He pointed at a building far inland, away from the main road. “This is the administrative building. It’s the primary office complex on the island. I think the Citium leadership will be there. If so, the main server farm will be too. We get in there, get Avery logged in, and she’ll be able to get direct access to the Citium’s files including, hopefully, the list of warehouses around the world where the cure is stored.”

Colonel Jamison began describing his plan, which involved paratroopers landing at the administrative building and amphibious vessels making landfall on a deserted beach a few miles from the harbor and immediately sweeping through with thousands of troops. Air support would begin as soon as the paratroopers hit the ground. Peyton and the other four of them would follow once the site was secure.

When Colonel Jamison had finished, William said, “It’s a good plan. An attack with overwhelming force is the correct approach under normal circumstances.”

Jamison stared at him.

“However, we have an advantage.”

“Which is?” Jamison growled.

“Surprise. Knowledge of the terrain. And working against us, we have an enemy that is sublimely clever. They may well be prepared for a head-on assault—in ways we can’t anticipate. Casualties will likely be high.”

“The cost of failure is even higher,” Jamison said.

“True enough. But I believe we should consider an amendment to your plan. A precursor, if you will. I suggest that the five of us land at your identified insertion point, reconnoiter the target zone, and make our way to the administrative building, where we will attempt to gain entry and obtain the objective.”

Jamison shook his head. “Too risky. If you’re discovered, we lose the element of surprise.”

“I rate your plan as even more risky, Colonel. Landing in the harbor and on the beaches in force gives the Citium time to delete the very files we’re after. No, it simply won’t work.”

The two men argued at length, with no one else able to get a word in. Finally, William raised his voice. “I’m not a civilian. I was previously in the employ of Her Majesty’s Secret Intelligence Service. And we were very, very good at exactly this type of operation.”

The assertion didn’t dissuade Jamison; in fact, it enraged him. The two men did, however, come to a compromise: the five of them would land at the beach with a smaller strike force of Navy SEALs and Marine Force Recon. The main assault force and air support would be on standby, ready for rapid deployment.

Outside the briefing room, Peyton’s father whispered in her ear, “I need to speak with you.”

When they were alone, he said, “On the island, I want you to stay close to me.”

“Okay.”

“And keep Charlotte close.”

“Is she…”

“Trust me, Peyton, okay?”

“All right.”

“You may learn things that will… disturb you.”

“Dad, what are you telling me?”