Enemy Among Us-A Jordan Wright Thriller
Page 29
As they had docked, he’d noticed the abnormally high level of attention being paid to the ship. It wasn’t long before he’d spotted the army units attempting to stay out of sight. He searched the vessel for the helicopter pilot and found him in his cabin. Effortlessly, Jerome snapped the man’s neck having caught the pilot completely by surprise.
Jerome regretted killing him. The man had been a loyal employee for many years and had always done what was asked of him without question. As he gathered up the pilot’s personal items, he found his cell phone. He scrolled through the numbers and two attracted his attention. One was in Miami and the other in Washington, D.C. He could think of no reason why the pilot would have numbers on speed dial for those locations. Jerome pocketed the phone to check the numbers later, when affairs were not so pressing. He dragged the body to an electrical cabinet near the engine room and stuffed the pilot inside. He went to the trash room and threw the man’s bag into the furnace.
Coming out of the trash room, Jerome spotted a sailor similar to his own height and build. Jerome walked up to him and, as the man turned, Jerome smashed the heel of his palm against the base of the man’s nose, instantly breaking it and driving the ethmoid bone on a trajectory into the man’s brain, killing him instantly. He dragged the body back to the trash room, stripped it and changed into the fellow’s clothes and then he stuffed the man into a large trash container.
As Jerome left the compartment, a call came over the P.A. for all of the crew to report topside. The men on this ship knew who he was and knew not to say anything when they saw him dressed as they were, or to mention that one of the men was missing.
Jerome walked off the ship with the others and, as they were escorted to a nearby building, he made eye contact with one of his people who had been there waiting for him. They immediately knew the plan had changed and they had to get Jerome out of the Port.
Upon entering the room, Jerome saw his opportunity and asked to go to the restroom. The soldier assigned to go with him sensed no danger and Jerome quickly disarmed him and used the corporal’s own knife to slit the man’s throat. He went to the window and his own man was at the back of the building. Seeing Jerome his confederate located tools and quickly had the metal barrier off the window and Jerome climbed out.
“Stop right there!” Jerome heard the command and it took him a second to realize it was in English. This couldn’t be good. He nudged his man in a knowing way and they both turned and fired. Jerome’s shot caught the women in the leg while the other shattered the women’s arm forcing her to drop her gun. Hurriedly, they made their way to a waiting vehicle and left. They could view all of the activity aboard the ship and Jerome knew something had gone wrong. How had they known? He needed to find out.
He grabbed the cell phone and pressed the code for the number in Miami. It started to ring and was quickly answered.
“Roberto, this is Mike Hall where are you? We lost your signal. Have you met up with the contacts at the shipyards? They know you are with us.”
Jerome didn’t respond.
“Roberto,…. Roberto. Oh shit!” The line went dead.
Jerome immediately hung up. How could he have been such a fool? “Trust no one,” he’d murmured.
Throughout the entire journey to his house, his mind focused on his revenge. By the time he reached his home, a new plan was already formed.
Jerome gave a nod to the man who’d driven him and put his hand on the knob of his front door and turned it. He opened the door and walked into the foyer.
“Daddy! Daddy! You’re home. I missed you!” Jerome’s son ran up and jumped into his arms. “Did you bring me anything from your trip?”
“I did, my son, but it got lost. I’ll bring you two things next time.”
His wife and daughter came down the stairs.
He was home. But only for as long as it took for him to plan his next assault on America.
Chapter Eighty-Six
On a hill with a vast vista that covered central Mexico, Jordan raised up from viewing the man with his family with the Oberwerks long range binoculars provided by General Estrada. The locater on the car had led them to this area and the large palatial estate they were now viewing.
“Who is he General?” Jordan asked, staring intently at the General, his expression communicating Jordan’s “don’t give me any bull shit,” attitude.
“He’s a powerful leader of this region’s most powerful families. They control business in this area, both legal and illegal. The people love him. We know he’s bad. We know that was his ship and his cargo. But there is no way my country is going to do anything to help you obtain his arrest. I am sorry.”
“That’s not good enough General.” Jordan stepped toward the General wanting to get right in his face. “He shot an agent. He stole from the US government. What more do you need. More importantly I’ve seen him before. Stan remember the cell we had under surveillance in upstate New York. That’s the man Kate and I saw go into the house right before it blew up. We need to take him down. Now!”
Stan stepped in between the two, giving Jordan a small shove to move him away.
“Excuse my friend here Estrada, but it is hard for us to leave without this man.”
“Stan, I know, I know. I would turn him over to you in a minute. But I would never be allowed. Frankly, I’m probably endangering my career even bringing you out here.”
“I understand. Jordan take your last look. We need to move out and get home.” Stan patted the General on the shoulder.
Jordan walked back over to the chopper and pulled out the scoped sniper rifle. He hoped the son of a bitch was in the same room. He wouldn’t be afforded the time to search for him. He moved quickly back to where he had stood and quickly aimed.
The crack of the rifle report echoed throughout the valley.
Stan whirled around. “Son what have you done?”
Estrada walked up and grabbed the rifle. “You have made a grave error in killing this man. Stan, I may have to keep him here.”
Jordan laughed. “The bastard’s not dead. Take a look he’s probably still on the floor, but I didn’t hit him. But I’m sure I scared the shit out of him. He needed to know we know who he is. I’ve made my point.
Jerome heard the slug penetrate into the wall before he heard the glass of the window disintegrate in pulverized glass. His instinct drove him to the floor. His guards stormed the room with guns drawn.
“El Hefe” the guard shook Jerome as he lifted him off the floor, glass shards falling off his back and hitting the floor.
Jerome shook his head. “We have made some new enemies, different from ones we have had in the past. Our tactics will change but our plans do not.” He brushed himself off and went to the window. As the wind blew in from the window, only the thumping sound of a helicopter leaving by flying low enough to be blocked from view by the surrounding hillside was heard.
“It’s not a good idea for you to stand there.” The guard came over and attempted to put himself between his boss and the open window.
“They have made their point and they are gone. If they had wanted me dead, you would of found me that way.”
Epilogue
After the debrief with Stan, Kate and Jordan went to get a beer. Kate had arrived that morning from California after she recovered from extensive surgery and rehabilitation and only had minimal need for a cane.
The beers were cold and felt good going down. They had walked over to the Ritz-Carlton, across from City Hall, in downtown Philadelphia. The hotel was in a converted bank building and the decorator had retained the elegance of the original bank. Huge, white marble columns outlined the center of the lobby, with a matching marble floor. It was elegant, but comfortable. The lobby was crowded with business men and women in conversation. Kate and Jordan retreated to the bar, back in the corner, Jordan’s favorite watering hole. It had actually been the vault for the bank and the safe door still remained at the entrance.
“Quite a mission, h
uh?” Jordan said with a shitty grin on his face.
“Oh, I don’t know. It’s not everyday you get an all expense paid trip to California.”
“I could think of a better way to get there.” Jordan laughed.
“Yeah, you’re right. You know I still don’t get the kids?” Kate became serious.
“What do you mean?”
“That they could be so persuaded, so indoctrinated to do what they did and not question it.” She shrugged.
Jordan looked perplexed for a minute. “Oh right. You missed this part. About a week after the attack a couple came back from vacation and found a 15 year old boy in their house with his throat slashed and blood all over. The house had been a scene of a party gone bad or that’s what the cops thought. Turns out they both worked at City of Brotherly Love cleaners and had given Mohammed key to the house to use while they were gone. The kid turned out to be one of the other boys in training, killed during a meeting of the teenage leaders.
“You’re kidding.” Kate shifted in her seat, still dealing with the discomfort in her healing leg. “How do you know this?”
“Aziz and Akmed have been very helpful in taking us through the history of this group. It goes back almost thirty years after they released the American hostages.”
“Really, that long, how do they do that?”
“It’s cultural. We think one hundred years is a really long time. Our enemies think of it like it’s tomorrow. That’s why they are always going to be a challenge to us. They think so differently. For them they’ve been fighting this war since the birth of Christ.”
“Unbelievable.” Kate nodded her head.
“So what’s going to happen to the families?”
“Several of the parents have disappeared. It seems they had an escape plan if things didn’t work out. The children who were arrested will stand trial. It will be interesting to see how the jury reacts.”
“What about Akmed and Aziz?” Kate inquired.
“Well, they have both been very helpful. The information they provided has helped in uncovering two other cells that had not yet been activated. They still have to go to trial, but I think they’ll get lighter sentences and then Stan has arranged for them to go into witness protection.
They both sat there and looked at each other for a few minutes, processing the conversation.
“So, Kate, what are you going to do with your time off?” Jordan inquired.
“I’m not sure. Maybe hit some of the antiques shops north of here.”
“Really? That’s interesting. Want some company?”
“Company would be nice.” They smiled at each other.
“If we leave now, we’ll beat traffic.” Jordan said, already knowing the answer.
“Let’s go.” Kate jumped up from the table and headed for the door. Jordan fumbled for money in his pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill and threw it on the table.
“Do you want your change?” the bartender called after him.
“No. I had enough with change this week. You can keep it.”
They made chit-chat as they drove to Jordan’s house, then they made dinner together and dined on the porch.
“This is really a great place.” Kate observed. “If it were mine, I’m not sure I would ever leave.”
“I know what you mean. It’s the place that keeps me sane.” Jordan was looking out over the vista, staring at the hills in the distance. “I’m glad you’re here, Kate.”
“Thanks for letting me come back. I’m gonna turn in. We’ve got a big day of shopping tomorrow.” She got up from her chair and moved toward the door.
“Yes, a big day. See you tomorrow.”
Jordan remained on the porch for another hour before he headed inside, went to his room and changed. Once again, he went back down the hall and, once again, found himself outside her door. He hesitated and started to walk back. He stopped, stepped back and went to her door.
He knocked.
From the Author
I hope you have enjoyed reading Enemy Among Us. While I want my readers to be entertained by my writing and characters, my intent is to stimulate your thinking. There is much that goes on in our world on a daily basis and it’s important we pay attention to it. The people who wish to destroy our way of life are fanatics. Their hatred is strong and their moral compass corrupt. They do take a long term view in their war on us. Their planning takes years and they constantly train. They rarely repeat the same type of attack, knowing that we are reactionary and will mobilize our resources on what has happened not on what could happen. Be diligent and be safe.
My next book will be out in 2011. It is the story of a new Russian Czar who wished to reunite the nations of the former Soviet Union. He acquires one of the lost coins of Judas which he feels will give him the power to carry out his mission. The gang is back lead by Jordan Wright with Father Marco and Gerhard playing larger roles. I hope you will consider reading it.
After thanking you for reading my work, I must thank my family and friends. It isn’t always fun being around an author, but my family is my strength. My wife Mary is my greatest supporter and is my strength. My three children Lauren, Jordan and Annemarie are my inspiration. Finally my ever growing faith in our Lord inspires me to pursue my dreams.
All the best to all of you.
Randy
Connect with me on:
Website: http://www.randyreardon.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Randy-Reardon-Author-of-Thrillers”
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Tweleve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Three
Chapter Sixty-Four
Chapter Sixty-Five
Chapter Sixty-Six
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Chapter Sixty-Eight
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Chapter Seventy
Chapter Seventy-One
Chapter Seventy-Two
Chapter Seventy-Three
&nbs
p; Chapter Seventy-Four
Chapter Seventy-Five
Chapter Seventy-Six
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Chapter Seventy-Eight
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Chapter Eighty
Chapter Eighty-One
Chapter Eighty-Two
Chapter Eighty-Three
Chapter Eighty-Four
Chapter Eighty-Five
Chapter Eighty-Six
Epilogue
From the Author