Chapter 33 #3
Shaun signaled, and they moved forward. The second he pushed open the door, he stopped so abruptly that Zenko nearly stepped on his heels. A double-barreled shotgun was pointed directly at Shaun’s chest.
Zenko immediately brought his SIG up over Shaun’s shoulder and centered it on the man holding the shotgun.
Shit, it’s really going to suck if I have to fire.
“Drop your weapon.”
The store owner studied them for what felt like fucking hours, although Zenko’s internal clock told him less than five seconds had passed.
“You Shaun?”
“Yes.” Shaun released a breath as the man lowered the shotgun. “Where’s your body armor?”
“Here.” The man turned and headed through the storeroom toward the shop itself.
Zenko approved of the lack of natural daylight immediately, the security shutters gave them some measure of protection from the shooter across the street. Good, they could hopefully move somewhat safely in here.
“I gathered some gear when dispatch called me.”
Zenko sorted through the gear the store owner had laid out on the desk and handed one of the protective vests to Shaun. “You got any more plates?”
“I sure do.” The old man headed toward a shelf at the back of the store. “I’m Charlie.”
“He’s Shaun, I’m Zen.” Zenko checked the rifles Charlie had laid out. “ARs. Good.” He grabbed magazines and ammunition from the counter.
“You need someone on your sixes?”
Shaun caught the magazines Zenko tossed his way and started loading them into his gear.
“You got any experience?”
“I flew Hueys during Junction City. Worked out around Suoi Da and ran resupply and medevac into Prek Klok during the second battle.”
“Vietnam vet.” Zenko stopped what he was doing and gave Charlie a sharp salute. “Thank you for your service, Sir.” As he lowered his hand, he signaled to Shaun.
We take him.
“Sure.” Something shifted in Shaun’s expression at the mention of Vietnam, and Zenko knew exactly why.
Shaun’s father had served there, and his guy had always respected the hell out of the men who’d fought that war.
If Charlie had flown Hueys in Vietnam, Zenko had no problem trusting the older man to keep his shit together when bullets started flying.
“Okay, Charlie. You any good?” Shaun secured the last of the gear Zenko had passed him. “We need you watching our perimeter so the LEOs don’t take us out when they get here.”
“I sure am.” Charlie handed them each a ruck. Zenko opened his long enough to find radios and comms gear inside, along with a couple of blades.
“Ambra One, TOC.” Noble’s voice suddenly barked from Zenko’s phone, making Charlie jump. “Can you quit shooting the shit and get your ass in gear?”
“Sorry, boss.” Zenko was already at the door. “What are you seeing on the security feed?”
Noble grunted through the speaker before Max cut across him. “Boss, that’s a squad car. Local LEOs are on site.”
“Good.” Zenko pulled the vest snug and secured the side straps. It wasn’t fitted to him and sat tighter than the gear he was used to, but he’d fucking take it. “Have there been any demands?”
“No.” Noble’s answer came through Zenko’s phone. “I’m in contact with the police chief. He’s aware you’re on site.”
“Tell him we have the gun store owner watching our six on the perimeter.” Zenko pulled one of the radios from the ruck Charlie had given him and passed the second to Shaun. “We’ve also got local comms now. Give us a minute to get off these fucking phones.”
“TOC, copy.” Noble abruptly changed direction. “Is that fucking idiot having a brain fart? Max, what the hell is he doing?”
Shots cracked outside before Zenko could finish setting up the radio. “Fuck.” He double-checked his gear while moving toward the shuttered storefront. “Officer down.”
“What the hell did he get out of his vehicle for?” Max grumbled.
“Shit.” Charlie nudged past Zenko. “I need...” He peered through the only small window left uncovered by the shutters before his shoulders visibly relaxed. “It’s not him.”
“What’s going on, Charlie?”
Charlie kept his attention on the street outside. “My son is the police chief.”
“Damn.” Shaun gave the older man’s shoulder an awkward pat before returning to the radio in his hand. “You going to be okay on our six?”
“Yeah—” Charlie’s answer died as another burst of gunfire erupted outside, dragging everyone’s attention back toward the street.
A spray of bullets chewed into the asphalt dangerously close to the downed officer’s head.
“BOHICA.” Zenko’s grip tightened around his SIG. Whoever the fuck was on that roof was deliberately keeping anyone from reaching the wounded cop.
“Bend Over, Here It Comes Again.” Charlie managed half a smile despite what was happening outside. “Damn, it’s been a while since I understood everything being said. Normally, I’m lost by the time these young ’uns say a word or two.”
“Yeah, the lingo doesn’t change.” Shaun fitted Charlie’s earpiece and turned the radio over in his hand. “What are these dialed into?”
“CALAW priority one.” Charlie reached over and showed him the channel selector. “Local law enforcement uses it for mutual aid.”
Zenko fitted his own earpiece while Shaun keyed the radio. “TOC, Ambra Two. We’re moving to CALAW priority one. Cupid, you able to get us there?”
“Working on it.” Max’s answer still came through Zenko’s phone. “Give me a minute. I need to get the patch established before you drop the cell.”
Zenko kept the phone connection open while he secured the radio to his gear and adjusted the earpiece. Static hissed against his ear, followed by fragments of local police traffic as Charlie helped Shaun dial his set onto the same channel.
“Okay, I’ve got it.” Max was still coming through the phone. “Patching TOC in now. Stand by.”
Several seconds of static filled Zenko’s earpiece before it cut out. Then Max’s voice replaced it. “Ambra One, TOC. Comms check.”
Zenko keyed his radio. “TOC, Ambra One. Lima Charlie.”