by Hunt, Jack
“We’ll meet back here in a week. As for your weapons, you’ll find them about a half a mile from here to the west. There is a small bridge that arches over a stream. You’ll find them beneath that. It’s for our protection.”
She turned to walk away.
“Okay, hold on a second. What kind of shit show is this?” Alex asked. She looked back, the smile now gone. “Is this amateur hour?”
Jodi’s brow rose. “You have a problem?”
“I have a problem wasting time. Lady, either you want our help or you don’t.”
Her brow furrowed as she walked back to him, then a smile formed. “Understand this, Alex, what we are offering here is far more valuable than what you can offer. This was an introduction. We have the right to be selective and I imagine your group doesn’t want to dive into the deep without checking the water. Seeing our property is the least of your concerns. Now either you are willing to be patient while we give this consideration or you aren’t, but we are taking our time with this decision.”
“Well then forget it,” he said before yanking his arm away from one of her sons. “Get off me!” The two guys holding them let go and Alex got back into the truck. “Thomas. We don’t have all day. This is bullshit. What a fucking waste of time.”
Thomas grimaced. “Sorry. He’s a good guy when you get to know him, just having a few issues with his other half.”
“Thomas!” Alex bellowed.
“I’m coming.”
“Take care now,” Jodi said, continuing to smile as she gave a casual salute.
“Yeah, whatever,” he replied.
He fired up the engine and reversed out drawing up a plume of dust as he peeled out. Thomas looked over his shoulder at the group still standing in the clearing.
“Well, it’s safe to say you just blew what little chance we had of seeing the land of milk and honey.”
“Milk and honey? There is no milk and honey, just people wasting our time.”
“You don’t know that. I mean, don’t you think that it’s a good sign that they’re cautious?”
“Of course but we don’t have time for this.”
He laughed. “Why, because of Garcia?”
Alex shot him a puzzled expression.
“Come on, Alex. We’ve all seen the way you are around him. You don’t like the guy. I wouldn’t either if he muscled in on my lady.”
“She’s not my lady.”
“I beg to differ. You sure as hell seemed to cozy up to one another on the way back.”
“We did not.”
“All right. Believe what you want but the rest of us have noticed.”
“The rest?”
“Elisha, Liam, Leo, and so on. Besides, Garcia would be coming with us so I don’t see why you’re in a rush.”
“Because that cabin is cramped.”
“All right. I will give you that,” Thomas said. He put his feet up on the dashboard and reached into his pocket for a pack of smokes.
Alex frowned. “Where the hell did you get those?”
“I found them.”
“Obviously. Where?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Thomas.”
“In one of the homes in the area.”
Alex put the brakes on and both of them lurched forward. “What the…”
“I thought we discussed this,” Alex said.
“The homes were abandoned, Alex. It’s not like I held up a family for a pack of smokes. We were exploring some of the neighborhoods, we entered a few homes. No one was there.”
“You think no one was there. What if they were out?”
“What, on a country drive?” He chuckled, then placed the cancer stick in his mouth and lit the end. He blew the first lungful of smoke out the window. “Ah, I’m gonna miss these.”
Alex drove on. “Maybe it’s for the best. Don’t let Sophie see you with those, she hasn’t had one for weeks.”
“Ah, trying to quit.”
“Trying.”
Suddenly, as they came around a bend, they heard a loud bang. The truck swerved as Alex struggled to keep it on the asphalt. He smashed his foot into the brake and brought it to a stop near the edge of the road. “Stay in the vehicle,” he said. He hopped out and stood back looking at the truck, then went around the other side, that’s when he spotted one of the tires had blown. Just as he crouched to look at it, a single shot rang out. The bullet punched into the steel, inches from his face. Alex flew into defensive mode, hurrying around the front of the truck just as more rounds sliced up the dirt near him and took out the windows.
As he climbed into the truck he looked on in horror at the sight of Thomas slumped over. A round had torn through his neck, blood was pumping out fast. “Thomas! No. No!”
He was coughing blood, one hand clamped over his throat.
Although Alex tried to get him out, it was too late, by the time he pulled him over to the driver’s side, he was dead.
“No. No!”
More rounds chewed up the truck and a side mirror broke away, hanging by a few wires. Alex reached beneath the seat and pulled out the extra AR-15 and a box of ammo. He slipped down the grassy embankment closest to him, dirt caking his jeans as the continual onslaught created a deafening chorus.
Was it Jodi?
Had they decided to take them out?
Was this their plan all along?
Had she had a few of the others circle around?
Darting into the tree line, he twisted around eyeing his surroundings.
The gunfire ceased. He could still see the truck, and Thomas, one hand hanging out of the driver’s side, blood dripping from his fingers to the asphalt. He closed his eyes for a second, wishing he’d never agreed to meet them. It was a mistake.
His heart was drumming in his chest, his throat burning as he scanned the road for movement through his scope. Where are you?
A figure emerged but he wasn’t wearing a camo suit.
Without a second thought, Alex took the shot.
The guy’s head disappeared in a burst of red and his legs buckled.
More rapid gunfire followed.
This time he shifted into another position, going from tree to tree. He saw a glint of light, maybe the sun reflecting off steel? Then it was gone. Alex darted to another tree and slung the rifle over his shoulder and climbed. Because he had gone down a ditch, his vantage point wasn’t ideal. He figured if he reached a higher vantage point he might be able to see who was attacking. The leaves rustled as a light breeze blew through the branches.
Alex squinted as he peered out and saw a black truck emerge from a dirt road not far down from where they were heading to the east. It drove up and two men hopped out, went around and dragged Thomas’ body out of the passenger side and loaded him into the back of their truck bed. Bringing his rifle around, Alex focused on the driver who was still sitting inside the idling truck. Once he had his dumb face in the crosshair he squeezed the round. The moment it shattered the windshield the other two unleashed a flurry of rounds randomly. They couldn’t pinpoint where it had come from except the forest.
Now had it only been the two of them he might have continued to wage war but more rounds came, this time from the tree line across the road. It was the same direction as the first attack. A quick glance through his scope and he spotted him. The shooter was tucked in behind a fort of rocks and trees farther down.
Several bullets tore into his tree.
His cover was blown.
Alex tossed his rifle, climbed down a few branches, then dropped ten feet to the ground not because he wanted to but because they gave him no choice. The gunfire was relentless. The moment he landed he felt a shot of pain go up his leg from his ankle. He hobbled over to his rifle and scooped it up just as he saw the two guys from the truck pitching sideways down the slope that led toward the tree line. “Shit!”
The pain was excruciating as he hobbled and limped deeper into the forest, praying a bullet didn’t strike him in the ba
ck.
It didn’t take long for them to spot him.
Rounds erupted, bark flew off the trees near him as he scrambled for cover behind a boulder covered in moss, staying low, out of sight.
“You might as well come out,” one of them shouted.
He stuck out the barrel of his gun between two rocks but before he could squeeze off a round, a flurry of bullets tore through the forest speckling the terrain, and the two men buckled. This was followed by more gunfire out on the road.
Screams of agony erupted then silence.
Then it began again.
Alex remained still, listening as the staccato of gunfire seemed to go on for minutes but was likely only seconds.
Suddenly stillness fell over the wilderness and he heard her voice.
“They’re gone, Alex. Come on out.”
It was Jodi. He didn’t immediately step out but observed the group he’d seen back at the clearing walk into the forest, their rifles lowered. “Alex. No one is going to hurt you.” Unconvinced, he drew in a sharp breath then limped out from his position with the rifle raised preparing to shoot again.
None of them raised a rifle at him so he lowered his.
“We heard the gunfire. Perhaps now you understand our hesitation. You injured?” she asked. He hobbled forward, grimacing. She cast her eyes down.
“It’s nothing,” he said waving her off. “Who were they?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
His thoughts went back to what Liam had said about Joe’s parents, about the meth labs being burned to the ground. Was this retribution? He leaned against a tree, groaning, and Jodi gave a nod for two of her boys to help him. “I’m sorry about your friend,” one of them said.
“Yeah,” he replied in a soft voice as they led him out of the forest and helped him onto the back of an ATV.
“Hold on tight,” Jodi said.
10
Los Angeles, California
Dumbfounded, confused, and downright angry.
There was no other way to describe it. The sudden arrival of a military aircraft in Willits had initially been met by hope, even joy but that soon vanished when Ryan never emerged. A few words of protest came from the others when they told her they had orders to take her. No reason was given. No timeline of when she would be back. Simply bundled into the belly of a V-22 Osprey and whisked away to Travis Air Force Base where she was transferred to a plane then taken to her final destination of Edwards Air Force Base farther south.
Questions weren’t answered.
Outbursts not tolerated.
She spent the better part of her journey staring at an expressionless Ranger.
It looked like the life had gone out of his eyes. What horrors had he witnessed? He seemed more machine than man, a perfect product of government molding. Break ’em down, build ’em up. To some just a number, a face among many willing to exchange free will for orders.
After being shuffled into a drab, sparsely furnished office and told to wait, she sat staring up at a clock on the wall. Time seemed to have little meaning now. It once dictated when a job started and ended, breaks, after-school activities, dinner, sleep, now it all just blurred into one endless day.
Sitting there gave her a lot of time to think about family.
What it meant to her, and Alex’s comments about Garcia.
Had she been in a rush to move on? Did she really want to sweep Michael’s death under the rug and act like it never happened? And had she been too hard on Alex? The click of heels outside was followed by the door opening and Danielle Gardiner stepping inside. She had this grim expression as she shut the door. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Reid, and for the lack of information provided. We really wouldn’t have dragged you into this if we thought it could be handled any other way.”
“Can you please tell me what is going on?” Sophie asked as Danielle took a seat across from her and began to unfold everything they had learned since they last saw her.
Sophie sat back and stared down at her hands. She found it hard to hold herself together as she listened. The urge to cry was strong. It wasn’t the misfortune of having been handed a foster child that had kept secrets, it was the knowledge that someone had cared so little for Ryan, and had so much hate for a country that they were willing to use him like a weapon. Gradually the truth came out about what Ryan had kept from them and the role his parents played in the attack on America. It was a crushing blow that only dredged up painful memories.
“Like I said, I’m sorry but there is a lot riding on this. If we could do it any other way we would.”
“I understand,” Sophie replied in a choked-up voice. “You have to catch the individuals. But how can you guarantee that this won’t go wrong?”
“We will have multiple teams on hand.”
“And what if it turns into a hostage situation?”
“If you do exactly as we say, it shouldn’t.”
“Shouldn’t wouldn’t couldn’t. Yeah, I’ve heard that before.”
Danielle leaned forward, hands clasped together. “We cannot afford to lose Ryan. He is the only bargaining chip we have in all of this. So you can be damned sure you can trust us. You won’t get hurt.”
“It’s not myself I’m worried about. He’s just a kid.”
“That kid is responsible for all that this country has gone through in the last five weeks and a hell of a lot smarter than you give him credit.”
“I know he’s smart. But I also know he’s sixteen years old. He’s been manipulated his entire life. They’ve used him as a pawn in a game of chess without any regard for his life and you want to throw him to the wolves?”
“Ms. Reid.”
“That’s Mrs. I’m not officially divorced yet.”
Danielle raised an eyebrow. “Mrs. Reid. If we could send our teams in alone we would have already done it by now. If we could draw these people out without Ryan going in, we would have done it by now. If these people catch even the slightest hint that this is a trap, you and I can forget about the country bouncing back. The nation is already in flames. It’s just a matter of how hot you want it to get.” She looked up at the clock. “Now time is ticking. At three o’clock the exchange will go down at a bar in Los Angeles. They are under the impression that you got him out.”
“What about my safety?”
“We have that covered. Not only will we have teams standing by, but everything you see and hear we will see and hear.”
“You’re placing a wire on me?”
“Not exactly. The days of having a bulky tape recorder strapped to your chest are long gone. The devices are smaller, safer, and comfortable. So are you ready?”
She took a deep breath. “Where’s Ryan?”
“Already in L.A.” She rose from the table and headed over to the door. Danielle stopped, her hand on the handle. “Look, Sophie, I know you have bonded with the kid. Hell, in some ways, I even like him, but you know after this he won’t be able to return home with you.”
“Why not? He’s helped you.” She paused then made it even clearer. “He’s helping you.”
She nodded. “Whatever deal was on the table originally is off. We can’t have someone like that out on the streets, it’s too much of a risk. If everything goes to plan today, he’ll do some time for his involvement and will spend the rest of his days under the watchful eye of the government.”
Sophie shook her head. “You think the way forward is punishment?”
“No. No, I don’t but I understand the dangers that he poses. Look, he could grow up to be a valuable member of society and live out his days without any issues. But what happens if he doesn’t? Huh? What happens if he decides he wants retribution for the capture and imprisonment of his parents?”
“But you take that risk with every person that is released from prison. Will they go back to who they were before? Will they make the same mistakes? He’s a kid!”
“He’s a hacker and
an enemy of the state. If he was older, you can be damn sure they would lock him up and throw away the key. Now I can’t promise anything but you have my word that I will go to bat for him and ensure that he is treated fairly.”
She snorted and shook her head.
“Are we on the same page, Mrs. Reid?”
“You haven’t exactly given him or me much choice. Instead you’ve closed the book, had your say, and thrown it at us.” Sophie gestured for her to lead the way. She was done listening. All she wanted to do was see him and get this over with.
The video recording transmitter was unnoticeable inside the glasses they gave her. Having never worn glasses except shades, it felt strange to put them on. The lenses weren’t prescription so at least she could see clearly. The audio recorder was inside a button attached to the shirt she’d be wearing. There was no panic device she could press as Homeland Security, the FBI and the military would be on hand if anything went wrong.
There was nothing she needed to do, no switch to turn on. “Just remain calm,” Danielle had said. “You are there to ensure he is returned to his mother, that’s it.”
Once that was done, she was instructed to leave and as soon as she was out, their teams would swoop in.
“Will I be able to hear you?”
Danielle tried to reassure her. “No. I know that doesn’t instill any confidence in you but you can be assured that you are going into a controlled environment. We can’t take any chances. Stick to the plan. Hand him over and leave.”
“What if they spot your teams?”
“They won’t.”
“And if they don’t let me leave?”
“Trust me, they have no reason to take you. They will want to get in and get out.”
It was nerve-racking; she didn’t want to imagine what it was like for Ryan. She wasn’t sure who to be more worried about — the terrorists or the feds. She’d heard of these things going awry, and if anyone opened fire, both Ryan and her stood the chance of getting caught in the crossfire.
They were flown from Edwards Air Force Base to a private farm just on the outskirts of L.A. As the helicopter landed, Sophie looked up toward a two-story house on top of a hill surrounded by bright purple jacaranda trees. Danielle looked across at her, not smiling for even a second.
