by K D McNiven
She strained to hear the voices—one did appear to have an unmistakable accent. Was it Australian? She couldn’t be sure, but if it was Dax, she was not going to stay tucked away in this boat and let this opportunity slip by.
She slid her feet into her shoes, grabbed the shawl Samuel had left with her, and shimmied out of the confines of the small craft and hurried along the docks. Her heart pounded with intensity. The men had entered the cantina. If that was Dax, perhaps she’d be on her way home this very evening.
There were several men seated inside. Lara pressed her face to the glass trying to make out the figures to the rear of the cantina. There were three men who appeared to be in deep conversation. As the one man turned his head, her lips parted into a smile. It was Dax.
As she turned to go inside, a powerful hand clamped over her mouth. Lara struggled frantically, but the arm holding her was strong, strapped with muscles and he held her firmly. She was unable to retaliate. Her captor dragged her down a side alley and stuffed her into the back seat of a car, where another man sat with a pistol directed at her head. She dared not move.
Everything inside of her was screaming. She had almost found freedom; had almost reached her brother. Fate was dealing her a losing hand. Tears welled up in her eyes and unable to hold them back, streamed down her flushed cheeks. So close…
***
Lito was relieved when Bart brought Lara into the office. He had his bargaining chip back. Dax wouldn’t dare go to the authorities if he thought Lara would die because. Everything was falling into order. He expected Decker would back off too since his boat had been blown up and two people close to him had lost their lives. Now Lito had a third vulnerable soul in his hands. And both Decker and Dax were aware that Lito wouldn’t hesitate to snuff her out as well if they made one false move. Things were working out after all.
India’s adrenaline was pumping as the chopper hovered a short distance from the facility. When they were given the signal, several of the forces were lowered to the ground. India had been elated when McDermott had given her permission to fly in with them. She grabbed hold of the cable and as she was being lowered and felt her heart pound with excitement. As she neared the grassy target nestled in a copse of trees, she released the cable and jumped the remaining feet. She withdrew the AK47 off her shoulder, crouched low and headed toward the entrance.
One of the men who had their back pressed against the wall motioned for the team to rush the warehouse, unbeknownst to Lito. There was a loud crash as the Special Op forces kicked in the doors. Guns were at half ready, and when the workers saw them flooding in, they thrust up their hands in surrender. They were gathered up, marched out some distance away, and held at gunpoint while the remainder of the team swept the building.
Abruptly, Lito’s secretary, Maela, opened the door of his office. If she had any feelings about seeing Lara tied up, she showed no sign of it. “Lito, soldiers have surrounded the warehouse. They seem to be clearing the building,” she said.
“What?” Lito jumped to his feet and rushed to the window. Parting the blinds, he stared in disbelief. Obviously, Decker and Dax had more power behind them then he had imagined. His mind whirled, he had to do something and quickly.
Grabbing Lara, whose hands were bound behind her, Lito shoved her through the backdoor and down into a private drive. His jeep was parked inside a bay. He opened the car door and pushed her inside, then slid into the seat beside her.
Aiming his gun at her, he snarled, “Stay down, or I’ll blow your head off!”
Lara did as she was told, her heart beating frantically. There was some satisfaction rippling through Lara as she became aware of the fact that Lito had been found out and that there were soldiers encroaching on him. She knew that they would seek to capture Lito. However, if he made it difficult, and she was sure he would, she determined they’d as soon kill him as to let him escape. It was highly possible they could both die in the process. Either way, she prayed he wouldn’t win.
The car tires squealed as he pulled out, echoing through the cement drive. He punched the pedal to the floor, smoke barreling around them, and the car was catapulted into the air as he struck the speed bump at the exit. The car landed with a jolt, throwing them both to the side, but Lito maintained control and headed down the road.
Lito had no choice but to follow the road that led past the warehouse. He zoomed by, crouching over the steering wheel as several shots were fired at his blue Wrangler. Bullets struck the back-window, and it crumbled. Lara screamed and closed her eyes. Because her head was on the seat, she was unable to determine what was going on, which made everything more intensified.
***
India rushed into the warehouse with the Special Ops forces and began sweeping the area. She held her .45 at ready and motioned to a group of workers to exit. Ahead was a staircase and she moved swiftly in that direction. At the top was a long hallway with several doors on either side. The first three were abandoned so she moved on quickly. When she discovered the forth door was locked, she stepped back, raised her foot, and with a forceful thrust, kicked in the door. Her eyes raked the reception area and off to the corner there was a tall woman, her eyes round as half dollars staring back at India.
“Where’s Chronis?” India said gruffly.
She motioned her head toward another door off to the left.
India started for the door, but a sliver of light glinted off something metal in the woman’s hand that brought India to a dead stop. In an unexpected motion, she raised a snub-nosed handgun, but before she had time to aim it, India fired, striking her in the shoulder and the gun clattered to the floor. A stream of blood flowed down the woman’s arm and she slumped against the wall, her face pinched in pain.
India leaned over and grabbed the revolver and shoved it into her waist band. “Get out of here,” she growled, giving a short push to the middle of the woman’s back. The secretary stumbled through the door leaving droplets of blood across the tiled floor.
India spun around to face Lito’s office. She reached out her hand and twisted the handle but it too was locked. Once more, she rammed her foot into the wood just below the knob. There was a splintering sound and the door swung back. Her eyes darted back and forth through the room.
“You snake!” she spat when she realized he’d gotten out through a back entrance. Without hesitation, she ran down the steps to catch sight of his Wrangler barreling down the road. She stomped her foot angrily. They’d come so close to capturing him. Grimly, she realized it was out of her hands now, and headed back to join the others.
The soldiers signaled Dean the building was clear of all workers. It was all Dean needed to hear. He maneuvered the cyclic stick, and the Seahawk helicopter swooped down like a wild vulture toward the warehouse. As he nose-dived and banked sharply right, Dean targeted the warehouse then flipped the lever on the instrument console, launching one of the missiles.
The missile hit its mark, and the building erupted like a volcano, a fireball hurling through the air, and a round of explosions followed.
“Bulls-eye!” yelled Dean. And the cockpit became a din of whoops and hollers. The helicopter circled around and gather a couple men and India, leaving the others to hold the workers until the proper authorities arrived to question them.
Dean received word from his second team who had gone after the Rosy Anne that cocaine had been seized, and the captain had spilled his guts. Dean couldn’t hold back his smile. They had Lito! He would not weasel out of this one.
Decker and Dax watched in awe as the building ruptured, debris fell like rain around them. When they caught sight of Lito’s vehicle, they rushed to the road where there was a bystander watching the raid play out. The man leaned on his vehicle, an older Chevrolet, engrossed in the scene and didn’t see Decker coming. Decker grabbed his shirt and pushed him aside, and leapt into the man’s vehicle, Dax climbing in on the other side.
“Sorry. Can’t be helped, we’re desperate!” Decker yelled. He turn
ed the key and gunned the engine. Rocks and dirt whirled around them as they sped after Lito.
Lito looked behind him and saw the car coming up fast. He accelerated and spat an obscenity. While Lito was focused on eluding the car following, he had stopped watching Lara. She took the opportunity to try and free her hands. The rope burned against her flesh as she twisted her hands fiercely. She could feel the tension lessening, and her heart raced with fear. If Lito caught on to what she was attempting to do, he could put a bullet in her head.
“I’m going to throw up,” Lara moaned.
“Who cares? Do it on yourself!”
Lara managed to push herself into a sitting position, her stomach churning. At last, the bindings on her wrist gave way. Without even considering what could happen, she yanked on the car door handle and rolled out of the car. Her shoulder hit first, pain slicing through her as her body was flung over gravel and dirt. She felt the flesh peeling off her thigh and forearm.
“Stop! Lara!” yelled Dax.
Decker slammed on the brakes, and the car spun out in the middle of the road. When the vehicle came to a stop, Dax jumped out and ran to his sister, pulling her into his arms.
“Lara,” he cried, holding her close. “Are you all right? Are you able to walk?”
Lara nodded. As he helped her up, she winced but managed to hobble over to the car. They both got in the back seat, where Dax held her, thankful she was alive.
“Hold on!” Decker hollered and whipped the old Chevy back around to continue his pursuit. He was not about to let Lito Chronis walk away after everything he’d done. He would pay for Holly and Shane’s death. And for kidnapping Lara.
Lito had gained some distance on them, and Decker pushed the old car to the limit, not wanting to lose sight of where Lito went. After a few minutes, it became clear that Lito was heading for the wharf.
The car slid on the curves and Decker fought to keep it under control. He saw Lito’s vehicle turn onto a street near the docks. He gunned the Chevy, wanting to keep as close as possible, but when he got to the side street he was forced to slam on his brakes to miss hitting a man standing at the corner. Once clear, Decker floored it again. He caught sight of Lito’s brake lights ahead.
Lito neared a hotel where he knew there was a helicopter pad on the roof. His cell in hand, he called Bart. “Bring the helicopter to the President’s Hotel, now! Pick me up on the landing.”
“Got it, boss,” Bart told him. “Running out the door right now. Be there in minutes.”
“No longer than that, I hope. I’m being tailed.”
“No worries, I’ve already started the engine.”
Lito hung up and swerved the car against the curb. He jumped out of the seat and ran fast as he could into the lobby. He tapped his foot impatiently waiting for the elevator. The elevator chimed, and as soon as the doors opened, Lito nearly threw people out of the way in a panic to get inside. He rode the elevator to the top floor, then dashed madly up the last flight of stairs to the roof.
Decker dashed through the lobby. He knew what Lito had in mind. Rushing to the elevator, he went to the top floor, ran down the hall and up the stairs to the roof. As he flung open the door, several shots rang out. He pressed himself against the wall, dodging the bullets and gritting his teeth. He could hear the loud thrumming of the chopper overhead. If he didn’t make it out there quick, Lito was going to escape.
Ducking down, he burst through the door. Two more shots whizzed past him, the door frame inches above his head taking both bullets. Decker dropped and rolled behind a vent. The skids of the helicopter touched down, and he saw Lito climb into the cockpit beside the pilot. It was only seconds before the chopper began to lift off. Taking his chances, Decker sprinted across the roof as the helicopter rotors raised it off the roof.
He sucked in a deep breath while making a rash decision. Sprinting to the edge of the roof, he leapt into the air looking like a bird in flight, his hand catching the landing skid on the helicopter.
Decker’s feet were dangling midair. He swung his other hand up battling to grab hold of the grid. Tiring quickly, his fingers finally caught hold of the metal. The chopper weaved back and forth, his body swinging like a pendulum. With as much strength as he had left, he flung one of his legs up and wrapped it tightly to the landing skid to secure himself.
“Get him off!” yelled Lito.
“I’m trying!” Bart hollered back. “I can’t believe the idiot would do such a stupid stunt as that!”
Bart yanked on the stick and drove the chopper up in a steep climb. He guided it over the ocean, veering sharply to the left and then to the right. Thrusting the stick forward, he forced the nose downward, hoping that it would jar Decker loose.
Decker could feel his fingers losing their grip. What the heck were you thinking, Hayden? If he fell at this height, he might survive, but that was debatable. In the distance, he could see the Seahawk helicopter banking toward them. Somehow, he needed to have Dean force the chopper to a lower altitude.
As the Seahawk closed in, Decker freed one hand enough to motion Dean to go up over the top in order to force the smaller chopper downward. He could see Dean through the cockpit window and saw him give a thumbs-up. The Seahawk whirled upward and was almost on top of them.
Bart panicked, hit the stick and swooped down low in an attempt to break away. Dean maneuvered his aircraft to follow in pursuit. As soon as the Seahawk got into position, Dean fired the second missile at the smaller helicopter. A stream of white smoke trailed its path to its target.
No sooner had the missile launched, Decker released his hold. His body dropped like lead to the waves below. He vertically aligned his body for the entry, toes pointed, head up and arms over his head. He could hear the explosion above him, could see the fireball out of the corner of his eye. Then he plunged beneath the surface. He continued down…down…until eventually, he was able to thrust his legs out. He spread his arms to beat the water in a frantic gesture to push himself to the surface.
He saw sunlight piercing the transparent waves, and caught sight of the rotor striking the water, coming straight at him. He twisted his body enough that only the edge of the blade raked his arm. He dove as quickly and deeply as he could, staying submerged as long as he was able and hoped that the rest of the debris had already fallen.
No longer able to hold his breath, he headed for the surface, his lungs burning. Keep kicking. Don’t quit. Not a moment too soon, his head broke the surface, and he gasped for air. He rolled to his back, drawing gulps of air into his lungs and was filled with gratitude because he was alive and in one piece—not something he’d ever take for granted.
The Seahawk lowered a rope with a basket at the end. Decker clutched the edge and rolled inside, more than happy to be hoisted up to the safety of the chopper.
Dean turned over the flying to his partner and hurried to the back to help Decker inside. When he was safely in, Dean slapped Decker’s shoulder. “We did it!”
“Wow! Decker, I’m impressed,” came India’s voice. She tossed him a towel to dry off and shook her head. “What kind of acrobatic stunt was that? Do you have a death wish or something?”
Decker shrugged, wiping off his face. “Seemed like the thing to do at the time.”
“You’re one crazy dude, Hayden,” she said. “How about Dax? Did he find his sister?”
“Got her,” Decker said with a smile. “She’ll be sore for a while. She tumbled out of Lito’s car at high speed. Thankfully it was a dirt road, but she hit hard. I think she’s going to be all right though.”
“A call just came in,” Dean said. “The team has Dax and his sister. She’s doing fairly good but is pretty scraped up. We’re going to take you ashore. The Zodiac from the Shark Eater is waiting for you.”
“What about the Rosy Anne?” asked Decker.
“You’ll be pleased to know the second half of the team, on operation Smell the Rose, succeeded. They boarded her with little resistance, and the drugs have been
seized. The captain of the ship sang like a bird!”
“That does my heart good,” Decker said.
“I’ve got to say, Decker. If you guys hadn’t gotten the drug information to us, this whole mission may have been scrubbed. If nothing else, it could have taken months longer. We needed that evidence to go after Lito.”
“It was at a heavy cost, Dean.”
“Yes. I’m terribly sorry for that,” Dean said. “But I’m happy that Dax got his sister back. One silver lining in an otherwise heinous scenario. Don’t suppose you and Dax would be interested in helping out on occasion? We could use a few more good men like you.”
“Ask me in a month or two. I have a lot of stuff to come to terms with before embarking on another adventure,” Decker chuckled.
Any time you’re ready, give me a call. You were one of my best men, Decker.”
Dean took his place again in the pilot’s seat. He flew back to land and set the Seahawk down. Decker and India said their goodbyes and went straight away to the dock where they saw Dax waving.
Decker dropped his hand on Dax’s shoulder and smiled. “What an insane day,” he said. His eyes darted over to Dax’s sister who was seated in the Zodiac. “Glad to see you made it through this ordeal in one piece. I’m Decker Hayden, by the way.”
“Lara.” She stretched out her good hand to him and smiled warmly. “I can’t thank you enough, Decker. I thought I was going to die. I’m grateful.”
“Doing all right? You took quite a tumble out of the car.”
“I’m pretty sore, but I’ll live.”
“Let’s make our way back to the ship and set course for Miami,” Dax said to Decker. “I know you need to be home to your wife and father.”
That was all Decker could think of. It had been one of the most difficult decisions he’d ever had to make—not going to see his father. However, as he watched Dax sit beside his sister and place his arms lovingly around her, he knew it had been the right decision. But, now that it was over, he could not get there fast enough.