The Gates of Hell (Matt Drake 3) by David Leadbeater Read Free Book Online Page A

did the job and moved on to the next.
    A haunting tune started to play. The song was as moving as it was beautiful—‘My Immortal’ by Evanescence—and it reminded him of everything he had ever lost.
    It was his ringtone. He scrabbled around the bed sheets a little blearily, but eventually got a hold on the phone.
    “Yes?”
    “It’s Hayden, Matt.”
    He sat up a little straighter. Hayden had known about his recent exploits, but had chosen to ignore them. Alicia had been their go between. “What’s happened? Is Ben—?” He couldn’t even bring himself to speak the words.
    “He’s fine. We’re all fine. But something has come up.”
    “You found Kovalenko?” Eagerness cut through the alcohol haze like a blazing searchlight.
    “No, not yet. But Ed Boudreau does have a sister. And we’ve been sanctioned to bring her in.”
    Drake sat up, the whisky forgotten. Hate and hellfire burned twin tracks through his heart. “I know exactly what to do.”
     
     

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    Hayden steeled herself for what was to come. Her entire career in the CIA had not prepared her for this situation. The Secretary of Defense’s wife murdered. An international terrorist holding unknown numbers of powerful people’s relatives hostage.
    Did the government know the identities of all of those involved? No way. But you could be damn sure they knew a lot more than they would ever let on.
    It had seemed so much simpler back when she first enrolled. Maybe it had been simpler back then, before September 11 th . Maybe in the day of her father, James Jaye, the legendary agent she strived to emulate, it had been black and white.
    And ruthless.
    This was the sharp edge. The war against the Blood King was being fought on many levels, but hers may yet prove to be the most terrible and successful.
    The diverse personalities of the people she had on her side gave her an edge. Gates had spotted it first. That was why he had let them conduct their own investigation into the mystery surrounding the Bermuda Triangle. Gates was cleverer than she had ever given him credit for. He had seen straight away the advantage provided by such contrasting personalities as Matt Drake, Ben Blake, Mai Kitano and Alicia Myles. He had seen the potential of her team. And he had thrown them all together.
    Genius.
    A team of the future?
    Now a man who had lost everything wanted justice to be brought against the man who had so brutally murdered his wife.
    Hayden walked up to Boudreau’s cell. The laconic mercenary gave her lazy eyes from over the top of his steepled hands.
    “Can I help you, agent Jaye?”
    Hayden would never forgive herself if she didn’t try one more time. “Give us Kovalenko’s location, Boudreau. Just give him up and this is over.” She spread her hands. “I mean, it’s not like he seems to give a shit about you.”
    “Maybe he does.” Boudreau unfolded his body and slipped off the bunk. “Maybe he doesn’t. Maybe it’s too early to tell yet, huh?”
    “What is his agenda? What is this Gates of Hell?”
    “If I knew. . .” Boudreau’s face portrayed the smile of a feasting shark.
    “You do know.” Hayden remained very matter of fact. “I’m giving you this last chance.”
    “Last chance? Are you going to shoot me? Has the CIA finally recognized the dark sins they must commit to stay in the game?”
    Hayden shrugged. “There’s a time and a place.”
    “Sure. I could name a few places.” Boudreau sneered at her, the crazy showing through as spittle flew. “There is nothing you can do to me, Agent Jaye, that would make me betray a man as powerful as the Blood King.”
    “Well…” Hayden forced a smile. “That’s what got us thinking, Ed.” She fixed the joviality in her voice. “You got nothing here, man. Nothing. Yet you won’t spill. You sit there, wasting away, happy to accept imprisonment. Like a washed up motherfucker. Like a loser. Like a piece of Southern shit.” Hayden laid it on thick.
    Boudreau’s