The driver took Logan and me back to the Coast Guard station. I thanked the driver and told him I'd be in touch about his guests.
The Coastie on the front desk took us to a room in the back of the building. Jock was there, sitting at a small conference table. Paul Galis sat on the other side, nervously rubbing his hands together. A compact man in Army battle fatigues was at the end of the table.
Jock introduced Logan to Galls, and both of us to Major John Lockman.
"The major is in command of the Delta Force team," said jock. "They've secured the island and have all the remaining men under arrest."
"What about the girls?" I asked.
Jock shook his head. "They're bringing them in on a Coast Guard boat. They'll be treated for drugs, and then we'll see what we can do about them."
Galls said, "My people raided the spa, and we have three men in custody. The girls are being held for medical treatment."
"They're all on drugs," I said.
"We know," said Galls. "I doubt they'll be much help to us in making a case against Simmermon."
I shrugged. "I've got three of his people under wraps and a recorded statement from Michelle Browne, his top assistant."
A look of surprise crossed Galls' face. "Where are they?"
I grinned. "I don't think you want to know. But I'll get them for you later today."
Galis laughed. "Good enough."
I turned to the major. "Did you lose anybody?"
"No, sir," he said. "There were only a half dozen armed men left, and they gave up quickly. We found several bodies with gunshot wounds and five who died from what looks like grenade shrapnel."
Jock put his elbows on the table, leaning in. "That sounds about right. Matt and Logan are old infantrymen."
The major looked at us. "Army?"
Jock said, "Matt was Special Forces, and Logan was in the 82nd until he got out of the mud and learned to fly helicopters."
"Airborne," said the major, just loud enough to be heard.
"Airborne," Logan and I repeated. It was the mantra of those who jump out of airplanes in order to take care of the rest of us. George Orwell once wrote something to the effect that people could sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. I was looking at one of those rough men, and I was glad he was on our side.
I said, "Did you find any explosives, Major?"
"Yes, sir. We found a big stash. There were also vests, like suicide bombers use."
Logan spoke up. "Did the people you took prisoner know anything about suicide bombers?"
"Yes, sir. We've got several who keep talking about wanting to die for God. They told my intelligence people that they were supposed to leave the island today and fan out across the country. Apparently something big was planned for this Sunday."
Jock said, "Simmermon is as crazy as a run over dog, but he keeps talking about the ones who went out yesterday."
"How many?" I asked.
"Only three, he says, but who knows."
"Did he say where they're going?"
"Yes. One is here, another is going to Atlanta, and the third is headed for Orlando."
Logan said, "Today's Saturday. Are we talking about tomorrow? That's not much time to stop this."
"Tomorrow,"Jock said. "We've got to move fast. I've alerted the FBI. Their counterterrorism force is working on it. Galls will have men at every church in Key West on Sunday. I don't know about Atlanta and Orlando. Too big. Too many churches."
The phone on the table rang. Jock picked it up, listened, and hung up. He looked at me. "Peggy's about to leave. She wants to see you."
Galis stood up. "I'll take you to her, Matt."
I followed him out the door and down a hall to another small conference room. Peggy was there, dressed in slacks and a blouse. Another woman, a tall blonde in her mid-twenties, was with her.
Peggy stood and hugged me. "Thanks for saving my life:'
I hugged back. "You're worth saving. Laura told me so:'
"Come to Atlanta with me. Laura will want to see you:'
"How is she?"
"Bad. Very bad. Daddy said she perked up when he told her you found me, but she doesn't have long."
"I can't leave right now, honey. We've got a big problem on our hands with Simmermon."
"Matt, if you don't come now, you may not get to see her."
I knew that, and I also knew that I wasn't needed in Key West. But I thought Jeff and Peggy and her sister, Gwen, should share what little time Laura had left. I'd long ago forfeited my right to those last precious hours of her life.
I kissed Peggy on the top of her head. "Tell Laura I'm thinking of her."
Peggy started to cry and wrapped her arms around me. "Come see me in Athens, Matt. Promise me."
"I will. Soon."
Galls introduced me to the good-looking blonde. "Matt, this is Deputy Karen Senkbeil. She's going to Atlanta with Peggy."
We shook hands. "Take care of my girl, Deputy," I said. I turned and walked out the door, hurrying before I started crying. Paratroopers aren't supposed to do that. Not in public, anyway. Not even for Laura.