Hokus Pokus by Fern Michaels Page A

phone call, Jack stormed his way into the house and headed to the kitchen where he popped two Budweisers and gulped them both down at the speed of light. He popped two more. When he finished them he dug around for his special phone and punched in Charles’s number.
    The first words out of his mouth after Charles said hello were, “I think we just ran into our first problem.”

Chapter 5
    I t was midafternoon on the mountain in Barcelona when Charles escorted the girls down to the command center. They were meeting in work mode for the second time that day. All were curious and a little nervous. Charles looked more than serious, he looked worried. Normally the women were not allowed to see Charles worry.
    â€œIt’s time to bring you all up to speed since we met earlier this morning. Things seem to be happening rather quickly. But before I get to that, I want to ask, have any of you ever heard of a mountaintop, quite similar to this one, in North Carolina, called Big Pine Mountain? There is also a third mountain operation, owned and operated by the United States government, and it’s called NORAD.”
    The women, more curious than ever, shook their heads.
    â€œThe one in North Carolina works, or I should say worked, much the way we do. Privately funded by a consortium. The mountain itself is owned by two Greek men, a father and son. The operation is run by the son, an ex-covert operator who was compromised much the way I was. He, too, had to get out of the game. I met him several times, and he was the best of the best. Every special op in the business knew Kollar Havapopulas was born to that life. But, as we all know, nothing lasts forever. When things went south, with the help of some very important people, Kollar moved to the mountain that he and his father own. He’s been a virtual prisoner there ever since. He does, however, run a top-notch operation for the consortium, supported much the way Myra and Annie fund our operation.
    â€œI’m sure you’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all this. I’m telling you because I think—and we need to take a vote on it—that we should relocate to Big Pine Mountain for a period of time. I’ve been in touch with Kollar and we’ve agreed to trade mountains, so to speak. That will put you Stateside and Kollar and his family—he’s married now—over here where his family can enjoy our village life. The padre and the villagers will take care of them the same way they’ve taken care of us. Before I finalize things I want to be sure you’re all in agreement.”
    â€œDoes the United States government know about . . . what went on up there?” Nikki asked. Stateside meant seeing Jack. She crossed her fingers under the table hoping the answer was no.
    â€œAbsolutely no one knows about it except the people on the inside—the consortium members, of course, me and a few others like me, and the people involved in the missions they brought to conclusion. The consortium is made up of wealthy, powerful older men in our government. They will never blow the whistle on themselves. They’re also afraid of Kollar, who still has contacts all over the world, much the way I do. Rest assured, their silence is golden.”
    â€œIf we agree to go there, will we be prisoners like we are here?” Alexis asked.
    â€œMore or less. The only access to the mountain is by cable car, as it is here. You all need to understand there is no village at the base of Big Pine Mountain. There will be no padre or villagers watching our backs. It could be very dangerous. I want you all to think about this very carefully. Yes, we’ll all be back in the States. Yes, Nikki and Yoko, you will be able to see Jack and Harry, perhaps more than you would see them here. That, too, will be dangerous. You must first and foremost think about your own safety.”
    â€œWhat happened to all the offers, invitations, if you will,