Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
They looked over their shoulders and Scott Gould spoke first. “Since we were rescued, and you showed up here, Jammer’s been in contact with us. We still had to get out of the hospital, and get our discharge physical. After what we went through, I wasn’t going to re-enlist. I was thinking of maybe joining the FBI, and had been talking to Duane here about what I’d have to do.”
“I was in the same boat as Gould,” Manny Sanchez said. “I wasn’t going to re-enlist. I didn’t know if I wanted to go into the FBI, but I followed Gould to see what it entailed. During this time, we’ve been in constant contact with Jammer, as Gould said, and I liked how he said he was working with horses, and that he’d met the woman he’s going to marry. My intention was to see what Manchester had to say, then head here.”
“Okay, but why are you here now? How did you get hooked up with Mr. Royal Pain in all our Asses?”
“Because of me,” Duane spoke for the first time. He shook his head in embarrassment. “When Scott came home, I was so happy and relieved that he had made it out alive from your ordeal, that I let it slip what I was working on. I mostly work undercover assignments, and I was asking both Scott and Manny what they would do in my situation. I only asked that to get their experience as to what a SEAL would do in my situation. See, I was undercover trying to get an in with some gun runners. I knew they were leaving the state of California, but I didn’t know where they were going. We had some information, but it wasn’t enough to make an arrest. When names started coming up, I must have let them slip, because that’s when these two guys told me about you and your problems.” Duane rubbed the back of his neck, and shook his head. He looked at Ryan sheepishly. “Apparently, this guy named Jammer would tell them what was going on where he was living.”
“We, my team and I, knew an order for guns had been requested. My team was so deep undercover that Royal was referred to us for his needs. We were able to get what he wanted, and when he wanted to hire us as extra help, we jumped on it. We figured that was our in for this organization. After a lot of talking, we realized that what this guy named Jammer was talking to Sanchez and Gould about was the same case. One of the guys that is now in the house with Royal went to our boss and explained the situation.” He smiled at the three men before him.
“I know of a man named Jake Cogburn, we’ve been in contact with him, so we know most of what’s supposed to go down. My only question to you is this…” he paused and looked directly at Ryan. “Do you have direct contact with Jammer?”
“Yes,” Ryan said, and took them into a different location. He climbed up into the rafters, retrieved the phone, then came back down. “Clark left this for me.”
“Who is Clark?” the three men asked as one.
“Clark Riceman, he was my Lieutenant on Delta Team. His sister is Erin Riceman, and she is the one Royal is after. I won’t get into it all now, but Erin owns all of this, and Royal’s pissed at her for doing something. Hell, all four men are out for her blood. She put Miller’s parents in jail for their unlawful actions, she has a lifetime restraining order against Philip Firth, that’s the man Royal knocked out. I don’t know what Ernie’s beef with her is, but Royal thinks he knows all there is to horse ranching, and took exception when she had him arrested for trying to steal one of her prize stallions.”
“That’s horse theft and carries not only a hefty fine, but also prison time, as well as a felony,” Duane said.
“Yeah, and somehow after all these charges against them they are constantly being bailed out. Oh, Royal’s footing the bill, but for the last year, the four of them have racked up at least four felonies apiece, and yet, they’re still getting bail, and walking our streets free. We need to know if it’s someone in the DA’s office or a judge that’s dirty. Or as it was recently pointed out to me, maybe it’s an arresting cop that is not filing the correct charges against them when they are being taken to jail.”
“I’ll have my supervisor look into it,” Duane said, and pulled out his phone to send a quick text. When he was done, he looked up with a smile. “I told them to look into the cases here in Fool’s Gold and Colorado Springs with those last names.” He looked around, and nodded. “Now, do you know what the situation is?”
“Yes, we’ve been here since Monday, and the power really isn’t off, Clark flipped the main breaker. I’ve been a real bastard to the others, I refuse to be their lacky. I’ve found that when Royal isn’t around, they can’t find their way out of a wet paper bag. I cook my own meals, and most of the day I’m out here walking the perimeter. When they question me, I tell them someone has to do it. They’ve been doing nothing but moaning and groaning about no power, and drinking.” Ryan shook his head in disgust.
“What about the others?” Gould asked. “Jammer?”
“They’re camped out about one mile across the fence line on Riceman property. There’s a long and wide stretch of trees, and they’re camped in there.”
“How many?”
“Five, all former Delta team SEAL members. About twenty minutes south are Jake Cogburn and ten of his men waiting for the call. We also have Sheriff Jim Faulkner on call.” Ryan went on to explain the situation of the ranch being so large it took up three counties and which law enforcement agency was in charge of which section.
“Interesting,” Duane said as he pulled out his phone and sent a long text. He didn’t look up until he pocketed his phone. “That may be why they’re getting out on bail. The charges against them will have to be Federal in order for them to stick, and because Royal commissioned guns over state lines, it’s now Federal.”
“Thank god,” Ryan said, and he looked over both his shoulders, and nodded as he pointed. “Riceman property is in that direction. I’ve been out there and saw a fence separating the two properties.” He had spoken loud enough that the others nodded and looked up when Rudolph Royal came around the corner.
“What’s up, Boss?” Ryan asked, turning back into his persona of trying to please him. He ignored the looks from the other men.
“We have electricity. I thought someone who had been a SEAL would have realized that the main breaker was tripped.”
“Do you want me to be honest here, Boss?” Ryan asked, trying not to make a fist and put it through his face. He didn’t wait for an answer. “I left the running of the house with Miller and the Firths. I’ve been out here every day walking the perimeter making sure no one knows we’re here. If those three were too stupid to not check the main breaker, that’s not my fault.” Ryan scowled at him, lifted his arms, and crossed them over his chest as he glared down his nose at the other man. “And for the record, I warned Philip about drinking on the job. I didn’t pour that shit down his throat, and it was his brother that went to town to purchase the alcohol. Miller bought the food.”
Royal actually chuckled, and shook his head. “That’s what I like about you, Carter, your honesty. What are you doing with these fine gentlemen?”
Ryan didn’t bat an eye when Royal called him honest. “I’m pointing out the direction of the Riceman ranch.”
“Good, good.” Royal reached back for his wallet, and when he brought it forward, he opened it and pulled out at least six, one-hundred-dollar bills. He passed them to Ryan. “I hate to ask, but could you go to town for groceries for all of us? Stop in to see one of the new guys, he’s getting a list together.”
“What about beer? I know you don’t want Firth drinking.”
“I don’t, he’ll just have to sit there and drool. If there’s beer on the list, and if you guys want anything, buy it. I myself want you to purchase a bottle of Scotch.” He gave the name, then reached in and pulled out more money. “Better get three bottles, I don’t share what’s mine.”
Ryan took the money and nodded after he confirmed the brand Royal drank. “Care if I take these guys with me?” Ryan asked as he tossed his thumb over his shoulder carelessly. “Figured I could clue them in on what you want done.”
“See, that’s why I like you, Carter, always thinking about me. Sure, and not to step on your toes, but you might want to go into Colorado Springs, that’s where they carry my brand of Scotch.”
“Got it, I just need to go in and get my wallet.” He nodded and turned away, but turned back to the others. “I’ll meet you at the trucks.” He walked away, and once in the house, he nodded to the new arrivals, and caught their eyes when they nodded back. It felt like a calm came over him to have all these FBI agents there. “I’m just grabbing my wallet,” he said, and hurried up the stairs. He smiled when he saw Philip sitting on the couch with a bag of half frozen peas to his face. When he returned he grabbed the list from one of the men, and picked up three coolers. He shrugged as he hurried out, emptied the water from them, then went to the vehicle he’d indicated. Ten minutes later, when they were well away from the farmhouse, Ryan pulled over and got out with the others. He stood to the side while Manchester went over the vehicle, removed one bug, then they climbed back in.
“Won’t that show our location?” Ryan asked as Manchester still held the bug in his hand.
“Yes, but it won’t be able to hear our conversation. Since it was on the undercarriage of the vehicle, I don’t think it was set up for voice. But I deactivated that feature anyway. Why don’t you contact your friends and have them meet us at the grocery store? How far away is it?”
“At least an hour.” Ryan looked at Gould, sitting beside him, and smiled when the other man pulled out his phone. He only asked what store, and Ryan gave them the name. They were told they would be met by the others, and to wait for them because they would be thirty minutes behind. They settled in for the drive, and the three men caught up on their lives since going through what they had.
“One thing,” Ryan said at one point. He looked over at Gould and in the mirror at Sanchez.
“What?”
“These assholes keep trying to call me New Guy. I lost my shit on them one day and told them what happened to Broome. I told them that if they ever called me New Guy again, I wouldn’t be responsible for my actions. I don’t know if you saw it, but I try to act like a simpleton when I’m around them.”
“Yeah, I picked up on that. It seems to work. What story did you give them?” Sanchez asked.
“Told them I was a down on my luck just released military man with no family.” Ryan shook his head sadly. “At first, I didn’t tell them that I was a SEAL, only that I was Navy. However, that time I lost my shit on being called New Guy, I revealed I was a SEAL, and that I was captured and tortured, and briefly what happened to Broome. Since then, everyone gives me a wide berth.”
“Good to know,” they all said as they settled in for the ride to the grocery store. As they’re approached the town, they decided to stop at the liquor store first, then they headed to the grocery store. They parked and instead of taking the coolers in with them, they decided to leave them there and put the food in them for the ride home. It was still only spring, but the temps were inching into the upper seventies. Ryan grabbed a cart, then stood off to the side to look at the list. With it in his mind, he passed it to the others and headed to the produce section. He had put several items in his cart, but when he reached for a bunch of bananas, he hadn’t been paying attention and his hand landed on someone else’s.
“Oh, sorry,” he said, and turned to look at who he had grabbed and stared in shock. “Prudora, what are you doing here?”
“Ryan?” Pru looked around wildly, then looked at him. “It’s my day off, I’m grocery shopping. Since Mr. Ducky moved in with me, I’m cooking more.”
“So, he’s safe?” Ryan asked as he reached out and brought her into his arms for a hug. He bent his head and gave her a quick kiss. In his ear he whispered. “Don’t panic, but the guys will be here. I’m killing several birds with one stone.”
“Can you explain?”
“One, I’m getting groceries per Royal’s request. That’s the one stone. Two, Royal arrived home today with several men and several crates of guns. Three, I know two of them he arrived with. I served with them on Delta Team. Four, they know Lloyd and have been talking with him, so they know what’s been happening at Riceman Ranch. Five, the guys Royal brought with the guns are all undercover FBI agents.”
“Holy shit.” They had been shopping as they talked and Ryan smiled when he removed something from her cart and put it in his own, and replaced it with something else. She never seemed to notice. She had put a handful of fresh pea pods in a bag, and he knew she hated peas, so he’d replaced them with a bunch of asparagus. He just added several more handfuls of peas to the bags. As they were leaving the produce department, Ryan paused to put several cases of water in the bottom of his cart before they moved on. They looked up and saw Reid and Perry pushing their own cart. Ryan breathed easier knowing that they would look after Pru on the way home. Because the four of them had split the grocery shopping it was faster, but Ryan went through the aisles with Pru, and hadn’t realized how much he missed her until he saw her again.
When they were at the truck. He helped her unload her groceries into her truck, then she came over and met the other people. He introduced her as his girlfriend first, and then an employee at Broken. Lloyd was the one to introduce Gould and Sanchez to the ones that didn’t know them, and Gould introduced Duane, who explained who he was, and why they were there. Ryan nodded when the men breathed easier. They had a twenty-minute meeting right there in the parking lot on what they had set up, and it was left that one of the four would contact Clark when they made their move. When they left the parking lot, Ryan gathered Pru to him, and cradled her face in his before giving her a deep kiss. When they broke apart, they were both breathing heavily, but he laid his forehead on hers to whisper for her to be careful. As he climbed in his own vehicle, he said he’d be home soon, and sighed in relief when Clark climbed into the passenger seat of her truck.
On the way home the four of them were quiet, until someone asked what Broken was, and Ryan explained everything he knew about what Erin had done in the past few years by breaking the original ranch into a separate one and what they did.
“Can anyone come to Broken?”
“Yes, as long as they are former military and have a challenge.”
“Does PTSD count?”
“Absolutely.” Ryan left it at that, and they continued the ride in silence.