Dark Toll

by Warren Ray

  “Elliott, let’s waste an RPG on these bastards.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Elliott picked up the launcher and pointed it toward the mansion. He lined up his shot and squeezed the trigger. The rocket launched with a whoosh and sped across the field leaving a trail of flame and smoke. Seconds later, the rocket exploded on the south side of the mansion, killing all the men who hadn’t seen it coming.

  The enemy fire eased off before resuming with a fury. Nordell noticed it started coming in from the north, up on Marter Road, which took him off guard. His recon team hadn’t reported any one in that area. He needed to be back across the bridge behind them before they held that ground.

  “Elliott, let’s get out of here.”

  They broke out of the woods and immediately began taking fire. Everyone dropped to the ground. Rounds snapped and whistled to his right and Nordell jerked around. “Fast little bastards,” he thought when he saw a large group of tangos racing across the field toward them.

  “Man that SAW,” ordered Nordell.

  Nordell picked up the radio and called out to Bill Taylor, who commanded the hidden squad.

  “Badger, I need you to get into this thing, over.”

  “About damn time. I see a bunch of ‘em running across the field.”

  “Slow ‘em down and then get back across the river.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Elliott manned the SAW and stopped the approaching enemy from the north. Nordell grabbed the binoculars and looked up Lakeshore Drive at their exit. Still clear. He could hear Badger’s squad firing up their SAW and laying down a hail of lead. He skirted back into the trees to see the tracers from the big gun boring into several Jijis.

  Confident, he stood up and jogged back to Elliott who finished off a belt of ammo. He looked into the binoculars again to see the enemy beginning to retreat. He yelled for everyone to move out.

  “Elliott, go cover Badger’s exit.”

  Nordell grabbed the radio. “Badger, get out of there now, we’ll cover you.”

  “Copy that.”

  Elliott hustled over toward Badger’s position and looked across the field to their right. Through his night-vision goggles, he could see small clumps of Jijis trying to flank them. Elliott set the big gun down on its bipod and took aim. He pulled the trigger in short bursts and the tracers directed him to pull more to the right where he finally found his mark. The enemy dropped to the ground either from bullets ripping through them or from sheer terror.

  Nordell got on the radio to the rear company. No one was approaching them and they still had a clear exit. Nordell decided to take advantage again and set up all his men across the river. He wanted to draw in as many as he could and eliminate them. He was in his element and enjoying every second.

  Elliott was the last to leave the area. He climbed over the wire fence to get onto Lakeshore Drive, where Nordell had the rest of the men waiting for another attack. Nordell stood in front of his men looking through the binoculars. He didn’t see anyone willing to attack them and started to be disappointed. Then a couple of SUV’s turned out of the estate and headed up Lakeshore Drive toward them. Nordell smiled. He had hoped they’d send someone.

  “Get ready,” he ordered.

  Elliott and Taylor each threw back the lever on the SAWs.

  “Light 'em up!”

  Between the cracking of the rapid gunfire, the muzzle flashes and tracers, it looked like a Fourth of July party, only better, because you were actually fighting for freedom instead of celebrating it.

  The rounds found their targets, killing the driver of the first SUV before it veered and smashed into a tree. Wounded Jijis tried to escape from the truck, but the Shadow Patriots mowed them down as they exited. The second vehicle broke off into the field to the left, but didn’t get very far before a tracer slammed into the gas tank. The explosion was as good as any fireworks finale, and the Shadow Patriots yelled out their approval.

  The moment gave Nordell the satisfaction he’d been looking for since the attack on the hospital. There was no honor in that attack and it had been a devastating blow to an already devastated town. He personally knew all the medical staff that had died and knew what they meant to the community. They sacrificed much by staying in Jackson when they could have left as many of their colleagues did earlier.

  Elliott and Taylor stopped firing and got up when suddenly a vehicle came barreling in from behind them. A lone black Mercedes skidded in sideways and stopped twenty yards away. Four men got out and started firing at them. Everyone dove for cover as Elliott rushed forward with a fresh belt fed into the SAW. He pushed past a man who had taken a bullet and fallen to the ground. Elliott raised the weapon and pulled the trigger. Those rounds took out the two exposed Jijis. He then aimed at the ones behind the car and pulled the trigger again. He hit one before feeling a round hit his leg. Then another bullet punctured his chest. The force pushed him back, but adrenaline kept his big body standing up. He fought hard to keep the gun level.

  Nordell rushed toward Elliott and tackled him. He then hovered over the wounded man and fired his M-4 at the last shooter, aiming under the car to shoot at the feet. The Jiji collapsed to the ground allowing Taylor to rush around the car and put two in his head.

  Nordell then rolled Elliott over and tore open the blood soaked shirt. The wound was bad. He ordered a first aid kit and dressed the wound as best as he could. He needed to get him and the other wounded man back to Jackson fast.

  Nordell began to curse himself as they raced down the darken Interstate towards Jackson. He’d been too cock-sure and allowed a thirst for revenge cloud his judgment and tarnish what otherwise was a successful mission. He knew better and now others were paying the toll.

  Chapter 85

  Manchester Michigan

  Bassett turned off Pleasant Lake Road and headed into the empty fields so they could cross over Michigan State Road 52 and get back to Jackson. As he approached the same area they had come from, they could see more Jijis patrolling the road.

  “They must have gotten a heads up,” said Burns looking through the thermals and seeing glowing bodies up ahead.

  “Hand me the binoculars,” said Winters, saying his first words since Cara died. He didn’t want to talk to anyone and had said nothing.

  Winters got out and climbed up on the roof. He scanned the area and could see two man patrols about every hundred yards. Some kept their headlights on but most did not.

  Scar pulled in behind them and everyone got out to look.

  “What do we got, Captain?” asked Bassett.

  “Patrols about every hundred yards,” responded Winters.

  “We should find another entry point,” said Bassett.

  Winters didn’t respond and kept scanning the road.

  “We can fight them now or later,” said Winters hopping down. “So, it might as well be now.” He grabbed his M-4 rifle and slung it over his back. He then powered up his goggles, unsheathed the ten-inch blade on his waist, and started walking toward the road.

  Amber turned to Scar and threw up her hands. “Stop him.”

  “Don’t think that’s gonna be happening,” said Scar.

  Bassett grabbed his gear and ordered Hadley to see if Nordell was in radio range yet. He then turned to Hollis telling him to get up on top with his rifle. “Don’t fire until you see we’re exposed. Hadley, you stay here with him, protect the twins and your six, don’t let anyone sneak up behind you, you got that?”

  Hadley nodded.

  “Good. Alright, everyone grab your weapons and let’s go.”

  “I’ll stay here with the girls,” said Amber.

  Bassett nodded and then took off in the darkness.

  Winters heard the footsteps following behind him and figured his crew was on their way. It didn’t matter to him whether they came or not. He wanted blood and had the perfect opportunity. These Jijis wanted to get in his way, then so be it. He didn’t run nor did he jog, as he
got closer to the road, because he wanted to save his energy. He scanned up ahead and saw the first victims who would feel the full force of his wrath.

  Two Jijis leaned against the side of the car and were unaware anyone was approaching them. It was pitch black and without night-vision optics, you couldn’t see ten feet in front of you. Winters tightened the grip on his knife and quickened his pace when the shorter man opened the back door. Winters focused on the other one who turned his head to watch his friend get something out of the backseat. Winters rushed in and shoved his knife into the man’s stomach. A yelp escaped into the night air. He pulled the blade out and then stabbed him in the throat. He immediately spun around the back door of the car and grabbed the second man by his collar. He yanked him out and sliced his throat.

  Winters could feel the warm blood on his hand as he took in a few ragged breaths of air. The satisfaction he had expected wasn’t there, so he started down the road toward his next victims when Bassett and the rest caught up to him.

  “Captain, slow down.”

  “Why? We got work to do.”

  “Captain, I know that, but let’s not rush this.”

  “Hell, I could do this all night.”

  “If you’re not careful, we might have to.”

  Winters kept walking.

  Scar grew impatient and grabbed Winters by the arm. “Captain, if you don’t slow it down, I’m gonna do it for you.”

  Winters threw Scar’s arm off him and glared at him. “What the hell’s your problem?”

  Scar didn’t back down. “If you don’t slow it down, you’ll get us all burned.”

  “We’ve got over a hundred of our guys behind us, so I’m not too worried about it, okay.”

  “Stop,” said an out of breath Amber as she raced up to them. Her presence surprised Scar.

  “I thought you were staying behind,” said Scar.

  “I was, but I just got off the radio with Nordell. We’ve got wounded men, one of them is, Elliott.”

  “How is he?” asked Scar.

  “It’s bad. He needs a doctor right away.”

  Bassett looked at Winters. “Captain?”

  Winters looked down the road to the next car with two more Jijis. His urge for blood was overpowering, but he couldn’t risk exposing their position now. He yelled at himself. “Damn it, man, get it together. Your friend needs help.” Winters took in a deep breath and without looking at him, ordered Bassett to clear out the last one. He turned and started walking back to their SUV’s alone. He jerked slightly when Amber came up beside him and wrapped her arm around his. He said nothing to her as they walked back through the empty field.

  Chapter 86

  Jackson Michigan

  The sun began to rise as they pulled into the emergency room entrance. They rushed Elliott inside to the operating room, where Doctor Lunsford was waiting for them.

  Bassett had cleared out the other guard patrol, which gave them plenty of room for their big convoy to cross. They did so without incident and Nordell rushed to the hospital with the wounded men.

  Everyone was gathered at the emergency room entrance as Bassett pulled up. Winters didn’t want an audience when he carried Cara inside and asked him to pull up ahead. He wasn’t even sure what to do but figured the hospital morgue would be the only place to keep her for now.

  Bassett parked and everyone got. Winters then got into the driver’s seat.

  “Do you want help?” asked Amber.

  Winters shook his head.

  Amber watched him pull away as Reese approached her.

  “Where’s Cole?”

  She pointed at the SUV.

  “Where’s his daughter?”

  “You haven’t heard?”

  “Heard what?”

  “She was killed.”

  Reese threw a hand to her mouth and choked on a gasp. “Oh, my God. Oh, my God.”

  Amber wrapped her arm around Reese and brought her up to speed on what happened including Winters losing control in the field.

  “That poor man,” said Reese as tears ran down her cheeks. “I need to find him.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why?” asked a confused Reese.

  “The way he reacted toward Scar, he’s so full of rage right now he’s hardly spoken a word.”

  “Amber, I’m afraid he’ll go and do something stupid.”

  “I don’t think so, not with Elliott wounded. Just wait, okay?”

  Reese nodded as they walked inside the crowded emergency room and found a couple of chairs and plopped down.

  Winters drove around to the other side of the hospital to a back entrance so he could take Cara to the morgue without being disturbed. He scooped her up and walked inside to the morgue where he placed her on a table. He brushed her hair away from her face and stared at her knowing he had failed to protect her, but had fulfilled his wife’s dying wish. She wanted him to find their daughter and make amends. Despite the outcome, he had done so by forgiving her before she died. However, he wasn’t able to ask her for forgiveness. Over the past few months, he had come to understand he was just as much to blame for pushing her away and now would have to live with that guilt for the rest of his life.

  Winters looked around the room and found a white sheet to put over his daughter. He did so without ceremony and then headed upstairs to see how Elliott was doing. As he entered the emergency room, everyone turned to stare at him. He didn’t like the attention and wanted to walk away but knew he couldn’t. He needed to be there and wait for word on Elliott. The man had become his closest confidant and they had shared many personal stories.

  A few men offered their condolences as he walked through the crowded hallway. He saw Reese off to the side with Amber and could see she wanted his attention. However, he didn’t want to deal with her just now and walked outside where he ran into Scar and Meeks. He now wished he had walked elsewhere.

  “Captain,” said Scar.

  Winters thought about responding to him, but then remembered how Scar had grabbed his arm and threatened him.

  “You alright, Captain?” asked Meeks seeing the scowl on Winters’ face.

  “Still alive. You?” he replied with a gruff attitude.

  Meeks gave Scar a sideways glance. “I’m good, Captain.”

  They stood under the covered entrance in an awkward silence, staring at everyone inside for what seemed like an eternity, when Doctor Lunsford finally came out to the waiting room. They then walked inside to hear him announce that Elliott was going to make it.

  A brief moment of relief washed over Winters and he saw everyone was relieved by the news. They hugged and gave each other high fives in celebration. He then had a moment of clarity and knew what he wanted to do, and now that Elliott was good, he was free to do so. He turned around and slipped out of the emergency room without anyone noticing.

  Chapter 87

  Washington D.C.

  Major Green gave Gibbs a surprised look. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I had no idea this was happening,” said Gibbs in an apologetic tone.

  “Who is this girl? Is she your son’s girlfriend?”

  “No, they’re just good friends.”

  Green shook his head in disbelief at hearing about what his son had done. He confided in a girl who took it upon herself to move to Washington and get a job as a waitress where Perozzi and Reed hung out.

  “Does your son not understand who we’re dealing with?”

  “He does, and while I didn’t approve of this, her encounter last night turned out to be quite informative. I think you should meet her.”

  Green looked across the parking lot to the office where Stormy waited with Kyle. He had come here at Gibbs’ request and had no idea why, until now. Gibbs knew better than to tell him this over the phone. Green hesitated because of his encounter with Cara Winters and Charlie Chivers. He had almost exposed himself and had since made himself a promise to be more careful meeting new people. He deci
ded to take a chance only because she was with Jacob’s son, Kyle. If he couldn’t trust him then he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone else, which would make it difficult to move forward with their plans.

  They entered the office and Green’s jaw about dropped when he saw Stormy. Gibbs had told him she did modeling work in the past, but he didn’t expect her to be drop-dead gorgeous. Green took her hand as Gibbs introduced them.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” said Green forgetting all about his hesitation and anger.

  “Major Green, please no, the pleasure is all mine. From what they tell me, you’re the one who’s put his life on the line for all of us.”

  Green was pleasantly surprised at her response and felt a little embarrassed.

  Gibbs then introduced Green to his son.

  “Major.”

  “Kyle, it’s a pleasure, and thank you for the other night.”

  “It went off without a hitch. Perozzi’s driver was no problem.”

  “Well, he obviously gave his boss the thumb drive,” said Green. He then turned to Stormy. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened?”

  She filled him in on everything she had heard Perozzi and Reed talk about, the animosity between them Reed’s abrupt departure.

  Green gave Gibbs a nod of approval when she finished. It appeared their plan of dividing Perozzi and Reed was starting to work. Divide and conquer was a motto he believed in and now they needed to step it up a notch. After hearing what Stormy conveyed, Green already knew what the next move was going to be. He broke out in a smile because for the first time since coming back to D.C., he now had hope that they could actually take down Perozzi and Reed.

  Chapter 88

  Jackson Michigan

  Amber sat in a big comfortable chair waiting for Elliott to awaken. He had come out of surgery hours ago and Doctor Lunsford said he’d be up about now. She looked at him and realized she had fallen asleep. Elliott smiled at her when she opened her eyes.