by J. M. LeDuc
Sin didn’t like lying to her friend, but she knew he would have never let her go alone.
Charlie nodded. “I figure I can keep whoever is tracking your chip on the run for four days. After that, they should be able to catch wind of the deception.”
Sin nodded. “Then let’s not waste any time. Can you fly me over to Honduras?”
“Yes, but I will need international clearance to land.”
“Not a problem, you won’t be landing.”
“So, I’m dropping you off midflight?”
Sin nodded and handed him a list of names. “When you get back from our flight, I want you to gather these people and tell them what’s going on.” Sin pointed to the bottom of the page. “In case something goes wrong, call this number.”
“Whose number is it?” Charlie asked.
“Someone I hope you never have to meet.”
28
Just before they reached the terminal point of the flight, Sin checked her gear one more time.
Charlie yelled her name over the engine noise and pointed to the controls. “Time to go.”
Sin pulled her goggles down over her eyes and gave thumbs up sign. She turned to get ready to jump when Charlie grabbed her by her jumpsuit. “If I don’t hear from you in four days, I’m coming back.”
Sin leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you, too.”
She opened the side door of the plane and felt the hot, humid air hit her like a wet blanket. Her sweat mixed with her anticipation and fear resulted in a near orgasmic adrenaline rush. A sly grin caressed her face as she jumped into the night sky. Sin drew both of her arms into her body to streamline her shape, tucked her chin into her chest, and shot through the blackened night like a missile. At an altitude of one thousand feet, she flared out her arms and legs, arched her back, and pulled the ripcord. It felt as if she had pulled the emergency brake at one hundred miles an hour. If she hadn’t known better, she would have sworn she stalled in midair. With the comforting sound of the chute opening, Sin grabbed hold of the toggle lines and steered free of any obstacles. At one hundred feet, she pulled straight down on the toggle handles and readied herself for an easy landing.
Once on the ground, Sin didn’t have to look long to know exactly where she was. Charlie had timed the drop zone perfectly for her to land on the outskirts of Choluteca, Honduras. The town, once rich from gold and other metals, was now just a poor, old, mining town known more as stopover in southern Honduras for people looking to cross over into Nicaragua.
Sin asked to be dropped in Choluteca because she had an old contact there.
Although she had lied to Charlie about contacting her mercenary unit, she hadn’t lied completely. She had contacted Manuel Juarez, a man with connections—legal and otherwise.
She reached Manuel’s place and saw a lone light bulb flickering on the porch. The light was her sign that she was clear to approach. With a final look both ways, Sin pulled her semiautomatic out of her holster and knocked on the door.
She heard squealing and a child’s footsteps just before the door opened wide. Sin quickly hid the gun as a fifteen-year-old, brown-eyed beauty leaped into her arms.
“Serena, don’t hurt our angel before she even has a chance to say hello.”
Sin knew the deep baritone voice belonged to Serena’s father, Manuel.
“Si, Papa,” Serena said.
She begrudgingly stopped hugging Sin, but held tight to her hand as she led her into their small home.
The home, though tiny by U.S. standards, was warm and had a peace about it. A peace that didn’t exist a few years earlier.
During Sin’s last mission in Nicaragua, the mission in which she captured Veloz, she had rescued Serena from the skin smugglers and returned her to her distraught father. Manuel had lost his wife to dysentery and Serena was his entire life. He tried to give Sin money, the little he had, but she refused. He swore his life to her and promised to be there for her if she ever needed anything.
It was time to pay the debt.
Manuel explained that Serena had been up all night waiting for her ‘angel.’ Sin spent the next two hours talking to the young girl about all the things young girls don’t feel comfortable talking to their fathers about. By the time Serena was talked out, she was exhausted, and fell asleep in Sin’s arms. Once she was tucked in, Sin made her way to the small kitchen. The smell of coffee and tobacco helped energize her. Two cups of dark, muddy coffee and three hand-rolled Honduran cigarettes later, Sin was ready to run laps.
“So tell me, Angel,” Manuel said, “what can I do for you?”
“Did you get what I asked for?”
“Si, a motorcycle. It isn’t much, but it is the best I could do.”
He led her out back and pulled a tarp off of an old Honda 250 Enduro Dirt Bike―built for rough terrain―perfect for where Sin needed to go.
Sin squatted beside it and began to check out the bike.
“I know it doesn’t look like much, but I assure you it is in good running condition and will get you to Puerto Cabezas without any problems.”
Sin nodded and stood up.
“Now, Angel, you will come back inside and have something to eat before you leave, and maybe,” Manuel stared at Sin with penetrating black eyes, “you will tell me why you have come.”
Sin ate some homemade bread and fresh eggs from Manuel’s chickens and told him that Veloz was free and living in Puerto Cabezas.
He was stunned.
“Angel, you must be mistaken. We were told that he was put to death for his crimes. You, yourself, captured the devil.”
“I know, it came to a shock to me also, but it is true. The devil lives.”
Manuel shook with nerves. His shirt began to show patches of sweat.
“Manuel, look at me,” Sin whispered.
He continued to stare off in the direction of his daughter’s room.
“Manuel.”
His eyes cut to Sin.
“I promise you that he will never know who helped me.”
Manuel nodded, but he didn’t seem any more reassured than a moment ago.
“And I promise you, he will never harm you or Serena ever again.”
Manuel left the room and came back with an engraved box. “I made this for you after you left. I promised that if I ever saw you again I would give it to you.” He held the box at arms’ length.
Sin took it and sat down. She ran her hands over the intricate engraving of an angel surrounded by little girls. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed. “Thank you.”
“Open it,” Manuel gestured.
Sin opened the hinged lid and removed a piece of white cloth. What was inside took her breath away. She reached in and removed a pearl handled Balisong or butterfly knife. She held it by the safe handle and flipped open the blade. With her free hand, she ran her fingers over the side edge of the blade. It was so sharp, Sin knew it would cut through whatever she needed with ease. She put her free hand down and with a series of wrist flips, Sin put the Balisong through its paces. She flipped it open and closed, spun it, and changed it from one hand to another with blinding speed and dexterity.
With a final flick of her wrist, she closed it and gripped it in her fist. “It’s beautiful, but I can’t accept it. It must have cost you a fortune.”
Manuel closed his hand over hers. “You gave me back my daughter. There is no price I can ever put on that.” Sin swallowed hard, holding back her emotions. “Promise me one thing,” Manuel said through clenched teeth, tears running down his cheeks. “Promise me you will use it to end Veloz’s reign of terror.”
Sin placed the Balisong in the back pocket of her black jeans. “You have my word, Manuel. He will never hurt anyone again.”
By daybreak, Sin had made it across the border into Nicaragua. By her estimation, she still had another six hours to ride before she reached the Condominio Elegante in the port town of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. The key was to stay unnoticed until she wanted to be no
ticed.
Sin stayed to rutted, dirt roads and kept her speed down as she passed through the towns and villages in southern Nicaragua.
By the time she stopped for dinner in a small cantina on the outskirts of the city known to be loyal to Veloz, it was raining. Nothing unusual for this part of the world. In a local café, she enjoyed a bowl of Gallo Pinto—a Nicaraguan staple made from a mixture of fried rice, onion, sweet pepper, red beans, and garlic; all mixed and fried together. She noticed a young boy who kept staring at her while she ate. The boy seemed tentative—bordering on scared.
She knew she had made her presence known.
Sin sat back and drank her coffee, purposely let her jacket fall to the side allowing the boy the chance to get a peek at her pearl-handled semiautomatic. She burned a stare through the boy as his eyes and mouth opened wide. He gathered her plate with trembling hands and skittered his way towards the kitchen, practically tripping over his own feet.
Sin relaxed, rolled a cigarette, and lit it. Inhaling, she thought, the boy will get word to Veloz that I’m here. Instead of getting nervous, Sin smiled. Game’s on. Let’s see who chokes first.
29
Sin crouched low in an alley in front of the Condominio Elegante. From this vantage point, she was able to see Veloz’s security force—three guards by the front doors, one on each side of the condo, and two undercover. She could tell that only the two undercover were true guerrillas. The others were hired locals. Sin watched the activity of the two ‘soldiers.’ One was a cigar roller who had his stand across the street from the port and the other was a cab driver standing outside of his cab. Their footwear and posture gave them away. Most people here were dressed in a Caribbean style complete with flip-flops and their stance was relaxed, bordering on lazy; they were wearing combat boots, their shoulders were square, and their heads were held high.
From her peripheral vision, she saw the young boy from the cantina run towards the front door of the hotel yelling, “La Perla Angel de la Muerte está aquí!”
The Pearl Angel of Death is here!
The Pearl Angel of Death was the moniker Sin had acquired as a mercenary due to her affinity towards pearl-handled weapons.
Twenty minutes later, the front doors of the hotel opened. The boy was escorted out by one of Veloz’s men.
It would only be a matter of minutes before Veloz’s guerillas began to search the area.
Due to the destruction of Hurricane Felix back in 2007, the Condominio Elegante was considered unstable and was targeted to be knocked down in order for a new condominium to be built. Sin was going to use that to her advantage. It allowed for a lot of hiding spots. It was close to seven p.m. and the streets were fairly busy. Because of the rain, most people were under cover of an umbrella.
Sin entered a small shop and bought the largest umbrella she could find. Once again outside, she opened it and kept it low to her head. Although she wanted Veloz to know she was near, concealment was everything.
This had been the biggest point of contention between her and Charlie when she devised the plan of attack. He didn’t understand why she would want to give Veloz any warning.
She recalled her conversation with Charlie.
“I need his men to scramble,” she had told him. “Most of the men Veloz uses are locals without any military training. The last time I faced Veloz, these men were sent out on the perimeter to search―they are dispensable. Most just ran. I expect the same thing to happen when they find out I’m gunning for Veloz.”
“But you’ll also be alerting his elite force,” Charlie retaliated. “That’s a big gamble.”
“Not as big as you think. Veloz is very leery to let people close to him. He uses a very small security force outside of the locals. My men and I can handle them.”
Sin stood outside the shop and looked down the street at the condominium. As busy as this city is, there is very little foot traffic near the building, she noticed. Makes sense since it has been deemed unlivable. But she still had the professionals to deal with. She figured she had two choices. Go after them and possibly get a civilian caught in the crossfire or go straight for Veloz and deal with the men when they came to his protection. She opted for number two.
30
Late that night, she made her way to the back of the condominium. This was the side facing the water and where Felix had done most of its damage. Having been born and raised in the Florida Keys, Sin knew hurricane damage when she saw it. There was a white, hazy line that went up to the third floor of the building―salt left over from the storm surge.
This matched Charlie’s reconnaissance which said that the first three floors were at total wash out. She also knew from Charlie’s reconnaissance which room Veloz was in. The condo was a seven story structure with balconies on all of the units. The only thing behind the building was the Caribbean ocean.
She didn’t see any security. Everyone must have retreated inside, Sin thought.
Sin pulled the layout of the condominium out and gave it one last look before proceeding. She headed to an exit on the northeast corner of the building. Inside that door was a utility room that led to the lobby. She pulled her weapon and made her way to the entrance. The door’s hinges were busted and it was ajar.
Looters after the storm, Sin thought.
She removed her backpack and hugged the rough cement of the building to make entry easier. Sin reached in the pack and felt her gun belt and her Colt 45s. She felt a calming effect just touching the cold steel of the barrel. As much as she wanted to strap on her holster, she knew this wasn’t the time. She released the steel and grabbed her night-vision goggles. Sliding them over her head, she wedged her body through the opening, trying to make as little noise as possible.
Sin stepped inside the building and slung her pack back on as she surveyed the scene. She could see why it had been condemned. There was nothing salvageable. The only thing in the room was sand, mildew, and a few errant crabs.
With stealth-like movements, she made her way to the door which led to the lobby. She pressed her ear to the door and listened for voices. She heard two.
Time to bring the pigs to slaughter.
She went back to the exterior door and shoved it open, hoping that the rusted hinges would be heard from the lobby. She quickly positioned herself behind a support post and waited.
She was close enough to the hallway entrance that she could hear the guards’ conversation. She translated it to English in her head.
“Should we notify Veloz?” one said.
“No,” said the other. “You know how he hates to be disturbed at night. It’s probably just a bum looking to get out of the rain.”
“But what if it is the Angel?”
Sin heard the slide of a semiautomatic weapon snap shut.
“This is why we get paid. The last time we alerted him for nothing, he docked our pay.”
“You first.”
Sin crouched low in wait. She did not want to use her semi-automatic—at least not on the first guard. Even with a suppressor, there was still an audible noise.
She watched as the door creaked open and the muzzle of a gun poked through.
Her heart rate increased and a cool sweat began to appear on the back of her neck—an adrenaline spike.
Go time.
She lived for these moments.
The first guard slid in and hugged the wall to the left of the door. The second quickly followed and hugged the right side. The first―the one seemingly in charge—waved the other on. They stayed low and traced the perimeter of the room.
“If you are looking for a dry place to spend the night,” he yelled to no one in particular, “you are in the wrong building. Leave now and you will not get hurt.”
Sin listened to his bravado, but her eyes were on the other man―the less sure one. She eased her pistol into the waistband of her jeans and pulled her straight-razor from her pocket. With a silent flip of her wrist, she opened the blade.
She picked up a sm
all rock and threw it at the open emergency door. The ping sound did not go unnoticed. The guard in charge told the other to stop moving. He then waited for any other sounds while he scanned the room with his weapon. “Go see if you can find the bum outside,” he said.
“You go see,” the other said in a shaky voice. “If not, I’m calling Veloz.” He held his phone in his free hand.
“Don’t call,” the first said. “I need this money. I will go check.”
Sin waited until the first guard made his way through the open door.
The second guard was timid in his movements. He put his phone in his pocket and slowly walked close to the support post she hid behind.
She heard him mumble something about the first guard being an asshole and then he leaned his back against the post. She heard the sound of a match strike and the smell of the sulfur drifted toward her, followed by the odor of lit tobacco.
Big mistake, she thought, he needs two hands to strike a match.
It would be the last thing he would ever do.
Sin slit his throat before he could exhale his first puff. Blood and smoke oozed from the gaping slice in his throat.
She ran to the open lobby door but had second thoughts. Instead, she hit the dirt and lay prone, gun extended and aimed at the back door. She heard the first guard before she saw him. He was complaining about finding no one as his shadow filled the door frame.
One shot to the forehead was all it took.
Sin dragged his body into the room and shut the back door as best she could before making her way into the lobby.
From there, she found the back stairwell, the one furthest from Veloz’s room. She figured most of the guards would be stationed as close to Veloz as possible.
Thankfully, she was right. She made it to the fourth floor before running into any resistance.
As she had on the previous three floors, she waited by the floor leading into the hallway. On the first three, she had heard no one and quickly secured the floor, before heading to the next.
