“Damn,” Trevor said. “You are so right.”
Carpenter nodded, “We have to call in the CIA now. The ledger changes everything. This is way over our heads.”
“No!” Trevor yelled. “Honor will be killed. I won’t let that happen.”
“Everyone stay calm,” Wolf said. “Mr. Carpenter, where is the ledger now?”
“It is in my office safe at Blue Horizons,” he said.
“Is it secure?” Wolf asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “The security is quite high. The ledger is well-protected, but I cannot allow for the possibility that the ledger will fall into Orfali’s hands. Not at any cost.”
“Of course not,” Wolf said. “No matter what the stakes, Boot and I would never risk information like that falling into enemy hands. We all agree on that point, but still, a man like yourself probably has used many ledgers over time. Is that true?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Mr. Carpenter, do you have any of those old ledgers here in the house?” Wolf asked. “Perhaps ledgers with old, outdated formula notes?”
Carpenter’s eyes widened, “Well… I… sure. Of course.”
“Do any of those ledgers look like the one they actually want?”
Carpenter thought for a moment and nodded, “Yes, I am a creature of habit. I use the Eccolo World Traveler ledger, black leather bound. I have several ledgers from more than ten years ago. None of the information in the older ones would hurt our national defense if they fell into the hands of the North Koreans or Syrians.”
“But to a layman, could those notes initially pass for the rocket fuel formulas they are looking to sell?”
Carpenter nodded again, “To a layman, they could, yes. I could even spend some time doctoring and updating one of them now, in the event someone scrutinizes it. Nothing sensitive of course. If put to the test by the right people the information would not hold up long.”
“Do it,” Trevor said.
Wolf looked at Trevor, “Gentlemen, we stick with the plan. There is no need to put Honor’s life at additional risk by informing the CIA. We will not actually bring Chris Carpenter to Orfali and we will not bring the actual ledger. If our plan goes south, Orfali will be unable to deliver anything to the North Koreans of use.”
“With an imposter and a fake ledger, we have only one shot to do this,” Trevor said. “We have to convince them Snake is Mr. Carpenter and the ledger we provide is legit. We just need to get in. Then, it’s all guns blazin.’ If we go forward, we are all in.”
“Has it ever been any other way?” Snake asked.
“Nope,” Wolf added. “It never will be.”
Trevor nodded, “I agree. This is our best shot to save Honor. Mr. Carpenter, are you okay if we proceed as planned?”
“There is no other way,” he said. “Yes.”
Chapter 9
Caroline slipped in behind Wolf as he was packing his bag. She slipped her arms around his tight waist, pressing her body against his back.
“I’m so worried,” she said.
He placed his hand on hers and turned to face her, drawing her body into him and kissing her warmly and deeply.
“I know, but I’ve been in tough situations before,” he said. “You know this.”
“Yes, but this is different,” she said. “In your normal missions, you have an entire team with you. You have a drop and an extraction plan. You are fully equipped and weaponized. You have advanced communication and your activities are being monitored by people who can send help. This is so different. You and Boot are so outnumbered, so outgunned… so alone.”
She kissed him again. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Wolf could taste the salty tears as they reached his mouth.
“There’s no other way,” he said. “We’re on a time line. We can’t abandon Honor.”
“I know, I understand,” she said. “It’s just… I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Caroline, you aren’t going to lose me,” he insisted. “Not now, not ever. Snake Jackson is a legendary SEAL. Trevor Saunders is one of the best men I’ve ever met. We can do this.”
“But…”
“Caroline, I love you,” he said. “Kiss me again.”
Chapter 10
Trevor and Snake pulled into the Prairie Hotel in Yelm at 5:00 p.m., a full hour prior to the deadline. Wolf was about 40 minutes behind them.
“You see any signs of Orfali or his men?” Snake asked.
Trevor shook his head, “Nope, but they’re around. You can be sure.”
“You reckon this whole dog and pony show is about whether they see signs of FBI involvement?”
He nodded, “Probably.”
“Any chance they’ve seen Wolf?” Snake asked.
“It’s possible but I doubt it,” Trevor replied. “When I discovered Honor had been taken I ditched my phone and called Wolf from a Denny’s. I’m sure they believe I called him, though. We just don’t want to make it official. Part of our plan calls for him to pick off their sharpshooters and help pick off some bad guys.”
The cell Orfali supplied to Trevor began to ring. He answered.
“Put Honor on the phone,” he demanded. “I want to hear her voice.”
“In good time,” he said. “Have you made it to the hotel?”
They didn’t know, Trevor thought. They did not have eyes on he and Snake at that moment.
“Yes, I’m here,” he said.
“And Mr. Carpenter… with his ledger?”
“Both here. Let’s get this over with,” Trevor said. “Mr. Carpenter is here with me. Now let me speak to Honor.”
“I will,” he said. “But first I want you to take a picture of Mr. Carpenter using the camera on the phone I provided to you. I want to know he is with you. Have him hold up the ledger. I want to make sure he is there and the ledger is with him.”
Trevor felt a wave of panic. He did not expect to have to deliver a picture of Mr. Carpenter. He had thought the first time Orfali would see Snake posing as Mr. Carpenter would have been in person. At least then, they could make a play if the ruse failed. If Snake was exposed now, he had no recourse.
“Quit playing games, Orfali,” Trevor barked. “Put Honor on and let me know she is okay. Let’s get this thing moving.”
“If you do not do as I say I will hold up the phone to your fiancée’s ear as you requested… and then I’ll put a bullet through her other ear.”
Dammit!
“How will I send you the picture?” Trevor said. “Your number is blocked.”
“You take the picture,” he said. “My men can retrieve it from your phone.”
Trevor began to perspire.
“Hold up your ledger, Mr. Carpenter,” Trevor said to Snake, loud enough for Orfali to hear. Snake held up the ledger. The worry on Snake’s face was apparent, but undoubtedly was useful in this situation. Trevor looked at Snake, realizing that if Orfali recognized that the man who sat next to him was an imposter, and not Mr. Carpenter, Honor would be dead in the next few seconds. The light, at least was dim.
“It is done,” Trevor said.
“Wait a minute,” Orfali said, placing his phone on mute.
Trevor took in a deep breath and held it, wondering if his plan would go sideways and cost Honor her life. Trevor saw his phone light up. A little hour glass began to spin on the display as Orfali’s team began to retrieve the photo. Ten seconds went by.
Twenty seconds.
Thirty seconds.
Forty.
A full minute.
Finally, Orfali came back on the line.
“Mr. SEAL,” he said. “We have a problem.”
Chapter 11
Trevor began to panic. Orfali must have realized the man in the picture was an imposter and not Carpenter. Honor was going to be killed and he was helpless to stop it. He had failed. As a trained SEAL, he learned to always maintain his composure but it was infinitely more difficult when you were so emotionally attached. Still, he
needed to keep it together.
“What’s the problem?” he said, his phone sounding cool and calm even though it felt like he was dying inside. He felt like he could hear his own heartbeat while waiting for a response.
“My man tells me your truck cab is too dark and the picture is fuzzy. Turn on your overhead light and hold the camera steady. Also, my technical expert wants Mr. Carpenter to open the book so he can see the contents.”
“I’m not showing you the contents of the book,” Trevor said with authority.
“Just one page,” Orfali insisted. “Mr. Carpenter can pick which one. Even he will tell you we could not learn what we need from a single page of notes. No games. Do it now.”
Trevor breathed a slight sigh of relief. He had a reprieve, even if only momentarily. He instructed Snake to open the ledger to a page he had modified to pass just such a test. Trevor turned on the overhead light and snapped the picture. He held his breath waiting for the response.
Another full minute passed and with each passing second Trevor felt he was dying a thousand deaths.
Finally--- Orfali came on the phone.
“You have done well, Mr. SEAL,” he said.
The lump Trevor felt in the back of throat dissipated and he lay his head back momentarily, exhaling. He had just dodged a huge bullet. The mild euphoria would be short lived, however.
“I will let you speak to your woman, but only for a minute. Hold on,” Orfali said.
He put his phone on mute again and pointed an accusatory finger at Honor.
“These slaps to the face you have received,” he said, “are nothing compared to what you will receive if you do not cooperate. Tell him you are fine. Nothing more.”
Honor nodded.
“I have men outside their hotel room now,” he lied. “If anything goes wrong you will die. Do you understand?”
Honor bit her lip; she nodded. Orfali released the mute button and held the phone up to her face.
“Trevor, are you there?” Honor said, her voice weak and anxious.
“I’m here, sweetheart,” he said. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m just scared,” she said, trying to think of a way to let Trevor know that her captors had no intention of letting any of them go, with or without her father.
“Hang in there, Honor. I’m coming for you. I will be there soon. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Is my father with you?” she asked.
“Yes, he’s with me,” Trevor lied.
“Can I speak to him?” she asked.
Trevor cringed, hoping this would be avoided.
“Yes, I’ll put your dad on the phone,” Trevor said. He tried to place a tiny amount of emphasis on your dad without being obvious. Another moment of truth had arrived. He had to allow Snake to speak to Honor. It would only be natural for him to want to speak to her. They would be suspicious if he didn’t allow it.
“I’m going to put you on speaker, Honor,” Trevor said. “He is coming on the line now.”
“Honor!” Snake said. “This is your dad. Have you been treated well?”
There was a pause. Trevor held his breath Snake pinched his lips together. Honor will get it, Trevor thought. She has to. She has to.
“Honor?” Snake repeated.
Another 10 seconds passed. Snake could hear Honor breathing. He looked at Trevor with an expression of concern. The expression conveyed, trouble. Finally, after yet another five seconds she broke the silence.
“They have not hurt me, daddy,” Honor replied. “I miss you.”
Trevor let out a breath of relief.
Good girl! he thought.
“Enough talk,” Orfali said. “You know she is well… for now.”
“When do we make the exchange?” Trevor asked.
“I’ll call you tomorrow with instructions.”
“No!” Trevor protested. “We are here. We do this tonight.”
“We do as I say!” he screamed into the phone.
The line went dead.
“Damn! That was tense,” Trevor said.
“You’re right,” Snake said. “Honor is an exceptional woman. She didn’t miss a beat. That was a nail-biting moment but it’s a good thing. When she sees me now she will be prepared to see a man that is not her father.”
“You’re right,” Trevor replied. “She is exceptional.”
“They are demonstrating that they are in control,” Snake said.
Trevor agreed, “I knew they would string us out. I was counting on it. Did you reach your resource?”
“Yes,” Snake replied. “Barkley gave me an address. We are to meet him at an event once Wolf arrives.”
“What event?” Trevor wanted to know.
“I assume we’ll find that out when we arrive,” he replied.
“You really believe this Baby Barkley character will know where Orfali is hiding?”
“I think it’s our best shot at gathering additional intel,” he said.
“Are we far from where we are to meet him?”
“It’s not far,” Snake said. “It’s in a community of Yelm called Nisqually Pines. When Wolf is five minutes away, he will call me. He will meet us at a roadside diner and we will go there together.”
Chapter 12
Nisqually Pines was referred to by locals as merely “The Pines,” Snake had told them. It was a dark and seedy community just outside of Yelm. The residential neighborhoods seemed old and tired, with aged, barely standing barns, rusted cars mounted on blocks, and unkempt yards throughout.
The sun was just beginning to set, giving the area an even gloomier look.
“Nisqually Pines,” Wolf said. “It seems like such a pleasant name for an area so run down.”
“Yeah,” Snake said. “From the name, you’d never know the area is better known for its meth labs than its family parks.”
“So, Barkley runs his fight club out of this town?” Trevor asked.
“Yes, there’s an old abandoned warehouse about two miles down the road,” Snake said. “Barkley is expecting us. Leave your weapons in the truck. We’ll all get patted down. No guns, clubs, or knives allowed inside. Just fists and money.”
“There’s a truck safe behind the seat,” Trevor said.
Four minutes later Trevor pulled into a dark empty lot and approached an old rusted gated fence. The building looked dark and abandoned though there was a soft amber glow which appeared to be coming from the back of the structure. There were muffled crowd noises too, sounding like the crowd at a football game being played in the distance.
“Where is everyone?” Trevor asked. “I don’t see anyone or any cars.”
“The fights started an hour ago,” Snake said. “There’s an underground parking garage in the back. Once the fights begin, no one gets in and no one leaves until they are over.”
“It’s kind of eerie out here,” Trevor said. “What happens now?”
“I’ll be right back,” Snake said. He popped out of the truck and approached the gate, pressing the buzzer on a speaker that Trevor had a tough time believing actually functioned.
“Who’s there?” a gruff electronic voice called out over the speaker. “Fights have already started. Admission is closed. Go home.”
“My name is Snake Jackson,” came the reply. “I’m here to see Baby Barkley. He knows I’m coming.”
“I don’t know anyone one named Snake,” the voice on the speaker said.
“What’s important is that Barkley knows me,” Snake said. “He’s expecting me. Go check it out. I’ll wait.”
“Hold on,” came the reply.
All three men looked inside the fenced area. From outward appearances, the building looked completely abandoned. There were no outside lights, no vehicles within sight, no lights coming from the widows of the building. The building itself looked dilapidated. It was a 4-story concrete building, which reminded Trevor of an old prison. Even with nightfall coming, Wolf could see that all the windows facing the road had been painted
black. It was an old black ops trick. It helped make an occupied building look abandoned.
After about 90-seconds, the speaker came back on, “Okay, I’ll buzz you through. Pull your truck around back. Kill your lights. You’ll see a parking garage. Pull on in and park. Go through the big double doors. The man at the door is Teddy. Tell him you’re there to see Barkley. He’ll see to it.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it,” Snake said.
A loud whirr of a motor could be heard and the gate opened. Snake got back into the truck and Trevor pulled around back. He pulled into the parking garage as instructed and that is when the world changed. The abandoned appearance in front of the building clearly hid the flurry of activity going on inside.
There were dozens of cars parked in the garage. Wolf noted sound absorbing panels were installed throughout the inside of the facility, dampening noise to anyone standing outside the building. From inside the building, however, it was a different story altogether. Crowd noises and clapping could be heard – a man making announcements over a P.A. Trevor parked the truck and the three men approached the giant double doors. A large, bald man with a plaid shirt and jeans stood by the doors as sentry. Tattoos depicting flames ran up his neck and onto his head.
“I’m Snake. You must be Teddy.”
“That’s right,” he said in a clear country twang. “I don’t recognize y’all.”
Standing guard with Teddy were three Hispanic males – sentries. All three appeared to be barely twenty, thin and solid, street-wise and serious.
Wolf noted they were all carrying ArmaLite AR-15 Light Tactical Carbine automatic weapons. He was not totally surprised. They were deadly and easy to get. Millions of them had been produced. It was an effective semi-automatic or automatic assault weapon and weighed less than 7-lbs.
One of the men, who Wolf guessed was the alpha of the three men, looked at the tattoo on his arm. He was slightly taller than the others.
“Navy SEAL?” he asked, in perfect English.
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Fighting for Honor (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 6
