by Brent Towns
Alverez’s apartment was directly above a pizza joint; hence Axe’s getup. There would only be three of them to breach the apartment. The other two, Brick and Arenas, would be backup.
Having left all their tactical gear at their base, so they didn’t stand out too much, they carried only their M17s and a couple of spare clips.
“All right,” said Kane. “Let’s do this. Bravo, comms check.”
“Read you loud and clear, Reaper One.”
“We’re going in now.”
“Roger.”
They crossed the street and moved swiftly towards the apartment block’s doorway. Parked at the curb was the second SUV where Arenas and Brick Peters waited.
Once inside the foyer, Kane and Cara drew their M17s. Axe had his stashed in the pizza box he carried. Starting to climb the stairs, the stairwell brightly lit with harsh fluorescent lights, they moved quickly and silently until they got to the level they needed.
“Zero, we’ve reached the third floor.”
“Copy.”
Entering the passageway without a sound, they moved cautiously along the communal space until reaching apartment thirty-two. Cara and Kane took up position on either side of the doorway, while Axe readied himself with the pizza box.
From beyond the closed door, they could hear a television but couldn’t quite make out what was on. Kane nodded at Axe who knocked on the door. “Pizza!”
There was no sound of movement from within. Even the television stayed at the same volume. Axe glanced at Kane and shrugged. He made to raise his fist to knock again when the door seemed to explode outwards.
Axe reeled away as sharp splinters assailed his body. “Motherfucker!” he shouted, grabbing for the gun in the pizza box.
Cara leaned over and pumped four shots from the M17 through the door. Kane kicked the shattered obstacle open with his foot and blew off six shots through the opening. He was forced to duck back when their target appeared holding a shotgun and fired back at them.
Small steel balls ripped through the air. Kane leaned back around the opening and fired again. Meanwhile, Cara helped Axe to his feet. She took one look at the blood on his face and said into her mic, “Brick, I need you now. Bring your medical kit.”
“Motherfucker,” Axe hissed again.
“Just take it easy, big man. You’ve been hit worse. Just sit down there. Brick will be right here to patch you up.”
“Is he OK, Cara?” Kane called across to her between bursts of gunfire.
“He’ll live.”
Another shotgun blast rocked the night and blew more plaster off the passage wall. Kane ducked reflexively. He called across to Cara, “We’ve gotta dig him out of here pronto.”
She nodded and then sat on the debris-strewn carpet. Kane stared at her for a moment and then realized what she was doing. “You ready?”
She nodded.
Reaper leaned around the doorway and fired off three more shots before he withdrew. While he was firing, Cara lay down across the doorway. As soon as Kane ducked back, Alverez showed himself, and she put two slugs in his chest.
“Target down!” she called out, and Kane swung around the doorway and stepped over her to enter.
Now on her feet, Cara followed him inside. They cleared all the rooms before coming back to check on the fallen man. He was dead.
“Zero? Reaper One. Target is down, and we’re secure. Reaper Four took some shrapnel but is ambulatory. Reaper Five is checking him out now. We’re also expecting local law enforcement anytime soon.”
“Copy, Reaper One. Target’s condition, over?”
“He’s dead.”
“Copy. Secure what you can before the LEOs get there. Mary is on her way to you.”
“Roger. Reaper One, out.”
Kane put his head outside the door and saw Arenas and Cara watching Brickwork on Axe. “How is he?”
“He’s lucky. Few cuts,” Brick told him. “Face bleeds like a bitch when you cut it.”
“Always knew you were a big baby,” Kane said, relieved. “I need you two inside. We have to turn this place over before the cops get here. Thurston is on her way.”
Arenas and Cara followed him back in, and they began searching all the usual places. They found nothing at all they could use. That was until Arenas lifted the mattress and found the laptop.
Kane said, “Hide it in Brick’s medical pack. Swift can have a look at it when we get back.”
Arenas did as ordered, and while he was gone, Kane checked Alverez’s pockets. Finding a cell with a locked screen in the man’s shirt, he stuffed it into his own pocket. Turning to Cara to see how she was faring, he saw her going through a food cupboard where she found a cereal box. Upending it onto the table, the contents spilled and bounced across the surface, revealing a USB stick.
Hurriedly she picked it up and tucked it inside her bra. Just in time as shouting began to filter in from outside. The NYPD had arrived.
“Get in your vehicles and let’s get out of here before they change their minds,” Thurston said hurriedly. She’d been engaged in conversations with the NYPD, and the FBI for the past two hours. The FBI because Alverez had been on a federal watch list. But phone calls behind the scenes had secured the team’s release.
Her gaze drifted to Axe. “You look like shit.”
Apart from a couple of bruises, scratches, and sticky bandages to cover two more deeper cuts, the ex-recon marine was fine. “A shotgun blast through a door will do that to you, ma’am.”
“He was lucky,” Brick said.
Thurston nodded. “Let’s go.”
Sunset Palace
Cnr 9th Ave, 55th St
New York
The team had booked out seven rooms in the Sunset Palace; the most central of which was set up as a control center with all their equipment. The other six were utilized as sleeping quarters. Thurston and Ferrero each had their own, one of the privileges of rank. Cara shared with Reynolds, Kane with Axe, Arenas with Brick, and Teller with Traynor and Swift, however, the computer tech was busy working on the laptop and cell found in Alverez’s apartment.
Kane relaxed in a chair, drinking a bottle of Bud Light. Condensation was running in little rivulets down the side of the glass and dripping onto his lap. He looked across at Axe who was perched on the edge of his bed, cleaning his M17. Kane asked, “What’s this I hear about you and Reynolds?”
Axe stopped what he was doing and stared at his friend. “Don’t you start.”
Kane feigned shock. “Start what?”
“You know. Especially when you and Billings are doing the horizontal dance between the sheets.”
“I didn’t mention me. I’m asking about you.”
“It was a damned one-time thing, OK? Besides, since it’s made world headlines thanks to your lovely friend, she’s hardly talking to me.”
“Not the way I heard it. I heard that you told Cara. Couldn’t help yourself.”
“Shit. It kinda slipped out.”
“Uh huh.”
“What about you and her? Screwing a team member is one thing, screwing one that you operate within intense situations in the field is another. You know that, Reaper.”
Kane nodded. “That’s why we’ve decided to dial it back. Keep it professional.”
“Same with me and Reynolds.”
Kane chuckled. “Lying son of a bitch.”
“Hey, I’m offended, my friend. Are you doubting my word?”
“Get some sleep. I’ve a feeling we’re about to get busy.”
Kane never knew how prophetic those words were.
Soon after dawn, the team was dragged from their beds to bad news. Swift had managed to crack the computer and cell of Alverez, and they were in the central room being briefed on the findings. There had been a big screen set up, and General Hank Jones was dialed in on the meeting.
Thurston said, “Slick managed to find some troubling things on the Alverez laptop.” A picture of a park flashed up on the screen. “This is McIn
tire Park in Charlottesville. Over the past twelve months, it has gone through extensive renovations and is due to be opened today by the president. After all, it’s his hometown.”
Everyone in the room made the connection before they were told. Kane said, “That’s why the UAV was stolen. Montoya is going to hit it.”
Thurston nodded. “That’s our assumption.”
“It seems our resident drug lord has grown himself some big balls,” Jones growled.
“What’s being done about it?” Cara asked.
“Nothing,” Jones told her. “They’re opening it at two pm today.”
“Which means we need to stop it before it happens,” Thurston added.
“Why us?” Reynolds asked. “Why not FBI? Or Secret Service?”
“It’ll take too long to get them organized,” Jones said. “Besides, I want this done right.”
“By right you mean KIA every one of them?” Kane asked.
“Exactly, Gunny. Send all of them to Hell.”
Teller joined the conversation. “They’ll need somewhere out of the way to launch the Pred, yet still be within range.”
Another picture flashed up on the screen. Thurston continued, “We think this is it. A farm outside of Charlottesville. It’s secluded, and there is an area out the back for the UAV to be able to take off.”
“You think?” Kane said.
“We’re pretty sure. This will be the target of team two.”
“Hold up,” Kane interjected. “Team two?”
Ferrero said, “You heard right, Reaper. We’re running two ops in conjunction with each other.”
Kane was concerned. “Why?”
Another picture flashed up. “I know that place,” Traynor said. “It’s the DEA offsite evidence store.”
“That’s right,” Thurston agreed. “It currently holds twenty million of Montoya’s money. I wonder where that came from?”
“So, you’re saying that he intends to take his money back? From there?”
“Yes.”
“Why not just have a shitload of guards posted to it?” Kane asked.
“Because we want to nail their asses, not scare them off. We scare off whoever does it, then they pop up somewhere else. Besides. Montoya could be at either one of the target sites.”
“Or none of them,” Kane pointed out.
“I guess we’ll find out, won’t we, Gunny?”
“Yes, sir.”
Thurston continued. “Like I said, there will be two teams. Kane will lead team one and Billings team two.” Her eyes drifted over to Kane. “You want to tell me who you want on each team?”
Kane thought briefly. “Axe and Brick can go with Cara. I’ll take Carlos. I want Traynor too.”
The ex-DEA agent snorted. “Just what I need. To get shot at again.”
Reaper smiled. “I’ll look after you, Pete. Besides, you know your way around the place, yes?”
Traynor nodded.
“How much time do we have to prep?”
Thurston’s face was grim. “You don’t. As soon as we’ve finished here, team two will be transported to a waiting Black Hawk which will insert them about two clicks from target one. Understand this, the UAV must be stopped. Captain Sean Richards will be on site, and if you can’t stop the UAV, then you stop him.”
Thurston’s eyes lingered on Cara to make sure she understood what was being implied. Cara nodded but remained silent. Then she said, “Ma’am, I’d like to take Teller with my team. If something happens and the UAV gets airborne, and the captain is KIA, we’ll need someone to bring the bird down.”
Nodding, Thurston said, “Do it.”
“What about our target?” Kane asked. “Do we have blueprints or anything?”
Ferrero said, “You’ve got what’s in Traynor’s head to start with. I’ll see if I can dig something else up for you. The good part about your mission is that your target building is only three blocks away.”
“I don’t like it,” Reaper growled. “If we don’t intercept the assault team before they get inside, there’s going to be hell to pay.”
“A good thing it’s Sunday then, isn’t it?”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
“There’s no one in that building on a Sunday. It is all under security camera feed. That’s why we figure they’ll hit it today.”
“Let’s hope so.”
“All right,” Thurston snapped. “Gear up. Cara, by the time you reach your target, we’ll have satellite link. That should help you out some.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good luck.”
In the parking garage beneath the hotel, Cara and the rest of her team readied their tactical gear which had been stored in the SUVs. Everything apart from their weapons, of course, which they’d kept in their rooms. Kane gathered them around to make sure they were good to go.
“Everybody watch your asses out there. Collins and his men aren’t your average gun nuts. They’ve nearly all had training courtesy of Uncle Sam.”
Cara said, “The bit I don’t like is having no prep.”
“Hopefully a bird overhead will help with that.”
“Brick, strip your kit to a bare minimum.”
“Copy that.”
Axe thumbed fresh loads into a magazine for the M110 he was going to be using. “I’ll keep an eye on them, Reaper. I’ll be their fairy godmother.”
Kane smiled. “Shit, that conjures images of you in a tutu. I think I might just throw up.”
Once they were finished, Cara said, “Time to go. Teller, you drive.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The team climbed into the SUV, but Cara hung back. She stared at Kane and said, “I’ll see you when we return.”
“You got this?”
“I’m good.”
“Don’t second guess yourself, OK? You’ve already proved yourself to these guys. They’ll follow you anywhere.”
Cara nodded. “Don’t forget to duck.”
Chapter 23
Outside Charlottesville
Virginia
“Bravo, comms check, over.”
Thurston’s voice came back over the radio. “Read you loud and clear, Reaper Two.”
“Team two is on the ground and moving towards the target, over.”
“Copy. Bravo, out.”
The sound of the retreating Black Hawk was long gone. The pilot was under instructions to fly to a holding position three clicks to the east and put down in a field there to await further orders, or to offer air support to Cara’s team.
“Axe, you’re point. Brick, watch our six. Let’s move.”
Apart from Axe, each team member was armed with their usual HK416. Once they reached their target, Axe would break off and provide overwatch with the SASS. Provided that there was a spot for him to do so.
They made their way through the trees towards the farm, careful as they went because Collins was sure to have some kind of early warning system up. When they were five-hundred meters from the farmhouse, the trees stopped. To continue, they had to cross open ground.
Plus, there was another problem. The UAV was on the makeshift runway. And it was moving.
Cara hissed. “Axe, find yourself a hide.”
“Copy.”
“Bravo Four, are you seeing this? Over.”
“Just looking at it now, Reaper Two. Our satellite feed had just come online.”
“You need to stop that thing, Reaper Two,” Thurston snapped. “Whatever it takes.”
“Copy. Four, do you have any thermals from the buildings?”
“Roger, Reaper Two. In the barn and the house. A bigger heat signature is coming from the barn.”
“That’s where the console will be,” Teller said. “If you can get me to it, even if it takes off, I can stop it.”
“Bravo, can you tell how many people are in the house? Over.”
“Three. That could be the wife and child with one guard.”
“Copy.”
; “Axe, are you in position?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Ok. We’re moving in. Weapons hot. Brick, you think you can clear that house?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Follow me.”
As soon as Cara stepped out into the open, the Predator’s Rotax 914F turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with one hundred fifteen horsepower of thrust, sent it rumbling along the grassy runway.
New York City, Same time
Kane, Arenas, and Traynor sat in the SUV and patiently waited for things to happen. Each man was dressed in a tactical vest and armed with suppressed HK416s. The street where they were parked was busy, but Kane figured that had it been a weekday, it would have been a lot busier.
Cars passed with regular monotony as commuters went about Sunday business. They called New York the city that never sleeps. His guess was that Sundays were the same as every other day.
“I don’t like this, Zero,” Kane said. “Even though there’s no one in the building, there’s still plenty of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.”
“Just take the intercept off the street, Reaper. Try and keep it that way. Once they enter the building, then move.”
“Have we got any movement yet.”
“Nothing suspicious.”
“Pete, where is the money stored?”
“Downstairs in the first basement.”
“What’s in the second basement?”
“That’s where they keep all the firearms.”
“Shit. This keeps getting better.”
Ten minutes later, a van appeared along the street. It was plain white, unmarked, and traveling at speed. Just as it approached the DEA evidence store, it swung wide and turned towards the building itself. Right before it plowed into the front of the building, the driver jumped out.
The van crashed through the brick façade of the building and came to a sudden stop. As they watched from their SUV, the driver came to his feet and ran off. Then realization hit Kane right between the eyes.