27. Thad
Thad
“You’re gonna have to watch your space,” Declan said, pointing at a map of Garcia’s property in Manicore. “We’re gonna be tight. Garrett measured it out and estimates each of the houses is approximately twelve-hundred square feet.”
“Did he get in touch with the local task force?” Brooks asked.
“He put some feelers out but he was met with resistance and didn’t want them to clue in to what we were doing.
He did get in contact with a security contractor that has boots on the ground in the area.
They’re not watching Garcia’s land, but they are tracking a drug smuggler so they’re watching and there hasn’t been much activity in the area, or should I say, more activity.
Therefore, they said they’ve clocked five men regularly going and coming using the road that leads to the property.
But again, they’ve not scouted the property so there could be more guards that don’t leave, so they wouldn’t’ve seen them,” Declan explained.
I continued to study the maps laid out on the table.
There was a small town a klick away—grocery stores, eateries, churches, and auto part stores were in abundance.
And housing. I checked the notation Declan had added—population fifty-four thousand.
Lots of people jam-packed into the municipality.
The number of people on Garcia’s payroll, unknown.
“Any ideas how to get in?” I started. “River infil again?”
The land was surrounded by dense woods on the north and south sides, less so on the west where the entrance was, and a body of water to the east.
“That would be a hell no. The Madeira River is a major tributary of the Amazon. Not only is the shipping traffic heavy through that area but indigenous tribes along the river fish the river. Then of course there are the snakes.”
“Snakes? Brother, since when are we afraid of snakes?” Kyle chuckled.
“Since there are anacondas in that river. Not to mention, the Penis Snake. That bitch might only top out at two feet, but I’d rather not have to find out if it bites.”
“You’re serious?” I asked, unable to hold back my laughter. “You’re scared of a little penis?”
“Goddamn right, I am. I hate snakes. But that’s not our biggest concern, the waterway is a no-go due to shipping.
Garrett checked the AIS satellite map and movement is substantial.
Tugs and special craft are passing the Manicore port at a rate of one every ten minutes.
Tides are high due to rainfall and grain and logs are being transported.
Pleasure crafts are in the area as well.
It’s not worth the risk of bumping into one of them. ”
“Right,” Brooks snickered. “You don’t wanna bump into the manaconda . Just to say, I’m totally confident in what I’m packing—a two-foot penis doesn’t bother me. Not even if it does bite.”
“I don’t give the first fuck you think it’s funny.
I spent more years in the jungle than you have, and have woken up to those slimy fucks trying to make their homes in my sack, my ruck, and my boots.
If I never see another one, I’ll die happy.
” Declan crossed his arms over his chest punctuating he was done with the conversation.
“Now that we’ve gotten Dec’s fear of dicks and snakes out of the way, the water’s out.
I say we hit from the north. We can take house number one first.” I pointed to the building closest to the woods.
“It’s also the smaller of the two, hopefully it’s the staff house and we can take out the guards and any other hired help.
If Paul’s there, he’d stay in the bigger of the two houses. ”
“I agree,” Max added. “The bigger house has a structure off the back near the beach. The roofline looks like it’s some kind of gazebo or hut. That’s the main house. Paul will be there.”
“Alright.” Declan nodded. “Infil through the north end. Brooks, you’ll set the charge to breech. Max, you do your thing as overwatch. Up to you where you set your sniper perch. Thad, you’re with Brooks. Make entry, and me and Kyle will cover your six.”
Declan’s order received four grunts in the affirmative and we spent the next two hours running scenarios and coming up with contingencies.
When we were done, we had a solid plan of attack and three backups. Including, much to Declan’s extreme dislike, a water evac.
Who knew the big, badass Marine had a weakness? I would’ve never guessed he had a fear of snakes. The man was made of stone.
After our briefing Brooks and I went in search of our women .
“Tatiana okay staying back?” I asked Brooks as we walked up the stairs.
“What are you asking? Do you not trust Tatiana to watch over Emerson?” he shot back.
We’d made it to the top landing and I stopped mid-stride and turned to my friend. “What the fuck? You know I trust Tatiana. But I also know she likes getting in on the action and isn’t real pleased when she’s cut out.”
“Shit, man, I’m sorry. Yeah, she’s fine with it.”
“What has you all keyed-up?”
“The girls, man. I don’t know, we’ve worked trafficking ops a lot.
Nothing we’ve seen over the last few days is any different from what we’ve encountered before.
Hell, in some ways it’s not even as bad as what we’ve run into.
But I don’t know, it’s hit me hard. Maybe it’s because I have a woman I love now and thinking about her being taken from me guts me.
Or maybe because I’m thinking about one day, I’ll be a dad and I could have little girls.
Man, I can’t even let my mind go there… thinking what I’d do if my kid was taken.
Whatever it is, seeing those girls, seeing Emerson’s sister, it’s fucking with my head.
But Tatiana’s good. And honestly, I’m relieved she’s staying behind.
I don’t want her seeing anymore of this shit and I don’t want her near men who we know would love to snatch a beautiful American woman. ”
Before I had time to voice my understanding and disdain of the situation, a door down the hall creaked open. Two female voices filled the space and their laughter washed over me. I was pleased as hell that Tatiana and Emerson had hit it off.
Tatiana was a member of the team, just as much as any of the men.
But being a woman, I figured Emerson would bond with her the fastest. I also wanted Emerson to have someone to talk to besides me about all the shit that was surrounding us.
Hopefully she’d trust Tatiana enough to talk to her about Autumn.
Tatiana may’ve been a woman, but she was a tough-as-nails, CIA operative. She was smart and capable. And she’d give it to Emerson straight but soften the impact with kindness.
“Hey. We were just going down to get something to eat,” Tatiana started.
Emerson was smiling. Even if it was a little tentative, I’d take it.
“We’re taking off in ten minutes to head to Manicore,” Brooks told his wife.
Tatiana looked down at her watch and her nose scrunched. “This late?”
“Yeah, you can sleep in the car.”
Tatiana’s head snapped up and she narrowed her eyes.
“No way, Brooks. Manicore is over a hundred miles south. And knowing Dec, he’ll take the longest route possible, making that one hundred five-hundred.
Which means another six-hour road trip. I barely survived the last one.
I was contemplating throwing myself from a moving car.
And I’m not exaggerating. If you love me at all, you’ll leave me here and save me from the road rash. ”
“I’m kidding, Doll.” Brooks chuckled. “We’re flying.”
Tatiana turned to Emerson and imparted some wisdom.
“Trust me on this. If the guys ever tell you a vehicle is their preferred mode of transportation—just say no. Serious as shit, your ears will bleed. All they do is talk about sports, then they argue about sports, then they pick a new sport to talk about, and then they argue about that, too. And they get grumpy. I mean, no one likes to be crammed into a car, but look at them, they’re like overly large men.
They bitch about that, too. How uncomfortable they are.
You’d rather walk. So, take my advice and never take a road trip with them. ”
“Noted.” Emerson smiled at her new friend, and I relaxed.
“Come on, Doll, let’s grab our stuff.”
Brooks broke away and started moving toward his wife.
“You ready, Emmy?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
The way she looked at me, I had a suspicion she knew what I was asking and it wasn’t whether or not her bags were packed.