Signed SEAL'd and Delivered

by Jack Silkstone

  Barbosa’s lawyer knew the drill. He scurried into the room and sat in the chair opposite, opening the briefcase to remove paperwork and a pen. “Sir, I’ve got some documents for you to sign.”

  “The usual?”

  “Yes.” He took an envelope from the case. “I also have a letter from your wife and children. I spoke to them this morning. They are well and send their love.” The lawyer shot a look at the camera in the corner of the room as he slid the pen and documents across.

  He took the pen and scribbled his signature in the required places.

  The lawyer watched, glancing up at the camera every few seconds.

  Barbosa leaned forward so he could tuck the letter from his family into the top pocket of his jumpsuit. “How is the plan progressing?”

  The lawyer held up his hand as he rechecked the camera. As he did, it swiveled until the lens was facing the wall. He checked his watch. “OK, now we can talk. We’ve got two minutes before they start recording again.”

  “And?”

  “Of course, the plan. Yes, it’s progressing well. According to my sources, you will be transferred to another maximum security prison in Arizona.”

  “Do you have the date and time?”

  The lawyer nodded. “Arrangements are being made.”

  Barbosa smiled. “Good, and what about my friends in San Diego, how are they?”

  The lawyer swallowed. “My associate tells me they are in good health.”

  “Even the dog?”

  “Yes, the dog is still with them.”

  His lip curled into a half snarl. “So nice to hear that nothing has happened to them.”

  The lawyer adjusted his tie. “Are we to proceed?”

  “As planned.”

  “Very good.” He checked the time. “There are other matters we must discuss. One of your men is suspected of being an agent for the Sinaloa cartel.”

  “Who?”

  “Eduardo Salcido.”

  Barbosa stared intently at the lawyer, who glanced up at the camera. “I never liked that worm. Have Duvan take care of him.”

  “Yes, sir.” He checked his watch. “That’s all we’ve got time for today.”

  The camera swiveled to face them.

  The lawyer gathered up the papers. Then he rose and tucked his suitcase under his arm. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Barbosa snorted. “I’ll try to be here.”

  There was a familiar rattle, and the door opened. “You’re done,” ordered the guard.

  Barbosa sat, quietly reflecting on the conversation as he waited for the guards to arrive and return him to his cell. Finally, after three long years, he was going to see vengeance for the wrongs against him. Finally, his brother Juan would get the justice he deserved.

  ***

  A bell chimed as Ali pushed open the door to her favorite café, The Spanner Shop, a former garage that had been converted into a funky eatery. She spotted her sister, Leonie, at the rearmost table. The curvy brunette was sitting with a taller woman who had her back to the door, Jenny.

  Athletic with almost jet-black hair, the park ranger had been dating Mike’s teammate, Rick, ever since she and Ali had saved his SEAL team from red neck drug growers. She’d subsequently moved to San Diego and had become one of her closest friends. The three of them, Ali, her sister and Jenny met weekly for lunch or coffee at the café.

  “Hey you,” exclaimed Leonie as Ali took a seat.

  “Hi guys.”

  “We’ve ordered you a coffee,” added Jenny.

  “Thanks, after this morning I need it.”

  “What’s up?” asked Jenny.

  “That gorgeous boy giving you trouble?” asked Leonie.

  Ali shook her head. “Not at all. He’s an angel, just like his dad. No, I had a rehabilitation session with a young Labrador. Eighty pounds of fur, tongue and slobber.”

  “Sounds like fun,” said Jenny. “Where’s Axe?”

  “Christine took him for a walk,” she replied, referring to her assistant at the practice.

  A waiter arrived with a tray of coffees and placed them on the table.

  “So, what’s news with you?” Ali asked Jenny.

  Jenny smirked as she reached out and grasped her coffee with her left hand. As she did Ali spotted a glint of light reflecting from a stone on her finger.

  “No way,” she squealed.

  It took Leonie a split second to realize what was going on and add her own delighted screams to the cacophony. She leaped out of her chair and barged around the table. Stepping past her sister, she wrapped her arms around Jenny’s athletic frame and almost crushed her. “Oh my god, that is so exciting. I’m so happy for you.”

  Ali managed to squeeze in and join the hug. “Congratulations, gorgeous.”

  When the excitement had subsided, Ali asked, “So, how did he do it? Give us all the details.”

  “Yes,” added Leonie as she returned to her chair. “Every sordid morsel.”

  Jenny shot them a sheepish look as she sipped her coffee.

  “What?” asked Ali.

  “Oh god, don’t tell me he tied it to his dick with a ribbon,” exclaimed Leonie.

  Jenny nearly spat out her coffee. “No, he certainly did not.”

  “Well come on then, spill the beans. How did San Diego’s most eligible bachelor drop the question?”

  “Well… he kind of didn’t.”

  Ali gave her a sister a questioning look before turning to Jenny. “What do you mean?”

  Jenny wore a cheeky smile. “I may or may not have asked him.”

  “Get out of town,” bellowed Leonie.

  “No way,” added Ali. “And he said yes?”

  Jenny nodded. “He even cried.”

  “That’s adorable.”

  “But you can’t repeat that, he’d be mortified if the boys knew. I mean they’re going to give him hell when they find out we’re engaged.”

  “They don't know?” asked Ali.

  She shook her head.

  “Hold the farm,” said Leonie. “If you proposed, where did the ring come from?”

  “He already had it.”

  Leonie tipped her head back and laughed. “So you got the drop on Mr. Muscles. That’s the best thing ever. Now, give us the deets. You take a knee and slip a ring on his finger?”

  “No, I took him out to dinner and gave him a watch.”

  “How did you ask?” said Ali.

  She shrugged. “I just asked him if he wanted to get married.”

  “And?”

  “And then he took a knee and said yes.”

  “And cried!” added Leonie.

  “There was a tear or two.”

  “That’s so damn romantic… and also kind of empowering. So, when's the date?”

  “July 22, we want to get married up at the cabin.”

  “Back where it all began,” said Ali. “It seems like yesterday we were up there saving the boy’s asses.”

  “Seems like yesterday they were putting you through that crazy selection course,” added Leonie. “Which reminds me. Did Rick pass anymore of your challenges?”

  Jenny shook her head. “No, he failed the Home Depot challenge with flying colors. We both got kicked out after he wore a lamp shade as a hat.”

  Leonie and Ali laughed.

  “That’s when I realized he was the one.”

  ***

  Mike slipped his combat rig over his head and adjusted the side straps. Then he climbed into his parachute harness and tightened it. As he did, he glanced sideways to where Rick and the others were doing the same.

  The team and their gear were squeezed in alongside the RHIB that had been loaded into a C-17 transporter. A little under an hour from their target, TJ had given them the order to suit up.

  Rick was struggling to get his broad shoulders into his harness. Mike shuffled over to help him. As he yanked the straps over the Corpsman’s shoulders and passed him the ends, he noticed a shiny watch on Rick’s wrist.

&
nbsp; “New bling?” he yelled over the hum that filled the cargo hold.

  Rick flashed a shit-eating grin. “Jenny bought it for me.”

  “That’s a pretty expensive gift. You guys getting serious, hey?”

  “Show me that thing,” demanded Ernie from where he’d appeared. The Latino hadn’t started rigging up yet, having checked the boat with the loadmaster. He grabbed Rick’s wrist and pulled the watch up in front of his face. “Omega Seamaster; brother that’s an expensive gift. That woman’s put her mark on you.”

  Rick snatched his arm back.

  “Quit screwing around, we’ve got forty minutes till we’re on target,” TJ yelled from down the line.

  “What’s up his ass?” mouthed Rick.

  Mike shrugged and turned his attention back to his equipment.

  Thirty minutes later the team stood ready for action. TJ moved along the line, checking each of them. Then, as second-in-command, it was Mike’s responsibility to inspect the Chief’s gear.

  He stood in front of TJ as he ran through the checklist of safety and mission essential equipment. As he inspected the clips that attached the parachute to his squad leader’s shoulders, he noticed a distant look in his eyes. “Chief, you OK?”

  “Yeah, I’m good. We done here?”

  He gave a thumbs-up and moved back in behind him. Looking forward he focused on the loadmaster.

  The ramp of the C-17 lowered with a whine that was barely audible over the rush of air that whipped inside. Mike could now see the ocean, reaching out to the horizon behind the aircraft. He checked his watch. It was 1733 hours. They were still on schedule to get the boat in the water before dark.

  The helmeted loadmaster pointed at the team and held up his palm, then gestured to the boat and raised a thumb.

  A red light flashed green and the loadmaster tossed a drogue chute over the ramp. It hauled a second parachute that yanked the RHIB free of the jet. Mike watched as the massive parachute blossomed above it and the aircraft banked.

  It took less than four minutes for them to loop back around. In that time the loadmaster confirmed that the boat was afloat. Then, as they leveled out, the call of thirty seconds was made.

  Mike shuffled forward with his equipment braced against his legs. His pulse pounded in his ears, his breathing was shallow and muscles taut. No matter how many times he jumped, it still terrified him. Previously he’d always had the comforting bulk of Axe strapped to his front. The dog had jumped with him on more than a dozen missions and it never bothered him.

  The light turned green and the loadmaster gave them the chop. Mike lurched forward after the others and stepped off the ramp into the buffeting tornado of the slipstream. There was a roar and then silence as the aircraft disappeared behind him. Free-fall was short, only a few seconds. Mike activated his chute and braced for the jerk as it deployed. Then he glanced up to check the canopy before grasping the toggles and steering for clear air.

  The rest of the team was also under canopy and heading toward the boat a half-mile distant. Mike aimed toward it and enjoyed the sensation of unpowered flight. Then, as he got closer, he cut his equipment away. It dropped to the end of its tether and hit the water.

  Seconds later he splashed in and cut away his parachute. Bobbing to the surface he struggled out of his harness, detached his fins from his belt, slipped them over his boots and kicked toward the boat.

  When he arrived everyone was still in the water. Rick was the first to drag himself into the RHIB. He helped the others inside and like a well-oiled machine they went to work preparing to get underway.

  Minutes later they were blasting over calm waters with the sun setting behind them. TJ stood at the center console, controlling the twin marine diesels that propelled the craft at breakneck speed across the ocean. Mike stood braced against the machine gun mounting in the bow, using his sleeve to wipe the spray from his Oakleys.

  After a half hour of travel TJ throttled back the engines before killing them.

  “This is our rally point. We wait here till dark and then head to the beach RV.” He glanced at his watch. “Sunset is fifteen minutes away. Use that time to check your kit.”

  Rick threw out a sea anchor then he and Ernie sat in the bow going over their gear. Mike took the opportunity to move to the stern where TJ was studying a nautical chart.

  “TJ, you doing OK?”

  The Chief glared at him. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  He shrugged. “Just asking.”

  TJ turned his attention back to the map.

  Mike sat on the inflatable gunnels and checked the pouches on his combat rig.

  “Deb wants a divorce,” TJ stated.

  The news hit Mike like a punch to the chest. TJ never talked much about his home life, but when he did it was with nothing but admiration for his wife.

  The Chief’s brow furrowed as he continued to look at the chart. “She says we’ve been apart too much. Doesn’t know who I am anymore.”

  Mike was lost for words. He’d never seen his squad leader so vulnerable. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he managed. “Have you thought of taking some time off, heading somewhere to reconnect?”

  TJ nodded. “Yeah, I suggested all that. Told her we could see a counselor. She said none of it would help. It’s too late.”

  “It’s never too late. You’re not going to give up are you?”

  TJ looked up at him with sad eyes. “Bud, I still love her as much as the day I married her, but I don’t know what I can do.”

  Mike leaned forward and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. “If there’s anything Ali and I can do, just ask.”

  “Yeah, thanks bud.” The veteran SEAL glanced at his watch, then over at Ernie and Rick, who were finalizing their gear in the bow. All vulnerability disappeared from his craggy features as he thumbed the engine starter. “All right, let’s get this show on the road.”

  ***

  The figure in the white sedan had been watching the house for a little over half an hour, ensuring that nobody was home. He wasn’t expecting the woman, dog or the child to be there, having tailed them to what he assumed was her sister’s house across town. However, the family did have a cleaner and he didn’t want her interrupting his work. It had happened on a previous job and hiding the body had proven to be a time-consuming undertaking.

  Confident that the house was empty he slipped from his sedan, crossed the street and made his way along the sidewalk.

  The suburb was relatively well to do and he’d tailored his disguise accordingly. He wore tracksuit pants and a San Diego Padres hoodie. He held a dog leash and had a backpack over his shoulder. It was all part of his ‘Have you seen my dog?’ cover story.

  As he reached the target house, he glanced up and down the street. There was no one in sight, so he slipped the latch and entered the yard. Walking across the lawn he squeezed down the side of the townhouse into a tiny courtyard. The front of the home was exposed. However, a high fence and shrubs hid the rear.

  A sensor light clicked on as he approached the door, slipping a lock clicker from his pocket. He smirked as he quickly picked the deadlock and pushed open the door. His employer was paying top dollar for his skills and so far it looked like a walk in the park.

  The intruder knew there would be an alarm and his intuition told him exactly where the panel would be. He started a countdown in his head as he padded through a modern kitchen into a central hall. The alarm panel was on the wall a short distance from the front door. His count reached five as he examined the high-end unit. It was one he was familiar with. Popping the cover, he punched in an override code and killed a flashing red light.

  Checking his watch he moved swiftly through the three-bedroom townhouse, examining each room. He paused in the doorway of what looked to be the nursery. There was a cot on one side, toy box, wardrobe and the floor was littered with plush toys. He wondered what the boy’s parents had done to anger the man who’d purchased his services. Not that it mattered to him. Cash was cash.
He nudged a stuffed bear with his sneaker before turning and continuing his search.

  He found what he was looking for in the third bedroom. A home office had been set up at the end of the bed. A shiny aluminum laptop sat on a stand over a wireless keyboard and mouse. A touch of the keyboard brought the screen to life. The computer was locked with a password, no surprises there. He took a USB drive from his pocket and connected it.

  As the software worked, he flicked through a veterinary science catalog that he found on the desk. A minute and twenty-five seconds passed before the code he’d written successfully bypassed the security of the laptop, giving him access. He wasn’t there to snoop. That would come later. Selecting a file from the USB, he dragged it onto the screen and installed an application. Then, as he deleted any trace of his presence, he heard the familiar sound of a key being inserted into a lock.

  Ali balanced her sleeping toddler in one arm as she turned the key to the front door. Before she could open it, Axe let out a low growl, shoved his head into the gap and forced his way inside.

  “Axe, no.”

  It was too late. He disappeared inside, bounding down the corridor. She cursed under her breath as she stopped at the alarm panel to disarm it. A frown creased her forehead as she realized it wasn’t active. Hadn’t she armed it when she left the house? There was a growl from the end of the corridor and she turned to see Axe pacing the hallway, his hackles raised and tail high. She’d seen that body language before. He was hunting.

  Ali’s pulse quickened as she fumbled in her bag for the can of mace Mike insisted she carry.

  “Axe, Axe, Axe,” murmured Junior on her hip.

  “Yes, buddy, it’s Axe,” she murmured as she flicked the safety bail off the can and moved slowly down the corridor.

  The dog appeared from her study with his ears up and moved through to the kitchen. Ali followed him with the mace held ready. Axe went straight to the back door and sniffed around it while growling. A quick glance through the window didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary, so she placed the can on the bench and let him out.

  Axe bolted into the yard and made for the far corner where he sniffed around in the dirt. Ali watched from the doorway as he checked every inch of the garden.