“My goal is to have taken this point and have Nora with me. But in case I can’t get down in my vehicle, the snowmobiles will be perfect.” Disconnecting, he suited up. He was still wearing the body armor but pulled on a thick white camo coat over the top. Pulling a knit hat over his head and gloves on his hands, he climbed from the vehicle.
As a former SEAL, he relished the feel of the FBI rifle as well as the other weapons. A backpack full of ammunition, protein bars, water, equipment, and a radio earpiece securely placed, he headed out. The moonlight reflected off the snow, making the night appear much brighter than normal. With Josh’s assistance and the use of night-vision goggles, he headed toward the clearing.
Starting out, he stayed on the road, although the tire tracks were almost obliterated. The wind whipped the snow into a blinding storm and the drifts made the walking slow.
Even with his focus on the mission, he was reminded of winter hikes that he and Nathan used to take. It had seemed so easy back then to think of the future. Go off to war… serve our country… come back to home and family. I would marry Nora and move her to the ranch. Nathan would find someone to love and live nearby. Blinking at the onslaught of ice crystals slamming into his face, it brought his thoughts back to the here and now.
Wiping his goggles, he noted a faint light in the distance. By now he was no longer able to tell where the road was but moved toward the trees and stalked through the forest. As he got closer to the light ahead, he could distinguish more than one light. The light reflecting off the snow had made the climb up the mountain easier to see, but now it cut down on the protection of dark cover.
With the mini camera and radio attached to his headset, he knew LSI could see what he was seeing but had no doubt the view was blurry due to the storm. “There’s a cabin, lights on the inside, and smoke curling from the chimney. Two vehicles are parked outside. One buried under snow, and the other appears to be the Jeep Wagoneer. There are two smaller outbuildings that I can see. No lights. Another slightly larger outbuilding that may be connected to the cabin in the back, lights on inside.”
After reporting to LSI, he continued around the clearing, staying in the protection of the woods. Deciding to check on the lighted outbuilding first, he slipped around the back of the cabin and could see it wasn’t connected but was built so close to the back of the cabin a person could go between the structures in just a couple of steps.
Creeping toward the window, he stayed out of sight as he maneuvered to a position where he could peer inside. He could only see one man on the inside, but the tables were strewn with empty bottles, two hot plates, glass tubes, pots and pans, bags of cat litter, Mason jars, and more shit that he could not identify through the dirty window. With stealth, he crouched and made his way around to the front and scanned the area. The door was propped open about an inch, and the chemical smell of rotten eggs and cat urine hit him. Fuckin’ hell… a fucking meth lab going in the middle of a blizzard. Jesus, how can he work in that?
He moved his head slightly from side to side to allow the camera to take in the whole view, knowing LSI would let Levi know a meth lab was present and DEA would descend to get rid of the lab. The man turned slightly to the side and he recognized the picture of Kenneth Carlson.
When active duty, he would have easily taken the man out… quietly and permanently. But as a civilian, he needed to subdue Kenneth, keeping him alive if possible. Easy if he wasn’t in a volatile fuckin’ meth lab.
Desperate to find Nora and assure her safety first, he noticed an open hasp for a padlock attached to the door. With a grin, he slipped a zip tie through the clasp. It would hold Kenneth until he could get back. With the noise the man was making on the inside and the wind whipping outside, Kenneth would not be able to hear any noise that might come from the cabin. Satisfied that Kenneth was secure for the time being, he slipped off his jacket and laid it by the back of the cabin so that movement was easier. Pulling the neck scarf over his nose to help keep the cold at bay, he tramped back through the snow.
Checking the other unlit outbuilding, he saw that it was unoccupied but filled with boxes. Levi had mentioned that David Carlson was a prepper and it looked as though he had stockpiled for years. Dismissing those thoughts, he knew Levi would deal with everything David had been involved with. My mission is Nora.
The cabin appeared to be sturdier than the outbuildings, and as he approached the side, he observed one small window near the front coated in a layer of ice, obscuring his view. Creeping soundlessly around the back, he clocked a window facing the woods and a narrow door. There was no light emitted from the window, but the glass was somewhat protected by the woods, therefore keeping it clear of heavy frost.
With his goggles in place, he ascertained empty bunk beds and more boxes. Continuing around the next corner, he discovered that side also did not have a window but did have a pipe coming out of the wall, smoke billowing from the hole. Woodburning stove. The only joy that thought gave him was if Nora was in that room, she had some heat.
At the far corner, he was able to peer around to the front of the cabin. There was no porch, and besides the front door, it only contained one window that faced the meadow. While it was evident light was shining from inside, heavy ice adhered to the glass, creating a blurred image.
Pressing his thumb to the lower-left corner of the glass, his body heat soon melted a tiny hole in the ice. He positioned his head so the mini camera on his headpiece was aimed directly toward the small area of cleared glass and stared down at the screen of his phone showing the images from inside the cabin.
Near the wood-burning stove was a chair, and he recognized the man identified as Bob Heller slumped over in sleep. There was a sofa just below the window, and it appeared that someone was sitting in the corner. From that view, he was unable to discern if it was male or female. Angling the camera, he could see that the back corner was set up as a kitchen with a small counter, cabinet, and refrigerator. Identifying the edge of a table near the front corner, he was unable to see more. He hated that there were no more windows in the cabin but assumed it was built by hunters who were simply seeking shelter against the elements.
He grimaced, the desire to kick down the door and take out David and Bob almost overwhelming. Knowing he needed to take them alive if possible while keeping Nora safe made the mission problematic. He was not willing to place her in more danger than she already was. I lost you once. I’m not going to lose you again. Promise.
Crouching, he silently moved to the other side of the window and repeated his earlier process. With a postage-stamp-sized area in the lower right corner free of frost, he looked through his camera again. Bob was definitely asleep in the chair near the fire. And while still unable to see the head of the person on the sofa, he was now certain that the body and legs were not Nora’s. He could see the person’s arm was bandaged, giving further evidence that he was looking at David. Both men in the front room. So, where the fuck is Nora?
He had not seen anyone in the bunk beds in the back room, so she must be in the front room near the table. That was the only area he was unable to clearly observe.
Shifting back to the left side of the window, he created a slightly larger ice-free section to peer through this time, and something caught his eye near the refrigerator. Using the zoom application on the camera, he detected a chain was looped around the refrigerator door handle. He scanned the length of the chain as it dropped to the floor and snaked toward the front of the room, disappearing at the edge of his viewing screen.
Chain? They’ve fucking chained her? Rage colored his vision red.
“Steady. Focus.” The voice came through his earpiece and he recognized Mace had seen the view from his phone and knew what was going through his mind. He hated that his boss had to send him a reminder to stay cool but wondered if Mace spoke from experience, once having to rescue Sylvie and her son, David.
Tate slowed his breathing which in turn slowed his heartbeat. Calm. Methodical. Work the problem
. Stepping back from the window, he decided to enter through the back door. With its close proximity to the woods, the wind and snow blew with less ferocity against the back.
He made his way noiselessly around the cabin again. He did not hear any sounds from the man inside the meth lab and assumed he was still unaware that his outside door was effectively locked. Reaching the back door of the cabin, he twisted the knob to the narrow door. It was locked, but he ascertained it was nothing more than a simple locking doorknob, not a deadbolt. Sliding his knife between the door and jamb, he jiggled the knob and it turned easily. He was surprised that preppers didn’t have their stores more secure. They weren’t expecting anyone. They sure as fuck weren’t expecting someone like me.
Even with his large size, he slipped through the door with ease. In a narrow hall, he glanced to the left to see the tiny bathroom was empty. To the right was the bedroom, and another glance inside proved his earlier assessment that it was unoccupied.
Soundlessly stepping forward, he spied David sitting in the corner of the sofa, his head slumped to the side. His face was pale and forehead sweaty. He needed the drugs Mary was bringing. He could now see a small table pushed into the corner of the front of the room, piled with boxes and papers. He forced his heartbeat to remain steady as his gaze landed on Nora, sitting at the table, bent forward with her head resting on top of her arms. Her eyes were closed, and he had no doubt she was exhausted. But alive!
The thin chain that he had seen snaking across the floor was now visible as it wrapped around her wrist. Not willing to waste another second, he stepped into the room, his weapon pointed straight at David with Bob also in his sights. “Get your fuckin’ hands up!”
18
Nora was jolted from her restless sleep at the shout of a deep-voiced, authoritative order. Gasping, she jerked upward, her fatigue-slowed mind unable to perceive the presence now filling the room. A large figure with his back to her was holding a gun toward the other side of the room. Until the vision in front of her twisted ever-so-slightly giving her a chance to see its profile, she was sure she was going to die.
As recognition slammed into her, she screamed, “Tate!” at the same time Bob shouted, “Fuck!” and David bolted upward, his eyes blinking as he looked around.
Stumbling to her feet, the chain rattled about her. She wobbled on unsteady legs but remained rooted to the spot, not wanting to distract Tate from whatever he planned on doing.
“Keep your fuckin’ hands where I can see them,” Tate ordered the men.
His familiar voice now resonated with a timbre she didn’t recognize. He barely glanced her way, but in that second, she saw his eyes move, doing a full-body scan. He appeared calm on the outside, but as he focused his attention on the two men in the room, his rage was evident, its fire sucking the oxygen from the room.
“Go ahead and twitch… fuckin’ move a fuckin’ muscle and your fuckin’ brains will hit the wall.”
“Shit, man,” Bob said again on a heavy exhale, this time with wide eyes.
Her gaze landed on Bob, and she jolted out of her stupor. “Tate, he has a gun with him.”
“Keep your hands up where I can see them,” Tate repeated.
David remained still, and she looked at him carefully. His eyes were slightly red and sweat still beaded his forehead. She had no doubt he was feverish, but he remained unflappable. In a defiant voice, David said, “I know the law. I know you need to take me in, not execute me with no provocation.”
Moving one step closer, Tate growled, “I’m not the law.”
David lifted a brow, tilting his head slightly.
“You took something of mine, and I’m just itching for a reason to put a hole through you and end your worthless life.”
David’s gaze shot between Tate and Nora, his jaw tightening. Still standing where she had leaped to her feet, she was uncertain what to do. Battling the desire to rush to him, burrowing into his arms for protection, she didn’t want to distract him from whatever he needed to do.
“Nora?”
Barely hearing over the pounding of her heart, she realized he had spoken. “What?” she blurted.
“We gotta get you out of those chains, babe.”
“I can do it. I know where there’s a screwdriver.” She rushed to the drawer and jerked it open. With shaky hands, she jabbed the sharp end of the screwdriver into a link and pried it open. Slipping her wrist free, she let the chain fall to the floor with a clink. She looked up, relief beaming, holding her wrist upward. “It’s done! I had it mostly open earlier, and it didn’t need much now to pop it loose.” She clamped her mouth shut to stop the babbling, her chest heaving with the slight exertion.
“Good job, babe. Now, I need you to move over here… get behind me.” Tate kept his gaze pinned on David and Bob.
She hurried forward, reaching her hand out to touch his back, letting him know she was there. Leaning slightly forward, she whispered, “Just tell me what to do.”
“We need to secure these two.”
“You won’t get away with this! We’ve got friends,” Bob blabbered, his eyes darting around the room.
David jerked his head around and shouted, “Shut up! Just keep your fuckin’ mouth closed, Bob!”
“If you’re referring to your friend Porter, I’m afraid he’s enjoying the comforts of the local jail. So is his accomplice, Mary.”
Her hand had gently touched Tate’s back, but hearing that Porter was no longer a threat, she gripped his shirt for a few seconds, afraid her legs would give out from under her. “Thank God,” she breathed. Shit! Kenneth! “Honey, there’s a man out in the—”
“I’m afraid he won’t be any help to these two either. He’s locked in. And as soon as the authorities get here, your toxic lab and prepper compound will be shut down and disposed of.”
“I always knew the government would send someone in to try to take over.” David’s face contorted. “Persecution, brute force, taking over our land and our lives.”
Tate shook his head. “Shut the fuck up. You’re on common ground, not your own land. I don’t give a fuck what your personal beliefs are, but I’m not the government.” Grinning as he captured David’s attention, he said, “That’s right, asshole. I’m private. And right now, I’m not answering to anyone but me. So, like I said earlier, you took Nora, and I’m here to get her back. Killing the two of you in the process makes no difference to me.”
She had no idea if Tate meant those words or not, but it had the effect of keeping David and Bob quiet. She reached out and touched his back again, wanting to feel the solidity of his body against her fingertips.
“Babe, I need to get them secure.”
“What do you need me to do?” She had no idea if she could help but was determined to do anything Tate needed.
Keeping his weapon directed on them, he reached behind her and drew her to his side. “Bob. Stand up and turn around with your back toward me. Put your wrists together behind your back.”
She watched as Bob swallowed heavily several times, his eyes working as though to decide if he wanted to follow Tate’s directions. He must have come to the conclusion he had no choice if he wanted to stay alive, so he stood. The gun Bob no longer held in his hand lay on the chair cushion. He did as Tate asked and turned so that he was facing the wall with his hands held behind him.
“Nora, get his gun.”
She scooted around to the right, hating that the room was so small she was close to Bob. Tate quickly had Bob’s wrists held tight while his weapon was still securely in his hand. She picked up Bob’s gun and turned to move toward Tate when David jumped to his feet, a hidden knife flashing in his hand before being thrown.
She screamed. Tate shoved Bob to the floor and lunged in front of her. The knife embedded in Tate’s shoulder.
Bob cried out and her gaze jumped to take in the whole scene. When Tate pushed him, Bob landed on his knees, his face perilously close to the woodburning stove. Bob jerked back, falling to the floor
. David, the weapon no longer in his hand, attempted to run toward the door. She stood with Bob’s gun still in her hand, frozen to the spot as Tate jerked the knife out of his shoulder and rushed forward, tackling David against the wall.
Sure that he was going to snap David’s neck, she blinked as Tate kept his injured arm pressed against the much smaller man, smashing his face against the wood. Reaching into his pocket, Tate pulled out restraining ties and quickly subdued David’s wrists. Kicking David’s feet out from under him and causing him to crumple to the floor, Tate bent and secured his ankles as well. Looking back at Bob, she saw him squirming on the floor, unable to escape.
If she had not witnessed it, she was not sure she would have believed it possible. How did Tate handle both men so quickly after getting knifed in the shoulder?
He looked back at her, his eyes once again going from head to toe in a body scan as though to assure himself she was all right. “Babe, are you okay?”
She jerked her head up and down, still trying to suck in air. “Yes. Yes.” Seeing uncertainty in his eyes, she said, “Honey, I’m fine. Shocked and feeling rather foolish at not helping, but I’m fine.”
As he stood and turned toward her, she noticed blood running down his arm. “Oh, shit, Tate, we need to take care of that.”
He shook his head and reached his arm out to her. “I’ve got to take care of them first.”
Stepping closer, she peered into his eyes. “Tate, if something happens to you, I don’t know what I’ll do—”
“Babe, it’s a knife wound. Burns like shit, but it’s in my shoulder. We’re not talking major organs here. I need to get rid of them—”
“Get rid of them?” she squeaked.
He bent slightly to hold her gaze. “I want to get them tied up and put into one of the outbuildings. I’ve got Kenneth locked in the lab, but I’ll put these two in the other little shacks.” He turned and looked down toward David still on the floor, and his lips curled into a grin. “You, asshole, I’ll secure in the lab. We’ll see how long you last when you’re breathing in those fumes.”
Tate (Lighthouse Security Investigations Book 6) Page 14