Wolf Trap (Casey Reddick Book 1)

by Charles DeMaris

  He was approaching the shore when the Cessna reached 200 feet and vanished in a blinding flash of light.

  “Tell me you got clear…yeah, you’re clear. I can still hear that damn music,” Ken said.

  “Where are you?” Casey said, “I could use a ride. I’m about to pass over the stadium, about 5000 feet and running low on fuel.”

  “Look just south of the stadium and a bit below you.”

  “I got you. Get the door open. I might be gliding in.”

  Casey angled downward and banked to come in behind the plane as Ken opened the doors. He was still 200 feet above and 100 yards behind when the fuel in his boots ran out.

  “Not too fast, I’m out of fuel.”

  “Much slower and I’ll be stalling.”

  “Just keep it steady.”

  Casey tried to keep his altitude as long as he could and when he was almost level with the top of the plane, he pointed downward and dropped right on to the end of the ramp, almost losing his balance, and walking up into the rear of the plane.

  37

  The detonation and resulting mushroom cloud, eight miles out to sea, was visible to anyone who happened to be looking east, and before long everyone in Miami knew what it was. How it happened was a mystery that was being pieced together quickly by law enforcement officers who were at the game and witnessed the body fall from the banner plane, followed by the banner, before the plane climbed and headed east. Given the nature of what had transpired, the game was postponed until the following day and the fans were encouraged to vacate the premises as quickly as possible.

  Media speculation was all over the board, but the police gave little information to reporters until they could gather what they could from eyewitness interviews and the evidence they had at hand. What they knew was precious little. They had a body of a young Arab male with a 9mm bullet in his head and the plane was seen climbing and heading east. Minutes later there was a nuclear explosion over the ocean.

  Police Chief George Maloney got that much from talking to fans and police officers who were there and he pieced together what most likely happened. The dead Arab was flying the banner plane with a nuke on board and intended to fly it straight into the ballpark, someone else got on board the plane, shot him, dumped his body out, and got the plane over the ocean before the nuke went off. How in the hell did this mystery man get on board the plane? Where was he now? Or she? Did this person go down with the plane? Whoever it was saved thousands of lives. He stood near second base and looked around him, thinking of what he would say at the press conference in a half hour, when Officer Mike Frazier interrupted him.

  “Chief, got something you might want to see,” Frazier said.

  “Whatcha got there?”

  “The blimp got some interesting video,” Frazier said as he handed Maloney a tablet, “Take a look.”

  The blimp was at a higher altitude and was shooting aerial shots for use during the broadcast. The Cessna went by and just as it was starting to descend over the top of the stadium, what appeared to be a man flew right up to the plane, shot out the window, and entered through the door on the right side. The plane went into a dive, the body fell out of the other door, and the plane leveled off before dropping the banner and flying away.

  “Did I see what I thought I saw?”

  “Not sure Chief. Looks like a guy flew up, took out the bad guy, and got the plane out of there. Saved our bacon.”

  “Where’d you get this video?”

  “Guys in the blimp.”

  “Can you see if they have anything better?”

  Two minutes later Frazier got off the phone.

  “He’s sending us a couple more. Closer shots and something else he thought was interesting. When the blast went off, they stayed around and shot a lot of video…okay…files downloading…here we go.”

  He played the first one to show up, a closer view of what they had already seen.

  “Well I’ll be damned,” Chief Maloney said.

  “Yeah Chief, I saw something like that on YouTube once, dudes flying with wing suits.”

  “That’s what it looks like. Who was he and how did he know this was gonna happen?”

  “There’s another video here, after the blast.”

  They played the other video and for a moment there was nothing, then they saw Nyangumi fly by with the ramp open and Casey dropping onto the ramp and entering the plane before the ramp closed.

  “That has to be the same guy,” Frazier said, “How’d he get the plane that far out and make it back?”

  “Must have some kind of jet boots I figure.”

  Thirty minutes later, Maloney stood behind a podium and addressed the nation.

  “This is what we know so far about what happened earlier. The plane towing the banner had a nuclear device on board that the pilot was intending to detonate in the stadium during the game. This video, provided by the blimp flying overhead, shows us what happened. An unknown person wearing a wing suit and some type of propulsion boots overtook the plane, killed the pilot, and flew the plane out to sea before the bomb detonated. We have reason to believe this person escaped the blast and made it back to safety, as you can see by this next video. We think the same person flew back to this plane and then left the premises. We have no idea who these people are, but they saved thousands of lives and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”

  When the chief paused, the questions came one after another from the reporters assembled there, but he repeated what he had already told everyone, that someone stopped the attack and they had no idea who.

  “Casey Reddick, you are the craziest and the bravest young man I have ever met,” Ken said when Casey sat down in the co-pilot’s seat.

  “I don’t know about that. I just did what had to be done.”

  “You did it, man! You really did it.”

  “We did it. I had help.”

  “You know man, I’ve pulled off a lot of missions in my time, but this one takes it. It was a real team effort, but what you did there…like something out of a movie, and nobody will ever know.”

  “I don’t know about that. Check this out.”

  Casey turned up the volume on his tablet where he was streaming the police chief’s press conference.

  “They got video from the blimp, even showed me coming back on board.”

  “Well I’ll be…but they don’t know who we are.”

  “I’m fine with that. I know what we stopped, just not sure it’s sunk in yet. It’s overwhelming.”

  “You only saved about a hundred thousand people.”

  “Only…say…where are you headed anyway?”

  “I don’t know. Just felt like flying around for a bit.”

  “Well, I feel like getting something to eat.”

  “Call Rachel and see if they got any food on that yacht.”

  Hasan Khalil stared at the television and said nothing. He didn’t need to say anything; the bulging veins said all that needed to be said. His fists were clenched and he tried in vain to control his breathing. Ansari sat in silence, head bowed, afraid to address Khalil. When Khalil had his emotions under control, he picked up his phone and dialed a number in Langley, VA.

  The phone was answered on the second ring.

  “Yes, Hasan, I’ve seen the news. Most unfortunate. I hope you are not in the U.S.”

  “I am for the moment. I was taken by some private group but I have been rescued.”

  “Listen to me Hasan, you need to get out now. Get out and never come back.”

  “Where are the usual promises of protection?”

  “I’m afraid there’s little I can do for you. My cover’s been blown. Leonid and I have to get out, too.”

  “Who’s Leonid?”

  “I’ve already said too much.”

  “So, this is it then? I don’t get to know who you are? You seem to know a lot about me.”

  “We helped your organization and now this operation has failed, and my cover is blown. Probably the same
organization that captured you. This is it, Hasan. I must go now. I’m sorry I can’t be of more assistance.”

  The call was disconnected and Khalil slammed the phone to the ground.

  “Well,” he said to one of the young men, “How soon do we move out?”

  “As soon as you are ready. It’s just a short drive to the airport.”

  “Where are we flying to?”

  “We are meeting a boat. It’s not safe flying home right now.”

  “Where is this boat?”

  “Off the coast of Georgia. Let’s get moving, sir.”

  “Gotcha!” Ahmed said as he finished listening in on the conversation between Khalil and the woman in Langley.

  “Did you record all that?” Jenny asked.

  “Every bit of it.”

  “Are you sure that was the mole he was talking to?”

  “Certain, none other than Nina Yunevich herself, but you might know her by another name. You’ve spoken to her.”

  “Come on Ahmed, quit toying with me. You know who she is?”

  “Yes, once I was able to clean up the audio on those other recordings we had. Her name is Amber O’Connor and her friend is Leonid Kosomov, but you might know him as Patrick Brookstone, the…”

  “Deputy director of the FBI…that sure explains a lot. So, how about their handler, this Yuriy?”

  “He appears to be in Russia, and digging him out would take a bit longer, if you’re up to it.”

  “Maybe later. If we’re sure we’ve identified the moles, maybe we can start working with the government again. The president might want to see the information we have.”

  “I can put together an airtight document showing everything. Give me a few days.”

  “That would be good. Did they take the bait?”

  “Yes, they’re both going to be picked up by a chauffeur and taken to a waiting helicopter.”

  “How did you arrange that?”

  “Avi flew out of here before we were attacked. He’s the chauffeur.”

  “How about the helicopter?”

  “Mahmoud was so kind to provide one when he showed up at the yacht. Elijah is on the way in it as we speak.”

  “Rachel can’t watch four terrorists by herself.”

  “She’s not by herself. Casey and Ken are there. Got a message a few minutes ago.”

  “And Khalid and Ansari?”

  “Headed there as well, and clueless.”

  “So, these guys who attacked us? Friends of yours?”

  “Just some guys I knew at college. They’re into acting. Guess we all are. Khalid and Ansari bought it.”

  “So, when they all get to the yacht?”

  “Rachel has a surprise for them. You can tell the president that they met with a most unfortunate accident. We’ll provide enough evidence that he won’t raise much of a fuss.”

  July 12, 10:00 AM

  Two miles off the coast of Georgia

  Khalid and Ansari got out of the helicopter and one of the young men escorted them to two cabins where they could clean up and get some rest. The helicopter took off and headed inland. Half an hour later, another helicopter arrived, carrying Nina, Leonid, and the pilot of the first helicopter, and everyone disembarked and went to cabins. In each cabin there was a note from the captain that a meal would be served in the dining room in three hours and that they should rest and clean up before then.

  The original crew members were locked up in another cabin and were replaced by Ahmed’s four friends, who apart from Ken who also spoke Arabic, were the only ones to speak to their guests. Elijah, Casey, and Rachel stayed out of sight.

  At 1:00 PM everyone made their way to the dining room and Nina was barely able to contain her astonishment when she recognized Khalid across the table from her. The food was brought to the table by the young men, an aromatic selection of Middle Eastern dishes that Rachel had prepared under their supervision. The young men left the room and came back a moment later with water and glasses, filling up a glass for each guest. The dishes were passed around the table and everyone began eating in earnest, since they had traveled in haste and had eaten little in the last day.

  A few minutes into the meal, Leonid reached for his water glass and found that he couldn’t move his hand. He tried to move his other hand and nothing happened. In fact, he couldn’t move at all. Within a minute, all of the guests were experiencing the same. Nobody could move a muscle. The door to the dining room opened and they could hear the sound of the helicopter’s rotors. Someone had gone out and started the engine. The young Arab men had already left the room, but Casey and Rachel strode in and looked over the immobilized guests.

  Rachel walked over to Nina and got right in her face.

  “What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?”

  Nina just stared ahead, unable to even speak.

  “If it isn’t Nina Yunevich, in the flesh. Or do you prefer Amber O’Connor. I’ve always wanted to meet you. My dad knew you well. You might remember him. He was your boss, and you had him murdered. I was there and I killed the thug you sent to kill him. You thought you had all your bases covered, didn’t you?

  So how was the meal? You didn’t even finish what was on your plate. Shame. After I put all that effort into preparing it. I bet you’re wondering why you can’t move. It’s really quite simple. An extra ingredient called succinylcholine. Dr. Zielinski altered it a bit so I could slip it into your food. You know Dr. Zielinski, the kind man who drove your limo and recorded everything you said during the ride? He’s such a dear old man, and really smart with things like this. The problem with succinylcholine is that it stops all your muscles and we couldn’t have that. Can’t have your heart stopping or you not being able to breathe. Wouldn’t want you to die too quickly would we?

  This way is so much better. Got the dose right and everything. You can’t move a lick, but you’re still breathing. That way you won’t up and die before you’re supposed to. Don’t worry about the effects. It will probably wear off in about fifteen minutes. Well, fifteen or twenty. I’m not exactly sure. It doesn’t matter though. The boat’s going to sink in about five. How long can you hold your breath?”

  Rachel turned and walked out of the room and straight to the helicopter, followed by Casey. When they took their seats and strapped in, Ken looked back from the pilot’s seat, made sure that everyone was there and took off.

  Rachel dug into her purse and pulled out a small device and handed it to Casey.

  “Do you want to do the honors?”

  “You don’t want to? They had your parents killed.”

  “And your sister.”

  “Yeah…and almost a lot of other people.”

  “Guys, hurry up. We only have so much fuel in this bird,” Ken said.

  Casey grabbed the detonator and pushed the button. They heard nothing, but the yacht shifted slightly in the water as the charges they had placed in the hold went off. Ken hovered there while they all watched the yacht out the window. It only took a couple minutes before it listed slightly and slipped under the waves.

  Epilogue

  July 22, 1:00 PM

  Earl and Jenny’s house

  The office was closed. Nobody doubted that they all needed and deserved a break, and that they had reason to celebrate. Two grills were going in the back yard and Clyde and Ken were grilling enough meat to feed a small army. Clyde was showing his mastery with burgers and hot dogs and was afraid to ask Ken to identify everything that was on the other grill. He was sure of the steaks and pork ribs, but there was other meat he could not readily identify. Ken must have read his mind.

  “It’s goat.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The way you’re looking at the grill, I knew you wanted to ask me what this is. It’s goat.”

  “Ain’t never had goat.”

  “You had venison?”

  “Oh yeah. Me and Earl get one ‘bout every year.”

  “Similar, but more tender. Here, try a piece.”

 
“Mmm…not bad. Actually, pretty tasty.”

  “Make a proper African out of you yet.”

  “If’n you could darken me up a bit.”

  “Lord just took you out of the oven a little early.”

  “Well, he had you standin’ again the wall when he painted you. Didn’t get the palms of your hands dark enough.”

  “Missed the bottom of my feet, too.”

  “Coulda given me more hair.”

  “Nah, God only made so many perfect heads. The rest of them he had to cover up with hair.”

  “That’s a good one. I’m tellin’ Earl.”

  “Tellin’ me what?” Earl asked as he walked out and handed Clyde a beer.

  “Tellin’ you that the meat’s done. Reckon everyone will want to start diggin’ in.”

  Everyone was ready to dig in and before long the tables in the back yard were filled.

  “So, I heard Jenny talkin’ to the president on the phone,” Marlene said, “Never thought I’d hear someone talk to the president.”

  “Really. So, what did he have to say?” Earl asked.

  “He said thank you.”

  “Was that it?”

  “Well…he said other things…but thank you was the main point…and he said he had quite a talk with Putin.”

  “I’ll bet that was interesting. I’d like to hear that.”

  “It was interesting,” Ahmed said.

  “You didn’t…” Jenny said.

  “Didn’t what?” Ahmed said.

  “Don’t tell me you bugged the call.”

  “I was curious.”

  “You know what curiosity did to the cat.”

  “Most cats aren’t as careful as I am. You taught me well.”

  “Well, I would like to hear that.”