by Gennita Low
“You’ll do as you’re told, or have you forgotten your family is also under our surveillance?”
His eyes shot open. He could feel his heart rate increase. He made his voice softer. “Don’t hurt them, please. Look, I’ve done everything you’ve told me. I can only count on my SEAL buddy. The other three, they’re fucking mercenaries, so their loyalties aren’t exactly their best trait. They’ll just go along with the terrorists, collect the money, and cut and run.”
“This is laughable. Your loyalty? You have no loyalty right now.”
He could cry at his loss. This was his life and he’d really, really messed up. All he could do now was make sure his wife and baby would live. One of them was going to kill him in the end—these fuckers, the terrorists, the MacKenzies. It didn’t matter which side. He was surrounded.
“Look, Vadim, I know I’m nothing to you,” he placated, “but if you want me to find where they’re hiding our scientists, at least let me in on the details. I’ve done as we were ordered but look what happened when you didn’t give us enough information to make sure everything went your way. We lured both of them while they were meeting here for Petrovich, after seeking permission with these militants to use their territory. But because you didn’t tell me about Petrovich’s death, they’ve now changed the game plan and fucking moved the prisoners from under our noses. They know their way around the forests here more than we do. The five of us are searching like blind men looking for a needle. Asking the locals questions has been a delicate operation. And even if we do locate them, I repeat, how are we going to stop this missile?”
“We do not care about the missile.”
His mind went silent as he grasped the reality of what was happening—could happen in a matter of days. “Fuck, man, we can’t just let them fire it towards the assembly. Hundreds of people might be killed!”
“That isn’t your business. Your job now is to find their fucking hiding hole and get our scientists back. Your job wasn’t supposed to lose them in the first place.”
“My job was done! We were to hold on to the hostages until Petrovich flew over with the money. It’s all a SNAFU right now, what with angry militants, a missile crisis, and no money for the mercs, whom you hired, might I add. I have my hands full trying to convince everyone to follow orders as it is. I know the MacKenzies. They aren’t just going to sit home and cry. They have plans and if they aren’t implemented by now, they are being implemented. It’s just a matter of time before they find out who else besides Holland you have in your pocket, Vadim.”
“You’re bold. Petrovich would never let you talk back to him like this. Are you questioning my judgment?”
“No, Sir. I’m trying to explain to you the direness of the situation. I’m just waiting for your next instructions.” He tried very hard to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. At this point, his patience was hanging on by a thread. “Like I said before, asking the villagers too many questions will raise suspicions, even in a tourist area this side of the boonies.”
“All right. I’ll give you some information since you’re working against the clock,” Vadim conceded. “The militants have contacted the US government demanding ransom for the hostages. I’m sure there are other stipulations, but they’re of no interest to me. They’ve threatened to shoot a rocket right into the heart of the Interpol Assembly if their terms aren’t met. So, as the usual protocol goes, they’ll be sending an intermediary to negotiate stupid, but necessary, details such as where, when, and how the exchange will be made. I suggest you look for that person asking the same questions you have at your end and follow him. That would lead you to our scientists. Eliminate the intermediary once the exchange has been made and get the prisoners back in your hands. Contact me then.”
“Wait. Now you want me to look for some intermediary the government has sent? I don’t even have a face or name now! Where do I fucking start?”
“That is your problem. You know the consequences, Mark. Do this and you can take your little family and disappear.”
He knew fucking well Vadim and his gang of moles weren’t going to just let him disappear. He was prepared to die, but first he had to take care of a few things to ensure his family was safe. He couldn’t save himself, not now, not after he’d realized his actions had gotten Mary MacKenzie murdered, but he’d do everything in his power to protect his wife and baby.
“And the missile?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“That isn’t your problem. We’re only interested in the two scientists. Get them and let the terrorists fight over the cash the CIA’s prepared to pay. It’s even better since we don’t have to spend a single dime and everyone will blame the Abu Sayyeh gang for the fallout. We’ve already paid for everything you’ve requested—cash, the boat, the ammo. What kind of SEALs lose their prisoners? That rocket on their little island is the CIA’s problem. We’re just lucky we decided not to keep the scientists there, like they suggested. Now, get them before they’re moved to that island. Are we clear so far?”
“Crystal,” Mark replied, bitterly. The lives of hundreds on his conscience, that was what was clear. His local contacts helping him to get directions to the forbidden territories better be good. “I’ll contact you when I have the scientists.”
He ended the call and walked to his vehicle, which he’d just filled with supplies for the team. Team Fucked-Up, that was what they were. He felt alone and lost. And angry at Holland. He didn’t know what had happened back in the States but that phone call from Justin had put him in full panic mode. Holland had somehow gotten Petrovich into the compound and helped kidnap Mrs. MacKenzie. Perhaps the stupid asshole didn’t know she would be killed, but still. They were in this sorry state because of their families’ lives being threatened, but he hoped he’d have drawn the line at killing MacKenzie women or children.
Mark smashed his fist hard against the car, denting the hood. He couldn’t stand here like a fool full of regrets now. He’d do what he must do. First, he had to make a quick call to his cousin and hope he’d keep his promise from long ago to protect Shelly if he didn’t make it. He didn’t want to say goodbye to his wife. Her phone might be monitored by those bastards. After that, he’d deliver the bad news to the others and see if he could convince the mercs to hang on for one more op.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Kirk, I think we should wait until we see Gasi tonight before tracking in there,” Surya said. “Besides, I’m hungry.”
Kirk looked down the dusty path leading into the rain forest. It was well-used by the locals and the two they’d just interviewed assured him many tourists trekked down it too. There was a small flourishing open-air market and, although it was late in the day, a few stands were open, attracting some tourists who had opted to take a walk in the cooler hours.
Watching Surya questioning them had been a revelation too. She’d wiped off her lipstick and taken off her earrings. She’d buttoned up her shirt. Hell, she’d even changed her walk, putting a little distance between them. It was fascinating how she’d morphed into someone else before his eyes. Her voice was soft and lyrical as she spoke in Melayu to the two villagers, making them laugh with a line here and there. She had an easy smile on her face as she interpreted his questions in between her chatter. He could tell she was taking time loosening them up, telling them some kind of story until their faces became more animated and their demeanor turned more familiar. GEM contractors had a great reputation for working within foreign countries and were often an integral part of the social teams in organizations such as the World Health Organization and Doctors Without Borders. He wondered about her background, because she looked so natural in this setting.
“Why buy supplies here?” Kirk asked, frowning. “I understand it won’t catch anyone’s attention when two or three Caucasians shop around and walk in and out of the woods and all, but it’s still odd. Why don’t the terrorists send their own people to get supplies? Surely they would look even less conspicuous, hauling that much food?�
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“Good question. It’s a good tactic, though. While they are negotiating to release the prisoners, the mercenaries guard the hostages somewhere no one expected,” Surya said. “Sort of distracting the enemy—rocket in one place, hostages another, negotiation, another.”
He mulled that over for a few seconds. It did make good strategic sense. If Surya’s theory was correct, he would have to tell Dec to coordinate at least two groups of SEALs for the operations ahead. How else could they track the whereabouts of the missile and rescue the scientists when they were at different locations? He would be busy in the middle of negotiating with the kidnappers and if they proved to be as cutthroat as their reputation, they’d be signaling to dump the dead scientists somewhere while pretending to agree with him about the terms and monetary exchange. Somehow, he must improve the odds of getting to the scientists while they were alive. The only way to do this was to do some tracking. He hoped this friend of Surya—Gasi—was as good as she said.
“Agreed,” he said. “I need to talk to my operations chief as well as Dec first anyway. They need to track our location.”
Surya tapped his water bottle. “Done. Duh. Did you forget we brought some toys?”
Kirk smiled. “I didn’t, but I prefer talk before action in this case because so many people are involved.”
Surya cocked her head. “Hopefully you have more action in mind later.” She gave him a sweet smile and added, “Although talking can be fun. Like foreplay.”
“I heard jungle sex is fun,” he bantered.
Surya shuddered. “That is so not what I have in mind.”
He couldn’t help teasing her, even while he was taking out his phone to dial Dec’s number. “You’ll never know until you try it. Wild monkey sex is—uh, it’s me. Is our link secured?”
No names in public. He opened the car door and slipped inside. Surya tapped the window and pointed toward the market. He assumed she wanted to walk around and check it out and nodded in agreement. Wiping away the perspiration on his forehead, he turned on the air conditioning.
“Yes,” Dec replied on the other end. “Give me what you got.”
“I have a lead,” Kirk began, and then gave a quick but detailed summary. He also provided their current location before cautioning he wasn’t a hundred percent. “The villagers’ observations are just that, observations. But they’re locals and very used to foreign visitors and their habits. Tourists buying too much food and supplies would catch their attention. Carrying the supplies into the forest during late evening hours is also suspicious. In the last few days, two have asked questions about guides into territory the locals said were dangerous. That’s also interesting.”
“It’s a good lead. What is the overall SITREP?”
“It’s not going to be easy,” Kirk replied. The situation was alarmingly serious. “I received communication from my supervisor on where the kidnappers want to negotiate. It’s about ten miles from here, which is another clue to our scientists being in the jungle near this village. That makes two different locations.”
“And then there’s the missile in a third place,” Dec added.
“That’s right,” he agreed. “Three different problems.”
Dec was silent for a few seconds. Then he said, “Hawk’s SEAL team will go to the jungle. We need more info about those dangerous territories you were talking about. You take over the negotiations and keep in contact. Wear the earpiece so you know what is taking place at the other locations.”
“Surya has a guide I can talk to about those areas. We’re meeting soon.”
“How’s working with the GEM translator working out?”
Kirk looked toward the marketplace. There weren’t too many people about at this hour, so it was easy to find Surya. She was talking to several youths standing at the edge of the stalls. One of them pointed to the path leading into the woods. With her coloring she looked very natural out there.
“It’s working out fine,” he replied, frowning slightly when one of the male youths walked closer to her. What was she asking those kids?
“Jed informed me you know her.”
Kirk sighed. Of course someone would inform Dec. Dec always knew things. “Yeah,” he admitted and didn’t volunteer any details.
“That bad, huh?”
“I…we…Dec, she and I will be okay, if you’re worried we aren’t getting along,” Kirk said, and hurriedly added, “She’s excellent at her job.”
“That good, huh?”
He could hear the smile in Dec’s voice. “How much did McNeil tell you?” he demanded.
“Just that you’ve been looking for her for a while.”
He wondered again about Declan and McNeil. How well did they know each other that they would talk about him and his knowing Surya? It wasn’t the kind of conversation in which he could picture the Ice Man.
“Just checking to make sure things are running smoothly, that’s all,” Dec continued.
“So far, she’s been very helpful,” Kirk said, keeping to the operations side of things. “Translation, a guide, local sight-seeing. If you’re sending Hawk’s team in, how are they going to show up in the middle of the jungle without permission?”
“Your cousin is also a SEAL, Kirk. Surely you know by now they’ll show up any way they want to,” Dec replied, dryly.
By sea, air, and land. In his family, he’d grown up listening to stories about the Navy SEALs and their prowess. He’d seen some of the things his cousin and his team had done.
“They’ll still need a more specific location to show up in,” Kirk pointed out. “The jungles around here are miles deep.”
Surya was walking a bit farther away with that kid than he would like. He’d better get out there to see what she was up to.
“Hopefully, you can obtain that soon. Make the negotiations, see if there are any non-Asians among them. If you could identify the person in charge of the hostages, we’ll have someone follow him. Do your usual thing—get confirmation they’re alive—a call, live feed—anything from which we could trace a signal. The SEALs are already waiting for our signal.”
Kirk sat up in his seat. “They’re here?”
“Close by.”
Ah. They were underwater. Waiting. Good to know.
“What about the missile?”
“Jed’s people know about the delivery. I’m assuming they’re tracking it on satellite and are on top of things at that end. I’ll be sending in one of my teams, maybe even join in the hunt. Shane’s coordinating that operation. Not being able to do anything with chasing down the traitors is driving him nuts, so this is helping him deal. Since the rocket crisis has nothing to do with the Russian assholes, those fuckers don’t know any of my men, so I can get to them without jeopardizing your mission.”
“Sounds good. It looks like I’m the one who has to start all the action,” Kirk said with a slight smile as he turned off the air and got out of the car. “I like being the nerdy negotiator guy playing such an important role among you action maniacs.”
There were sounds of shouting from where Surya had headed. He broke into a slow run.
“Sounds like you’re getting some action at your end.”
“Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Call me back ASAP. We active maniacs are antsy.”
“Soon,” Kirk said, trying not to sound too urgent. “But I need to catch up with Surya. Now.”
He swore he heard Dec give a chuckle but couldn’t tell since he was running. Surya and some big guy were talking loudly at each other.
“From what Jed told me about your run-in with her, good luck.”
Kirk slipped the cell into his pocket as he slowed down a bit. Surya. Kids, a few of them looked more like older teens. Two big-ass dudes. He took a deep breath, not wanting to look too much in a hurry. Shouting now by one of the guys. The kids milling around and talking all at once. Surya looking upset and afraid. Surya. Looking afraid. His suspicion meter went up several notches.
“Just give me back my wallet!” the big guy ordered loudly. He turned left and right, addressing the kids. “One of you has it. You better give it back or else!”
“Lady, quit hiding that kid behind you. She’s the one who picked my pocket,” the other man ordered.
“How dare you accuse my friend of doing such a thing?” Surya put her hands on her hips. She was speaking with a local accent. “Just stop shouting. You’re frightening the children.”
“These kids are pro pickpocket gangs. Their surrounding and bumping us weren’t an accident. That one put her hand in my pocket and took something important. And another one has my friend’s wallet. I said give them back or you’ll regret it, friend or not.”
Kirk was fifteen feet away and about to insert himself into the situation when another voice interrupted from behind him.
“What’s going on?”
He turned. Another man was heading toward the group, his face grim, a heavy backpack slung over one shoulder. He passed Kirk without acknowledging him.
“You guys didn’t come out to meet me,” the man said, his voice quiet. “What’s the delay?”
“These kids. They surrounded us and picked our pockets. Now this chick is interfering when we want to get Rob’s wallet back. And that one. That one took my flashlight and stuff from my back pocket.”
The new guy looked around. “I told you to be careful with the kids. They’re mostly orphans looking for a quick victim. Don’t tell me you wusses let them come that close. Hey, miss, sorry, but can you ask these kids for our stuff back? Look, I’ll reward them with food and some money. We’re just hikers here and really need our IDs back. Please?”
His tone was casual but his stance was alert. He’d deliberately placed himself between the first two men and Surya.
“Well…” Surya said, giving them a considering look.
“Well, what?” One of the others took a step forward. “I’m through being nice. Why don’t you hand over that kid before I show you how—”
