Imminent Danger (A Counterstrike Novel Book 3)

by Jannine Gallant

  “Which is more than I can say for you. From what your mom and I can tell, your entire existence revolves around Counterstrike. When’s the last time you went out for a meal with a nice woman?”

  An ironic smile tilted the corners of Brody’s lips. “Yesterday, since I still consider Arden nice—even if she did divorce me.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I do.” At the sound of voices in the other room, he glanced toward the doorway. “I’m not in the market for a woman, nice or otherwise.” When Patch appeared, Brody rose to his feet. “Do we have a location?”

  “Yes, but they could still be on the move. We’re at least fifteen minutes out.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Brody hurried through the office suite, following the other members of his team. Taking the stairs two at a time, their shoes squeaked against the marble floor as they ran down the passage and exited the Russell Building onto Constitution Avenue. He searched the street and grunted in satisfaction when GQ maneuvered the big, black Suburban up to the curb in a no parking zone. He climbed into the passenger seat while Patch and Luna got in the back. Three doors slammed in unison.

  “Where to?” GQ pulled out onto the street. Brakes squealed as he cut off a cab.

  “Take the 66 across the Potomac. Our target is in Virginia between Arlington and Falls Church.” Luna opened her laptop and started typing. “I was able to tap into the phone he used during that call. The signal hasn’t moved. Not yet, anyway.”

  Brody turned in his seat. “How much time do we have?”

  “The target said he’d kill the girl if the money isn’t in his account in a half hour.”

  “She’ll be dead the minute Senator Jennings transfers it.” Patch stared out the window as GQ passed a slow-moving vehicle and ran a red light.

  “I made it clear he’s not to wire any money.” Luna glanced up from her computer screen. “I wasn’t able to finish tracing the kidnapper’s bank account before the call came in. Whoever owns it covered his tracks pretty damn well.”

  “If we take out the bastard on site, we won’t need that information.” Brody faced forward as a car horn blared when GQ cut off another driver. They rolled onto the bridge, the swoosh of tires against concrete filling the car as they drove in silence.

  Leaving the metropolitan D.C. area behind, the powerful vehicle ate up the miles as the speedometer crept up to ninety. There was little traffic at one in the morning, and they still had thirteen minutes before the kidnapper’s deadline. Not much time when the stakes are so high. Brody clenched and unclenched his fists in his lap.

  “This is our exit.” Luna pointed toward the fast approaching ramp. “Go south and take 19th Street to Westmorland. There’s a park on the left-hand side. The signal is coming from somewhere within its boundaries.”

  Brody’s brows shot up. “Seems like a strange location to hold the girl, out in the open where someone could stumble across them.”

  “My guess is the creep has been moving her around since he grabbed her. In the middle of the night, there won’t be any random joggers on the trails in the park so he’s relatively safe from detection.”

  GQ turned onto Westmorland and slowed when Luna touched his shoulder.

  “Pull over up ahead. The signal is close.”

  “No, keep driving.” Brody focused on the few cars parked near the homes on their right, looking for anything out of place. “Go up and loop back around. I want to make sure no one is keeping watch. We don’t want to get caught in an ambush.”

  After they reached the end of the park, GQ turned around in an alley behind an apartment building and drove back down the street. “I don’t see any sign of trouble.”

  “No, and our time is nearly up.” Brody adjusted his earpiece as GQ turned off the engine. “We’ll converge on the target from different directions. Luna, take the west side. Patch, come in from the south.”

  “This seems too damn easy to me,” their medic muttered as he got out of the SUV.

  “I know what you mean.” Brody glanced over at GQ. “If you can climb a tree to get eyes on the area around the signal, I’d feel better about the situation.”

  He slung the case containing his precision sniper rifle over his shoulder and nodded. “Will do. Give me a minute to get into position before you move in.”

  As the others faded into the trees, Brody checked the revolver holstered at his hip and headed straight into the woods. Moonlight shone through the branches above him, providing just enough light to see. The park was perfectly silent, but the skin prickled at the back of his neck. All his senses signaled something wasn’t right.

  “I have eyes on the entire area, and I don’t see a living soul.” GQ’s voice came through his earpiece. “You sure this is the spot, Luna.”

  “Definitely. I don’t make mistakes when I triangulate a phone signal.”

  Brody paused as the thick underbrush opened onto a walking trail. Standing perfectly still, he searched for any sign of movement before cautiously stepping out onto the path.

  “Anything?” He spoke in a whisper.

  “There’s a restroom on the southern edge of the signal range where he may have the girl stashed,” GQ said.

  “I’ll check it out,” Patch answered.

  “Use extreme caution.” Out of the corner of his eye, Brody caught a slight movement in the trees to his right and swung around.

  Before he could reach for his weapon, Luna spoke through the transceiver. “I’m coming up on you, Wolf.”

  He waited while she approached. “The asshole must have left the area.”

  “If he did, he didn’t take his phone with him.” Turning slowly, she stared down the path and pointed. “The moon just went behind a cloud, and I can’t see worth a damn. Is that—”

  “A trash can.” Unhooking a small flashlight from his belt, Brody headed toward the large metal container. The lid opened with a screech that would surely alert anyone in the vicinity as he directed the beam into the interior. “Shit.”

  “What did you find?” Luna stopped with her back to him, on full alert for trouble.

  “A cell phone.” Pulling a pair of latex gloves and a plastic bag from the pouch at his waist, Brody secured the burner. “Looks like he ditched this after making the call to Senator Jennings. We’re obviously not dealing with an amateur. Damn it!”

  “No one in the bathroom.” Patch’s voice came through his earpiece. “I’m heading your way now.”

  “I’ve got movement.” A hint of urgency colored GQ’s tone. “A male on the walking path about fifty yards North of your location. He’s moving slowly and carrying bags. No sign of the girl.”

  “Keep eyes on him. I’m moving in.” Brody shoved the bagged phone into his pocket and ran up the path. Putting on a burst of speed, he caught sight of the shadowy figure a few seconds before he tackled him.

  They hit the ground with a thump. Rolling him over, he clamped the man’s hands above his head and searched him for weapons.

  “Get the hell off me. Jesus.” The older man gasped for breath. He had a full beard, long hair pulled back in a stringy ponytail, and smelled like he hadn’t showered in weeks. “Do I look like I have anything worth stealing?”

  Brody let go of him and pushed to his feet as both Luna and Patch ran up. “He’s clean.” Reaching down, he grabbed the man’s wrist and hauled him upright. “What’re you doing here this time of night?”

  “What’s it to you?” Bending, the vagrant scooped a beanie off the ground and pulled it down over his head. “You the cops? I ain’t sleeping here. Just passing through.”

  “We’re looking for someone, a man with a girl. Did you see anyone around here about a half hour ago?”

  He stared at Brody for a moment without speaking. Apparently deciding he meant business, the guy shrugged. “No girl. I was taking a leak . . . uh, I mean out for a stroll when some dude came running out of the trees. He went straight to a car parked on the street, got in the passenger
side, and drove away.”

  “What kind of car?” Brody asked sharply.

  “One of them fancy SUVs that costs bank. A blue Range Rover.”

  “I don’t suppose you got a license plate or saw the people in the vehicle?”

  “Nope, too dark. I did notice a Mets decal on the back window when he drove past a street light, but I didn’t pay attention to the plate.”

  “Did the man who ran out of the woods see you?” Luna stepped forward.

  He shook his head. “No reason to draw attention to myself.”

  “Tell us what he looked like.” Brody’s tone brooked no argument.

  “I didn’t get a clear view. He wore a black jacket, and he had dark hair. I didn’t see his face. He was about his height.” He pointed at Patch. “I can’t tell you anything else. Can I go now?”

  “Thanks for your help.” Patch picked up the bulging bags the old guy had dropped on the ground and handed them over along with a twenty-dollar bill. “Get yourself something to eat in the morning.”

  “I appreciate that.” He glanced at Brody. “What did that dude do?”

  “He kidnapped a girl. You’re sure you don’t remember anything else?”

  “I’m afraid not, but I hope you find the bastard.”

  “We intend to.” Brody gave a nod to the others. “Let’s go.” As they headed toward the road, he spoke into the transceiver. “You on the way out, GQ?”

  “I’m already at the vehicle.”

  “We’ll be right there.”

  The second they reached the Suburban, Luna climbed in the back seat and opened her laptop. “I’m checking highway cam footage for any vehicle matching the description he gave us. All I have to do is roll back the time stamp . . .” She typed rapidly and let out a whoop a minute later. “I’ve got a Range Rover getting onto the 66 a half hour ago heading west.”

  GQ started the engine and pulled away from the curb.

  “They took the Fairfax exit. That’s ten minutes from here. I won’t be able to track the vehicle on side roads.”

  “I’ll make it there in eight.” GQ didn’t slow down for the stop sign as he sped toward the expressway.

  When his cell rang, Brody yanked it out of his pocket and glanced at the display before answering. “What’s up, Scarlet?”

  “The kidnapper is on the phone, wanting to know why the money isn’t in his account yet.”

  “The senator needs to stall for time. Have him tell the asshole he’s having trouble making such a large transfer, that the bank’s security system is blocking him. The more desperate he sounds, the better. Have him beg the man not to kill his daughter until he can reach the bank manager. He should ask to speak with Amy, just like the last time.”

  “I’m patched into Senator Jennings’ phone.” Luna glanced up from her laptop. “I need two minutes to pinpoint the signal area of the incoming call.”

  “Have Jennings keep him on the line as long as possible, Scarlet.” Brody stared out into the darkness as they careened around a corner and roared up onto the expressway, his mind on the young girl these bastards had taken. Best case scenario, she was alone and terrified. Worst case—they were already too late.

  “Four minutes,” GQ muttered, the speedometer wavering past ninety.

  “The kidnapper hung up.” Scarlet came back on the line. “He gave the Senator another half hour to get the money transferred, but he wouldn’t let him speak to his daughter.”

  “We’re closing in on them. I’ll be in touch.” Brody disconnected and turned to face Luna. “What sort of radius did you get?”

  “Not an exact location, but the call came from within a half mile of the freeway. I’m checking to see what’s in the vicinity.”

  “Two minutes.” GQ flew around a big rig like it was standing still. “I hope there aren’t any cops around. It would only slow us down.”

  “Besides private residences, there are two apartment complexes, a couple of motels, restaurants, and three car dealerships.” Luna frowned. “Do you suppose one of the kidnappers lives in the area?”

  “Not with a Mets decal on the car. D.C. residents hate the Mets. We’ll check the motels for the Range Rover first.” Brody gripped the armrest as GQ took the exit, tires squealing as they slid on the asphalt. “They wouldn’t bring an unwilling girl into a restaurant, even if it was open at this hour, but they could be waiting in one of the parking lots.”

  Slowing to a more reasonable speed, GQ approached the entrance to the first motel. Older and a little seedy, the units in the two-story structure were accessed by exterior doors.

  “Seems more likely they’d chose a place like this than the nicer chain motel up ahead.” He turned in and cruised around the front of the building toward the back.

  “Stop!” Brody held up his hand.

  “I don’t see—there!” Patch pointed. “A blue vehicle is parked across the side street in that business complex. I can’t tell the make through those shrubs. Could be they didn’t want to be spotted at the motel if anyone tracked the car.”

  “Two rooms have lights on. Why would anyone be awake at this hour?” Brody studied the structure. Light shone from partially opened curtains in a room on the second floor near the office, and a dim glow came from a first-floor end unit near the stairs.”

  “I doubt our target is sitting in the dark. Are we going in?” Luna closed her laptop and set it on the seat.

  Brody nodded. “Patch, check the upstairs room. I’ll take the one on the end. Luna, verify the car in the lot over there is the one we’re after.” He turned to faced GQ. “I want you to stay here with the engine running and keep an eye on the other units, just in case we’re wrong. We’re dealing with at least two subjects, the driver of the vehicle and the man who was in the park, possibly more. Stay alert.”

  The team quietly opened doors and ran across the lot. Brody approached the end unit, keeping to the shadows, searching for any sign of movement behind the drawn curtains.

  Luna spoke through the transceiver. “Blue Range Rover with a Mets decal and New York plates. No one near the vehicle, and it’s locked.”

  “Stick close to it,” he responded in a low voice.

  “A young couple is having a shouting match up here. The guy looks drunk, and there’s no sign of Amy. Not our target.” Light static crackled as Patch made the report.

  Brody moved up the pitted walkway to the door of the unit near the stairs. To his left, the screen covering the window above a scraggly bush was torn, and the curtains were pulled tight. He silently twisted the doorknob. Locked.

  “I’ll have to go in blind,” he whispered.

  “I’m on my way down now.”

  Behind the door, a male voice spoke, too low for Brody to hear the words, followed by a thump. Soft sobbing was cut off. Drawing his weapon as Patch reached the bottom of the staircase, he took a step back and kicked in the door. It crashed against the wall.

  A shot echoed, and a bullet hit the doorframe inches from his head. Brody caught a brief glimpse of a middle-aged man with dark hair and an acne pitted face holding a teenaged girl in front of him before he jerked back behind the wall. A second shot extinguished the light in the room.

  “You’ll hit her if you try to shoot me. Move away from the door.” The bellow from within was tinged with fear.

  “I don’t think so.” Brody kept his voice even. “Your only chance of getting out of there alive is to drop your weapon and release her.”

  Across the parking lot, gunfire was followed by a brief cry.

  “Luna?” Patch spoke quietly.

  “I’m down. A second man ambushed me.”

  “Go. I’ve got this.” Brody didn’t take his attention off the doorway as Patch ran across the lot.

  In the still night, an engine roared to life.

  “I’ll put a bullet in the girl’s brain if you don’t put down your weapon,” the man in the room yelled.

  “I’m in position to take the shot.” GQ spoke through the transcei
ver. “Step to your left so he has to move into the doorway to get an angle on you, put your gun down, and I’ll nail him the second he appears.”

  Brody stepped sideways as the Range Rover exited the adjacent lot and took the corner with a squeal of tires. “Here comes your buddy to get you. I’m putting down my weapon. Let the girl go.” Bending, he set his revolver on the pavement at his feet.

  Amy appeared in the doorway first. Held tightly against the man’s chest, her eyes were wide with terror. Behind him, the SUV screeched to a stop. The crack of a rifle reverberated in the air, and the kidnapper went down just as Brody dived toward the bushes beneath the window. A bullet dug into the dirt beside him. Rolling, he grabbed his revolver and aimed at the Range Rover, squeezing the trigger as it reversed out of the parking lot. Glass shattered.

  Amy’s screams echoed, loud and shrill, and doors in the other units opened. Before GQ could reach their Suburban, the other vehicle roared down the street. Scrambling to his feet, Brody ran toward the girl as sirens wailed in the distance.

  “Go after him,” he shouted.

  GQ drove past as Brody kicked the dead man’s gun aside and knelt beside Amy Jennings. Blocking her view of the body, he helped her to her feet. “You’re safe, Amy. Come inside with me. The police will be here in a minute, and you’ll be able to go home.

  Sobbing, she leaned against him as he eased her into the room and sat next to her on the bed.

  “How’s Luna?” Brody spoke quietly into the transceiver.

  “Stable. Bullet wound high on her arm. I’ve stopped the bleeding, but she needs more medical attention than I can give her in a parking lot.” Patch’s tone was strained. “I called 9-1-1 and am on the phone with dispatch now. An ambulance and the cops are on the way, but I expect it’ll be a shit show when they arrive.”

  “GQ, what’s the status on the Range Rover?”

  “I lost him. Damn it! He ditched the vehicle in a used car lot and ran off on foot before I got here. The windshield was shattered, and there was a little blood on the seat, so you nicked him. I’m scouring the neighborhood, but he could be a quarter mile away by now.”

  “Or holed up somewhere until it’s safe to move.” Brody let out a frustrated breath. “Then again, he may have stolen another vehicle. By the time the owner reports it missing in the morning, he’ll have dumped it.”