by Warren Ray
He hoped the girls were doing well now that they were safe in Jackson. He let out a laugh because they had the town surrounded and would eventually lay siege on it. He hoped they’d keep their heads down when it happened, which would probably be sooner than later. After what happened the other night, the men were making bets on the timeline. There was no way Mordulfah wouldn’t want revenge and strike back.
Vatter stayed away from Grosse Pointe yesterday, figuring nothing good could come from it. He wasn’t asked to come out and he sure as hell wasn’t going to voluntarily go, especially with what happened the last time. His guys were also taking bets on how many men Mordulfah would execute if any. It wasn’t as if he had an endless supply of M and M’s, a term the cops used for Mordulfah’s men. Some of these guys had to be regretting their decision to sign up with the Saudi Prince. They were losing vast numbers of men with little to show for it. He knew how disheartening it was from his own loses, and he had not lost anywhere near what Mordulfah had. Besides, it wasn’t anyone’s fault but his own for having Cara Winters there, to begin with. It was ridiculous to think the Shadow Patriots would believe she was in Detroit. These guys didn’t get this far for being a bunch of idiots. He’d learned that the hard way over the past week and had to hand it to them for their tactical ability. It was a daring rescue to sneak into the mansion, again and had it not been for Charlie Chivers screaming out, they’d have gotten away with a clean break. Vatter shook his head at the stupidity of that girl getting herself killed. She’d be alive today if she had just waited a couple of minutes. Stupid girl.
The holes in Mordulfah’s plan were obvious to begin with, but Vatter didn’t dare tell him because he was too arrogant to be told anything. He had tried in the past but learned a valuable lesson when Mordulfah gave him a long cold stare. Those black eyes of his freaked the hell out of him. It was as if you were in some sort of horror movie. They penetrated deep into your soul making you quiver in fear. He remembered he was so nervous that beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. You never knew what this man was capable of doing. Vatter choked on his coffee laughing. Beheading his own people is what he’s capable of doing. How could he forget?
A knock on the door brought Vatter back to reality. Without permission, in walked Tannenbaum, a twenty-five-year-old cop who sported a splotchy beard on his baby face. He was Vatter’s right-hand man but didn’t always know his place.
“Oh, just come right on in,” said Vatter in an annoying tone.
“Sorry, but you’re not going to believe who I have on the phone.”
Vatter raised his eyebrows waiting in anticipation.
“Some cop over in Sarnia has some Shadow Patriots in custody.”
Vatter had to think for a moment where Sarnia was and then remembered it was in Canada. “And?”
“Wants to know if the reward offer is still good.”
Vatter leaned forward excitedly. “Hell ya it is. Is he on the line?”
“Yeah man, let me transfer him to ya.”
Vatter waited for the button to light up. His heart began to beat faster hoping it was Winters. He couldn’t believe this was happening and had to control himself when the line lit up. His finger shook as he pressed the button.
Chapter 37
Sabine Iowa
After setting fire to the house where Billy Gamble was keeping Finley and her family hostage, Winters rushed back to the hiding place where the girls waited for him. They were alert and breathing rapidly as they stared wide-eyed at the exits. The knuckles on Laney’s left hand were white as she tightened her grip on the AR-15. The girls’ hearts were pounding as fast as Winters’ was. This was a risky move with little leeway for error. Too many things could go wrong, starting with Billy Gamble or Bobby Boxers not even being in there. If that was the case, and Finley was tied up, then she’d die of smoke inhalation. He kept that in the back of his mind as he watched the flames start to engulf the back of the house. The fire crackled and snapped as the flames ate through the wood. Putrid black smoke filled the morning air, which had started to seep all around the area and was blocking his view. If the occupants still didn’t come out to investigate, then they might know who was waiting outside for them. Would they come out to investigate what was happening first, or would they just drag their hostages out with guns held to their heads? With the fire raging, he wouldn’t have to wait too long before finding out.
Movement at the sliding glass door caught his attention and Winters watched as Bobby Boxers crept out holding onto Finley’s twelve-year-old sister, Kayley, who was crying in his arms. He kept her close to him while holding a gun to her head. Winters then heard a muffled scream on the other side of the house. Billy Gamble staggered out with his arm wrapped around Finley and a pistol to her head. He kept spinning around looking for any shooters.
The fire began to envelop the whole house when Winters realized Finley’s mom was still inside. He had to make a choice who to go after first. He looked back and forth to both men and decided.
Without looking at the girls, he ordered them to stay put. He pulled out his knife with his left hand and crept down low using the black smoke as cover. He pointed the blade up as he came out of the smoke and charged Bobby Boxers, who had just turned toward him. He looked confused as Winters reached up with his right hand to push on the pistol while shoving the blade into his armpit. Bobby let out a yelp as Kayley squirmed out of his clutches. Bobby threw a punch at Winters, which landed on his right cheek but didn’t deter him from pushing Bobby backward. The force tipped them both over and Winters fell on top, which gave him the advantage. He took the blade and thrust it into his throat finishing him off.
Kayley stared at Winters in shock while Collette rushed over and took her into her arms.
“Where’s her mom?” asked Winters.
Collette brushed the girl’s hair off her face and got the answer Winters had expected. She was tied up inside.
Winters raced into the burning house. The smoke hung low in the air and Winters dropped on all fours trying to take in short breaths. It took a few seconds before finding her in the living room tied to a chair. He scooted over to her and grabbed his knife to cut her free. He led her outside where she coughed a few times trying to suck in clean air. Her daughter rushed over and wrapped her arms around her while continuing to sob.
Winters turned back to where Laney was supposed to be. “Where’s Laney?”
Collette looked and shook her head.
“Oh, hell's bells,” said Winters, knowing she was jumping into the fray without thinking. “Better go do your naked thing and help her.”
Collette’s eyes grew big and then took off around to the front.
Winters dashed around the other side of the house and hid behind bushes to look at the situation. Sure enough, Laney was screaming at Billy to let her friend go. He was holding onto Finley and a .380 pistol, small but still deadly.
“I started the fire you Jackass.”
“What the hell, Laney? Where’s Winters?”
“I don’t know where he is. You let go of her.”
Gamble jerked his head around like a lizard, not sure what to do next, while Finley looked surprisingly calm despite the redness on her cheeks from being smacked around. Seeing Laney, she must have known her rescue was imminent. Collette ran up to Laney and joined in the yelling at Gamble. The man still had the gun on Finley, but he was discombobulated as the two girls continued to yell at him. Winters noticed Laney had dropped the AR-15, which was smart on her part. It allowed Gamble to not be afraid of them and let his guard down a notch. If he was going to shoot them he would have already done so, or maybe he thought pointing the gun at them would get him shot.
Winters waited for the right moment before dashing across the driveway to hide behind the pickup truck. Gamble was on the walkway and backed up toward the driveway when Finley’s mom and sister came around the corner. Now, Gamble, had four girls screaming at him. He was frustrated and tried to shut them up as he kept movin
g towards the truck.
“She’s coming with me,” yelled Gamble.
Winters crawled around the back of the truck and kept low behind the bumper. Gamble fumbled for the door handle while holding onto Finley by her ponytail. He started to pull it open but his hand slipped.
This was Winters’ best chance. He put the rifle in single-shot mode, sprung up and came around the back of the truck with the M4 pressed into his shoulder. Gamble reacted by trying to shove Finley in front of him. Winters squeezed the trigger. The round hit him in the shoulder twisting his body around. The motion pulled Finley with him as he lost his balance. Winters tried lining up another shot but didn’t have one. Gamble fell to the ground and Finley bounced off his chest and onto the cement. The .380 pistol fired and Finley screamed out in pain just as Winters put another round into Gamble’s head.
Chapter 38
Detroit Michigan
After getting word from his right-hand man, Vatter pushed the speaker option on his desk phone and said hello.
“This is Sergeant Major Wilson with the Sarnia Police.”
“What can I do for you?”
“I have four members of the Shadow Patriots in custody and wanted to inquire about the reward.”
Vatter found the question curious. “Are you representing your government?”
There was a long silence.
“No. This would be a private transaction.”
A smirk broke across Vatter’s face. My kind of people.
“Are you interested?” asked Wilson.
“Sergeant Major, I am most interested and yes, this can be kept private. Tell me, who do you have there?” asked Vatter as he grabbed a pencil.
“Scott Scarborough, David Burns, Joshua Bassett, and Nick Nordell.”
Vatter’s eyebrows rose when he heard Bassett’s name and didn’t have to look to know who he was. He was currently listed as AWOL and a traitor. Vatter reached over and pulled open a desk drawer to get the sheets on the other three. He found Scarborough and Burns but had nothing on Nordell.
“Well?” asked an impatient Wilson.
“So, you don’t have Winters, huh?” asked a disappointed Vatter.
“No, but from what I can gather, Scarborough is in charge.”
This was an interesting bit of news making Vatter think perhaps Winters was dead, that he might have caught a bullet the other night. “Why do you have them?”
“They were here to get supplies.”
Vatter put his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair learning Jackson was desperate for food. If Mordulfah was smart he’d just starve them out, but the man was impatient and wouldn’t wait that long. He’d rather waste more of his men in a big battle. Regardless, these four would be a nice present to offer Mordulfah. He determined the reward amounts to be thirty thousand for the three. He didn’t know who this Nordell was but figured he could get another ten grand for him.
“From what I can see, you’ve got twenty-five thousand coming to you.”
“Shouldn’t it be forty? I’ve got four of them and they are supposedly worth ten each.”
“I’m paying you out of my own pocket, so I need a cut. Besides, I’ve no idea who this Nordell guy is, for all I know he’s just along for the ride.”
“No, not this guy. He’s a thirty-year retired Marine. Hell, he’s a Gunnery Sergeant, so he’s not just along for the ride.”
Vatter let out a chuckle. He liked this guy and admired his tenacity. “Look, I’m taking a chance on him. I’ll raise it to thirty-thousand total.”
After a few moments of silence, Wilson agreed.
Vatter smiled because he just made ten grand. Even better was he had enough to pay for it with his own money. He wouldn’t have to go to Mordulfah and beg for the cash or wait for Washington to send it. He’d get his money back plus the additional ten grand and get credit for it. No one would be the wiser that some cop in Canada did the actual work.
Vatter got the particulars from Wilson as to the time and place to pick up the prisoners. They’d have to make a trip into Canada, which wouldn’t be too much of a problem. His station wasn’t on the best of terms with the border guards in Detroit so they’d have to drive up to Port Huron and cross there. Wilson guaranteed he’d have the border guards bribed so they could cross over unabated. Vatter liked the sound of this and hoped there might be more business they could conduct in the future. They were always in need of liquor and it wasn’t always easy to come by. The big crash affected liquor supplies even in Canada, where you could only buy so much of the stuff unless you were a bar or restaurant. Everyone else had to wait in line with ration coupons, which of course, was the perfect recipe for the black market.
Detroit still had plenty of money floating around to those who had the right product to sell. Since he was the station commander, not only did he know the right people, but he controlled the market. His guys hired the gangs to row across the river to rob the good citizens of Canada. They didn’t always succeed, which is why he was always on the lookout for other opportunities.
He looked at the reward sheets again and was extremely pleased that he was about to get his hands on Corporal Bassett. This idiot was a traitor, and Major Green would love to get him back. He should be able to negotiate a better deal than the ten grand they were offering. After all, he was an active member of the United States Army and an embarrassment to that fine institution. He couldn’t wait to have them in his custody. He’d torture them all before turning them over. He wanted to know what was going on in Jackson and just how desperate the food situation was. He’d also find out what the hell had happened to Nick Posey. He hadn’t heard anything from him since Sunday. His last transmission was that the rebels were going to storm the police station. Vatter let out a scoff, that was obviously a decoy. They either forced him to do it, or fed him the lie first, and then busted him out afterward. A shiver shot through Vatter thinking about what they would do to him if he were caught. After all, he was the one who ordered the raid on the hospital.
Vatter started to put the reward sheets away but paused on the sheet for Cole Winters.
“One hundred thousand dollars alive or seventy-five thousand dead.” Vatter wanted nothing more than to put a bullet in his head, but a hundred was better than seventy-five. That’d go a long way toward his retirement fund, and it would be a personal victory to put him in the ground. With all the trouble he’s caused with his men, he was more than an annoyance. Somehow, he kept the party house from being reopened, which was a promise to the men he had yet to fulfill.
Vatter leaned back in his chair thinking about the conversation he’d just had. The man said Scarborough was in charge. Was Winters dead? Or, was this just some bluster from Wilson? Either way, he’d find out once he had these men in custody. It would be a shame if the man was dead and there wasn’t a body. Need a body to collect a reward.
Vatter got up and walked out of the office. He gathered his men together to tell them the good news.
Chapter 39
Sabine Iowa
Finley cried out in pain as blood leaked from her thigh and soaked her jeans. Winters turned her over and found blood oozing from the exit wound.
Everyone rushed over just as Winters pulled out his knife to tear open the jeans.
“Finley, Finley, you okay?” cried her mom.
Winters thought it was a strange question to ask a wounded person, but then, what else would you say.
“Mommy, I’ve been shot, am I, am I gonna die?”
“No, honey, you’re going to be okay,” answered her mom in an unconvincing tone.
Winters turned to Finley. “Hey, hey, you’re gonna be okay, alright? Just hang in there.”
“You sure?” she asked through watery eyes.
“Yes, you’re going be fine. Although, you’re gonna have a couple of badass scars.”
“I am?”
Winters nodded as he tore open her jeans. He looked at the bleeding and was thankful it was a full metal jack
et bullet rather than a hollow point; otherwise, he’d be dealing with something much worse. He tore off his jacket and removed his shirt leaving him in a black t-shirt. He then ripped the shirt in half and pressed it against the exit wound.
“Can you keep pressure on this?” Winters asked the mom.
“Yes, I can do that.”
“What’s your name?”
“Debbie.”
“Okay, Debbie, just keep pressing down on it.”
He placed the other half of the shirt on the back wound and instructed Debbie to press them together.
Winters stood up. “Laney, there’s a first aid kit in the van behind the driver’s seat. Can you get that?”
She nodded and took off running.
Winters turned toward the house, which was now engulfed in flames. He needed to move Finley away from the smoke, which was starting to come toward them. He stepped over Finley and fished through Gamble’s pockets finding the keys to the truck. He needed to get Finley some medical attention to make sure there were no nicked veins. Thoughts of Cara blazed through his mind as the scene was very reminiscent of the other night and it gave him pause. He had watched his daughter being stabbed and wasn’t able to do anything to save her life. He shook his head and yelled at himself. Damned if he was going to lose another one.
“Collette, any doctors or nurses around?”
“Yeah, my mom.”
Winters jerked his head back in surprise.