Outside the Wire

by Holly Copella

  “We never took out the man behind the hit on us,” Gil remarked while glancing at her. “We foolishly assumed it was over when we ended that mess on the island.”

  She cast a look at him. “Do you remember what Wade said to me?”

  Gil studied her a moment and appeared to be reliving that moment in his mind. “Not his exact words. I know he assumed you had more to live for than me. That’s why if it’s related, going after Ellie makes no sense.”

  “He said something like, ‘she thinks she has more to live for than you’,” Jackie announced and eyed Gil while raising a brow. “She thinks.” She turned to face him while resting her elbow on the plane wing. “Holden was already ambushed by that time. ‘She thinks she has more to live for’.” They exchanged stares. “What if Wade knew about the ambush? What if he knew Holden had been attacked?”

  “Then what happened to Ross and Holden was related to what happened to us on the island,” Gil remarked. “And what happened to us tonight is just the concluding chapter. That means we were all on the same hit list from the beginning.”

  “I think so.”

  “In those final moments, Beck asked them who ordered the hit on us while on the island,” Gil reminded her. “Do you remember the response?”

  “You’d be surprised,” she quoted the response.

  “If it was someone from our past, I get why they went after you on the island,” Gil informed her. “You were in their way along with the rest of us. You’re the Commander’s daughter. I get that. What I don’t get is Holden.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “If they intended to kill you on the island, why worry about Holden? You wouldn’t suffer from his death because you’d be dead already,” Gil informed her then raised a brow. “It feels personal. I don’t think you were an afterthought or merely in the way. You were marked the same as we were.”

  “Which would mean it’s someone from the team’s recent past,” Jackie remarked and appeared curious. “Someone you’ve run into since I’ve been a part of the team.”

  “Exactly.”

  “That narrows it down,” Jackie muttered.

  “Unfortunately, anyone we’ve come across with that long of a reach is no longer alive.”

  “Relatives seeking revenge?” Jackie suggested.

  Gil shook his head while remaining deep in thought. “No, Beck runs checks on our prominent foes after our assignments. We keep close tabs on that sort of thing.”

  “Might be worth another look,” she remarked and eyed Gil. “Don’t you think?”

  “We’ve got time to kill,” he replied with a sigh. “Once we reach civilization, he can hack into the secured server and run some checks.”

  “Maybe he can find some news stories about our recent attacks,” Jackie suggested. “If the police have identified some of the bodies we left behind, that might give us some leads. We can follow their known associate’s list and trace them back to a common denominator.”

  “Unfortunately, we can’t do anything from here,” Gil replied with a defeated sigh. “We need some form of internet.”

  Jackie stared off into the distance with a strange look. “Or maybe just something like that--”

  Gil glanced in the direction she stared. In the distance, they could see a tall tower with a satellite dish. It was several miles away but within walking distance. He patted Jackie on the shoulder and grinned.

  “Yes, exactly like that.”

  †

  Beck defiantly shook his head while glaring at Gil. “No, that’s not a good idea,” he informed him. “That tower is at least three miles away. Monroe’s stolen car has a flat tire, which means I’d have to walk. If something happens, I won’t make it back in time.”

  “We’re safe here,” Gil insisted with renewed enthusiasm. “We’ve got nothing but time for two days until Bogart reaches us. In forty-eight hours, we can narrow down our suspect list and maybe figure out who put the hit on us.” His eyes then narrowed. “And who killed Ellie.”

  Beck appeared uncomfortable by the comment about Gil’s murdered ex-wife and ran his fingers through his hair while considering their options.

  “We already know it’s someone who came into contact with the guys from Giovanni’s island,” Jackie added. “If we can just get a few names of the guys who attacked us last night, we can start comparing their known associates.”

  “And that takes time,” Beck insisted while meeting her gaze. “Even with my fancy software, that could take hours.”

  “At least we’d know,” Kirk remarked from behind them while folding his muscular arms across his broad chest. His look was menacing. “Once we figure out who’s behind the hit on us, we can take the fucker out once and for all.”

  Beck drew a deep breath and glanced at the eyes staring at him demanding action. “Fine, I’ll hike up to the tower and patch in, but we need to have a backup plan in the event something happens while I’m gone.”

  “We’ve got two pilots and two planes,” Gil announced. “If something happens, Jackie takes the others to safety. I’m with you. I’ll be your EVAC.”

  “I’m going with you to the tower,” Kirk insisted, allowing no room for argument. “You need someone to watch your ass while you play with your toys. Gil can stay here in the event of an evacuation.”

  “There,” Gil boldly announced while staring at Beck. “We have our backup plan.”

  Beck eyed Jackie with a stern look and immediately raised his brows. “You’ll take the others to safety?” he demanded. “No arguments; no excuses? We don’t deviate from the plan.”

  “I’ll agree to that,” Jackie replied without hesitation. “If something happens, I promise to evacuate the others and let Gil handle things here.”

  Beck stared at her a moment and seemed a little reluctant then sighed. “Fine,” he replied, giving in. “Let’s do this.”

  Unfortunately, Beck was so concerned with Jackie’s ability to follow his orders for once; he’d forgotten about the wild card still in play.

  “You expect me to leave without you?” Pinto suddenly blurted out with a look of horror on her face, surprising them with her outburst.

  Beck was caught off guard. He looked at Pinto and the expression on her face. Sal immediately cringed and attempted to silence her. She brushed off her father as her hostility increased. Her look was now demanding.

  “It’s just a contingency plan, babe,” he informed her and fumbled for something to say that would reassure her. “Nothing’s going to happen.” He then hesitated, drew a deep breath, and stood firm. “But if something does happen, you leave with Jackie and the others.”

  “I’m not good with that,” she suddenly snapped back.

  Although it wasn’t exactly mature, Monroe and Kirk were a little humored by Pinto’s crushing take-down of Beck’s authority. It was one thing being in charge of a team. It was different when it came down to one’s girlfriend. Beck knew all eyes were on him, and he had to say something.

  “It doesn’t matter whether you like it or not,” Beck insisted in a firm tone. “That’s the contingency plan. We don’t deviate from that plan. Everyone does what they’re supposed to do so no one gets killed.”

  Sal placed his arm around Pinto and gently led her away from the group. She wasn’t happy with Beck’s comment, but she was willing to let it go.

  Beck groaned softly and fidgeted, feeling bad having been curt with his girlfriend, especially when she was only concerned about his safety, but they needed to play by their rulebook in order to survive. Pinto would eventually get over it.

  “I need to get my laptop and a few things,” Beck informed Kirk. “You get what you need, and I’ll meet you back here in ten minutes.”

  Kirk nodded, and both men went their separate ways. Jackie glanced at Monroe, who seemed to have a permanent frown on his face.

  “You don’t like the plan?” Jackie asked.

  “No, it makes sense,” Monroe replied then sighed. “I’m sure we’re safe here
, but I just have this nagging feeling we’ve overlooked something. The guy who put the hit on us seems to know us pretty well, and that bothers me.”

  “That’s why we have to find out who it is and stop him,” Jackie replied.

  Monroe studied her a moment then gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “We’re all pretty stressed out, Jackie,” he announced while staring into her eyes. “Just promise me you’ll keep your head. If you let your emotions get the better of you--”

  “I’m fine, Monroe,” she replied a little too quickly. “I’ll admit; I went a little insane back at my house, but I’m better now. You don’t need to worry.”

  He nodded then pulled her against him, hugging her. Jackie half-heartedly returned the embrace, which almost confirmed she wasn’t fine and there was reason to be concerned.

  Chapter Eighteen

  As the sun set over the aircraft boneyard, the weary refugees attempted to amuse themselves with a deck of cards they’d found in the emergency vault. Beck and Kirk were still at the tower attempting to gain intel on the person behind the hit on them. The walk alone would take nearly an hour, and there was no telling how long it’d take to find information if any. That they still hadn’t returned wasn’t too surprising. No one expected them back before morning. Monroe and Gil happily taught Pinto how to play poker, so they could all enjoy the game since there was little else to do. Jackie was mysterious absent longer than a mere bathroom break, but no one seemed to notice.

  Sal suddenly seemed concerned as he looked around the clearing and past the planes. “Where’s Jackie?” he finally asked the guys.

  Neither seemed too concerned. “Visiting an old friend,” Monroe remarked.

  Sal stared at him with a bewildered look while cocking his head to the side. “Excuse me?”

  Gil tossed his cards down, disgusted with his hand, then eyed Sal and offered a tiny smile. “Old Marge.”

  “I’m afraid I’m still lost,” Sal informed them. “Can you speak English?”

  “Old Marge was the first plane Jackie had ever flown,” Monroe casually informed Sal. “She crashed the old girl the day her father died. What was left of ‘Old Marge’ was laid to rest here.” He nodded across the boneyard. “Somewhere on the other side of this mess. She hadn’t been here since we had the plane’s remains transported here. I wouldn’t doubt she’s sitting outside the old girl reminiscing.”

  “That must be where Darth went.” He then eyed Monroe with a slightly concerned look on his face. “You don’t think she’d go inside, do you?” Gil suddenly asked.

  “No, absolutely not,” Monroe replied.

  Pinto followed the conversation and appeared curious. “Why not?”

  There was a strange silence as both men fidgeted. Gil drew a deep breath and straightened. “Her father died in the crash,” he replied. “There was, uh, quite a bit of blood.”

  “She wouldn’t want to be reminded of that. It’s not something she’d care to see again,” Monroe added. “She’d never go inside.”

  †

  Jackie sat on the ground several feet before the old, four-passenger, prop plane. The elegant name painted on the side read, ‘Old Marge’. The wheels and one wing had been torn off in the crash. The underbelly was severely scraped, and burn marks were visible beyond the seams of the engine compartment. The side door was missing, as rescuers tore it off to get her out. She could still see some blood resembling a handprint on the inside windshield on the passenger side of the craft. She relived the day her father died over and over while she sat staring at the destroyed plane. She wanted to remember the good times she had flying ‘Old Marge’, but she couldn’t get past the single bad memory.

  The boneyard was becoming dark as the sun set in the distance. The rows of crashed and retired planes cast creepy shadows throughout the area. She knew she should join the others, but she couldn’t convince herself to leave. She somehow felt closer to her father while sitting in front of ‘Old Marge’. She considered going inside the plane but thought better of it. While she sat there, she suddenly had a strange feeling, and a chill swept over her. She glanced around, carefully inspecting the nearby shadows. Jackie didn’t understand it, but she felt as if she were being watched. Was it just a spiritual thing? Somehow, her father was watching over her at that moment? No, she didn’t buy that.

  She moved onto her knees while casing the area. Every nerve in her body suddenly went into defensive mode. She was almost certain there was someone out there. Jackie was about to move to her feet when she felt a sudden and painful sting against her neck. She gasped and slapped her neck. When she pulled her hand away, she saw a small dart between her fingers. Her eyes suddenly widened. She attempted to scream a warning to the others, but her head was already spinning. Before she could even contemplate the dizzy feeling, everything went dark.

  Jackie felt warmth against her otherwise cold body. She was almost certain someone was carrying her, but she couldn’t open her eyes or force herself to wake. She heard an annoying ringing in her ears. Despite her senses betraying her, she could smell the person carrying her. It was a musty smell with a trace of gunpowder. She was transported back to a time when her father would return home from missions with his team. She could smell her father. The scent was a strange mix of sweat, traces of gunpowder, and ocean mist that seemed to attach itself to all his clothes. For a brief moment, she imagined her father holding her. She slipped back into reality as her senses started returning. She suddenly felt cold yet smelled stale, musty air.

  She opened her eyes to total darkness and the feeling of something covering her. Jackie then realized she couldn’t open her mouth or move her hands and feet. She felt the stickiness of the duct tape over her mouth. She panicked with the realization that she was tied and confined to some sort of burlap sack. Jackie irrationally fought her bindings a moment then collected her emotions and drew a deep breath. With her bound hands, she managed to remove the duct tape from her mouth then bit at the tape around her wrists with her teeth. It took a certain skill set to pull apart duct tape successfully with one’s teeth, but her father and his team often played the ‘escape game’ with her. She’d willingly allow them to tie her or lock her in places, and they’d give her fifteen minutes to free herself. If unsuccessful, they’d tell her what to do and give her another fifteen minutes.

  Once her wrists were free, she slipped her hand to her ankles and freed them. She wasn’t sure where she was or what to expect once she escaped the sack she was contained within, but she knew she wanted her feet free to defend herself. She didn’t hear anything around her and finally managed to open the zipper of the bag from the inside. Once it was started, it easily opened. Jackie aggressively tossed herself out of the bag, rolling into a crouched position, and looked around. She was still within the aircraft boneyard but far from ‘Old Marge’ and the guys. There was no one around to surprise attack her, which was interesting. She slipped away from the exceedingly large duffel bag, where she had been placed, and took another moment to assess the area. She then hurried back to where she had left the team with the planes.

  Monroe, Gil, Sal, and Pinto were exactly where she’d left them in the clearing by the planes, although Darth was nowhere to be found. They continued to play cards, completely unaware of what had happened to her. Jackie heard movement, however faint, from nearby. She ran from the shadows screaming her warning before whoever attacked her could take her down and silence her.

  “Everyone down,” she screamed while running for them in the clearing.

  Sal tackled his daughter to the ground while Monroe and Gil grabbed their weapons as they threw themselves down. Gil rolled several times with his assault rifle then sprang into a crouched position behind a strategically placed plane door. Jackie grabbed her assault rifle and dived behind a large, rusted engine. Sal hurried Pinto toward Jackie while keeping low to the ground. Monroe crawled on his belly behind the old plane bench seat. They waited a moment in silence, but nothing happened. They then heard a c
lunk from one of their planes. It sounded as if someone had been startled by Jackie’s sudden appearance.

  “The planes,” Jackie cried out a warning. “Someone’s after the planes!”

  Monroe and Gil kept low to the ground and ran for both planes. Jackie motioned for Sal and Pinto to stay down and joined Gil near the first plane, where she was almost certain she heard the sound. They saw someone move within the shadows. Just that quickly, they’d lost sight of him. Darth seemed to appear out of nowhere and ran across the clearing, disappearing into the shadows, possibly catching the intruder’s scent. Monroe closed in, prepared to fire at the first person he saw. The familiar pop of a gun containing a silencer was heard as it parted the air while firing. Monroe took two shots to the chest and flew to the ground. Gil fired randomly in the general direction of the nearly silent gunfire. He listened for Darth to alert them of the intruder’s position, but the dog was unusually silent and nowhere to be found. When he looked alongside him, Jackie was gone as well.

  The shooter slipped unnoticed past the plane and through the darkness. Jackie leaped off the plane wing and rode the man down to the ground. Both rolled several times as they flew apart. Jackie sprang back to her feet like a cat and immediately kicked the standing man. He stumbled back a step. She went for the return kick. He ducked and threw a punch she barely saw in the darkness. She immediately blocked his punch and kicked him in the side. He blocked the next kick that followed, knocking them both to the ground. The plane lights suddenly came on, lighting the entire area. Jackie rolled into a crouching position facing her attacker, who was now crouched a few feet away from her. To her surprise and horror, she stared at Zack. He showed no expression as both slowly straightened, facing each other.

  “Zack,” she gasped as her heart pounded and her head felt light.

  She only let her guard down a moment when Zack kicked her in the thigh, startling her. He grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her back while spinning behind her. She felt the barrel of a silencer pressed against her temple as Gil stepped into the light with his assault rifle aimed. Judging by the harsh look on Gil’s face, he had no idea who stood behind her.