Boomer's Fall

by Robin Leigh Miller

  “Where are they?” Boomer asked.

  Kong pointed to a large, two-story, stone building with wooden shutters. “In there. They do know he has them all over the house, first and second floor. Boomer, the place is booby-trapped, explosives all over the damn place and he has kids tied up next to them.”

  Boomer heard the hard click of Ricochet’s rifle being loaded.

  “Give me one clear, shot at the mother. We’ll end this shit. Got no time for a coward who uses kids as a bargainin’ chip.”

  “Sam, we need to know if the target’s booby-trapped as well. If he is we’ll take him down a different way. If he isn’t, Rico, you take the shot.”

  “Count on it.”

  “This is the way it goes down. Smoke makes her way into the building and relays info to Boomer. Boomer disarms bombs and removes kids if he can. Ricochet, you find a spot to perch and be ready to move if we need you. I’ll see if I can find an alternate way into the building from the old blueprints then I’ll join the hunt.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” Boomer said fixing his radio in place. The urgency he felt taking over his body in his dream was creeping in.

  “Radio check,” Kong ordered.

  Once everyone had their radios in place the cadence was sounded.

  “Kong.”

  “Smoke.”

  “Ricochet.”

  “Boomer.”

  “We’re a go,” Kong said.

  Boomer watched Sam switch into Black Smoke mode and disappear into the darkness. Even after working several missions with her it still amazed him how she moved. He never took his eyes off her and she still vanished from sight. Shifting his gaze, he spotted Ricochet scoping out trees and other buildings looking for the perfect spot to roost. When a smirk spread across his face Boomer knew he found his spot.

  Next he watched Kong spread a few papers out on the ground with his penlight held firmly in his teeth, the tiny beam of light illuminating drawings of buildings. The brisk fall breeze flicked at the edges of the paper.

  Boomer turned and stared at the stone building holding the innocent children and reminded himself that what he dreamed could be changed. He would do everything in his power to make sure it didn’t come true. With that in mind he adjusted his pack on his back and headed into the darkness.

  * * * * *

  Melting into the shadows Sam made her way toward the building. Her eyes scanned the surrounding area checking for movement. She weaved in and out of trees, coming close to the building and then moving away again. When there were no more trees she belly-crawled across the ground and through fallen leaves.

  By the time she was finished she’d made her way around the entire building. She sifted through mental notes she’d made while canvassing the area. The windows were old and small, difficult to break and crawl through. The doors were made of a thick wood that wouldn’t easily open without creaking, sounding an alarm to the target inside.

  He knew what he was doing. Not only did he pick the perfect hostages, he picked the perfect location to keep them in. The new buildings offered too many opportunities for someone to get in without him knowing. The old buildings were one giant alarm.

  She needed to get a peek inside so she could see just how dire the situation was. A side window on ground level shadowed by a large, oak tree would serve nicely. Sam crawled through the grass and pressed her back against the building. She waited a heartbeat and then risked a look. There were no lights on in the building making it difficult to survey what was inside.

  She pulled off her pack, removed her night goggles and secured them on her head. With them on she could see Boomer taking up position mere yards away. Off in the distance she could see the local authorities congregated around a vehicle and Kong reviewing blueprints. The only person she couldn’t see was Ricochet. He, no doubt, was tucked securely away in a hiding place with his eye peeled for opportunity.

  “See anything yet, Smoke?” Boomer whispered in her earpiece.

  “Negative. Give me second.”

  Sam eased her head toward the window and looked through the glass. In the dark room three small figures glowed.

  “Three hostages positioned around the room,” she relayed to Boomer.

  “At windows?”

  “Affirmative. There may be one at the window I’m looking through but I can’t tell.”

  “Traps?”

  “It’s hard to tell, the room is too damn dark.”

  “Take your time, Smoke.” Kong’s voice rang in.

  “Ricochet, do you have a visual on the target yet?” Sam asked.

  “Negative but I can tell you there are six hostages that I can see.”

  The radio went silent as they all processed the information.

  I need help here. I can’t see what I need to see, she said to her spirit guide.

  There are four children in the room.

  Are there any explosives?

  Each child is seated next to a small device. Each device is connected to a window.

  That’s what she was afraid of. “Damn,” she muttered.

  “What is it, Smoke?” Boomer asked.

  Sam ignored Boomer’s question. Can the kids move without setting off the bombs? she asked silently in her head.

  They are tied to the devices.

  “No.”

  “Smoke, report,” Kong demanded.

  “It’s what we thought. The kids are connected to bombs. The bombs are connected to the window. My guess is if I open a window it triggers the bomb. You have an alternative way to get in, Kong?”

  “The only other way into the building is the front door and a back door. You know he has to have them rigged as well.”

  “I thought these old buildin’s had—what are they called, root cellars or somethin’—with an outside entrance,” Ricochet said.

  “It’s not showing on the blueprints. Smoke, can you take a look?”

  Is there another way into the building? she asked her guide.

  There is a small dirt room under the building. Entry will be difficult.

  Show me please.

  “Give me a few moments,” she said into her radio.

  Sam held her body close to the building as she made her way slowly around. When she reached the back she slowed knowing if there was root cellar it would be around here.

  Samantha, stop. The entrance is to your right.

  Reacting instantly Sam stopped and crouched, feeling the ground. Where is it?

  Slow your hands. It is there.

  Biting her lip to keep from demanding more help, she pressed her hands against the stone wall and made her way to the ground. When she found nothing she moved more to her right and repeated her actions.

  “Find anything yet, Smoke?” Kong asked.

  “Not yet but it’s here.” By the fourth attempt she felt the ground beneath her hands give. As it pushed away she could feel wood where there should be stone. “I found something,” she reported to her team.

  “What have ya got?” Kong asked.

  “There’s a door here but the entrance has been filled in with dirt.”

  “Where are you, Smoke, I’ll help open it up,” Boomer said already on the move.

  “Back of the house. Ricochet, let us know when you see the target,” she said digging out her collapsible shovel.

  “Roger that.”

  When Boomer found her she already had a good portion of the sod and dirt removed. They worked together silently until just a few feet down the door ended.

  “It’s small,” Boomer said surprised.

  “How small?” Kong asked.

  “Thirty-six inches by twenty inches. It’s gonna be a tight fit for me.” Boomer ran his hands through his hair. If he could dig away some of the dirt he might make it.

  “Smoke can fit.”

  Sam looked at Boomer and nodded her head.

  “Let’s do it.” Boomer started prying at the door until it broke fr
ee. He shone his flashlight inside the deep, dark hole and then nodded back at Sam. “Keep in touch and let me know what you see.”

  Sam wasted no time crawling into the damp hole on her stomach. This didn’t bother her. It was no different from burying herself in the dirt. She held her penlight in her teeth as she pulled herself through a partially filled room.

  “Smoke, report,” Boomer whispered.

  “Not much to tell yet. I have a clear foot above my head but it looks like they filled this in too. Haven’t found a door yet.”

  “We’ve got movement on the second floor,” Ricochet growled in their ears.

  “Can you take a clear shot?” Kong asked.

  “Negative. The bastard seems to be draggin’ a kid around with him. Oh yeah, he knows what he’s doin’. I can see now, he has a kid coverin’ each window. Damn, I can’t take a shot.”

  “It’s up to you, Smoke, to get us in there.”

  “Roger that. Ricochet, let me know if he heads downstairs.”

  “Roger.”

  Black Smoke continued dragging herself through the dirt until she came across what once was a staircase. When she looked up she saw a small door in the floor of the house.

  “I found the entrance but I think we have a problem.”

  “What is it?” Boomer asked.

  “It’s a door in the floor about the same size as the outside door. I don’t know where it’ll open up to.”

  The door opens to a pantry. It is temporarily safe.

  “Okay I got confirmation we can use it. I just have to get it open.”

  Sam ran the beam of her penlight around the edges of the door. When she found the hinges she immediately looked at the opposite end for a latch. To her dismay it had been removed leaving no way to open the door. She banged the heel of her hand on the wood and jumped when it broke through.

  “What the hell was that?” Boomer whispered in a gruff tone.

  “The wood is rotten. My hand went right through without much effort. Rico, any indication the target heard that?”

  “Negative. It looks like he’s talkin’ to someone.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” Kong said.

  “You’d better make sure we’re dealing with one target,” Boomer grumbled.

  “On it,” Kong replied.

  Sam was way ahead of them. How many inside besides kids? she asked.

  Two.

  “They’re telling me they aren’t sure. Witnesses say they only saw one,” Kong reported.

  “There’s two.”

  “Damn. That ups the ante don’t it?”

  “Yeah, Rico, but it doesn’t change anything. Two or ten we need to get those kids out. Let’s get it done,” Kong ordered.

  Sam pushed her hand through the hole, breaking away more wood until she could feel around for some kind of latch. She propped herself on her elbow in the dirt and forced her shoulder against the door. Finally she felt a metal sliding lock. With a flick of the finger she unlatched it.

  “This is way too easy,” she muttered.

  “Good news?” Boomer asked.

  “I have it open. Going in.”

  Sam dragged her knees up underneath her, placed her palms flat on the door and slowly pushed it open. Not wanting to startle any children or alert a target she dowsed her penlight.

  “Second target made its appearance with first,” Ricochet informed them.

  Sam took the opportunity and scooted across the floor on her stomach. With both targets upstairs she could move quickly. The pantry was small with a narrow doorway and opened into what was once a kitchen but now looked as though it was used as storage. She quickly snaked her way around stacked desks, empty file cabinets and empty bookshelves.

  When she reached the door she stopped. “Boomer, I’m in. The door opens into a pantry, next room is storage. I’m headed into the main part of building.”

  “Roger.”

  Careful, Samantha. The young ones are frightened. Proceed slowly.

  I might need your help with them. I don’t have experience with kids.

  I am with you.

  She crouched on the floor and made her way into a large room. With her eyes adjusted to the dark now she could see well enough to make out three children seated next to windows. One sat with his head hung forward, another with his head lolling to the side. The other, a little girl had wide eyes and pinned them on Sam. From where she was she couldn’t see the fourth.

  “I’m in the main room. One of them sees me. She’ll be my first contact.”

  “Go slowly, Smoke. Sign slowly so there isn’t any confusion in her understanding.”

  The gentleness in Boomer’s voice melted Sam’s heart. He’d make a great dad one day. “Roger that, Boomer.”

  Sam lifted her forefinger to her masked mouth asking the child to be quiet. When she didn’t even blink Sam began to worry. Is she all right?

  She is only cautious.

  That was something Sam could understand. As she neared the child she began to sign.

  “Please don’t make a sound. I’m here to help you. Don’t be afraid.”

  The little girl tilted her head to the side, squinting her eyes.

  Does she understand me?

  She does, her guide replied.

  Sam took a deep breath looking the child over. She couldn’t be more than seven and had the most adorable curly, red hair. Her green eyes seemed to glow in the dark room and she had a smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks.

  Her little arms were tied behind the chair she’d been placed in with a cord that ran from the window latch and entwined with her bindings then attached to a clump of plastic explosives. If the window had been opened even slightly the cord would have pulled free allowing a very crude connection to be made.

  Sweat began to seep from Sam’s pores. “Boomer, this is bad.”

  “Tell me what you see.”

  She relayed the information to him and then waited for his instructions. As she waited she reached out and caressed the little girl’s cheek, trying to reassure her everything would be okay. The tension in the girl’s shoulders relaxed and a small smile spread across her lips.

  You are doing well.

  She’s so small. How could anyone want to hurt something so precious? Sam questioned.

  They do what they feel is needed.

  It’s sick.

  “Okay Smoke, this isn’t as hard as it seems. If you can cut the ropes without tugging on the cord she’s free.”

  “Roger.” Sam pulled her knife out and moved behind the child. Just as she was about to make the first cut she froze. Doubt and fear swamped her, paralyzing her. One wrong move and she would be responsible for the death of this innocent child, not to mention all the others in the building.

  “I don’t think I can do it, Boomer,” she whispered in a shaky voice.

  “Did you find something you didn’t see before?”

  “No. I just can’t do it. I can’t risk it.”

  “What’s going on, Smoke?” Kong’s voice blasted in her ear making her jerk.

  “Someone better do somethin’. Target number two just left the room,” Ricochet reported.

  “Sam, you can do it. I know you can. Hold the cord in your teeth if necessary to keep it from disconnecting.” Boomers voice was calm giving Sam a little confidence.

  “Bogie just paused at a stair window. He’s lightin’ up a cigarette.”

  Sam could smell the tobacco drifting down the stairs. She gripped her knife tightly in her hand, leaned over and grasped the cord between her teeth took two quick swipes at the rope and freed the girl’s hands. Heavy footsteps clumped down the stairs as she dropped the cord from her mouth.

  The little girl began to bolt from the chair. Sam placed her palm on the child’s chest and pushed her back. Quickly she signed for her to stay put and hold her hands behind the chair like she was still tied.

  The girl nodded her understanding and quickly held her arms behind her. Sam silently scurri
ed back to the storage room leaving the door open a crack to watch what would happen. She smiled when the girl dropped her head like she was asleep.

  Smart kid, she thought to herself. “I have visual of target,” she breathed into her radio.

  “Don’t take him down yet. We need to get some of those kids out first.” Kong ordered.

  Sam gave one click to acknowledge the command. She watched as the target walked by each child and held her breath when he stopped in front of her little redhead. When he crouched down in front of her and ran his hand down her thigh Sam clenched her hand around her knife.

  If he made one wrong move she would be all over him like a bad attitude. She fought to control her breathing. If he heard her the whole mission would be jeopardized.

  “Everything okay down there?” The first target shouted down the stairs.

  “Yeah.” The second responded and then rose leaving the child and heading back up the stairs.

  Sam released her grip on the knife and shook out the tension in her arm. “Boomer, I’m sending out the first kid.”

  “Roger, I’m ready.”

  “I’m coming in to help,” Kong told them.

  Sam made her way back to the redhead. When the girl looked up and smiled Sam lost her breath and her heart fluttered.

  The girl signed, “Did I do good?”

  Behind the black mask was a smile a mile wide. “You did very good,” she signed back. “Now I need you to do one more thing. Do you know where the old pantry is?”

  A nod was her answer.

  “Go in there and through the hole in the floor. My friend will be there to help you.”

  “What about my friends?”

  “I’m going to free them and send them out now. Go but be quiet.” She watched the kid tiptoe across the floor and disappear into the storage room.

  “One coming at ya Boomer.”

  “Roger.”

  Sam moved on to the next child. She had to force herself to sign slowly so he could understand what she was saying. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here to help you.” She could see the fear in his eyes, not like the redhead who seemed so calm and brave.

  Once again she made a quick survey of the explosive and was relieved to see it was the same set up. She held the cord in her teeth, made a quick cut in the rope holding his hands and nearly fell over when he dived off the chair and wrapped his arms around her neck and squeezed. Tears filled her eyes but she forced herself to push him away.