by Warren Ray
Green caught the tick and knew he was lying.
“I think that girl could be of use and wanted to keep you in the loop and get your input.”
Green could tell Reed already made his decision and didn’t want his input. What Green wondered was, why was he bothering with this.
“What are your plans?”
“I’m going to send her to Detroit?”
The hairs on Green’s arms stood straight up knowing what Reed was going to do. He concentrated on controlling his emotions. “And what will she do there?”
“We’re going to use her as bait to bring in Cole Winters.”
This confirmed Green’s suspicion. It was a smart move and would be effective. “Sir, that is a brilliant move. Do you think she’ll be willing to help? I mean she was very distrustful of me and the government.”
“She is willing.”
“Oh?” asked Green. He leaned forward observing Reed for any more poker tells.
“Yes. Yesterday, I had her brought to my office to discuss the situation with her and how she could help. She said I reminded her of her dear grandpa and knew she could trust me.”
Green immediately noticed the slight head movement and the elevated tone in his voice. Green was pleased with himself that he was getting better at recognizing the tells. Of course, it helped he had an unknowing subject sitting in front of him spewing lie after lie. Green studied the man and decided Reed wasn’t scary after all. He was just an old man who thought he was slick. He decided as soon as Reed left, he’d get with Sam and devise a way for the recording to fall into Reed’s lap as soon as possible. Perhaps they could send it to his home in Annapolis, which would be a nice coup de grâce, letting him know that they knew where he lived.
Green smiled at Reed. “Perhaps I need to get some gray hair, sir, because she was having none of me.”
“Don’t wish for it, Major. It will come on its own faster than you know.”
“My mom says the same thing.”
“She’s very wise. How is she by the way?”
“She’s good. Busy as always. She’s working on a food drive for the refugees.”
“Excellent. She’s a fine example of what we’re capable of here.”
Green didn’t notice any ticks in that statement. Reed, of course, knew his mother and perhaps did hold her in high esteem as many people did in the district.
“Well, thank you, sir, I’ll be sure to tell her you were asking about her.”
“Please do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Major, I have much to do today.”
Green quickly thought about what he could do to help Winters out in this situation and came up with an idea. “You know, sir, I wonder if you could do me a favor.”
Reed was curious. “What might that be?”
“If my sources are right, Corporal Bassett is helping Winters. I wonder if you could have Bassett included in the exchange.”
Green could see a slight smirk form on Reed.
“Like to see him back, would you?”
“I’d like to see him court-martialed.”
“I think that would be an excellent idea.”
Green was certain if Winters were to give himself up, then having Bassett with him could only help. It was also a good way to regain Reed’s trust. He escorted the old man out to the hallway and watched him shuffle away. He would enjoy sending the recording to him knowing it would throw the old man off his game. He only wished they had already done so, perhaps it would have diverted his attention away from Cara Winters.
Chapter 32
Jackson Michigan
Winters stopped mid-stride when the odor of garlic permeated the air. He threw up his fist for Elliott to stop, who did the same for Amber who stood guard outside.
Winters had been right about checking out the premises before proceeding up the dirt road to the barn. They didn’t need someone coming up from behind and taking them out.
With his weapon up and at the ready, he swept around the kitchen and found an open container of what looked like meat and rice sitting on the table. Winters pointed it out to Elliott. The thumping in his chest became louder as he slipped into the hallway. He leaned up against one side of a door frame and waited for Elliott to hit the other side. Elliott nodded and leaped through the doorway pointing the Colt M4 down the hall. Winters then moved across the carpet into the living room and looked through a sliding glass door as two Jijis outside headed around the house where Amber stood guard.
“There’s two coming around the side to Amber. You go back that way.”
Elliott rushed back through the kitchen and pulled up short at the entrance.
Winters pushed the sliding glass door open and sneaked up to the edge of the house. He peeked around the corner. Both Jijis were young and one locked his arm around Amber while holding what looked like a 9mm to her head. The other pointed a rifle at the doorway where Elliott stood inside. Winters grabbed the radio and whispered into it for Meeks.
“Meeks, we’re busted here. We’ve got two outside holding Amber on the far side of the house. Come around through those trees at the front and keep hidden.”
“Where are you at?”
“I’m behind the house. I don’t think they know I’m here. Elliott’s inside the door, they’re yelling at him to drop his weapon.”
“Be right there,” said Meeks.
Bassett had heard the transmission to Meeks and called out to Winters. “I’m on my way too.”
Winters put the radio away and got down on the ground behind a shrub that kept him hidden. He looked through the shrub and could see Amber, who didn’t look afraid, but rather determined. The Jiji holding a gun to her head was smaller than her and could barely reach his arm around her. The second Jiji was about the same size and didn’t look intimidating. Winters wondered if these weren’t two more college students looking for adventure and a meal. Either way, they sounded American and they were holding a gun on Amber.
“Drop your weapon old man or we’ll kill her,” yelled the second Jiji.
“Fuck you,” screamed Elliott, standing firm behind the door using it as a shield.
“Do it or she dies.”
“You ain’t gonna kill her.”
“You sure about that?”
“Hell ya, I’m sure.”
The Jiji looked frustrated. “Why do say that?”
“You ain’t gonna kill no hot looking chick like that, so get over yourselves.”
Winters raised an eyebrow. He’d never heard Elliott swear before let alone talk that way. The man’s bluntness was having an effect on these two. They didn’t seem to know what to do now.
“Okay, fine, have it your way, but we’re taking her out of here.”
“Can’t let you do that, son.”
“That’s what’s going to happen, old man.”
“Look guys, I’m sure we can work something out without anyone getting killed.”
“Like what?”
“I’d be willing to let you each have a turn with her, but that’s it.”
“What?”
“She’s mine. I found her and I ain’t giving her up, but cuz I’d rather nobody die over her, I’d be willing to work this out.”
“You being serious?”
“Wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t.”
The two Jijis looked at each other and started to talk it over.
Winters whispered into the radio to Meeks. “You in position?”
“I’m here and enthralled.”
Winters rolled his eyes at the comment, but gave it some thought and had to admit to the dramatic aspect of the moment. Elliott had these two bamboozled. Winters could see they were going to go for the offer. The mere thought of having a turn at Amber must be extremely enticing for them. She was a long-legged beauty and way out of their league. Elliott was smart to play on their inexperience in taking hostages and getting a hot looking chick.
The second Jiji turned back to Elliott. “Okay, have it your way.”
&nbs
p; “Ya see, I knew we could work this out.”
“How do you want to do this?”
“Now son, if I have to give you instructions, I mean c’mon now.”
“No, I mean where?”
“Hell, just do her right there.”
The second Jiji turned to his friend. “David, you go first. I’ll keep an eye on the old man.”
Winters shook his head. These guys were at the top of their class in stupid.
David let his arm drop from around her chest. He kept the gun to her head and yelled at her to take her clothes off.
“I’m not taking my clothes off and you are not doing me!”
The Jijis looked up at Elliott.
“Amber, you do as you’re told,” said Elliott in a stern voice.
“Seriously?”
“This won’t take but a minute, so don’t cha worry now.”
Winters raised the radio back to his mouth. “As soon as both are distracted, we’ll take them out.”
“You mean when she takes her shirt off.”
Winters could just detect a chuckle from Meeks right before he let up on the talk button. He was right of course. No way would they both be able to keep alert with that happening.
“I’ll take the one holding Elliott’s attention,” whispered Winters into the radio.
“Copy,” replied Meeks.
Amber shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine, have it your way.”
“Alrighty now, see guys, not a problem. Now Amber, you take it nice and slow, you hear.”
She seemed to get what Elliott was saying and took her jacket off dropping it to the ground. She then looked at the Jiji holding the gun to her head and winked at him. She then grabbed the bottom of her navy blue tank top and slowly began to slide it up over her boobs.
At this point, David was staring at her and not paying attention to anything else going on. Winters got into a kneeling position and raised his weapon to his shoulder. He aimed at the second Jiji, who continued to watch Elliott, but started to peek over at Amber taking her shirt off.
Amber wanted to get the second Jiji's full attention so she twirled the shirt before flinging it toward him landing it at his feet.
Smart girl, thought Winters.
She stood there in a white bra arching her back for optimal effect. She gave David a coy smile, who by now had lowered his weapon. She slowly moved her hands around to unhook her bra. Her hands started coming back around letting the bra slip down her breast causing David to let out a gasp. This distracted the second Jiji’s attention. He turned to admire the show.
Winters squeezed the trigger sending a bullet right through his head. A split second later, a second shot rang out and David collapsed to the ground.
“About damn time, boys,” yelled Amber as she hooked her bra back up. “Was starting to think you were enjoying the show.”
Elliott bounded out of the house. “I’m so sorry Amber, I didn’t know what else to do.”
“It’s all good, Elliott. It was actually pretty impressive.”
Meeks turned the corner. “That was a helluva show, Amber. The drama was simply incredible.”
“What, you didn’t like these?” asked Amber grabbing her bra.
“It was all about the drama, baby.”
She playfully smacked him on the arm. “Jackass.” She stepped over the corpse of the second Jiji to pick up her shirt.
Winters came up to Amber and exhaled a deep breath. “That’s one for the books.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” she said throwing her shirt back on.
“We better get moving, Captain,” said Elliott. “That gunfire is sure to attract attention.”
Elliott handed Amber her rifle. “You sure it’s all good?”
She nodded.
“Oh, good.”
“So, you think I’m a hot looking chick?” she asked giving him a half smile.
“Don’t answer that, Elliott,” laughed Meeks. “It’s a trap.”
Elliott started to turn red. “Ahh.”
Amber patted him on the back. “I’m just messing with ya.”
Winters rounded the corner of the house first and saw a group of Jijis marching toward them from the interstate. He raised his M4, chose the biggest Jiji in the approaching pack, took aim, and squeezed the trigger.
Chapter 33
Winters emptied his magazine at the approaching Jijis, who numbered ten but now only eight as two had fallen dead. Winters reached into his jacket, pulled out another mag, and slammed it into the M4 rifle.
Meeks, Elliott, and Amber joined the fight and laid down a barrage, scattering the Jijis off the dirt road and into the high grass. Then a Jiji rose up and returned fire. The rounds snapped into the trees in front of the house the four of them were now using for cover.
“Looks like we won’t be having that competition, Captain,” said Meeks.
“No, I don’t suppose we will.”
“What do you want to do, Captain?” asked Elliott.
“Target practice or not we’re getting the same results, so we might as well keep it up.”
“Yeah, only we’re just a tad bit closer to them than I was expecting,” said Meeks.
“See, I told you Amber, trouble just follows us around,” grinned Elliott.
She returned the grin.
More rounds came through the trees from a different angle. Winters turned to see a Jiji flank them and squeezed off a few in that direction, none of them finding their marks. He pushed everyone back around the side of the house.
“We need an advantage before any more of their friends show up,” said Winters, looking up and knowing what to do next. “Let’s get up on this roof. Give me and Amber a boost.”
Elliott and Meeks helped them up onto the single story house. The shingles were hot to the touch and made crawling a challenge. Winters peered over the top of the roof and into the field. He pulled up his binoculars and scanned the area for the Jiji that was flanking them. He found him through the tall grass and was surprised at how fast he had gotten there and then noticed another coming in behind him. He handed the glasses to Amber and pointed to them.
“See ‘em?”
It took her but a second to find them.
“Got ‘em.”
“Let’s wait till that other one catches up.”
While he waited, he reached for the radio to call out to Bassett.
“Only a minute away,” responded Bassett.
“Ambush sites still a go?” asked Winters.
“Affirmative. Nordell has it under control.”
“Keep your vehicle to the trees when you come in case we need it.”
“Copy that.”
Winters put the radio away and looked at Amber who continued to observe the two flanking Jijis. He was impressed with the way she handled herself with those two idiot Jijis. Rather than being scared, she seemed more irritated at the situation. Either she had a lot of faith in what Elliott had orchestrated or was really gaining more confidence.
“You ready?”
She put the glasses down and nodded.
They both positioned their rifles and took aim. “Just remember your training.”
Winters referred to the sharp shooting instruction the Canadians gave them. They spent several days on the range shooting at various distances and if he remembered correctly, she had been a good shot.
“You lined up?” asked Winters.
“I got ‘em.”
“On three,” said Winters pausing a second before counting. “One…two…three.”
They both fired simultaneously, both hitting their marks with only one shot.
Winters turned to her. “Nice shot.”
She couldn’t contain the excitement and broke out in a big smile.
Winters grabbed the binoculars and slid down the other side of the roof to be able to see around the tree that partially blocked the view to the interstate. He could see more Jijis running across the interstate and some driving west do
wn the interstate. Winters smiled knowing they were heading straight for the ambush that awaited them.
“Guys,” he called down to Meeks and Elliott. “We’ve got maybe another twenty coming this way.”
“What about the interstate?” asked Meeks.
“Doing what we thought they would,” said Winters.
“Boom, baby,” yelled Meeks. “Hey, how much longer you want to stay here?”
“Let’s see how it goes. Bassett should be here in another minute or so.”
“Alright, rock and roll.”
Winters crept back up to Amber who kept an eye out for any more Jijis trying to flank their position, while Meeks and Elliott emptied another magazine into the tall grass. The Jijis kept low and only popped up to fire off a couple of wild shots toward the house.
Winters looked down the other side and noticed thick woods right behind the house. He then realized they were sitting ducks if the bad guys came at them from that direction. If there were twenty coming up the dirt road, then more would be coming in from behind.
“Let’s get on the other side of the roof.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, c’mon.”
They both rolled over to the other side and Winters looked both ways. They couldn’t see through the trees to the left but could hear that Meeks and Elliott were still using them as cover. He looked toward their vehicle to see Bassett and three others in the distance.
“Let’s get off this roof.”
They slid down on their butts to the edge. Winters looked down and cringed at the thought of breaking an ankle. It was always the easiest things that screwed you up.
Amber sensed his reservations. “I’ll go first.”
She dropped her rifle to the ground, twisted around to dangle her legs off the roof, and held on as she lowered herself to the ground.
Winters then did the same as her to slide over the edge. His hands strained trying to hold onto the edge while lowering himself down. Amber grabbed his legs as his hands gave way and fell on top of her.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m good.”
“Thank God, you’re not a little thing.”
More gunfire rang out and they both grabbed their weapons and jumped up. They rushed to Meeks and Elliott who still held the enemy at bay.