by Margaret Kay
“You’re new in town. I don’t like new,” the man said.
“Had to move on and find new sources. Last month the fucking feds busted the supplier we’ve been hooked up with. The motherfucker was stupid and greedy. Wasn’t smart in his dealings. Gave too many low-level assholes access to himself. I’m starting to wonder if you’re of the same cloth. I didn’t expect it to be this easy to get a meeting with you,” Mother said.
The gunslinger’s eyes flashed to Bandile. “Yeah, I’ll have to address security.” Then his eyes glanced over the two bikes. “California plates.”
Mother pulled his phone from his pocket. “Give me a bank account number and I’ll initiate a funds transfer. I’ll take your word you got enough shit to deliver on the order.”
The man smiled. “And you know I can waste you on the spot after you do.”
The Birdman laughed aloud. “And lose out on all the revenue we’ll bring your way. You’re smarter than that.”
At the fence, Lambchop used the scope of his M4 Carbine to peer through the frame of what looked like it had once been a Honda Civic. “Ops, besides the Tango a hundred yards in front of me, you see any more men nearby?”
“Negative, Lambchop,” Yvette replied. It was her first day back in Ops since her vacation.
“The asshole I’m looking at has a damn HK416,” Lambchop reported.
“Got two with them in my sights as well,” the Undertaker’s voice added.
“You are cleared to take them out,” Shepherd’s voice came through his comms. “We’ll figure out how these assholes got their hands on military weapons later.
Lambchop nodded to Handsome, who stood beside him, bolt cutters in hand. He cut the fence to give them entry to the yard. Lambchop squeezed off a single, silenced shot when the Tango’s attention was drawn their way. He collapsed where he stood without making a sound.
Rushing into the yard, Lambchop and Handsome dragged his body back behind the stack of cars up against the fence. Near the other gate, the Undertaker and Taco breached the fence. They took out five of the patrols, also armed with the military weapons.
The four men of Shepherd security, with help from Ops, incapacitated all the men in the yard in just under fifteen minutes. Ten were snuck up on, knocked out, secured with zip ties around their hands and feet and duct tape over their mouths.
“Yard is clear. DEA is a block back and holding,” Lambchop broadcast.
Inside the chop shop, the gunslinger drove a beat-up Ford F-150 up alongside the bikes. He held the driver’s side door open. “Get in,” he told Mother.
Mother slid into the driver’s seat.
“Remember this sequence, ignition on, radio off, vents on high, shift to neutral, open the glovebox.”
Mother performed the sequence as he called it out. A panel on the dashboard popped open. Mother reached towards it.
“Uh-uh,” the gunslinger said. “Not before you shift to park, will take your whole fucking hand off.”
Mother put the truck in park. Then he reached in and pulled out a five by seven package that was an inch and a half thick.
“There’s forty-six pounds of the sticky rat shit you want in that compartment. Now make the fucking transfer and you can drive out of here with it.” He handed a piece of paper with an account and routing number written on it to Mother.
“How do I know you won’t waste us as soon as the transfer is made?” Mother asked.
“You don’t,” the gunslinger replied. “But as you said, I won’t want to turn down future revenues you’d bring my way. I’m not stupid, haven’t gotten where I am by being short-sighted.”
Mother nodded. “I’ll make the transfer now.”
That was the signal. “Go! Go! Go!” Lambchop’s voice came through all team member’s comms.
The four men from Shepherd Security entered fast from both sides of the garage. At that same moment, Mother grabbed the gunslinger asshole, gun to his head. Mother’s body was shielded by how he held the man, while the Birdman grabbed Bandile in a similar manner. They disarmed both men, yelling to their crew to drop their weapons. Those who did not, were taken out by the four Shepherd Security Operators.
Only two of the men fired at Mother and the Birdman, thinking they could shoot well enough to hit them, while missing their own men. One estimated his aim very poorly. He struck Bandile several times in the chest. The Birdman grunted out when the two rounds penetrated the man he held, striking his bullet-proof vest, which he wore beneath his clothes.
“Deja de disparar!” The gunslinger shouted, telling his men to stop shooting.
But it was too late. Bandile was dead and the Shepherd Security Team took out the two men who failed to drop their weapons. Lambchop called the DEA in while the rest of the team secured the bad guys, face down on the floor, zip tying their hands behind their backs.
“I’m getting real fucking tired of being shot,” Sherman complained.
Mother slapped him on the shoulder. “At least the rounds were slowed down by going through his fat ass.” He pointed to Bandile, dead on the ground. “The bruises shouldn’t be too bad.”
“Fuck,” Sherman cursed. “Cleopatra is not going to like this one bit.” Everyone on the Shepherd Security Team knew he meant Brielle. Cleopatra was the callsign that had been given to her during a past operation. He’d never say her real name aloud in front of the bad guys.
“So, don’t tell her,” Mother said with a sly smile, knowing that Brielle watched all DEA Partner Mission feed to write news articles for the DEA. Even had that not been the case, the second Sherman got home he’d be naked with his woman and she’d know.
“Fuck you,” Sherman joked back, massaging under his vest where the slugs hit. “If she wasn’t watching that live, she’ll see it tomorrow morning. I need to call her when we’re done and give her a heads up.”
Mother laughed. “Seriously, my brother, you have the worst luck.” His gaze settled on Lambchop. “I need to step out and call A. back too. I assume you or someone from the office got back in touch with her?”
Lambchop nodded. “I spoke with her two minutes after you hung up with her. She’s safe. I’ll fill you in when we wrap this up.”
Mother nodded, relieved, but not surprised. He knew his team would jump in and take care of her.
The team concluded the turnover of the scene to the DEA. The motorcycles were left for the DEA as they belonged to them. The gunslinger turned out to be a high-ranking member of a Mexican Cartel, a cartel that the team and the DEA were well aware of, but whose leader had so far been untouchable. He rarely came into the United States. Until they shut him down, they’d keep repeating this with his distributors.
“We really should be planning a raid on him, south of the border,” Mother whispered to Lambchop as the six Operators from Shepherd Security walked out of the garage.
“Gomez is smart and slippery,” Lambchop replied.
“A sly combo,” Sherman agreed.
“DEA knows after the fact when he’s been in the US,” Lambchop added. “We need to know before.”
“As I said, if we can get good intel on where he is south of the border, we should just go in and get him. The Federales sure as hell haven’t cooperated and gone after him,” Mother said.
“That’s because he owns most of them,” Lambchop said as the men got into the SUV.
Sherman made the call to his fiancé, Brielle, as soon as they got into the car. “I’m sorry, did I wake you?” He spoke into his phone.
“Yes,” her sleepy voice replied. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Sherman replied. “So, you weren’t in Ops, watching the end of the mission?”
“He should have text messaged,” Mother said quietly to Lambchop.
Lambchop’s lips tipped into a grin.
“No, I’ll watch it tomorrow. What happened?”
“Bullets started to fly. I’m not hurt. No one on the team is. I just wanted to let you know that.”
“He’s not going to give full disclosure,” Mother said with a laugh. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sherman flip him off. He chuckled.
“Okay, sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep, momma. I love you,” Sherman whispered and then disconnected the call.
“Now tell me about Annaka,” Mother said in a quiet voice, his gaze focused on his boss.
“We sent a detachment of Rangers who were training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in after her and Remi and her family. They were brought back to the base. They’re safe. We’re heading there after we wrap things up here,” Lambchop told Mother.
“Thank you,” Mother said, more relieved than he’d ever been. All that was left for them was to get their gear from the command center where the briefing took place. “Man, hanging up with her was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I knew you’d take care of her though.”
“Thank Shepherd,” Lambchop said.
“I will,” Mother said.
“No, as in now. He’s expecting your call.”
Mother took his phone out of his pocket and hit dial. “This is Mother, reporting in.”
“What the hell were you thinking, picking up that call in the middle of the operation?” Shepherd’s voice demanded.
“That asshole took calls during our meet and when we initially made contact with him. I was just replicating his behavior to solidify my cover,” Mother replied. But he knew it wasn’t just that. Annaka was alone and afraid. He wouldn’t let her call go unanswered.
“You are very lucky he didn’t get suspicious and shoot you on the spot.”
“I was there, didn’t get that vibe from him. As I said, I was solidifying my cover. He just wanted to finish business and get paid for the drugs. I knew me answering that call wouldn’t arouse any suspicion with him.”
“We’ll revisit mission protocols later. As soon as your team wraps up there, you’re to proceed to the government hangar in the special cargo area at McCarron. Our C-9 is en route. It will fly the team to JBER.”
“Thank you, Shep,” Mother said.
“The mission will be fully formulated before you arrive. Your team will be briefed before you deplane,” Shepherd told him through the phone.
“I appreciate it,” Mother acknowledged. His eyes stared into Lambchop’s. He knew his boss could hear the conversation as closely as he sat. He also could tell that nothing that Shepherd said was news to Lambchop. The call ended. Mother lowered his phone. “I owe you a lot, for taking care of Annaka.”
“She’s your girl and your team will always have your back,” Lambchop said. “At some point, you owe Garcia a thank you, too. He stayed on the line with her for an hour while the Rangers were en route.”
Mother’s lips curved into a grin. “Garcia? I hope she’s not too traumatized.”
Lambchop chuckled.
Papa
When they arrived at the government hangar at McCarran International Airport, the Shepherd Security McDonnell Douglas C-9, which is the military version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 airliner, had just landed. The team waited inside the open hangar door as the plain silver aircraft, with no markings but the tail number that they were all familiar with, taxied up to them.
Mother shot off a quick text to Annaka telling her that he’d be there around the time she woke up. He promised to explain everything to her when he got there. He was sure she would have many questions regarding the Rangers, the Air Force base, even what she heard over the phone while he was in the middle of the drug buy portion of the operation.
After it parked, the ramp at the back of the aircraft lowered, revealing Cooper. The team wasn’t surprised when they climbed aboard, with gear in hand, and were greeted by Madison too. “We’re accompanying the team to JBER,” Madison said.
“Big Bear wanted eight of us on this mission,” Cooper added.
Both Cooper and Madison pitched in. The loading was completed quickly. The back door was sealed shut, and the team took their seats. The aircraft taxied back out towards the runway.
“Where is Hahna? And how is everything going with her?” Mother asked Madison, who sat beside him in the sidewall seats.
“She’s staying with Doc and Elizabeth while we’re away. And it’s going great,” Madison said with a smile.
“She’s already learned so much English. That kid is smart,” Cooper added, his new proud papa personality shining through.
“That’s great. I’m glad to hear it,” Mother said.
“Doc and Elizabeth set up their spare room as a bedroom for her, as did Garcia and Sienna. She got to pick out the colors and the decorations.” Madison paused and laughed. “She’s done all three rooms in different colors and cartoon characters.”
“Not many little girls get to have three bedrooms,” Mother said with a laugh. “I’m glad it’s going well,” he said sincerely. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks,” Madison said. “It’ll work. I know it will.”
Mother laid his head back against the fuselage and tried to get some sleep. It was a six-hour flight to JBER. The circumstances sucked, but he couldn’t wait to see Annaka. It had only been a week since he left her, but it felt like it had been months.
The C-9 landed among flurries that fell from the dark, early morning sky. It was zero six hundred local time. Mother wondered if Annaka was still asleep. He still wished he could have called her before they took off, but it was late, and he knew she had to be very tired. He hoped she’d been sleeping when his text reached her phone. He wondered if she had seen the text yet.
Lambchop connected his computer tablet to the satellite signal and initiated a video call to Shepherd. Shepherd and Garcia displayed. They were seated at the conference table in Shepherd’s office.
“Good morning team,” Shepherd greeted. “In cooperation with the local Anchorage FBI your mission will be to escort the two members of the Anchor Point Research facility, who are there at JBER, to a hearing at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Oil and Gas at zero nine hundred this morning. FBI personnel are en route to a third member we have put on the agenda to speak, Clint Ames with the USGS. They will pick him up at his residence and bring him to the hearing. After they have testified, you are to secure them in a safe location. Your secondary mission is to help track down and arrest those who ordered the kidnapping of Dr. Remington Ipsen’s family and who we assume ordered the gas line at Dr. Annaka Sanchez’s residence to be rigged to explode.”
“Any ID’s on them yet, Shepherd?” Mother asked.
“The two men the Rangers took out at Dr. Ipsen’s residence were not the one’s pulling the strings. They have been identified as guns for hire. The FBI have files on them and their work. One of the men holding Dr. Ipsen’s family matched the drawing made from Dr. Sanchez’s description as one of the two assailants who kidnapped her on the evening of December twenty-fourth.”
Mother wasn’t happy that one of them was dead. Hopefully, they would find the other and take him alive. They needed answers and you couldn’t get answers from a dead man. He felt good about this mission though. He would actively be protecting Annaka as well as investigating and bringing down whoever was responsible for everything that had happened to her. He couldn’t wait to get to her and hold her in his arms. Staring at the screen, Mother realized the others had acknowledged Shepherd and were moving away from the monitor.
“Was there something else, Mother?” Shepherd asked, his piercing eyes staring right at him from the monitor.
“Yes, there is,” Mother said. “Annaka knows nothing about us, who we are, what we do. She thinks we are just a multi-agency task force. I’m sure she will have questions given the military involvement.”
Cooper and Lambchop halted where they were. They stepped back behind Mother so they could view Shepherd on the screen.
“You want permission to divulge our agency?” Shepherd asked.
“I’m not sure what I want permission for,” Mother said. “I’m not sure how deep
her questions will go. I won’t volunteer any information, but I want to know how much I can tell her. I see myself with this woman for a long time. I don’t want to lie to her if I don’t have to.”
“Tell her the minimum you can, to satisfy her questions without giving her our name or our purpose,” Shepherd said. “You know the drill. Enough of the team has been in your shoes and you’ve witnessed it.”
Mother nodded his head. “Thank you, Shep,” he acknowledged. Then the transmission cut.
“Come on,” Lambchop said. “The transport is just pulling up outside to take us to your girl. I know you are anxious to see her.”
“These three rooms were given to them,” the female Airman said, pointing at the doors. “I don’t know which she took. They also have access to the lounge. The chow hall is through there. You can all get a hot breakfast from now through nine hundred.”
