BLOOD RETRIBUTION

by Blake Hudson

  “She is low priority Knox, plus everyone thinks she’s dead. Leave her at your apartment. We have it under surveillance.” Carter said brashly as always.

  “Yes Sir, but…” Knox said but Carter cut him off.

  “See you at the NEST in one hour, Captain,” Carter said straight out before hanging up.

  “Who are you calling Sir… and why did I have to get rid of my phone but you got to keep yours?” The irritating Isabella nipped at Knox’s ear again.

  “Put your shoes on, it’s time to go…” Knox said as he tapped the phone in his hand as he thought.

  “Go…go where?” Isabella looked confused.

  “Gran Hotel Miramar…”

  Chapter Eleven

  Drive Two

  Outside the Gran Hotel Miramar, a white and blue Malaga city taxi pulled up. It was opened by the waiting doorman dressed in a full morning suit. Knox slipped the poor man ten euros, in this heat to be dressed like that all day, he sure as Hell wasn’t getting paid enough. Isabella followed Knox out on his side as he had instructed her to do. Knox helped Isabella out of the car as he tried to help keep her modesty, with such a short dress it wasn’t easy.

  They had slipped out the service entrance in the basement of his apartment block, much to Isabella’s disdain and complaint. Knox hadn’t wanted to be spotted leaving with Isabella by the surveillance van of T.I.7, or be tracked, so he left the smart phone and all his gadgets at the apartment. There was no reason, let alone evidence, to believe that Knox couldn’t trust his new team, but still, he didn't. Better to play it safe, after all, there was only one person he could trust… his Dani.

  Knox didn't know why he kept referring to her as his… well scrap that, yes, he did know why. Because not only did he want to make that statement concrete, but the thought of her belonging to anyone else made his blood boil and the veins on his neck bulge. In fact, just thinking about it now had him grind his teeth, something Isabella misplaced as concern for her safety no doubt.

  Knox knocked at Dani’s door. The hotel only had two penthouse suites and the other, on the Seaview side of the building, Knox knew was permanently occupied by actor Antonio Banderas, a Malaga born local hero. Dani opened her door and it was her turn to look shocked at the figure stood in her doorway.

  Knox as usual and out of habit took note of every curve before walking in followed by Isabella, who was wearing Knox’s suit jacket.

  “Well, just come on in make yourself at home,” Dani said exuding sarcasm, as she frowned when she saw Isabella in Knox’s jacket. Knox spotted the frown right away.

  “I didn’t want her being recognised and well, she did buy the suit anyway,” Knox quickly said.

  “And you walking around with two guns in a holsters blends right in? I have never seen a shirt let alone a suit bought on your credit card statements, so I assumed as much,” Dani said as she shut the door. Isabella looked at her in confusion as to why anyone would look over credit card statements, let alone ones that weren’t their own.

  “Been keeping tabs on me, have you, Dani?” Knox said as he smiled, secretly loving the idea that his little cyber geek was using her skills to watch over him. He then looked around the room as he always did when entering somewhere new. Checking layouts, exit points and potential dangers as standard.

  “Someone has to Lucas, who knows where you would end up left to your own devices,” Dani said taking her phone out of Isabella’s hand which she had rudely picked up.

  “Speaking of which, wasn’t I meeting you back at your apartment?” Dani rightfully asked as she put her phone on a side table.

  “Change of plan…” Knox said taking a moment to word things right.

  “You don’t say. I would never have guessed.” Dani’s tone pointing out the obvious seeing as they were both now in her hotel room.

  “Dani, you are the only one I can trust…” Knox started to say.

  “Oh, no don't pull that line on me Mr, I am not doing your babysitting,” Dani said jumping in, knowing full well what Knox was going to ask next.

  “I know she’s a pain in the arse but…” Knox said half laughing.

  “I am in the room!” protested Isabella.

  “Shush, Dani if there was any other option that was safe I promise you I would have taken it,” Knox said as he picked up his suit jacket off the back of the chair that Isabella had dumped it on.

  “How long are you going to be?” Dani asked, again giving in to Knox’s wishes and he couldn’t say how pleased it made him, having her obey in a way she didn’t even realise. Knox walked right up to her and grabbed both her arms as the strength of her actions nearly overwhelmed him.

  “Thank you just doesn’t seem enough but I will say it anyway, thank you, Dani.” Dani looked up at him and gave him a look that nearly had Knox doing something stupid…like kissing her.

  “I guess my debt is really racking up,” Knox said instead, winking at her and then heading to the door.

  “Too bloody right it's racking up, that dinner better be la carte!” Dani shouted as Knox left the room shutting the door behind him.

  “Lucas took me to a lovely hotel, well that was until it blew up,” Isabella said now lay on the bed flicking through TV channels, eating a packet of nuts out of the mini bar. Dani held her hands out behind Isabella’s back ready to strangle her.

  Pulling into the warehouse of T.I.7 in the Jaguar, Knox was greeted by Major Harris who had a look on his face that said one thing… ‘what have you been up to?’. Knox had taken a taxi back to his apartment, picked up his things and changed out of the suit before leaving in the Jag. The two guys in the surveillance van were certainly confused when they saw Knox arrive considering they hadn’t seen him leave.

  “As promised Sir, not a scratch,” Knox said as he tossed the famous logoed fob into Harris’ hands.

  “You just gained my trust there Knox, good man. Right the team is assembled ready for a briefing, ready for some action,” Harris said as he walked with Knox from the garage area into the NEST.

  “Action?” Knox said quietly to himself.

  “Glad you could finally join us, Captain. All the ladies keeping you busy?” Carter addressed Knox as soon as he entered the meeting area.

  The rest of the team nodded at Knox acknowledging him, other than Ellis. She had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

  “Tough job Sir, but I was up to the task. The Major tells me we have some action ahead, have we fresh intel?” Knox asked, thinking best to defect with a joke and move on to what he thought they were all here for.

  “Thanks to Captain Knox sending us intel through on Malcolm Howard, Gregory and Thomas tailed him to a meeting with a drug cartel boss,” Carter said as he clicked through text messages and photos on the display board. Gregory and Thomas stood looking pleased with themselves. Knox gave them the thumbs up which at first, they weren’t sure how to take, before looking even more pleased with themselves. Wow, thumbs up was all it took to make them forget he kicked both their arses, Knox thought with a smirk.

  “From that meeting, they obtained audio recording that a container loaded on a waggon is coming down from Madrid and will be heading to Malaga port," Carter explained before playing the audio recording to the team.

  “This, we believe, is the perfect opportunity to gain some major evidence on Howard.” Carter carried on after the audio had finished.

  “Do we know what the container is hauling, Sir?” Knox asked.

  “No, most likely it will be hard cash from drug sales,” Carter said as he looked around the room.

  “Captain Ellis will lead the team to take control of the container on route. Knox, you will join Ellis and her team,” Carter said before turning his back as an operative came in with a printout for his attention.

  “Sir, with respect. My team is tight and works well together. Do we really need an extra man on this?” Ellis piped up, taking a momentary break from chewing the wasp. />
  “I don’t see the problem Captain Ellis, am I missing something?” Carter turned to look at Ellis with a raised eyebrow.

  “Sir, a private word if I may?” Ellis replied.

  “No, Captain if you have an issue, spit it out.” Carter turned to Ellis, annoyed that she wanted to question his order to assign Knox to the tactical operation.

  “I don’t trust him, myself and my team haven’t operated with him before. I don’t want to be carrying dead weight, Sir,” Ellis said straight to the point.

  “Captain Knox is one of the finest soldiers you will ever have the pleasure to serve with. His record speaks for itself. There is no issue so I suggest you get on with the job at hand,” Carter said in a way that showed he wasn't interested in hearing any more on the matter.

  “Yes, Sir.” Ellis barked before walking away. Carter nodded at Knox to let him know he had his back, trusting him until Knox gave him any other reason not to. Then he turned to look back over the paperwork that came in for him.

  Knox left the briefing room and headed to kit up with the rest of the team, only to find Ellis waiting for him.

  “Knox, a word," Ellis called quietly, Knox walked over.

  “Sure thing Lass, I’m all ears,” Knox said with a cocky smile.

  “You may have Carter in your pocket, but if you put me or my team in any danger I will put you down and I won’t give it a second thought. Am I making myself clear?” Ellis said getting right up in Knox’s face.

  “I don’t have a problem with my hearing, Ellis," Knox replied and started to walk off. But his arm was grabbed back by an irate Ellis. Knox paused and looked at her hand gripping his arm. Mentally counting to ten Knox turned his head back to her.

  “I don’t know what your issue is Lass but if I were you I would let go of my arm. We fucked, you snared me, well done to you, so just forget about it, I have.” Knox looked Ellis in the eye as his voice dropped to a deep whisper.

  “What’s the holdup… why are you two not kitting up?” The calm voice of Harris sounded from behind them.

  “Captain Ellis is just welcoming me onto her team, Sir. No issue at all" replied Knox not taking his eyes of Ellis.

  “Is that right, Captain Ellis?” Harris questioned, Ellis took a few seconds before she answered.

  “Yeah, that’s right, just wishing him luck,” Ellis said through almost gritted teeth.

  “Yeah, what Captain?” Barked Harris, as he raised his normally calm voice.

  “Sorry Sir, I mean yes Sir…” Ellis replied bitterly.

  “Go get kitted up the both of you.” Harris wasn’t in the mood for any shit.

  Knox had lost count of how many times he had checked that his kit was fit for purpose and was more than ready to roll, like Ellis, Gregory and Thomas were. They all stood around the Defenders in the garage area of the warehouse, Carter and Harris walked in with purpose.

  “Listen up, target is on the move. GPS coordinates have been sent to your comms devices.” As Carter yelled the last part, everyone’s forearm beeped on mass as the communication device everyone was kitted out with flashed up.

  “Ellis, Gregory you are in Drive One, Knox, Thomas you are in Drive Two. Load up and roll. Major Harris will provide backup and assistance if needed in Drive Three. Good luck soldiers and come home safe,” Carter said rallying everyone into action as they got into their respective vehicles.

  “Hey mate, no hard feelings about the cheap shots in the van, yeah?" Thomas said to Knox as he fired up the V8 Defender’s engine.

  “No problem pal, never happened,” Knox said over the burble of the custom stainless-steel rich sounding exhaust’s note.

  Harris: Drive One take the lead, Drive Two follow.

  Ellis: Copy.

  Harris’ instruction and Ellis’ confirmation sounded over Knox’s intercom swiftly followed by Thomas’ as they all pulled away at speed in convoy.

  Thomas: Copy.

  “So, Knox you and Captain Ellis,” Thomas said with a cheeky grin.

  “Honestly Thomas, are you seriously going there?” Knox laughed shaking his head.

  “Oh, come on mate, you have got to give me some details,” Thomas said as he kept looking over.

  “Details on what, pal?” Knox acted innocent.

  “Come on you banged her right, you know details,” Thomas bold as brass and straight to the point.

  “I have been dreaming of that woman ever since I clapped eyes on her… what I wouldn’t…” Thomas said in a tone that was way too excited but then was cut off by the sound of the intercom.

  Harris: Drive Two.

  “That’s us mate,” Thomas said slapping Knox on the arm nodding his head for Knox to answer.

  Knox: Drive Two received over.

  Harris: Remind Thomas this is an open system. Fifteen minutes to target over.

  “Fuck, fuck it… fuck! Do you think she heard?" Thomas said to Knox holding one hand over his comms mic.

  “There is a slim chance she didn't if that helps." Knox slapped Thomas’ arm as he cracked up.

  “She will have my balls,” Thomas said as he grabbed his balls and looked at Knox, then they both burst out laughing.

  “Enjoy it pal, it may be the only time she touches them.” Knox couldn’t help but feel sorry for the poor bastard. Ellis was going to kill him.

  “So, Thomas, where did they recruit you from?” asked Knox.

  “I was selected for SBS and going through the training when I got called in to meet the Brig, and the rest was history. I never joined SBS and started in T.I.7 a week later,” Thomas said with a cheerfulness you couldn’t help but like.

  “Boss said you were working freelance, what made you jack it in for this?” Thomas said to Knox and he thought about his answer for a moment.

  “A friend. I need to know if he is still out there, that or nail the bastard that killed him,” Knox said turning more serious.

  Harris: Drive one and Drive Two target in sight. Engage.

  Knox turned to Thomas, cocked his assault rifle, and said,

  “Here we go.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Juggernaut

  Holding steady at the 57mph limited speed of the heavy goods vehicles, Knox and Thomas in the T.I.7 kitted out Land Rover Defender, watched the container truck from fifty or so metres back as they travelled downhill on the dual track A-44. The second T.I.7 Defender alongside them.

  Ellis: Drive One, engaging.

  The second Defender with Ellis and Gregory accelerated past Knox and Thomas just as the road declined that bit steeper. The bright red brake lights flashed up in front of them, the truck attempted to control its speed as the forty-five-ton thunder rolling mass of metal fought against gravity, where the canyon road led onto the first six-hundred-metre-long bridge that stood high, passing over the emerald green water in the reservoir below. Drive One was now alongside the truck, level with the trailer but still accelerating hard.

  Knox and Thomas itched to get in the action, both sat leant forward in their seats. Knox’s hand held himself up on the dashboard, and if Thomas leant any more forward on the steering wheel his nose would be pressed against the windscreen. Drive One held level now at the tractor unit of the big rig. His window wound down and Gregory’s arm was out. He waved at the driver to get his attention before motioning to slow and pull over.

  “That’s their plan, to ask the driver to pull over?” Knox said to Thomas who looked back at him with an ‘I can’t see the problem’ face as he shrugged his shoulders. Knox just shook his head.

  “What?” Thomas questioned.

  “You think they’re just going to….?” Knox said but stopped at the sound of gun fire.

  Drive One swung out to the left, shattered glass from the rear passenger window rained down on the road surface. Ping, chink, tap rapidly repeated over and over as the tiny glass pieces rolled up into the Defender’s wheel arches like stones on a gravel road. A second shot rang ou
t and what looked like a sawn-off shot gun fired out of the driver’s cab of the now snaking rig.

  Ellis: Taking fire, repeat taking fire. Permission to return.

  Harris: Granted return fire. Drive Two give support if needed.

  Ellis: Negative, no support needed.

  “Fuck sake, come on,” Knox shouted.

  Gregory fired short repeated bursts at the driver’s cab. The truck veered hard to the left almost clipping Drive One, before swinging back right. More shots were fired from the truck.

  Knox: Drive One, Drive Two ready to assist.

  Ellis: Negative Drive Two. Hold back. Drive One pulling forward prepare for a road block.