THE ALEX FLETCHER BOXSET: Books 1-5

by Steven Konkoly

  “I know, and the 4th Brigade CO agrees. We’re waiting for heads to cool down over in the Green Zone before we try to talk some sense into them. People might have to live with the curfews and restricted hours, even the unconstitutional searches. Our goal is to stop the insanity there.”

  “What if Medina won’t listen?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  “Better not let Eli cross it first. He’ll be back in business within the week if you start taking the guns away. The entire state will turn against the RRZ,” said Alex. “How the fuck don’t they see that?”

  “You’re preaching to the choir,” said Grady.

  “What about Harrison Campbell’s folks? I can’t envision this playing out well for them.”

  “You need to give him a heads-up. All known or suspected militia types within the Security Area have been designated as high threat. The York County Readiness Brigade was mentioned by name. They’ll be at the top of the gun confiscation list if the measure is approved. I wouldn’t be surprised if the RRZ issued a detention order.”

  Alex stood up. “Damn it. I feel like an asshole for getting his people into this.”

  “They would have been targeted anyway. If anything, your short collaboration with the brigade will help the situation. Harrison’s folks did some good work on the RRZ’s behalf. That gives me leverage to keep them from being treated like criminals. That said, they might have to hang up their guns for a while, or at least keep them out of sight if we pay them a visit. I need you to explain this to him. I’ll do everything in my power to protect them, but I need them to play along when the time comes.”

  “I’ll pass this along, but you need to sit down with Harrison and work this out, sir. Passing along good intentions isn’t the same as directly shaking on them,” said Alex.

  “I copy you loud and clear on that. Ask Motor-T for a clean vehicle to visit Campbell.”

  “I’m sure Campbell won’t mind a little mud,” said Alex.

  “Clean, as in we’ve disabled the tracking devices. They’re watching us closely. Leave your ROTACs behind and don’t activate the vehicle data system. Use the VHF if you have to pass traffic,” said Grady.

  Alex smiled for the first time since he woke up. The fact that Grady was finding ways around the RRZ system gave him hope that he wouldn’t leave Campbell at the mercy of the government. It also left him with the distinct impression that Grady was more interested in honoring his Oath of Office than playing federal shell games with the people’s constitutional liberties. He distinctly remembered raising his right hand at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis and swearing to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

  “I’ll be back shortly,” said Alex, moving a chair out of his way.

  “You should stick around. We’re patched into the 4th Brigade’s radio feed for the raid. Time on target is zero-seven-twenty. Twenty-one minutes from now.”

  “He won’t be there,” said Alex, shaking his head.

  “Never know,” said Grady.

  “I know.”

  Chapter 41

  EVENT +21 Days

  Sanford, Maine

  Alex met with Harrison Campbell at the edge of the forest leading into the property, under the watchful eyes of several heavily armed men and women. He sensed something was different. Campbell’s people looked tense.

  “Keeler, why don’t you head down the road about three hundred meters, until you’re out of sight.”

  “Copy, sir. We’ll point the Matvee in your direction in case you need a quick extract,” he replied, over the intrasquad radio.

  “I appreciate that. The reception is looking a little frosty. Out,” said Alex, turning to Campbell.

  “Frosty?” said Harrison, extending a hand. “No, cautious. Glad to see you in one piece. I talked with your dad a little earlier on the HAM.”

  “Eli really outdid himself this time. He threw close to a hundred of his people to the wolves, including inmates from the correctional facility. Most of the cars were rigged with explosives. Some were remote detonated, still containing the occupants.”

  “We knew something big was going down. Sounded like the Battle of Gettysburg toward the airport. What about the compound?”

  “He sent a total of seven cars, in two waves, at the compound. None of them got past the checkpoint at the turnoff. The second wave sped down Old Middle Road like nothing happened to the first wave.”

  Campbell shook his head. “All to get at your sorry ass?”

  “Apparently. He buried two roadside bombs in downtown Limerick. My vehicle was hit by the smaller of the two,” said Alex.

  “Two in one place?”

  “He wasn’t taking any chances that I might return with a second vehicle. This was a well-planned attack. I’m worried it’s not his last.”

  “Well, he can’t have much of an army left,” said Campbell.

  “It only takes one person to press a button. Who knows how many IEDs he has planted around southern Maine?” said Alex.

  “You should be fine driving around in one of those things,” he said, nodding toward the Matvee disappearing behind a stand of trees down the road.

  “I might not be driving in one for very long. The RRZ is making some changes after the attack.”

  “This doesn’t sound good,” Campbell said, stepping into the sun. “Should we take a walk?”

  “Probably a good idea.”

  When they were far enough away not to be overheard, Alex explained the full situation. Campbell listened impassively, showing little response to his revelation. When Alex finished, he stopped walking and rubbed his face, exhaling hard.

  “You really trust Grady?”

  Alex nodded. “I trust him to do the right thing with his battalion. Unfortunately, the RRZ has another five thousand soldiers at their disposal. It sounds like the 4th Brigade commanding officer is on the same page as Grady, but I don’t know where his loyalties will fall if the RRZ doesn’t bend on this.”

  “We’re not giving up our guns, Alex. You know that.”

  “I wouldn’t expect you to, but I’m sure you can work something out with Colonel Grady if he’s required to pay a visit, especially if any RRZ observers tag along.”

  “They have no right to pay us a visit,” said Campbell, crossing his arms over his rifle-magazine-laden vest.

  “Harrison, don’t be a stubborn ass. Work with him on this. Bury the damn rifles for an hour when he comes to inspect, or whatever he’s required to do.”

  “This is going to be a tough sell. Disarm while the government walks through the camp armed to the teeth? You see the problem, right?”

  “Very clearly. I also know the RRZ has designated your organization as high threat. You’re one classification level away from a direct action raid. I watched eight fully loaded helicopters head north to Eli’s compound. You don’t want that kind of visit. Sit down with Grady and hash this out,” said Alex, raising his voice.

  “Most of us feel more comfortable working with you,” said Campbell.

  “Well, I can’t make any promises that will amount to anything. Grady has a battalion of Marines that’ll follow him through the gates of Hell. He’s your man moving forward.”

  “I think you’re making a mistake taking off. You’re more than welcome here. It’ll be a bitch of a winter, but we’ll come out on top,” said Campbell.

  “The offer is tempting, Harrison. Thank you,” said Alex. “But I’m not so optimistic about the bigger picture. I think it’s time for a change of scenery.”

  “Northern Maine is a change of scenery. I have a feeling you’re headed for a bigger change. Will we see you again?”

  “Probably not,” Alex said, holding his hand out.

  Campbell took his hand and surprised him with a quick bear hug.

  “Good luck out there. Stay safe.”

  “I will, and you do the same. I wouldn’t be surprised if
Eli turned his full attention to the York County Readiness Brigade. Frankly, I’m amazed he left you out of this morning’s festivities.”

  “Funny you mention that. We had a guy go missing last night. He took off around eight to check on his mom and never returned. At first we figured he had second thoughts about the brigade and split, but maybe he ran into Eli’s crew on the road last night.”

  “Second thoughts? Was he new?”

  “Yeah, he was one of the guys that joined through the recruiting station. He drove up with us to Belgrade. Skinny-looking guy with a buzz cut. Local kid. Rob Duhaime.”

  “I remember him. Knew his way around a rifle. He had one of your cars?”

  “No. He had his own car. That’s why we brought him along for the trip to Belgrade. Rob’s pickup was the only vehicle with a tow hitch for your trailer. Not all of the brigade was keen on driving your friends up north.”

  “I’ll pass a description of his vehicle to the police and our battalion operations staff. They can keep an eye out for his truck. If he ran into Eli’s group somehow, he’s probably dead on the side of the road,” said Alex. “Silver pickup. Do you remember the make and model?”

  “Nissan Frontier.”

  “If the Nissan returns, make sure Duhaime’s driving. Never know,” said Alex.

  “Way ahead of you. We planned on searching it thoroughly, regardless of who’s driving.”

  “Take care, Harrison. I hope our paths cross again.”

  “Same here, Captain Fletcher.”

  Alex walked across the tall grass field connecting with the dirt road leading to the gate. He pressed the remote transmit button on his vest and recalled the Matvee, which raced out of the tree line to meet him on the road. Looking over his shoulder at Campbell’s property, he tried to picture what would have happened if Eli had concentrated his attack on the York County Readiness Brigade headquarters. A hundred men armed with rifles and explosives-laden vehicles could have punched through the defenses fairly easily unless Campbell had a few surprises he hadn’t disclosed.

  He wondered if the Marines back in Limerick would notice if the thirty-caliber machine gun disappeared. Maybe another trip to see Campbell was in the very near future, bearing a proper farewell gift. As one thought triggered another, he settled on the silver pickup truck, imagining one of Eli’s unwitting followers driving it toward Campbell’s people in the woods. Something bothered him about the mental image. He kept picturing Duhaime behind the wheel. Duhaime. The twenty-three-year-old kid that knew his way around an AR-15—and happened to own a brand-new pickup truck.

  “Oh, shit,” he muttered, sprinting behind the Matvee to the passenger side.

  He jumped in and slammed the door shut.

  “Is this set to Patriot?” he asked, grabbing the VHF handset.

  “Yes, sir. Is everything all right?” said Keeler.

  “Hold on, Sergeant,” he said, triggering the radio. “Patriot, this is Guardian Actual. Over.”

  Static filled the Matvee for several moments.

  “Patriot, this is Guardian Actual. Over,” he said, releasing the transmit button. “Where the fuck are they! Allen, get us moving. RTB. Don’t stop for anything.”

  The Matvee lurched forward as the radio speaker crackled. “This is Patriot Three,” replied Major Blackmun.

  “Ops, have they started identifying the suspects from this morning’s attack?”

  “They’ve identified three of the five prisoners. Not sure about the rest. They’re still trying to get the vehicle wreckage off the runway.”

  “Copy. Any chance one of those vehicles is a silver Nissan pickup truck?”

  “Wait one. I need to call 4th Brigade. They’re collecting all of this information.”

  “Standing by,” said Alex.

  Sergeant Keeler leaned between the driver and passenger seat. “Anything we need to be worrying about, sir?”

  “Get Peterson out of the turret. Make sure everyone is strapped in tight,” said Alex, fumbling with his harness while trying to hold onto the radio handset.

  “Gunner stays in the turret, sir,” said Keeler.

  “You can’t shoot an IED. Get him down now. I’m not having a repeat of this morning.”

  “Roger that, sir,” Keeler said, pulling PFC Peterson down through the hatch.

  “This is Patriot Three,” Blackmun’s voice said over the radio. “Good guess on the pickup. We have a silver Nissan Frontier with Maine plates sitting in the grass between the main runway and the outer taxiway.”

  “Was the vehicle rigged with explosives like the rest?”

  “Affirmative.”

  Alex froze for a moment, terrified by the possible implications.

  “Did they find all of the occupants? I’m looking for someone specific,” said Alex.

  “Three dead inside the vehicle. A fourth cut down about twenty feet away. 4th Brigade sent me a list of names they’ve collected. What’s the name?”

  “Rob Duhaime,” Alex said, his heart pounding.

  “Bingo—two for two. Robert Duhaime. Source of ID is a Maine driver’s license. Age twenty-three. Springvale address. Right up the road.”

  Shit. Eli knew about the Belgrade house, and Alex had no way to warn Charlie and Ed.

  Eli wouldn’t head up to Belgrade alone, not after his spectacular failure at the Limerick compound. He’d head to a predetermined rally point and link up with whatever remained of his militia army. If Alex acted quickly enough, he might be able to nail Eli before they left the rally point. Someone had to know where he was headed. Alex started thinking about possible links to Eli, starting with the most obvious.

  “The ranger at Outland One mentioned a guy they captured by the police cruiser. Can you read the names of the prisoners?”

  “Pinette, McCulver and Bowen. Two unknowns,” said Blackmun.

  “What was the middle name?” said Alex.

  “McCulver. Kevin McCulver. There’s a note attached to his name. Rangers picked him up by the police cruiser at the far end of the runway. Says the driver had chased him around the car, trying to kill him with a suppressed pistol.”

  They have Eli’s bomb guy.

  “Interesting. Which unit is running the detention center?”

  “262nd Engineering,” said Blackmun.

  “Copy. Striker Two-Two is inbound. ETA five minutes. Out,” said Alex, pulling the vehicle commander’s data tablet out of the docking station attached to the dashboard.

  “Sergeant Keeler, can I use this thing offline?”

  “Yes, sir. Select ‘local mode’ on the first screen.”

  After following the sergeant’s directions, he chose “navigation tools” from a list of offline applications and opened a map of Maine. By the time they reached MOB Sanford, he had a plan. A desperate plan with no guarantees outside of the fact that September 8th, 2019, would most likely be his last day in Maine.

  Chapter 42

  EVENT +21 Days

  Main Operating Base “Sanford”

  Regional Recovery Zone 1

  Alex grabbed his rifle and turned to Sergeant Keeler in the back seat. “If anybody asks, I’m trying to get a little more information about the two unidentified prisoners. One of them might be this Duhaime guy.”

  “If anybody asks,” said Keeler.

  “If being the operative term,” Alex said, closing the door.

  He walked through the dusty parking lot, slipping between a pair of Humvees parked in front of a corrugated steel hangar. A handwritten sign was taped to the inside of the glass door leading into the building that read “262nd Engineering.” A gray-haired, slightly overweight soldier typing at a laptop greeted Alex inside, barely looking up from his work.

  “How can I help you, sir?”

  “I’m here to see Captain Adler,” said Alex, looking at the empty computer stations spread throughout the sparse office. “Where did everyone go?”

  “All hands on deck reinforcing the RRZ compound. Captain Adler’s across the tarm
ac, trying to unscrew that situation. They want Jersey barriers around the whole thing. Both sides of the fence.”

  “Where’s the good captain going to find that much concrete?”

  “Where else? The perimeter checkpoints. RRZ’s orders,” said the soldier. “Robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

  “Perfect.”

  “I’m sure we can expect even brighter decisions in the future. Do you want me to contact the captain, sir?”

  “Yes. I need to see one of the prisoners.”

  “You can see them right on this monitor, if you’d like,” said the staff sergeant, pointing to the laptop next to him on the desk.

  Alex walked behind the desk and examined the green image. Five men sat next to each other along a wall, hands behind their backs.

  “Where are they?”

  “Locked inside a storage container at the back of the hangar. We had them under guard in the open until Captain Adler mobilized the company.”

  “Why do they have engineers watching prisoners?”

  “The RRZ didn’t want the rangers watching them, or any of the Marines. My guess is they’ll be transferred over to 4th Brigade. There was some talk of building a fenced-in area past the main runway for detainees. Some kind of tent city setup.”

  “Sounds like they’re expecting more guests,” said Alex, turning from the screen to the soldier. “I can’t make an ID with this night-vision image. I need to see them in person.”

  “I’ll have to clear that with the captain. The RRZ threw a fit when they found out the ranger guys went to town on the prisoners,” he said, grabbing his ROTAC.

  “Sounds like they got solid intel on the group responsible for the raid.”

  “Old intel. The place was empty,” he said, raising the handheld radio. “Sir, I have a Marine captain here requesting to see the prisoners. He needs to make an ID, and the night-vision camera view isn’t cutting it.”

  The staff sergeant looked up. “He wants to know if it can wait, sir?”

  “The prisoner I’m trying to locate may be able to shed some light on Eli Russell’s location,” he said, staring at the screen while the staff sergeant relayed his response.