Jenkins
I am calm. I’ve spent the entire trip here preparing my mind for what is about to happen. I cannot fail, and even less can I afford to break down now. There will be time for that once Zeldric is home, safe. I take a deep breath and step out of the SUV. It’s already well past midnight, yet the Sonoran desert heat is relentless. I feel the sweat trickling down my back beneath the tight black suit I’m wearing. Assault gear is very similar to what I used on the front lines. I feel comfortable in it.
I check that my sidearm is loaded and secure it back in place against my right thigh. Then, I pull Zeldric’s hunting knife from its sheath—the same one I used to kill Gambo. I sharpened it myself before leaving. Lastly, I touch Zeldric’s rosary hanging around my neck. I step toward the fr
