by D. K. Hood
“Big words.” Annie jogged along beside him. “You’d have to be the most arrogant man I’ve ever met. It’s like talking to a machine. You don’t care who lives or dies, do you?”
Taken aback, Dave pulled her the last few yards to a rocky outcrop and turned to face her. “Do I care about taking out men who will rape, torture, and murder you? No! Do I care about killing the men who dragged my spotter through the streets behind their vehicle and then beheaded him and stuck his head on a spike? No! In fact, I’m damn sure I’d kill them all twice if I was able.” He pulled off his goggles and leaned down close to her face. “Do you have any idea what would have happened to you if I hadn’t saved your sorry ass? You couldn’t even come close to imagining the pain and suffering these people can inflict. It might have gone on for years before they tired of you.” He sucked in a breath to calm his rising temper. “You know, it would be easier for me to put a bullet in your head now and just walk away. I could go dark and no one will find me, but with you along, that’s impossible. Everyone will be looking for a young blonde American. You’ll have a bounty on your head.”
“So much for your orders.” Annie crossed her arms and eyeballed him.
Dave shrugged. “They were my orders, Annie. Trust me, you’re better off dead than falling into their hands.”
She said nothing and just leaned against a boulder, staring at the ground.
Using his flashlight, Dave searched the area before finding a suitable place to hole up. He walked a few paces to another pile of rocks and then back. “Grab the blanket and sit here. Drink some water and we’ll eat something while we wait.” He pointed to a secluded spot. “If you need to pee. Go now, over there. You’ll be able to use the flashlight. No one is on the road just now.”
“What were you looking for in the rocks?” Annie took the flashlight from him.
Dave removed his backpack and set up his rifle. “Critters. They like to hide under things and in the cracks in rocks.” He waved her away. “Hurry, we haven’t much time. Once we see headlights coming down the road, it’s game on.”
He checked the range on his rifle, turning the gauges and lining up the road. He’d positioned them as far as possible from the range of an automatic rifle fired from the road. As Annie came back and sat where he’d suggested, he dropped down beside her and pulled out the blanket, food, and water. He smiled at her blank expression. It was as if the reality of their situation had finally sunk in. “Sorry for the reality check, but we’re in serious trouble. When this goes down, we’ll be moving fast. It’s best you eat now even if you’re not hungry. First rule is, eat when you can, sleep when it’s safe, and keep one eye open.” He cleared his throat and thought of something to say to her to ease the tension. “What I wouldn’t do for a freshly brewed coffee with cream and sugar right now and an entire freshly baked peach pie.”
“You’re so good at smoothing things over. I’m not so good. My dad says I’m as stubborn as a mule and twice as ornery.” She smiled at him. “I can change the subject too. Right now, a double-shot latte would go down just fine.” She wrinkled her nose. “What they have here is very different to what I’m used to, but it’s nice.” Annie dived into the bag of dates and took the chunk of goat cheese he offered her.
“It’s called qahwa, the wine of the desert, I believe.” He ate slowly, one eye constantly on the road below them in the valley. “It gives the caffeine buzz and to be served it is a privilege, especially from the farmers we’ve been meeting. They have very little and shared their food with us.”
“They were well compensated by the amount of money you gave them.” Annie leaned out from her hiding place and peered at the road. “I thought I could hear something and now I see lights.”
Dave pushed her gently back into the cover of the rocks and pulled the blanket tight around her legs. He handed her his sidearm. “Same as before, okay? If I go down, don’t hesitate. Under the chin is best. You won’t feel a thing.” He squeezed her arm. “Don’t look around the rock at what’s happening, or they’ll see you. Any movement will give away our position. Don’t talk to me. When it’s over I’ll come get you. Understand?”
“Yes.” She looked up at him anxiously, her face very pale under the moonlight. “Will you be close by?”
He pointed higher up. “I’ve set up my rifle up there. I’ll have an advantage.”
A calmness dropped over him as he climbed up the rocks and stretched out. He checked his scope and watched the truck rumble along the dusty road toward them. His heart slowed and all his focus was centered on his target. Game on.
Chapter Ten
Fear crept over Annie as the sound of the militia truck came closer. She pressed her back into the narrow fissure between the rocks and pulled the blanket up to her chin as if it would protect her. Dave’s sidearm sat beside her within easy reach, the cold metal disappearing in the shadows. She touched it again to make sure it was there. Above her, Dave was like a statue. He didn’t make a sound or move an inch. The rumbling engine came closer and then she heard a low phutt from above followed by three more. Dave was firing at the truck and his rifle hardly made a sound. Another phutt, and an explosion shook the earth. The sky lit up and debris showered down on her pinging across the rocks. She covered her head with her arms and hoped it was over but Dave was firing again.
Trembling all over, she waited, but the long silence that followed frightened her. Had he been hit? Was the militia heading her way? She eased her hand over the dirt and her fingers touched the weapon. Heart pounding, she closed her palm around the cold handle. She clamped her mouth shut but couldn’t stop her teeth chattering. When gravel rolled down the rocks and Dave came into view, he looked different. The robotic man was back with a vengeance. He said nothing, just packed up his rifle and dropped the backpack at her feet. She looked up at him. “Did you get them?”
“Yeah.” Dave held out a hand for the sidearm. “Wait here. I’ll roll the bodies into the dry riverbed beside the road. They’ll be out of sight for the next patrol. When I’m done, I’ll drive the truck as close to you as possible and come get you. Stay here. You don’t need to see this, okay?”
Annie stared at his grim expression. “I’ll come and help you. I’m not squeamish.”
“No!” Dave turned away, pulling on his night-vision goggles. “Stay here. That’s an order. Keep watch—militia use this road—and call out if you see any lights. I’m going to be busy for a while.” He hurried away through the rocks and down the side of the valley without making a sound.
Annie watched him go, his long robes flowing. He’d soon become a ghostly shadow moving fast toward the truck in the middle of the road. Alongside a crater, small fires had broken out in the tufts of dry grass and a small bush was alight, sending flames leaping into the night. The flames danced in the wind, sending an eerie glow across the fallen militia. Smoke from the burning grass filled the air with the smell of bonfires as it drifted across the road obscuring her view. From time to time, she could see Dave moving around, dragging bodies across the road and rolling them out of sight. She swallowed the bile threatening to fill her mouth. It had all become so horribly real. Dave had killed to protect her. She hunkered down but kept a watch on the road in both directions. After half an hour, maybe more, she noticed lights on the horizon. Panic gripped her. Someone was coming fast. The lights bobbing up and down on the uneven, potholed track were minutes away. Had Dave seen them? Throwing caution to the wind, she cupped her mouth. Will he be able to hear me? “Incoming.”
She repeated the call as loud as she could and watched frozen in terror as the militia truck, flag flying high, came into view. As she looked back at the road, Dave had vanished, but the oncoming truck had slowed and she could make out a gun atop the vehicle with one soldier behind it. The truck came to a standstill, the headlights picking out the crater in the road and the debris scattered all around. Annie held her breath as the door opened with a rusty squeak. From the interior light, she made out two men. One climb
ed out and walked toward the other truck, his rifle held shoulder high. He moved around the truck with caution, peering in the cab and the back, all the time yelling at the others.
The man’s attention went to the riverbed. He stood on the edge and then lowered his weapon. He started screaming and waving his arms around at his companions. His flashlight lit up the roadway and he yelled again. The next moment, the other men ran toward him and they all headed down to the riverbed. Where was Dave? Had they seen him? She gripped the rock until her nails broke and stared into the darkness. Her stomach tightened in fear and nausea made her gag but she couldn’t stop looking as the flashlight moved from side to side, stopping occasionally and then moving again.
Annie waited, heart in her mouth, straining her eyes for any movement. The next second, three shots rang out, echoing through the valley like a death knell. She let out an uncontrollable sob. Dear Lord, help her. They’d found him.
Chapter Eleven
Texas
Wolfe checked the clock again for the tenth time in a minute. Ninety-eight H should have checked in ten minutes ago. He scanned the screens. His operative’s red blip pulsed in a stationary position, and from the satellite feed, he could clearly see two militia trucks and spot fires spreading along the road. He rubbed the back of his neck. If the militia truck was the transport Ninety-eight H had planned to obtain, he’d picked a good spot for an ambush. In a valley, the road passed through a rugged barren hillside. If he’d taken out the men on the trucks, he might be waiting to make sure it was all clear before proceeding. He stood and paced up and down the length of his new office, fully equipped with the best communications the military could offer. He had no option but to wait. Contacting his operative could cause a fatal distraction. It was twelve after six in Texas and he’d eaten dinner with his kids and spent some time with his wife.
He never liked leaving her alone for a second but since connecting her to the morphine drip she was rarely awake. It tore him apart watching her waste away but there was nothing he could do to save her and God knows they’d tried everything. Finally, she’d insisted he take her home and refused to undergo anymore experimental treatments. He’d wanted to fight until the end but had respected her wishes. He could see the life draining from her, and as much as it would break his heart for her to leave him, as a doctor he knew it would be a blessing. She’d suffered long enough.
He’d been staring at the satellite picture but not seeing it and blinked as the trucks moved off together and the red dot moved along the road. Did the militia have Ninety-eight H’s body? There would be no way they’d take him alive. The voice in his earpiece startled him as Ninety-eight H checked in. He heaved a sigh of relief. “Copy. I was ready to write your obituary. You’re giving me an ulcer.”
“I’d just taken out a band of militia and then we had company. Long story, but now we have two trucks. If Uncle Sam does a flyby, make sure they have my coordinates, I don’t want to be taken out by friendly fire. I’m flying a militia flag here.”
Wolfe stared at the screen array. “This is a covert operation, and if it wasn’t, I couldn’t risk breaking radio silence to contact anyone outside this office. You and I have a direct secured line but anything can be hacked.”
“Sure. We’ll keep heading west. Once we reach the outskirts of the next town, I’ll ditch the flags and we’ll use one truck. We’ll need a safe house. I haven’t had any shut-eye for forty-eight hours and the package needs warm clothes.” He paused for a beat. “Ammo, food, and clean water. A couple of extra cans of gas as well, if possible.”
Wolfe had anticipated the request and made contact to friendlies in the next town. He’d arranged for three different locations for them to stay. They’d have to move around to avoid capture. He explained the deal to the unimpressed Ninety-eight H.
“Three moves? I was expecting to hole up for a couple of days and wait for the search to die down and then head west.”
“You’ll never get past the movement of the hostiles. From the speed they’re moving, you’ll need to hide for three days at least in the town before attempting to leave.”
“Copy that.”
Hesitant to ask, Wolfe cleared his throat. “Ah… how’s the package handling the Pony Express? It’s pretty rough going out there for someone raised in a city.”
“Better than expected.” Ninety-eight H chuckled. “She’s a feisty one, and we fight like cats and dogs. She’s not at all what I’d expected. She’s dead on her feet but hasn’t complained once. We’re getting along okay now. Seems we’ve gotten over yelling at each other, or maybe it’s because she’s just too darn exhausted to fight, I don’t know, but I’m actually starting to admire her.”
Wolfe grinned. He’d heard about the general’s daughter. Strong willed, feisty, and set in her ways. Had she melted the iceman in a few days? “That doesn’t surprise me. She’s a beautiful young woman.”
“Hey, I said ‘admire’ not ‘in love.’ I’ve pushed her like a drill sergeant and she’s done everything right. She deserves my admiration, but trust me, love isn’t in the picture. A man in my profession doesn’t get to love anyone.” Ninety-eight H sighed. “She calls me Dave, by the way. A nice, safe generic name, don’t you think?
“Well, Ninety-eight H is a bit of a mouthful.” Surprised by his good humor, Wolfe smiled to himself. “Does she have a pseudonym? If so, what do you call her?”
“No need. The militia know who she is. I call her Annie.” He could hear the smile in Dave’s voice. “At the moment, her eyes are as wide as saucers. She’s never driven a truck before but is doing okay. There’s not much she can run into out here.”
Wolfe scrutinized the satellite picture, moving in on anything suspicious. “I’m the only one watching the screen, but if I need a break, I’ll still be wearing my earpiece. Contact me if you need clarification of enemy movements, but as far as I can see, you’re clear to the next town. From the intelligence, the militia is moving all its troops south. You should be good to go unless you meet up with a few stragglers but there’s nothing on the radar.”
“Copy, I’ll check in on the hour until we make the town and meet up with the friendlies. I’ll get details later. If it’s safe, I’m getting some shut-eye and you should too.”
“Copy.” Wolfe pressed his com and disconnected. “Stay safe out there, Dave.”
Chapter Twelve
Syria
As the first rays of sunlight came over the top of the hillside, Annie blinked at the dust cloud kicked up by Dave’s truck. Sore didn’t describe her eyes. They’d gone way past sore and into the dragged-out-and-rolled-in-sand feeling. Peering through the eye slit in the burka didn’t help, it covered her sight each time the truck hit a bump in the road. So tired. Exhaustion pulled at her and the thought of a warm bed had taken up residence in her mind. She’d discovered pain had a significant value in sleep deprivation by keeping her wide awake. The agony burning in her back from falling down the hillside had increased tenfold, but determined not to look weak by complaining, she kept her foot down on the gas and gripped the wheel.
The heavy truck was like wrestling an alligator and when the wheels hit ruts in the road, they suddenly had minds of their own. She’d never have made it through traffic, and time and again the truck bounced off the dirt track and into the scrub before she regained control. How much longer did Dave intend to keep going without a break? It was as if he’d completely forgotten about her following behind him. Then there was the smell. The truck stank of unwashed bodies and bad breath. The thick musky odor seemed to hang in the air like a disgusting fog. She’d probably carry the stink on her for days. Opening the window wasn’t an option. It was freezing outside and the windows offered her a modicum of cover if anyone happened to drive by. Dave had taken a hat from one of the dead mercenaries and insisted she wear the stinking thing, as it seemed the militants didn’t allow women to drive, along with an entire list of things he insisted she not do when they met anyone along the way.
> A curl of panic grabbed her as Dave’s truck slowed and he pulled into a clump of trees. She hadn’t seen much vegetation for miles and stared all around expecting someone to jump out at them. She drove off the road and pulled up behind him waiting for instructions. He’d made it very clear she wasn’t to leave the truck unless he was close by. She’d come to the realization he’d take a bullet for her. How did men do that for people they hardly knew? She’d been surrounded by the military all her life but hadn’t fully realized the dedication to duty existed at such a high level. The Secret Service maybe, but from what she surmised, Dave was a sniper. Not that he said anything but after he’d taken down nine men with an equal number of shots and hit a grenade from a long distance, she believed him when he said he never missed. He was fearless and walked into danger as if nothing could harm him. With all hell breaking out around them, he made her feel safe.
When Dave waved her down from the truck, she tossed the hat inside the cab, grabbed her canteen of water, and ran toward him. It was so cold. The icy chill seeped through her thin clothes and her teeth chattered. “What’s up?”
“We have time to stretch our legs and then you’ll be riding with me.” Dave walked toward the trees and then turned to her. “I’ll rig up my backpack so you can wear it under your dress. I have to hide the weapons. Carrying US military issue and wearing a uniform will have us both killed. I’ll stay covered up, and once we get into the next town, we’ll ditch the truck and I’ll find something else.”
Annie looked at his grim expression. “Is it safe there?”
