Chapter 18
“Ford seems a bit edgy tonight,” Shadow said into his comms. “I’m afraid to fart in case he hears me. He seems vigilant about something.”
“Bear said the Air Force intends to bring investigators in. They have struck too many times, and Leo’s death complicated things for them. Even though we’re considered ‘contractors,’ they’re unhappy about an American hero getting killed saving their own men,” Saint informed the team.
“Cole,” Taco said. “Can you see what’s in his hand? I believe he carried the same thing when they put something on the ground before the attack.”
“We’ll back you up,” Saint muttered. “Why do they have it available if it’s dangerous or confusing for the dogs?”
“We don’t usually keep it on site,” Cole said. “Unless something changed, it’s not a regularly stocked supply.”
“Ammonia can be used in explosives,” Shadow offered. “Didn’t you say most of the attacks start with an explosive?”
“Yeah,” Cole said, sounding pissed. “I can’t wait to take this asshole down.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist,” Taco advised. “We knew of his involvement. There must be more and higher up on the chain. We must cut the head off the snake. Losing your cool will not help. We observe and plan. We may not have found Leo, but this bastard will pay for hurting one of our own.”
“I wish I never told Leo,” Cole said regretfully. “Maybe then, we’d all be home, and Leo would still be here.”
“Suck it up, soldier,” Saint ordered. “Leo investigated it before you came onto the team. Ford’s review of you sent up a red flag. Leo only hires the best. He wanted to bring justice to those who lost their lives and keep any more of our brothers and sisters from getting killed.”
“Did Bear find Cora?” Cole asked. “If Sergeant Taylor were still here, I’m sure she’d know where she went.”
“She’s reassigned to the States at Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi.
Bear reached out to Matthew, and he’s planning to meet with her.
He’s at home supporting the Texas team in Ireland,” Saint informed his men.
“We’ll see why she requested the transfer and how she got it this fast. According to Bear, she visited Colonel Rutherford, and the next day, the paperwork got approved.
The military bureaucracy never works that fast.”
“She knows something or gave evidence, I’m guessing,” Shadow offered.
“It’s my guess, too,” Taco said. “Heads up, we got a black SUV coming about a click away.”
“All right, gentlemen, we’re playing for the win,” Saint said. “Taco, be ready to move when the SUV departs.”
“Yes, sir,” Taco said, sliding on his belly until he made it out of sight and headed for the truck.
“They’re at the gate,” Shadow reported. “The guard waved them through,” he said, surprised.
“Cole, let me know when you have a good view of who steps out of the vehicle,” Saint said, hoping Cole recognized the person.
“I have the camera ready,” Cole replied. “Come on, turn around and let me see your face.”
“They’re headed to the barracks. Can you see them?” Shadow asked.
“No. They have their hats pulled low. I need to move closer,” Cole insisted.
“No,” Saint said firmly. “Leo got his name because he thrived on waiting for his prey like a lion. They’ll eventually leave. Shadow, take notes on times and get a license plate number off the vehicle.”
“On it,” Shadow said, getting the plate number. “Shall I send it to Bear and Tex?”
“Yes,” Saint agreed. “Between the two of them, maybe they can figure out our elusive traitor.”
“They’re arguing,” Shadow said. “Ford doesn’t seem happy. Can Bear access the listening device we planted last night?”
“He says the signal’s blocked. They’re not taking any chances,” Saint said. “Damn it. We need to know what they’re saying.”
“I can get closer,” Cole insisted.
“You step one single toe out of line, and I’ll pummel you myself. We can’t afford any mistakes. Bear has the tag number on the car. He’s running it now,” Saint said calmly. “It’ll give us a place to start.”
“It’s a woman,” Cole said, surprised. “She’s dressed in the same gear as all the others. No wonder no one noticed her comings and goings.”
“Do you recognize her?” Taco asked.
“I’m checking the photos while they’re occupied in the barracks. If Bear can enlarge them, maybe we can identify them. Did you notice she avoided the security cameras? She stays in the black areas,” Cole reported.
“Do you want to take her?” Shadow asked Saint.
“Not yet. She has one more visit before Doc and Whiskey arrive. Taco will follow her, and we have the plates. We can snatch and grab once we find her connections,” Saint said firmly. “Maybe Ivan can take our guest to Siberia.”
“Why can’t we grab Ford? He’s a bully, but I’m sure you know enough intimidation tactics to get him to talk,” Cole asked, pointing his camera toward the barracks.
“We want the bigger fish,” Saint informed him. “Ford will lead us to them, but I doubt he knows more than when the attacks take place and when to drug the K-9s. He won’t know the person calling the shots.”
“I want him to pay for my friend’s death,” Cole seethed. “Then, for his part in Leo’s. “
“Uh, guys. I have company,” Taco said softly. “They’re hanging back enough to avoid detection. I’ve taken a few circles, and they’re following me.”
“Shit,” Saint muttered. “Can anything else go wrong?”
“I can take the other truck and intercept them. We can box them in and find out what they want,” Shadow suggested.
Saint’s deep sigh came over the coms. “Taco, lead them to the village or something. Park your truck and act as if you’re returning. Don’t fuck it up and get taken. We’re running out of time. Shadow, get the other vehicle and follow whoever leaves the unit.”
“I don’t like this,” Shadow said. “We never separate.”
“What choice do I have?” Saint barked. “We need to get this handled.”
“Taco, do you have your tracker?” Shadow asked, sounding concerned.
“Yeah,” Taco said, his voice turning to mission mode.
“Say the word, brother, and I’ll be there,” Shadow vowed.
“I’ll handle these assholes,” Taco assured him. “Figure out who the fuck we’re dealing with and let’s make them pay.”
“Hooyah,” Shadow agreed.
“Cole, keep your eyes glued to those barracks,” Saint commanded. “I want to know if a fly shits on the roof.”
A dog barked, making Saint cover his ear. “Damn it, Cole. Shut Striker up.”
“It’s not Striker. It’s Apollo,” Cole said, running. “Something’s happening with Sparky.”
“Shit,” Saint said, taking off toward the area they left her. “Sparky, report,” he demanded.
Silence met them on the other end.
Cole and Striker arrived first, his K-9 running to where Apollo alerted. Silencing the dog, he drew his gun and moved closer, searching for his teammate.
Sparky lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
“What the hell happened?” Cole hissed as he drew closer. Then he jumped back and let out a yelp.
“Fuck, Sparky, did it bite you?” he asked, noticing the large snake carcass near her.
“No. He got my boot,” she replied. “Apollo stumbled upon him, and I heard him hiss,” she said, pressing her comm.
“Sparky reporting,” she said, catching her breath.
“It’s a little late now since you disrupted the entire mission,” Saint snapped as he ran across the rocky terrain.
“Sorry, sir,” she said lamely.
“It’s a viper,” Cole said. “Sparky killed it.”
“Can you check Apollo?” she asked as Cole led her away to a large rock for her to lean against. “He found him. If I’m not mistaken, they cohabitate. We need to move. I don’t have the stamina to fight off another one.”
Saint approached her as Cole called back the K-9s. “You all right, Sparky?” he asked, his tone softening.
“Yes, sir,” she replied stiffly. “I didn’t want Apollo hurt. Hollywood entrusted him to me. I heard him bark and the warning hiss. I didn’t answer you because I fought it off.”
Saint took her arm and led them away. Cole brought the dogs. “How did you manage to kill it?”
“I knew it came close to Apollo. When I heard the hiss, I threw my KBAR. It hissed again, and Apollo jumped back. I stoned it to death by sheer luck. Sorry about the noise. I got caught up in grabbing my buddy’s collar.
He still alerted me, and I tripped over a rock.
Don’t worry, I stayed quiet and out of the way. ”
“When we get home, I’m seriously changing your call sign back to Sassy P,” Saint said, shaking his head. “I’m sorry, Sparky. Let me check you over. Those snakes can be venomous.”
“I’m sure he got my boot,” she said, as Saint knelt and inspected her footwear.
“We’ll need to scrub this off. It appears your boot saved you,” he said. “Don’t touch it. Cole will keep the K-9s with him until we handle it. We’ll wait at checkpoint three. Hopefully, the dogs barking didn’t alert the unit.”
“It won’t,” Cole assured him. “We encounter wild dogs here all the time.”
“Get back to your post and see if they left,” Saint ordered. “I’ll take Sparky.”
“You all right?” Cole asked her.
“Yeah. You can’t handle both K-9s. Leave Apollo, and I’ll have him stay near Saint until I can wash off. You can move faster.”
Cole took off, determined to catch their suspects.
“I didn’t mean to yell at you,” Saint said softly. “I’m ready to get these assholes.”
“I understand, sir,” she said, her voice sounding tense.
Saint shook his head. The anger he felt upon Sparky’s return to the unit after he ordered her home seemed to dissipate. Yet, he kept sticking his foot in his mouth at every opportunity.
“You know, you’re the only person I know who has ever killed a snake blind. You’re a badass,” he said, complimenting her. “I think I might’ve peed myself if I encountered it. I hate snakes.”
Sparky remained silent as she gripped Apollo’s leash and stroked his head.
“I’m sorry,” Saint apologized. “I’ve taken my frustration out on you. Please don’t take it personally.”
Sparky’s chin went up in defiance. “I’m aware I increase the team’s risks. But my input has sent us on this trail while we’re on limited time. I do have value.”
Saint hung his head and then scanned the area.
“I never thought you didn’t. I once made a stupid mistake.
Right after we discovered Bryanna pregnant, I went on a mission close to home.
In my hastiness, I forgot to put on my vest. I got shot in the stomach.
I remember lying on the ground thinking about my daughter, Miya, and my unborn child.
We’ve all done stupid shit, and I’m no exception.
I value your contribution to the team, but sometimes, we must all stand down for the betterment of our brothers and sisters.
It’s why I’m aggravated about the situation.
I never wanted to lead this team. Leo has always seemed invincible.
I don’t mind running an op but not taking it over.
I wonder if Leo experienced any pain or if he went peacefully.
Why didn’t I notice him gone sooner? If this mission fails, it’s on me. ”
“We won’t fail,” Sparky said, sniffling. “Leo won’t let us. For the record, you make a damn good leader even if you’re yelling at me.”
“Then why are you crying? Shit, I’ll admit I’ve never worked with a woman on the team. I’ve hurt your feelings,” he swore.
“It’s not you, sir,” she cried. “I’m terrified of snakes. I didn’t know if I killed it or not. I only wanted it away from Apollo. Hollywood entrusted him to me. I never want to become an imposition on this team. Don’t tell the guys. I want them to think I’m a bad ass.”
Saint chuckled and pulled Sparky in for a hug. “Your secret’s safe with me. Don’t tell them I’m scared of messing up, and we’re good.”
“What happens here stays here,” she reassured him.
“I have visual,” Cole said excitedly. “I think I recognize her. I’ll need to check the pictures for confirmation.”
“Shadow, do you have eyes on her?” Saint asked over the comms.
“Trailing them now,” Shadow reported.
“Taco, sitrep?” Saint asked.
“They disappeared. I’m still on the outskirts of the village. They got out of their vehicle and vanished,” he informed the group.
“Can you make it to checkpoint three?” Saint said.
“Leaving now,” Taco said as they heard his door slam shut and the engine start. “I’m on my way.”
Half an hour later, Taco pulled up and put Apollo and Sparky in the truck as Saint loaded the guns. They drove a short way down and made a right behind a rocky mountain.
“We’ll camp here tonight. Hopefully Bear will make some headway, and we’ll get these bastards.”
“I have your pack, Sparky, the snake killer. Take off those boots, and I’ll clean them,” Taco offered.
“Get the first aid kit and double-glove. Cole mentioned it might be a viper,” she advised as she grabbed another pair of socks from her bag.
“Will do,” he said as he held them carefully, moving away from the camp.
A few minutes later, Cole and Shadow joined them.
“Where did she go?” Saint asked upon seeing him.
“She’s at the Air Force base. I don’t like this,” Shadow said. “I wish we had some eyes and ears still in there.”
Saint’s phone buzzed, and he said, “Saint.”
“Tex and I tracked the woman down from Cole’s unit, Cora Banks.
She left after filing a report of Ford sexually harassing her.
She reported inconsistencies and saw an officer showing up at odd hours.
Colonel Rutherford moved her to keep her safe.
I’ve sent the photos Cole needed blown up. Does he recognize her?”
Saint tapped the image and passed the phone to Cole, who examined it.
He stared at it for a long time before speaking. “She’s the woman Ford slept with. She’s visited the base on several occasions under the name of Mary Anderson.”
“Tex identified her as Maryam Alizai. She’s the daughter of Omar Alizai, head of the clan.
He’s attempting to take over the smaller villages and rule over all of them,” Bear informed them.
“The military has stopped many attempts, worried they may try to make a run for the base if they gather enough followers. Of course, they’re made up of farmers and young boys. ”
“I guess it’s time we make her acquaintance,” Saint said. “We’ll stay here until 0300 and make our way back to base. How did she get into our military? Why the ruse?”
“She’ll return in two days. By this weekend, they’ll attack again,” Cole said solemnly.
“No. They may try, but this time, we’ll be ready. Starting with procuring her,” Saint vowed.
“Let’s do it,” Shadow said, his hand grasping Saint’s shoulder. Cole took Sparky’s hand and led her over to them, and he set her hand on Shadow’s shoulder.
“We got this,” she encouraged.
Ragu entered their spot and approached them.
Cole put his hand on Sparky’s. “We do it in honor.”
Ragu put his hand on Cole’s. “For Leo.”