by M A Comley
“This is it, I’m afraid. There’s another level, but you’ll be risking life and limb to get to it,” Jacko announced. “Sorry it’s not the Ritz, Kayli.”
She smiled and waved a hand in front of her. “As long as there’s running water to have a quick wash, that’s all I need.”
Jacko shook his head. “Maybe you didn’t notice the stench of BO in the car. There’s no such thing, not here anyway. There’s a public toilet down the road, and we tend to go there when the smell gets too bad.”
“Good job I brought a can of deodorant with me and a good supply of fresh knickers.”
Giles jabbed her in the ribs. “Too much information, sis. We’ll get you to the toilets in one piece when the need arises.”
“I can go by myself, Giles. I’m not an invalid.”
Her brother raised his eyebrow. “I never said you were. It’s far too dangerous out there for you to be walking the streets.”
“Okay, I think I realised that much all by myself. Any chance of a coffee?”
Giles rolled his eyes. “Don’t you ever think of anything else?”
“What can I say? I’m addicted.”
Bandy moved to the far side of the room and held up a canister. “Coffee. We’ve got a small camping gas stove here. Mac, can you get the water topped up for us?”
Mac picked up the jerrycan in the corner and left the house. He returned five minutes later and handed the can to Bandy, who promptly poured the water into a battered metal kettle and lit the gas stove with a match.
Kayli started to laugh, making everyone pause to look in her direction. “Sorry, guys. I’ve just got this image of a warped edition of Carry On Camping.”
The men roared with laughter. Giles winked at her, letting her know that response meant she’d been accepted by the group.
Over coffee and a few stale sandwiches one of the guys had found in one of the kitbags, Kayli listened intently to the men. They described in gruesome detail the battles they and their comrades had encountered while in Afghanistan. The heinous crimes ISIS had subjected the locals to. They also briefly filled her in on the recent history of the conflict in the area, including how the coalition forces had rid most of the nearby areas of ISIS during an operation that took place in 2016. How the Taliban had become prevalent once more, intent on recapturing their country. The upshot of that meant the locals still feared what was going to happen to their country and had no idea whether the insurgents still walked amongst them. According to Mac, coalition soldiers had discovered a special radio station broadcasting farewell messages from children as young as eight before they set off on suicide missions, driving cars into the heart of hugely populated areas. The kids had been brainwashed into thinking they would be far better off in the afterlife. Kayli wiped away a tear when she heard this.
Kayli frowned. “Can I ask an obvious question?” The men nodded. “How are you guys supposed to know who the allies are and who the enemy is, when they live amongst the people in communities such as this?”
“That’s the trouble—we don’t,” Jacko said. “Some bloke could one day provide us with information about a secret Taliban or ISIS hideout and lead us to that location, the next day, he could be carrying a gun and shooting at us. There’s no rhyme or reason for us to be here. If these guys want to live like this and tear each other apart, then in my opinion, we should get out of the country and leave them to get on with it. We’ve done our part by training the coalition soldiers. Ha, ‘soldiers’ might be stretching the imagination a little.”
“What do you mean?” Kayli tilted her head. She needed to understand the psyche of the people surrounding them, because she sensed any information she gathered would come in useful once Mark was within their sights.
“We had the misfortune of working alongside some of these guys a few weeks back. They point a machine gun and aim at a building.” He indicated the holes in the wall all around them. “Until they’ve emptied all their ammunition. Then they sit back, laughing. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll get the odd ones amongst them who go about their roles seriously, but nine times out of ten, they treat war as a joke. A life means fuck-all in these parts.”
“That’s so sad. Do you think they’ll ever be free of militant forces?” Kayli asked.
Mac snorted. “They might get rid of one lot, but within days, an even worse group will emerge. Everyone thought the Taliban were the cruellest bastards to walk this earth, but then ISIS formed and put paid to that notion. They really are the scum of this world. Whatever the Taliban did, ISIS can top it and multiply it by a thousand.”
Giles cringed beside her. She reached over and squeezed his hand. “I know what you’re thinking. I had to hear what we’re going to be up against, Giles.”
“I know, sis. Hey, just remember you’ve got a crack team around you. The second we hear where Mark is being held, we’ll swoop.”
“I just wanted to tell you all how much this means to me. I promise not to hinder your operation, if there is one. Speaking for Mark and myself, I can’t thank you enough for risking your lives like this to rescue him.”
“Save your thanks until we find him,” Jacko said with a smile. “Right, sup up, guys. We need to get some shuteye. We’ll take it in turn to stand guard. I’ll take the first slot.”
The men organised how they were going to guard the building, swapping over the watch after a two-hour stint. Kayli wanted to volunteer her services but knew they would think she was out of her mind, so she remained silent.
She and Giles huddled up together. Surprisingly, sleep descended almost immediately. She stirred when Mac shook Giles awake, telling him to stand guard at the window overlooking the yard. Giles, ever the protective big brother, kissed her forehead and placed his kitbag under her head. She soon drifted off to sleep again.
Her brother woke her up with a steaming cup of coffee early the next morning. “Hello, princess. Did you sleep well?”
Kayli stretched the knots out of her back and yawned. “I suppose I was more tired than I first thought. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. No need to worry about me.” She looked over at Jacko, who entered the front door, carrying a couple of paper bags.
He deposited the bags in the middle of the room.
“Dig in, guys. It’s only fresh fruit, all I could muster at this time of the morning.”
Kayli chose a huge bright-green apple and bit into it. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it,” Jacko replied.
Giles dipped into his back pocket and pulled out the wallet he’d stolen from the soldier he’d killed. “Here, you might as well add this to the pot. I haven’t got a clue how much is in there. We acquired it last night. I figured it was useless to the guy I shot.”
“All contributions gratefully received.” Jacko laughed and put the wallet in the back pocket of his combat trousers.
Giles nodded. “What’s the plan for today?”
“We’ve got the feelers out with the locals. Information comes to us in dribs and drabs, and it’s up to us to figure out if the information is real or not. Some of these guys take pleasure in toying with us.” Jacko’s phone rang. He answered it as he rushed out of the house and into the courtyard.
Kayli ran over to the window to watch him. She saw his face turn red with anger as he flung his free arm up in the air. Shit! What if someone is telling him that Mark is dead? I don’t think I’ll be able to face that. My need to find him has become even greater since my arrival in this godforsaken country. She returned to stand alongside her brother when she saw Jacko end his call. Moments later, he entered the house. His gaze focussed on a cracked tile in the floor a few feet in front of him.
“Come on, man, hit us with it,” Mac demanded.
Jacko sighed. “Guys, we better make the next forty-eight hours count. I’ve just been told they’re shipping us back to the UK.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Kayli gripped Giles’s arm, frantic at the implication
s behind Jacko’s announcement.
Giles slipped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Don’t worry. We can do this, sis. Soldiers thrive on being put under pressure, just like you do. We’ve got this covered, I promise you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “How can you say that? We have no idea where Mark is even being held. Are we likely to stumble across that kind of information? Please enlighten me how that’s going to happen, because I’m at a bloody loss to know right now, brother dearest.”
“Calm down and stop making a scene.” Giles looked over his shoulder at the others. “Everyone in this room is going to go the extra mile to find Mark before they’re shipped back to the UK. You have my word on that.”
“Mine too,” Jacko added. “We’re issued with orders like this all the time. If we can locate where Mark is being held in the meantime, that deadline could be shifted—delayed a few days at least—until we’ve rescued him. You have my word we won’t let you down. Mark’s one of us. If he’s out there, we’ll find him.”
Kayli smiled at Jacko. “I’m sorry. I went into panic mode then. I know this is going to sound daft, but recently, I’ve been having dreams about Mark, where he speaks to me, tells me that they’re starving him to death. If those dreams hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t be here now. I’m willing to do anything, to risk my life, in order to help save his.”
Jacko took a few steps towards her. “That’s admirable of you. The best thing you can do, Kayli, is keep the faith. We’ve never failed a mission yet, and we’re not about to start now.”
“Thank you.”
Giles hooked his arm through hers. “Excuse us for a moment, gents.” He guided her outside into the courtyard and gathered her in his arms. Struggling to keep hold of her emotions, she buried her head in his chest. Giles had always been able to read her innermost feelings during their childhood. “Let it out, love. I have faith in the boys. They won’t let us down.”
She pulled away, and their gazes met. “I hope not. Now I’m here, I have a very bad feeling about this, Giles. I hope I’m wrong. Do you think their contacts will come through?”
“If Jacko says they can rely on a few of the locals, then we have to believe him. These guys are aware of the dangers out here. The best thing we can do is trust their judgement. You have my word that they’ll bust their bollocks to do the right thing for Mark.”
“Thanks, I needed to hear that. Where do we go from here?” she asked.
“It’s a waiting game until one of their contacts gets in touch. That could be today or tomorrow. There’s just no telling. I know that won’t make you feel any better, knowing that we’re up against the clock now, but you need to have confidence in Jacko and the boys. They’re the experts in this theatre.”
“I do have faith in them. They seem a good bunch. I hope I haven’t upset the applecart by being too girly around them.”
“You haven’t. Just try and hold it together. You’re doing well so far.”
“Thanks. I want him back, Giles. He’s desperate for our help.”
“He’s getting our help. Come on, let’s rejoin the others.”
They walked back into the house. The three occupants were all busy on their phones, and Kayli felt relieved they were able to slink into the room without drawing their attention.
The afternoon dragged by. They all took their turn pacing around the room, waiting for someone to reach out to share some information. Kayli took it upon herself to keep the men supplied with coffee.
Mac’s phone rang as dusk arrived. All eyes fell on him, as everyone was eager to hear any news. He turned his back on the group to finish his conversation.
After the call had ended, he punched the air. “One of my contacts thinks he knows where Mark is. I’ve asked him to join us here. He’s on his way.”
Kayli’s heart squeezed with joy. She glanced at her brother, unsure how to react.
Giles nodded and smiled. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, sis.”
She exhaled a large breath and sank to the floor, not sure if her legs would be able to hold her upright for much longer.
They waited impatiently for the man to arrive. At ten minutes to eight, the catch on the gate in the courtyard squeaked. The men all reached for their weapons, and Giles took up his position in front of Kayli, shielding her.
Mac marched towards the door, his weapon resting against his cheek. He opened the door and beckoned the man inside. Sweat glistening on his brow, the man was dressed in grubby white trousers and a baggy shirt. His gaze darted around the room.
“Stand down, men,” Jacko ordered.
The soldiers lowered their weapons to their sides but still kept them to hand as the man tentatively entered the room. Kayli’s detective skills put his demeanour down to guilt. But that would have been back in the UK. She didn’t have a clue how the locals acted in situations like this, especially when confronted by armed soldiers. Maybe he’s sweating because he’s run all the way here. Perhaps I’m doing him an injustice.
He smiled hesitantly at everyone in the room. “Guys, this is Abdul.” Mac slapped the man on the back as he made the introductions. “Do you want a coffee?”
The man shook his head erratically. “No. I need get back. My family needs me.”
“I understand. What can you tell us, Abdul?” Mac asked.
The man’s gaze lingered on Kayli. His eyes narrowed for a few seconds before his gaze continued to drift around the room, taking in the soldiers and their weapons. Kayli had to dig deep to resist the urge to shudder. Despite Giles’s warning that women were treated differently in these parts, she hadn’t expected to feel like that under a local’s stare. She knew what she had to do once they were alone again. But that would have to wait. She bit down on her tongue as she waited for Mac and the others to start questioning the man. He was very fidgety, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. Once he’d glanced around the room, his eyes settled on Kayli again. This time, she felt his stare go deeper, as though he were reaching into her soul. She shuddered, unable to prevent the unpleasant feeling rising within her.
Sensing her anguish, Giles took a step closer to Kayli. His arm touched hers without it being too obvious. The man’s glare ceased, and he spoke to Mac. “I know where UK soldier is being kept. I need to check before I give you information. My family haven’t eaten a good meal in days.”
Jacko withdrew his wallet and handed the man a few notes. Abdul’s eyes bulged, and he tucked the money swiftly in his trouser pocket. “Where?” Jacko demanded.
“In house in Kandahar. I have man outside, spying for me. He need money also.”
Jacko tutted, dipped into his wallet again, and gave the man a few more notes.
Abdul nodded. “I make contact when I can. I need to go. Need feed my hungry wife and children.”
Mac walked out of the house with him.
Kayli eyed Giles, unsure whether she should share what was eating at her or not.
Giles cocked an eyebrow. “Come on, let’s hear what’s on your mind, sis?”
She inhaled a large breath and let it out slowly before she replied, “I know this isn’t what you guys want to hear, but if that fella walked into my police station, I’d be very wary of anything he told me.”
Giles laughed. “Ever the suspicious detective.”
She slapped his arm. “I’m being deadly serious about this, Giles.”
“Noted. You don’t think he was acting suspiciously because of our weapons?” Jacko asked.
She shook her head then shrugged. “Maybe it’s me being overly suspicious. All I know is that his mannerisms would lead me to distrust anything he says.”
“So, you’re telling us that he hasn’t got a wife and kids at home who haven’t had a square meal in days?” Jacko’s mouth twitched with what looked like amusement.
“Did he look starved to you? Yes, he might seem a little on the thin side, but I’d hardly place him in the starving category.”
J
acko tapped his foot. “Hmm... maybe your sister has got a point, Giles.”
“How well do you know him, Mac?” Giles asked.
Mac hitched up his right shoulder. “Not very well. Must admit that’s the first time he’s mentioned a wife and kids to me, as far as I can remember anyway.”
“In that case, maybe we should be wary about what he tells us,” Jacko said.
Kayli’s head sank onto her chest then rose again. Her hands flew out to the side and slapped against her thighs. She felt confused. “But what if I’m wrong about this? Haven’t you guys got any feelings about this guy?”
Mac shook his head. “I’ve known him a few months. Every piece of intel he’s ever given me has been accurate. I say we believe him, but act on what he tells us with caution.”
“I think Mac is right. It’s not as if we’ve got other options open to us at this point,” Bandy agreed.
“I’m with the boys,” Jacko said.
Kayli shrugged. “However you want to proceed is fine by me. Perhaps I should have kept my mouth shut in the first place.”
Giles nudged her arm with his. “I’m sure the guys wouldn’t want you to do that. I vote that we listen to what Abdul has to say when he gets in touch, and do our best to verify what he says first before we act upon it.”
