“I think you’re a brave woman, maybe a tad crazy. I wouldn’t want my wife doing what you’re about to. Rafe is going to have my head on a silver platter too. But I think you might have a chance as long as the Taliban don’t find out you’re related to one of the hostages.”
“I figured that. I got all the supplies you sent in the email, all the head coverings too.”
“Good. We just have to hope if you see your brother that he doesn’t blow your cover.”
“I know. But after all the different options we considered I still think this is the best.”
“I just emailed your flight information and your VISA. Make sure you memorize your cover story. I’ll check on Lizzie while you’re out of the country.”
“Thank you, Tex. For everything.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Save that for when you get back. Stick to the plan, check in on schedule and send the SOS if things go sideways.”
“I will.”
“Bye, Meghan. Be safe.”
“Thanks. I will.” After she disconnected the call, she dropped onto the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she replayed Tex’s words. He’d been there, fought there, knew his way around and had connections. As long as his information was correct about where her brother was being held, she’d be fine. She had to be. All of her research into the Taliban over the last twenty-four hours would help too. They had a solid plan, she’d follow the instructions Tex had given her and carry out her mission. There was no room for failure.
Thirty hours later, her plane touched down at Kabul International Airport. It had been a long flight via Turkey, but she’d made it. Tex had gotten her there in one piece. But now she was on her own. Her press pass and the Visa that he’d secured got her through customs without an issue. As she made her way through the airport, she couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched. It might have just been her imagination, but she’d swear that there were two men tailing her. She was a female traveling alone and definitely out of place with her western attire, but she’d prepared for that as well.
Pulling out her phone, she checked for messages, happy to see there weren’t any. No message meant no changes. Acquiring transportation to Bamyan was the next part of her plan. She’d start from the village where the group had been working to build the school. But first, she really needed to use the bathroom. Finally, she located the universal sign for restroom. Praying it wasn’t going to be weird, she was relieved to find the usual facilities. After washing up the best she could, she pulled out one of the hijabs from her bag and draped it over her head then wrapped it around her neck and shoulders. Tex assured her that it would be sufficient and that no one would expect her to wear a burqa.
After checking the mirror one last time to ensure her hair was covered properly, an image of Rafe flashed into her head. “Oh man, if he could see me now, I’d have my ass in a sling.” Just thinking about it almost made her laugh, but not quite. She wasn’t out of her mind, was she?
If it had been that bad, Tex would have talked her out of it. Or Lizzie would have, yet neither had put up much of a fight when she’d told them her plan. Instead, they’d all worked together to finesse all the arrangements until it was as close to perfect as possible. Now she just needed to stick to it, and that required she find transportation for the one hundred kilometer trip to the village.
After taking a deep breath and settling her pack on her shoulders, she made her way to the airport exit. Busier than expected, Tex told her to look for a bus rather than a taxi, that it would be safer, but there were taxis everywhere. Not sure when the next bus would come, or if there was a direct one to Bamyan, she debated on whether to chance grabbing one of the taxis anyway.
“Excuse me, are you Meghan Henley?” A deep British voice asked from behind her left shoulder. It startled her to hear her name.
“Yes,” she answered as she turned to face him, ready to run back into the airport terminal depending on what he did next. “Who are you and how do you know my name?” The man was medium height and average build and would blend in anywhere, there was absolutely nothing that made him stand out except for his accent.
“I apologize for startling you. My name is James Waltham. Your friend Tex said you might need a ride?”
“You know Tex?”
“I do. He contacted me last night and asked if I had time to take you on a tour of the countryside.”
“A tour?” She wished she could verify it with Tex. Why hadn’t he told her or sent her a message? Maybe he hadn’t thought it was necessary, or maybe she was walking into a trap. “I’m not sure.” She really wasn’t.
Waltham grabbed her by the elbow and led her away from the crowds exiting the terminal. She felt like a fish out of water and wasn’t sure what to believe. “I am sure you are concerned about my credentials,” he said as he pulled out his wallet and opened it to show her his license and his name badge. “Didn’t Tex tell you I would be meeting you?”
“No, he didn’t. I checked my messages when I arrived and there was nothing. He grunted and she took a step back, making sure she had enough room to dart around him if she needed to. The years of Zumba classes might finally come in handy. She was about to say thanks no thanks when her pocket vibrated. Watching him carefully, she slipped her phone out and glanced at it. The text message appeared on the screen.
Sent help for your trip. James is qualified and you can trust him. Tex.
Her relief was tangible as she re-read the message. “Actually, it looks like he did. Maybe it was delayed since my phone was off.”
Waltham smiled. “Now that’s settled, are you ready to go? It’s about a three hour trip.”
“Three? It’s only a bit over one hundred kilometers.”
“Yes, but you’re not in the states, it’s slow and can be dangerous. But I promised Tex I’d make sure you got there safely.”
“Why did he send someone from the British Embassy and not an American?”
He quirked an eyebrow before answering. “I think you already know the answer to that. They have to report that you’re here. You wouldn’t have gotten further than the sidewalk outside of the arrival terminal.”
It made perfect sense when he said it. She was tired, stressed and a little hungry. It would have been smart if she’d bought something to eat while she was inside the airport.
“My jeep is in the side parking lot, just around the corner there. I packed some food and extra supplies since there won’t be many places to stop along the way.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“When Tex first told me that I would need to take someone to Bamyan, I didn’t expect it to be a woman. You’ve got a set of bollocks on you, I’ll give you that. Traveling all alone to a war zone to interview the Taliban. Impressive.”
“I’m not exactly alone though, am I? You’ll be with me.”
“At least as far as Bamyan. I won’t be able to stay.”
Tex must not have told him the real reason she’d come. It was fine with her and she had no plans on enlightening him either. Rafe told her she could trust Tex and she’d put her life in his hands. It didn’t mean she had to trust anyone else. There was something off about Waltham. Just standing near him raised the little hairs on the back of her neck, and her sister’s words to her niece, ‘stranger danger’ echoed in her head.
Not one bus had stopped or even driven by the front of the terminal. There were no indications that situation would change anytime soon so traveling with Waltham or hiring one of the random taxi drivers standing around were her only options. Waltham seemed like a better choice. If Tex sent him, and she had to believe he had, then he’d know where to look if something happened to her.
“Have you changed your mind? I wouldn’t blame you if you do,” Waltham said as he studied her face.
“No, I haven’t changed my mind. Let’s go.” She’d held off long enough, it was time to pull up her big girl panties and do what she’d come there to do. Whispering a prayer that she’d be able to pull
this off, she followed Waltham to his car.
Chapter 13
It was go time. The semi-silent whoosh of the helicopter blades cut through the darkness. There was nothing as black as the middle of the night in the desert. The only light was from the stars in the sky and what was left of the moon, once they were out of range of Bagram.
They were all silent, each member of the team reviewed their part of the plan. Running scenarios in their mind to cover the unexpected. They were in a war zone, it was anticipated. Chances are plan A would become plan B or C before they even headed back to base. Rafe had never been on a mission where at least one thing hadn’t gone sideways in the worst way possible. It was part of the process, and because of that, they tried to imagine every possible variable.
As they neared the drop off point, the mood on the chopper changed, grew more focused, intense, battle ready. But it was really just years of training and preparation. Jake nodded at each one of his teammates and ran the com check. While on missions, they went by their team position. Jake was Master Chief and Eagle 1, he was Eagle 2, Ryan was Eagle 3, Murph was Eagle 4, and Cam was Eagle 5.
Seconds later, they were on the ground, night vision on, alert for anything out of the ordinary as they blended into the silent world around them. Like ghosts, they moved through the night.
A half hour later they’d arrived at the first checkpoint. They’d been able to move quickly over the rocky terrain and hadn’t come across anyone. Jake was talking to TOC while the team waited to hear if there had been any new intel.
Halo calmly sniffed around them while Rafe’s eyes were constantly moving, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Then his com whispered in his ear. “We have confirmation on the location of HVT. No changes.”
“Copy that, Eagle 1,” Rafe replied.
“We should make the next checkpoint in thirty mikes.” It was peaceful, too peaceful. Rafe didn’t like it. Even though it was mountainous terrain, there should have been animal sounds. There is always something, but all he heard was their boots on the ground.
“Eagle 1, it’s too quiet.”
“Agreed. Eagle 5, Halo picking up anything?” The dog usually ran at the front and was their first warning if anything was out of place.
“Nothing, Eagle 1. It’s like they knew we were coming.”
Rafe had the same feeling. It was going way too smoothly. Sad, but true. There had to be something. Jake signaled for them to stop and echoed the command in their coms.
“TOC, this is Eagle 1.”
“Go ahead, Eagle 1.”
“It’s too quiet. Are you seeing anything?”
“Copy that, Eagle 1. The drone should be in range in a few minutes. Stand by.”
“TOC, we’re on the move to checkpoint blue. Don’t want to get behind.”
“Copy that. We’ll advise when we have visual.”
They moved with purpose but care, anticipating anything from an ambush to land mines. They’d made it out alive of every previous mission because they watched each other’s six and were careful.
It was almost three klicks before they heard back from TOC. The captain didn’t sound happy either. “Eagle1?”
Again, Jake signaled for them to stop. “’TOC, this is Eagle 1.”
“Eagle 1, be advised there are at least ten tangos within two klicks of your location.”
Now they had to wonder if it was a standard patrol or if they’d been alerted that they were coming. If they knew, had they moved Miranda Stanhope? If she’d been moved this had been a complete waste of time and resources.
“Copy that, TOC. We’ll proceed with caution.”
“You heard the captain, we’re close to the next checkpoint which should be within a klick of where they’re holding the hostage.” Jake pulled out his map and laid it on the rocky ground. “Eagle 3 and 4, I want you to circle around through here, Eagle 5 keep on the current track. Eagle 2 and I will go to the left through this pass here.”
They nodded and silently disappeared into the blackness. They’d meet at the checkpoint and see what they were dealing with when they got there. It would have to be a quick in and out with only two hours left until they had to be at the EXFIL point with Miranda.
Jake and Rafe moved stealthily through the brush, knives in one hand and guns in the other. As they approached the checkpoint, they saw at least four heavily armed enemy combatants guarding the cave where Miranda was being held.
“Do you see what I’m seeing?” Rafe whispered.
“Yes. Hopefully, it means HVT is still at this location,” Jake replied, and Rafe nodded. “Eagle 3, sitrep?”
“Eagle 3 at checkpoint.”
“Eagle 5, sitrep?”
“Eagle 5 at overlook. Four tangos visible.”
“Copy that Eagle 5.”
Rafe pulled out his binoculars to get a closer look. If they were expecting company, they were stupid. A raging fire burned near the entrance to the cave. Besides the four tangos standing, he could see at least three more inside the mouth of the cave.
“Three more tangos inside.”
“Where are the other three? TOC reported ten,” Jake asked.
Rafe didn’t like it. Were they further in the cave with Miranda?
“What do you want to do, Boss,” Rafe asked as he squatted next to Jake. They had a clear view of the cave entrance, Ryan and Murph were also within range. The four of them could easily take out the seven Taliban soldiers. But they didn’t know who or what was waiting for them inside the cave.
“TOC, this is Eagle 1.”
“Go ahead, Eagle 1.”
“We’re at the final checkpoint. We confirm seven tangos.”
“Eagle 1, the last drone pass confirmed ten.”
“Copy that, TOC. We’ll send Halo to check out the cave.”
“Copy that, Eagle 1. You have ninety minutes to get to EXFIL. Once the sun’s up, we can’t get you.”
“Copy that.”
“Eagle 5, make your way to Eagle 3’s location. Send Halo in.”
“Copy, Eagle 1.”
Rafe would have made the same call. Jake was smart and careful. Halo had a camera and they’d be able to see what he saw, and hopefully without being noticed.
As he continued to monitor the guard’s location through the binoculars, he watched Halo slip past two of them and enter the cave. Cam would be watching the progress on his tablet and reporting. But so far, no movement on the outside. A few minutes later Cam’s voice came over their coms.
“Eagle 1, we have confirmation of HVT.”
“Does she look injured?”
“She’s been beaten. They have her tied to a chair with a blanket or something wrapped around her. I can’t tell if she’s wired.”
“Copy that.”
The Taliban were known for booby-trapping their hostages because of missions like this. Murph could disarm anything if he had enough time, the one thing they didn’t have to spare. Jake’s mind worked a lot like his, so he knew that he was deciding on the best option for the breach.
The guards looked restless. It could mean they were waiting for their relief or they were expecting the SEALs. If it was the latter, they wouldn’t have to wait for long. Finally, Halo slipped back out of the cave’s opening and made his way to Cam.
“Eagle 3 and 4 take out the guards, then follow us in. Remember, once we get inside, we need at least one of the tangos alive. We’ll grab HVT and head to EXFIL.”
“Copy, Boss.”
“We go in three.”
SEALs were quick and deadly, and their team was one of the best. As Rafe and Jake approached the cave, Murph and Ryan had already taken out the four tangos and had them on the ground. Jake led the way with Halo and the others at his heels. The five men moved swiftly following the sounds of conversation and flickering light.
The men holding Miranda never even knew they were there until it was too late. They’d taken out three before their leader realized what was happening. The SEALs expected them to put
up more of a fight. The whole thing seemed off and made the back of Rafe’s neck tingle.
“I don’t like this, Boss. It was too fuckin’ easy.”
“Agreed. Maybe we just got lucky.” None of them believed it. Once they got the information they needed from the leader, they’d get the hell out of there. They hadn’t needed to fire a shot.
While Jake, Ryan, and Murph questioned the leader who was shrieking in Pashto, Rafe and Cam went to release Miranda. Her captor’s put her in a chair out of hearing range of their conversation. It was common practice, but Rafe doubted the senator’s daughter spoke let alone understood the Afghani language. It was also the coldest, dampest part of the cavern.
As they approached her, the injuries she’d sustained were more evident. Her busted lip and bruised cheeks filled him with rage. He’d never understand how men could beat women. Clenching his fists, he ached to go back and kill the men all over again as punishment for what they’d done to her.
They weren’t sure how much she’d heard, or understood, of what had gone on since she was blindfolded. Rafe expected to hear her crying or whimpering in pain. Blindfolded and wrapped in some kind of dark cloth, there wasn’t a sound coming from the woman. He and Cam exchanged glances, then he spoke softly as he reached out to her hoping to keep her calm.
“Miranda Stanhope? Are you Miranda Stanhope?”
At first, there was nothing, no answer, no movement at all and Rafe was worried that they’d done more damage to the young woman than they’d thought.
“We’re here to take you home, Miranda. I know you’ve got to be scared, but we’re here to help. I’m going to remove your blindfold. Close your eyes so you can get used to the light. Ready?”
Finally, she responded with a soft, “yes, sir.” It was low pitched, but firm, no quivering. Considering her condition, that surprised him. As he removed the blindfold, he revealed a black eye and a long cut from her eyebrow to the outer corner of her right eye. Her left cheek was just one huge purple bruise. Fucking bastards.
SEAL's Spitfire (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Black Eagle Book 1) Page 10