Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

by Holly Copella

  “Think we should ask if there’s a plan?” Tonya softly asked her friend.

  “I don’t know,” Lee muttered without taking her eyes off Monroe in the near distance. “He looked pretty pissed when he ended that call on his cell phone. Maybe we should wait until his mood improves.”

  “We’ve been here three hours without so much as a peep from him,” Tonya remarked, their near death experience weighing heavily upon her now. “It’s almost sunup. If there’s a plan, I’d like to know what it is.”

  They heard the faint hum of an airplane in the distance. Monroe finally straightened although his mood hadn’t improved any. Both women jumped to the sound and looked around.

  “Did they find us?” Tonya gasped while attempting to keep from shivering at the sound.

  “Doubtful,” Lee muttered and hurried to join Monroe with Tonya on her heels.

  They could see a plane coming into view. Monroe watched the plane without fear, indicating it was part of his new and improved plan.

  “Please tell me that’s someone friendly,” Lee announced, now sharing Tonya’s fears.

  “On our side, yes,” he announced then immediately frowned. “Friendly would be a stretch.”

  All three watched the plane hit the runway and come to a gradual stop several yards from the Ferrari. Lee and Tonya exchanged looks but didn’t comment. They followed Monroe toward the twenty-passenger, private luxury plane. The door opened and the steps unfolded. A distinguished looking man in his early fifties casually walked down the steps, immediately locking eyes with Monroe. Monroe stopped halfway to the plane after having seen the man, cursed softly, and then put on a brave front as he continued his approach. Despite his age, the slightly graying man still maintained an impressive build. His steely gaze was enough to set both women on edge. Definitely intimidating, Ross Madrid didn’t look the least bit friendly.

  “For as often as I’ve had to bail your ass out,” Ross demanded in a low snarl, “I have to ask myself why Holden would even consider you his best option in a crisis.”

  “He may have exaggerated how badly these guys want his witnesses,” Monroe remarked in a tone that conveyed his respect or fear of the man before him.

  Ross nodded without taking his eyes off Monroe. “Lucky for you, Jackie called in the big guns.”

  As the next man stepped out of the plane’s doorway, Monroe’s expression dropped even further.

  “Ah, hell,” Monroe muttered and looked away from the plane doorway.

  Kirk Mandel stood an imposing 6’4” with broad shoulders and biceps the size of tree trunks. His buzz cut and thick facial stubble made him even more intimidating, if it were possible. He glared at Monroe as he walked down the steps, stopped before him, and stared into his eyes with no emotion.

  “I was in bed,” Kirk snarled lowly. There was a tense pause. “With a hot redhead.”

  “I didn’t ask them to call you, Kirk,” Monroe protested. “Don’t be mad at me.”

  He pointed a large finger in Monroe’s face. “If she steals me blind, I’m taking it out of your ass.”

  “Hey,” Monroe launched back. “This is all Jackie’s fault. I just called for extraction, not your miserable ass. You want to take it up with someone? Go have it out with Jackie.”

  Kirk’s expression suddenly dropped. “Are you kidding?” he nearly exploded. “That girl will rip off my testicles. The little bitch bites too.”

  Monroe smirked deviously while folding his arms across his chest. “She’s standing right behind you.”

  Kirk appeared horrified and spun around to face another man with an equally grumpy look. The less intimidating man offered a slightly humored smirk.

  “What’s wrong, Kirk? Did you think I was the big mean witch?” Gil remarked.

  Gil Rafferty, although a handsome man, shared the same serious expression as his counterparts. He was on the upper end of thirty if not in his early forties. His short dark hair, peppered with gray, gave him a slightly distinguished look. Lee and Tonya stared at the three strangers then exchanged concerned looks.

  “Who the hell are these guys?” Lee muttered.

  “I don’t know, but they’re hot,” Tonya announced while giving each of the impressive men a lengthy once over.

  Lee caught a glimpse of someone standing alongside her out of the corner of her eye. She looked alongside her and saw a shorter man in his early fifties standing only inches from her. He too studied the group of men by the airplane with great interest.

  “I don’t know,” the man announced casually without looking at Lee. “I can’t say I find any of them particularly attractive.”

  Lee cried out and jumped away from the strange man alongside her. All attention was suddenly on the women as they backed away from the man.

  Monroe groaned and covered his eyes. “This isn’t happening,” he muttered then approached Lee and Tonya. “It’s okay. That’s just Zack. He’s, uh, sort of like our mascot.”

  Zack suddenly grinned and chuckled, sending chills down Lee’s back. She wasn’t exactly sure what he found humorous about the comment, but he wasn’t nearly as impressive as the other men were. Apart from being creepy, he didn’t seem capable of tying his own shoes let alone being useful to them.

  “Mascot,” Zack scoffed and appeared almost pleased. “That’s a good one.”

  “Weren’t you supposed to be dead?” Monroe asked the strange man in a disinterested tone.

  “Nah, that was just a misunderstanding,” Zack replied then eyed both women. He smiled in a manner meant to be charming but seemed to miss the mark then politely extended his hand. “Zack Kinsley.”

  Both women suspiciously eyed him and his hand then glanced at Monroe for reassurance. Monroe frowned and shook his head at his friend.

  “Go be annoying somewhere else,” Monroe announced and shooed him away.

  As Zack joined the other men by the plane, Lee glared at Monroe. “Who the hell are these guys?”

  Monroe inhaled deeply and turned toward the plane with the men standing by the steps. All four stood with a wide stance and their arms folded across their chests while impatiently staring back at them. Monroe looked back at the women and offered a tiny smile.

  “Meet Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,” Monroe announced. “My former Navy SEAL team.”

  “Navy SEALs?” Tonya muttered and hid her lustful grin as she looked at Lee. “How hot is that?”

  Lee refused to look at her friend, knowing what she was already thinking. Monroe guided both women toward the plane and the men. There was a brief introduction, and, despite their mood toward Monroe, the four men were pleasant enough toward the women. Jackie stood at the top of the steps with her arms folded across her chest and glared at them with an annoyed look.

  “Are we having a tea party or are we blowing this joint?” she demanded.

  Monroe smiled mockingly at the women. “And you’ve already met drill sergeant Jackie.” He then looked at the guys and appeared curious. “Where’s Beck? Too busy to come out here at five in the morning and bust my hump?”

  “No, we’re on our way to see him,” Jackie announced then motioned to the doorway. “Let’s go, girls!”

  Lee and Tonya appeared surprised and exchanged looks. “Is she yelling at us?” Tonya asked.

  “No,” Ross replied as a casual smile crossed his face. “I believe she was talking to us.” He turned to his men. “You heard the woman in charge. Move it out!”

  Ross politely indicated for the women to take the steps into the plane. Both smiled and headed up the short set of steps for the plane door. The five men filed in behind them. Monroe entered the plane last and latched the door. As he turned, he nearly collided with Jackie, who glared at him.

  “We need to talk about Atlantic City,” she growled softly, catching Lee’s attention.

  “I think you have a plane to fly,” Monroe informed her then offered a slightly mocking smile. “You don’t want to keep Ross waiting.”

  “Fine,” she snarled w
ithout taking her eyes off him, “but it’s a little over four hours to Colorado. You’re going to have to talk to me at some point.”

  “Actually, no, I don’t,” Monroe remarked while grinning slyly then pointed both front and back. “You’ll be in the cockpit, and I’ll be all the way back in third-class.”

  As he pointed toward the rear, Monroe saw a man in the last row of seats sleeping with a fedora covering his face. He glanced back at Jackie.

  “I thought you said we were meeting Beck in Colorado,” he remarked.

  “We are,” Jackie announced with a grin on her face. She patted him on the chest. “Enjoy third-class.” She then headed for the cockpit.

  Monroe walked past the two women and his team toward the available seats in the back near the sleeping man. He studied the man as he took a vacant seat alongside him. The plane engine started, rousing the man. He lifted his hat, straightened, and looked at Monroe. Monroe’s expression dropped as he stared at the grinning man across from him.

  “Bogart?” Monroe gasped with surprise that sounded more like alarm.

  “Monroe!” he cried out enthusiastically.

  The handsome, well-built man in his mid-thirties suddenly grinned and hugged Monroe against his will. Bogart was ‘hunky actor’ handsome with flowing golden-brown hair and sideburns a shade darker. The stubble on his youthful face only accented his dimples, adding to his charm and good looks. Bogart pulled back and was barely able to control his grin. His look then turned serious.

  “I waited for you in Atlantic City, man, but you never showed,” Bogart announced. He shook his head and appeared pleased as his grin returned. “It all worked out though. Did you hear? I ran into Jackie. What an amazing trip!”

  Monroe stared at Bogart with his mouth hanging open and then attempted a smile.

  “Uh, yeah, so I heard,” he muttered.

  “Yeah, it’s been great,” Bogart announced cheerfully. “I’ve been hanging with my girl and her federally for a few months at their place. Damned hospitable, you know, for a fed.” He slapped Monroe on the shoulder while grinning excitedly. “I was almost reluctant to give up that comfortable gig to fly out here, but Jackie said you could really use my help with this one.”

  “Really?” Monroe muttered. “That was so nice of her.”

  Bogart straightened proudly in his seat and slapped his knee. “Man, we’re going to be a great team, you and I. Just like that last job in Ecuador. That was one hell of an adventure.” His eyes suddenly lit up as if another thought struck him. “How about after this job is finished, we hang out at your beach house like the good old days? I can’t think of a better way to kill a few months than soaking up some sun on that private beach of yours.”

  Monroe weakly smiled. “Uh, well, the house was sort of blown up last night, but I’m sure Jackie--”

  “Blown up?” he cried out with surprise then immediately turned noble. “Ah, hell, I’ll help you rebuild. It’ll be fun!”

  Monroe attempted to hide his grimace.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The luxury plane touched down on the private airstrip far from any major city. It was already late morning and the sun was shining. Gorgeous countryside and mountains stretched along the horizon. The view couldn’t have been more spectacular, not that Lee could enjoy it. Apart from the hangar, a small mobile home, and a sport utility vehicle, there was nothing else around. The eight-passenger, four-wheel drive SUV was parked not far from where the plane slowed. A man in his mid to late thirties casually leaned against the front bumper of the SUV with his arms folded across his chest and watched the plane come to a stop. His sunglasses lent to the image that he was possibly a spy. He finally straightened as the door opened and the steps dropped. Beck Larue stood over six feet tall with an impressive athletic build. His light brown hair was moderately rumpled and the perfect length for running fingers through. His rugged good looks and sturdy gaze announced he was the final member of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. He showed no emotion as the passengers disembarked the luxury plane with Jackie and Monroe bringing up the rear. Monroe was softly pleading with Jackie, who seemed contented to ignore him.

  “We can’t have him on this mission, Jackie,” Monroe softly protested while casting a stray gaze at Bogart.

  Bogart was cheerfully attempting to joke around with Gil and Kirk, although their expressions conveyed it was probably unwise of him.

  “You want me to apologize for ditching you in Atlantic City?” Monroe asked while becoming slightly animated. “Fine, I’m sorry I ditched you to avoid Bogart, but I didn’t know he’d invite himself to live with you guys for the last few months.”

  Jackie folded her arms across her chest while staring at Monroe and his desperate expression. He was obviously getting nowhere with the uncaring woman, and his mood toughened.

  “He can’t be here,” Monroe insisted, now taking a stern approach. “And if you insist on playing your hand, I’ll have to go above your head and talk to Ross. He’s not going to want Bogart invading our protection operation. This is serious stuff. He’s only going to get in the way.”

  Beck joined the other men, who seemed to be having a team meeting. Ross looked at Beck while maintaining his serious demeanor.

  “Is everything ready?” Ross asked.

  “The old lodge has never looked better,” Beck informed him. “We’ll be completely isolated and secure.”

  Bogart attempted to be a part of the meeting and made his way into the group. Kirk casually placed a hand to Bogart’s chest without even looking back at him and pushed him back several steps, keeping him out of the conversation.

  “And you got the necessary supplies?” Ross questioned.

  “Everything we need,” Beck replied then suspiciously eyed Bogart as he again moved closer to the conspiring men. Beck looked around the group and indicated Bogart with an accusing finger. “Who the hell is this guy?”

  Bogart grinned charmingly and extended his hand. “I’m Bogart. I’m friends with Jackie and Monroe.”

  “One of Monroe’s conniving conmen,” Kirk snarled while glaring at the outsider.

  “Hey, hombre, I’m a very useful conniving conman,” Bogart announced in a defensive tone.

  Beck poked his finger into Bogart’s chest and forced him to take a step back. “It’s men like you who get men like us killed in the field,” Beck launched back. “Now back off!”

  Bogart frowned but didn’t argue with the hostile man. Looking like a dog with his tail between his legs, Bogart joined Lee and Tonya by the SUV. Unlike Bogart, Lee and Tonya were happy to stay out of the way and await orders. After a few more minutes of planning, Ross, Beck, and Gil approached Jackie and Monroe near the steps of the plane.

  “Well, Monroe, it looks like you’ll get your chance to plead your case to Ross,” Jackie informed him and leaned against the railing to the steps.

  Ross paused before Jackie and allowed a softer side to emerge. “We’re going to be out of communication range on this one,” he announced. “We have the satellite phone in case of emergency. Otherwise, one of us will contact Holden once a week from the nearest town with the clone phone.”

  “I understand,” Jackie replied.

  His look turned serious as he took a tougher stance. “I want you to tell Holden that we’re even after this. If he wants any more favors, he’ll have to contract our services. Some of us have other responsibilities.”

  “If I recall,” Jackie announced, “you received a very lovely parting gift last time.”

  “That helicopter was reimbursement for the one we lost helping your husband on the last mission,” Ross replied matter-of-fact.

  “Whose brilliant idea was it to let Zack fly the helicopter in the first place?” she launched back.

  There was an awkward silence as Jackie and Ross locked eyes. The other three men avoided looking at either and fidgeted. Somehow, Jackie had managed to keep the team wrapped around her dainty little finger, but it didn’t seem as if Ross was about to be intimidated
by the attractive, young woman.

  “That’s beside the point,” Ross finally snapped, caving to her dominating personality.

  Jackie hid her smile, knowing she won another round.

  “We’re getting off subject,” Ross continued while waving his hands erratically. “I need you to fly Gil back to Chicago with you. Have Holden familiarize Gil with the head honcho who’s after the young ladies.”

  “He’s not going to be exactly keen on the idea, Ross,” Jackie replied. “He wants the witnesses kept safe. I don’t think he wants any of you going to war with the mob.”

  “Our way will get the ladies back to their lives sooner and in one piece,” Ross announced. “Certainly, you can use your influence to convince Holden to let Gil poke around a little.”

  “Are you asking me to seduce a federal agent?” Jackie asked while cleverly raising her brows as she folded her arms across her chest.

  “Considering he’s your husband, yes, I’m asking you to seduce him,” Ross replied firmly. “Will you do that?”

  Jackie considered the question, straightened, and smiled. “I’ll do that only if you agree to keep Bogart.”

  “Done,” Ross replied without hesitation.

  Monroe and Beck looked at Ross with surprise and simultaneously protested.

  “You have got to be kidding,” Beck exploded.

  “You don’t understand, Ross,” Monroe attempted to explain. “Bogart is a fungus. Once he attaches himself to you, he’s impossible to get rid of.”

  Ross eyed Monroe and appeared curious. “Isn’t he supposed to be a friend of yours?”

  “Friend is a bit strong,” Monroe muttered. “I’m pretty sure the proper term is leech.”

  Ross looked at Jackie and smiled pleasantly. “Have a nice flight, Jackie.”

  Jackie grinned, pleased with herself. She and Ross exchanged quick kisses before she headed up the steps. Gil followed her up the steps and into the plane. Monroe secretly pouted while Ross’s grin mocked him. Lacking enthusiasm, both men reluctantly followed Ross back to the others waiting by the SUV.