The Belial Library (The Belial Series) by R.D. Brady Read Free Book Online

Except . . .  She stumbled, not noticing a root sticking out of the ground.
    "Laney?"  Jen asked, her voice concerned.
    "I'm fine.  Just tripped."  She kept her voice calm. 
    The Shuar’s connection to the source of the Crespi Collection was well known.  In fact, it had been known for decades.  Uncovering that source would be an absolutely priceless find.  Was that why they’d been attacked?  But why now?
    A twig snapped to her right.  Laney whirled around, dropping to her knee and lining up the poor Andean fox.  She let out a breath, getting back to her feet as the poor thing scampered away.  She glanced back at Jen. "Just a fox."
    Jen nodded, clutching Elena to her. 
    Laney continued on the path.  The violence of this group was coordinated.  It was big.  That took money, lots of it. 
    A cold chill stole through her.  And if they were after the source of Crespi's collection, the violence wasn’t going to stop at the village.
     

    CHAPTER 7
     
    Hugo paced in front of the villagers who’d been unable to escape.  Their muffled cries were the only sounds now.  The forest surrounding them had gone silent, as had the gunfire. 
    The village had been relatively easy to subdue.  He glanced at the bodies that littered the ground.  Only about fifteen had been killed. An acceptable number and none of them had been their target. 
    He watched as his 'second in command' walked towards him, casting a dismissive eye on the bodies around him. His love handles strained against the new camos he'd put on and an M16 hung carelessly across his chest.  One of his men had found him struggling up the steep path to the village.
    “So where is she?” Warren stared at the scar that ran from the edge of Hugo’s eyebrow to the edge of his mouth. 
    Most men, he’d beat to a pulp for even glancing at it too long.  With this brat, he had to bite his tongue.  “We haven't found her yet.”
    Hugo turned away from him.  The kid was a joke.  He didn't know which end of a gun to shoot from.  He’d been ordered to bring him along, to show him the ropes.  The rest of his men had all been tested in battle.  Junior here had the cockiness of someone who’d never been in a fight, but always thought he would win.
    He’d even failed to complete his one job: get the two American archaeologists away from here.  Hugo growled.  He didn’t need Americans caught in the crossfire.  That would bring way too much attention.
    He turned as Warren kicked the person nearest to him, a twenty-something woman holding her child.  The woman cried out.  The villagers leaned forward, their faces mutinous.  A One of Hugo’s men stepped forward, warning them back.
    Warren was oblivious to the reaction.  “Let’s just ask one of these ones where she went.  I’m sure I could persuade them to answer.”
    Hugo latched onto Warren’s arm, squeezing hard. 
    Warren’s face paled. 
    Hugo spoke quietly, but with authority.  “I don’t care who your granddaddy is.  This is my op.  You will observe, but you will not touch a single person unless I tell you to.”  He reached down and flipped the safety on Warren's M16.  “And keep the damn safety on before you blow your foot off.”  He flung him away. 
    Warren's cheeks glowed red.  He opened his mouth to speak. 
    Hugo stared him down. 
    Common sense prevailed.  Warren shut his mouth and took a deep breath.  “Yes, sir.  What can I do?”
    “Now you’re getting it.”  He nodded to the tent where his lieutenant had disappeared with the girl.  “Check on Sanford.  It’s too quiet in there.”
    Warren nodded and headed off.  Hugo shook his head, watching him go.  His grandfather was a man to be reckoned with.  But the apple had obviously fallen very far from the tree.  If Warren were his progeny, Hugo would have shot him when he was a child and saved himself the embarrassment. 
    Turning his back on Warren, he looked over the crowd of villagers.  They all looked at