to. With all the time Fll have here, I can make a permanent job of it.”
    “It’s a good old couch,” Rourke told his wife, sitting down on it on the side nearest the gun cabinets. He could see Paul, just past the kitchen, in the work room, inspecting the motorcycles, the old Harley-Davidson Low Riders. One day, there’d be a time for boarding them again, going out across the land.
    He hoped, knew Paul did.
    Til get you a drink,” Sarah said, walking toward the kitchen counter, up the three steps, leaning against it for a moment. “Are you all right?”
    “Just thinking what Ml make for dinner tonight. Can you stay?”
    There was no need to consult the Rolex on his left wrist, but out of habit Rourke did so anyway. “Fd like to more than almost anything, but Darkwood will be moved into the hospital at the German Base by now. I have to get back, in case Freidrich Rausch strikes tonight.”
    Sarah was pouring from one of the bottles of whiskey made up for him by the Germans. John Rourke had given them a sample of Seagrams Seven and asked them to duplicate it. They produced one thousand gallons for him. Although the bottles were different, the taste was identical and the supply would last him a lifetime at the modest rate with which he consumed liquor. “You do have time for the drink, don’t you?”
    “Sure,” Rourke told his wife. He noticed she wasn’t having one, because of the baby, he knew. He started to get up, but she was already bringing the glass down to him. She handed him the drink and he sipped at the whiskey. “Memories, hmm?”
    Sarah smiled, sitting down beside him, but on the edge of the couch. Td be all right here by myself until Annie and Natalia and Maria arrive. You might want Paul with you.”
    Rourke sipped again from his glass, men set it down. “Oh, indeed I would. But I’m not leaving you here alone with Rausch out there. Paul would die for you, just like I