Friction

by Dwayne Gill

  Plumber did indeed trust Hart, for if they used force to gain entry and didn’t find what they were looking for, they’d have a hard time explaining their actions. Hart was placing a ton of confidence in the information Blake gave him, but if the ex-CIA agent was wrong or misleading him, this whole thing would backfire.

  “Let’s go,” said Hart, leading the team of fifteen to the front entrance. There would undoubtedly be cameras everywhere in and around the facility, so they advanced quickly with their guns drawn. Hart and Plumber had already agreed to shoot anyone on sight, a risky but necessary stipulation, and had made their orders clear to the rest of the team.

  The front entrance opened into a big lobby with hallways on both sides, each leading around the perimeter of the building. The right corridor led to offices and a conference room, while the one to the left was identical, except for the entrance into the lower level of the compound. They were only concerned with that route, and Hart hoped they could access it with little resistance. Blake had given Hart a decent mental picture of how the bunker was laid out, which made him confident about their maneuverability once inside.

  When they were ten feet from the front doors, Hart had a terrible feeling they were headed to their deaths, although there was nothing overtly threatening so far. The lights were dim inside, but he could see well enough to be sure there was no one in the lobby. Maybe that’s what was bothering him, for he would’ve thought there’d be at least minimal security watching over such a clandestine place. Despite his anxiety, Hart pressed on, knowing no matter what the odds, this group was likely Bowman and Webb’s only hope for escape.

  The agents were using E-MP5 SMGs for this occasion, firearms commonly used by FBI SWAT teams. Though they could have opted for heavier weapons and equipment, Hart chose to stay more mobile. He was reminded that if their enemy deployed an EMP, it wouldn’t matter what type of guns they used, for they’d be useless anyway.

  At Hart’s signal, the team shot the front glass doors, clearing a path for their entry, and the men immediately drifted to the left side of the lobby. This measure would eliminate being flanked by men coming down both hallways at once, but it was no matter, for the left corridor was empty.

  Hart was both encouraged and skeptical of this easy passage; if there was any measure of security, they should have been alerted by now. There was no noise or sign of life apart from his own team, so Hart motioned for half the men to move forward down the hallway.

  Their steps echoed as they walked toward the center of the passage, where Hart could see the protruding frame of the steel door leading to the subterranean level. Plumber was beside him while the other six men brought up the rear. Hart stepped to the panel while the men to his left and right kept watch, but as he punched in the first number of the six-digit code, gunfire echoed through the hallway, coming from both directions. Hart heard his own men unleashing their E-MP5s, accompanied by the sound of even larger-caliber weapons being discharged farther down the corridor.

  Hart and Plumber hit the deck, both unprepared for the gunfight, and Hart saw his team members dropping quickly. It took only seconds for the enemies on both sides to neutralize most of the men on the team, but suddenly the onslaught stopped. There were only three agents left standing; they’d dropped their weapons and knelt in surrender while Hart and Plumber were still readying their own retaliation.

  Hart quickly saw why the massacre had been so quick and decisive, for to his left and right, large groups of armed men were in combat stances, twenty-plus guns aimed to kill. One man from each group had taken point and held a large weapon that looked like a Gatling gun, but Hart knew it was something far more sophisticated and dangerous. They were called Metal Storm, large guns used more as artillery against airborne missiles. The electronic weapon could fire a million rounds per minute with amazing accuracy. The killing machines had eliminated every agent in the hallway except the ones closest to Hart and Plumber. Hart wondered for a moment how the massive onslaught hadn’t killed everyone, but the answer came right to him. They want me and Plumber alive, he thought.

  “I’d drop those weapons if I were you,” said a voice down the hall. “Unless you’d like to see what this weapon does at its full capability.”

  Plumber shook his head, but Hart nodded and set his gun down, hoping the director would follow suit. After one more verbal warning, Plumber complied.

  Hart looked at the approaching mob and felt the weight of his failure, but he was sure he wouldn’t live long with the regret. Two men he didn’t recognize led the groups coming from both directions, and he wondered if Vinson or one of the lieutenants was here too. Hart noticed none of the marked men were wearing shoes. He considered his team’s echoing footsteps earlier and realized why they hadn’t been able to hear their enemies approaching. They’re always one step ahead.

  *

  10:30 p.m. EST

  Everything had finally fallen into place for Vinson. His men now had Hart and Plumber in custody, while Rick had successfully infiltrated the hideout in Naperville. The only complication was that the house’s occupants had locked themselves in a panic room, but Rick had Lynks, who would eventually give them access. The man could never hold out in the face of Rick’s methods.

  The only more satisfying scenario would have been killing Cane, William, and Daniel, but Vinson felt like they were effectively doing the same thing by ripping the men’s hearts out.

  He’d still had no luck finding William’s family, but Vinson realized that would almost be too good to be true. Despite this shortcoming, they had enough leverage with the captives they possessed to get the job done. Now, if Vinson could only get Cane to answer his phone, the demonstration could begin.

  Vinson’s cell rang, and he excitedly answered, thinking it was Cane. When he heard the voice on the other end, though, his heart thumped hard in his chest, for it was something even better. Vinson ended the call and turned to Mick, smiling. “I’ve gotta go,” he said. “Call Rick and Travis. No one touches the captives until I return.” Mick shot him a confused look. “Trust me,” said Vinson. “You’ll be happy you did.”

  Extended Family

  October 2, 2028

  8:45 p.m. MDT

  Havre, Montana

  Cane drove his rental down the remote highway, frustrated by his failed attempts to reach his friends by phone. He’d tried Hart, Lynks, Calvin, Kristy, and even Barkley, but no one was answering. Being so far from everyone was bugging him, especially with Hart and Barkley involved in such dangerous missions of their own. He understood why the FBI agents weren’t answering, but not being able to reach anyone at Calvin’s house was alarming.

  Another concern was the anonymous calls Cane had been receiving on an alternate phone. None of his friends had the number except Lynks and Bowman, but the voice he heard briefly on the first call didn’t belong to either one. This led Cane to believe it was Vinson or a lieutenant trying to taunt him into doing something foolish. Cane couldn’t afford to be distracted, so he’d been continuously ignoring the calls, knowing his friends could reach him on his primary phone.

  Cane had accepted the likely fate of Bowman, his long-time friend, knowing Hart’s chances of finding and saving him were slim. Part of Cane hoped Hart wouldn’t discover the location at all, for it was highly likely Hart would die trying to save Bowman.

  Cane had more faith in Barkley’s endeavor than Hart’s, though he knew hers would be challenging as well. Barkley had shown a lot of grit by taking on two of the marked men and killing them, so maybe she could get the job done. She also wasn’t storming an official government building guarded by professionals.

  After another failed round of calls, Cane dialed Daniel, who picked up immediately.

  “How goes it?” asked Daniel.

  “I’m in Montana,” said Cane.

  “We’re about to land at Eglin,” said Daniel. “Have you found William’s family?”

  “I’m about thirty minutes away,” said Cane.

  �
�Good,” said Daniel. “William’s a little anxious.”

  “Have you talked to anyone back at home?” asked Cane.

  “I’ve been asleep,” said Daniel. “Why? Is everything okay?”

  “I can’t reach anyone,” said Cane. “Lynks, Calvin, Barkley, or Hart.”

  “I’ll try,” said Daniel. Cane heard the abrupt shift in his voice.

  “I’ll call you back after I have William’s family,” said Cane.

  Daniel had already hung up. Cane was now burdened with an even heavier feeling of dread. If something bigger was afoot, not him, Daniel, or William was in any position to help, and wouldn’t be for hours.

  *

  October 2, 2028

  11:00 p.m. EST

  Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

  Daniel exited the plane with a heart full of anxiety, for he’d had the same luck as Cane reaching their friends. William’s nerves were shot, too, as he awaited the status of his family. The tension hung like a cloud over everyone at the airport, and things were about to get worse.

  “Where’s Mathis?” William asked a young soldier who approached them on the tarmac.

  “He couldn’t make it,” said the man. “He told me to fly you wherever you needed to go, though.”

  “Where is he?” asked William, perturbed.

  The soldier shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  William paced, likely trying to decide his next move. He made a phone call then clicked off his headset. “Mathis isn’t answering.”

  Daniel knew how William felt; they were both burdened by uncertainty and found it hard to focus on anything else. “Let’s wait,” said Daniel. “Cane will call soon. It’ll give me a chance to keep trying to reach everyone at home.”

  William looked at him and nodded, and they all sat, hoping for some good news.

  *

  October 2, 2028

  9:20 p.m. MDT

  Outside of Havre, Montana

  Cane couldn’t have chosen a better place to hide William’s family himself; he’d taken turn after turn through the rough terrain around Milk River, leading him down paths that could barely be considered roads. It vaguely reminded him of the remote location he’d driven Kristy to years ago in the Florida panhandle, where the Blue Rose Killer had kept her and many others captive. This area was even more secluded and hidden, and Cane understood why William had doubted his family was in danger. In fact, Cane worried the biggest risk to the family’s safety might come from them leaving this hiding spot in the middle of nowhere.

  Cane now realized how useless even GPS would’ve been in finding the hiding place, which made him appreciate William’s thorough directions. As he topped the next hill, he saw a quaint cottage sitting alone and knew he’d arrived. Smoke billowed from its chimney. The yard was in disarray, but Cane was sure no one cared. This place was meant for isolation and never intended to be put proudly on display.

  Cane parked and exited his vehicle, wary of his surroundings, although he felt no danger or much possibility of it. When he stepped onto the small front porch of the cabin, though, the front door cracked open, and he saw the barrel of a gun aimed in his direction. “Who is it?” asked a female voice.

  Guessing it was April, William’s wife, Cane stopped in his tracks. “William sent me.”

  He heard a whispered discussion on the other side. It was clear they weren’t anticipating anyone sinister to find them, but they also hadn’t expected company. “Who are you?”

  “Cane.” He didn’t know how much his disclosure would help the matter, unless William had told them his name, which, considering how much William seemed to know, wouldn’t be a shock.

  The door swung inward, revealing the lady on the other end of the shotgun. She was young, in her early twenties, making her near the same age as Natalie and Jordyn. She had long, brown, wavy hair and blue eyes and looked very much out of place in this isolated cabin. She glared at Cane, though there didn’t seem to be anything truly menacing about her. However, he suspected she knew how to use the gun. “Come in,” she said.

  When the woman stepped aside, she revealed a man sitting in a recliner, his legs raised like he wasn’t planning on getting up anytime soon. The interior of the cabin looked nicer than Cane expected, warm, cozy, and inviting. The man in the chair, who Cane assumed was Bart, looked at him casually and beckoned him forward. “Come, have a seat,” he said.

  “You’re Bart,” said Cane. “Are you April?”

  Bart laughed. “I’m Bart, but she isn’t April.”

  The woman smiled casually. “Ara,” she said. Ara seemed to have relaxed now that Cane revealed the names of William’s loved ones, which confirmed he was a friendly guest.

  “William is back in the states,” said Cane. He noticed Bart and Ara’s faces change with the news, so they’d likely known about his capture.

  “That’s great news,” said Bart. “Why didn’t he come?”

  “He sent me ahead to retrieve his family,” said Cane. “He’s not in top condition.”

  Bart frowned. “I imagine he’s not. However, April and Mercy aren’t here, as you can probably tell.”

  The cabin was small, but Cane had hoped they were in another room. He wasn’t expecting them to be somewhere other than the location William had given him. “Where are they?”

  “April’s family has them,” said Bart. Cane noticed a look of displeasure on Ara’s face as Bart said it, and Cane wasn’t happy about the development, either.

  “Does William know this?” asked Cane. “He seemed to expect them to be here.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he did,” said Bart. “And no, William would have made the trip himself had he known Guy and his sons had his wife and kid.”

  “Who the hell is Guy?” asked Cane, becoming more frustrated by the minute.

  “He’s April’s father,” said Bart. “A mean old fart, him and those boys. William’s had run-ins with them in the past.”

  “Why did you let them take her and his kid?” asked Cane.

  “We didn’t,” said Ara, now facing him, but unarmed. “We tried to stop them.”

  “When those animals realized William was captured and likely dead, they came over and took April and Mercy,” said Bart.

  Cane looked more closely at Bart, noticing he looked not only comfy in his seat but appeared to be confined to it. The man had all his essential needs surrounding him, within arm’s reach, which included a miniature refrigerator.

  “He has a bum leg,” said Ara, noticing his interest. “There’s no way we could have stopped them.”

  “I can’t exactly hike over there to get them, either,” said Bart.

  Cane perked up. “They’re close to here?”

  “A few miles through the woods is all,” said Bart.

  Cane suddenly felt much better about the situation. “Well, I’ll just go get them,” he said.

  Ara smiled. “I can show you the way.”

  *

  Cane was glad Ara came along; she likely saved him valuable time. Even during the day, it would’ve been hard to navigate the overgrown paths through the woods, which Ara seemed to know well.

  “I walk this path a lot, just to spy on them,” she said. “I couldn’t do anything to help, but I wanted to check on them.”

  “Are they in danger?” asked Cane.

  “They’re bad people,” said Ara, “but no, I don’t think they’d hurt April or Mercy.”

  Cane didn’t like the way she said it. “You don’t think?”

  “Guy abused April when she was a kid, so it’s easy to conceive he’d do the same now. But what he really wants is to own them. William took April away from the family a long time ago.”

  “You mean he saved her from her father?” asked Cane.

  “And her brothers,” said Ara.

  “Her family never tried anything before now?”

  “Well, not exactly,” said Ara. “After William took April away, Guy and her brothers found her, but William nearly killed every one of
them. April was the one who spared their lives. I wish William would’ve just killed them.”

  “Why move her back here then?” asked Cane.

  “Because he knew no one knew about this place,” said Ara. “William grew up in the cabin. It’s a long story having to do with his childhood that he’ll have to tell you, but let’s say the marked men would never think to look here. As far as April’s family, they hadn’t bothered her for years, and they knew William would kill them if they messed with her. April and Mercy have only been here a few months.”

  “But once April’s family thought William was out of the picture, they moved in,” said Cane, understanding how everything had unfolded.

  “Precisely,” said Ara. “William chose the lesser of the two evils. Here they’d be safe from the marked men, which was far more important.”

  Cane wondered who this mysterious woman was, for she seemed to know an awful lot about things. “Who are you?”

  “I was wondering when you’d ask,” said Ara. “You have the marking on your forearm, right?”

  “Yes,” said Cane, though he didn’t know what that had to do with the question.

  “You guys have a tendency to shelter those in need,” said Ara. “I’m another one of those who needed help.”

  Cane frowned at her vagueness but assumed she was someone William had helped in the past, like Daniel’s Taryn and his Kristy. “You seem to know a lot about things.”

  “I’ve seen a lot,” said Ara.

  They finally came to a clearing and saw a white house standing in a large, open clearing, lit by exterior lighting. The home was significantly larger and better kept than the cabin through the woods.