The Enigma Series Boxed Set

by Tierney James

  Intel revealed an attack was imminent, hijacking the isotope material for purposes not yet known. Enigma and Homeland Security realized the possibility of capturing the Molybdenum-99 would extinguish more than a third of the medical isotopes needed worldwide. The risk of using the material to further a nuclear weapon seemed minimal now that Enigma knew the revenge Essid sought originated from his own twisted sense of justice.

  With control over materials that potentially could save thousands of people every day, Essid had created another type of terrorist bomb. Canada, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and South Africa had been put on alert for terrorist activity which could potential destroy medical isotopes in production and especially shipping.

  France, slow to respond given their on again, off again relationship with the United States, grudgingly increased security at their plant. Their relationship with Libya had flourished in recent years and they saw no need to be concerned about an attempt on their isotope transfers. Unfortunately, the French were also in bed with the Russians; giving aid, oil refineries and weapons for their own self-promotion.

  Enigma knew it would only be a matter of time before Essid’s people took advantage of their complacent snub toward the United States. Belgium and the Netherlands quickly took steps to halt transfers of medical isotopes until assurances could be given that supplies would successfully reach market. South Africa, like Canada, had been forced to shut down their aging reactors due to heavy water leaks. Canada had been out of commission for more than a year. Both countries quickly saw the need to establish a tighter security presence.

  The trucks hauling the life-saving Molybdenum-99 lumbered up an unnamed mountain outside of Auburn toward Apple Valley where Captain Hunter planned to rendezvous with the rest of his team doing escort duty. No extra protection followed. Special containers had been loaded onto the train resembling the Molybdenum ones to make it appear “business as usual”. Unwanted attention to flashing lights and armed men were deemed unnecessary since Enigma people traveled in the truck.

  The sun climbed higher in the sky as afternoon heat bore down on the dusty service road that led into Global Navigation. Breezes did little to cool the perspiration clinging to the captain and the two reluctant civilians who sat in a shady patch just beyond the Hummer. With a computer, Enigma phone and aerial surveillance equipment, Chase and Zoric were able to monitor the progress of the trucks. Watching their progress grew mind-numbing for the two men even though they alternated in twenty-minute shifts. The trucks were only forty-five minutes away, coming into a heavily forested area. This would be a narrow, winding stretch of highway that forced the graceless semis to navigate carefully.

  ~ ~ ~

  Tessa stood and stretched as she crossed to Zoric who focused on the computer. Chase had disappeared into the forest when relieved by Zoric. Looking at the time on the computer, Tessa realized he’d been gone far longer than a twenty-minute shift.

  “Need me to take over? Tell me what I should be watching for and you can get over there in the shade. I felt a breeze earlier.” Her voice sounded like a whisper in the vastness of the forest. Zoric turned his haunted eyes to her for only a second and smiled before looking back at the screen. “Don’t trust me?” she quizzed.

  Zoric continued to smile at the screen. “This is not your job, Tessa Scott. But I would like very much for you to wait here with me to break the, how you say it? Monotonous?” He felt her shuffle nervously at the suggestion. “It is you who does not trust. Why are you afraid of me? Is it because of my looks?” His eyes never left the screen until he felt a timid hand on his forearm.

  “I’m sorry. You seem to like capitalizing on your dark aura,” Tessa withdrew her hand and stepped up closer to get a look at the computer. “You did come on a little strong our first few encounters.”

  The Serbian lit a cigarette and exhaled the first puff of smoke as he turned squinted eyes to observe the reluctant housewife of Grass Valley. “Control by intimidation.”

  “That seems to be workin’ for you, Zoric.” Her light chuckle seemed to float. “And how did you come to work for Enigma? You’re an artist not a gun toting, black ops kind of guy.”

  His smile faded suddenly. “That’s where you’re wrong, Tessa Scott. I am the devil incarnate. I have done many terrible things in the last twenty years.”

  “Then it’s a good thing God forgives us, I guess,” she said off handedly. Zoric frowned.

  “God? Where was God when my wife and daughters were blown to pieces at the hands of the Bosnians?”

  “Dear Lord! Zoric, how horrible.” Again, she touched his arm. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine losing all that I hold dear.” Suddenly Zoric grabbed her hand in a vice-like grip. Tessa instinctively tried to pull away without success. She looked up into his bloodshot eyes to see a warning.

  “Anyone who plays with the devil gets burned, Tessa Scott. You’d best remember that,” he said, seeing flames of fear leap to her beautiful blue eyes. He smiled crookedly and tried to pat some comfort into her shoulder with his other hand. “Chase and I will protect you.” Cocking his head slightly Zoric searched her face with unabashed admiration. “When this is over I think we should sit and talk over coffee. What you say, Tessa Scott?” He watched the anxiousness ebb away from Tessa’s posture. “This way I make Chase Hunter crazy. Hmm?”

  ~ ~ ~

  Tessa failed to understand why the captain would disapprove of a causal cup of coffee with a friend you’d been to hell and back with, but the thought of getting even with the mighty Captain Chase Hunter was just too tempting. “Then count me in!” They shared a low laugh as Chase emerged from the woodland trail.

  Tessa strolled back to the shade where Mr. Crawley napped peacefully. Avoiding eye contact with the captain had taken great restraint. Every time her mind wandered to him the scene of being wrapped in those muscled arms against his naked chest flashed before her eyes. A tremble of embarrassment and something else, she wasn’t sure what, rippled across her body like a mild earthquake. The feeling of contempt mixed with admiration kept Tessa off balance. Would this nightmare never end?

  ~ ~ ~

  “What was that all about,” Chase asked as he came alongside Zoric. “Looks like you two are getting chummy.”

  “We made a date.” Zoric grinned sheepishly down at the computer screen. Chase’s deep silence drew Zoric’s sideways glance. “I think she likes me. You, not so much.”

  “Married,” Chase said bluntly.

  “Don’t care,” Zoric chuckled. “The woman is so trusting and gullible I could not resist.”

  A deep, disgusted sigh escaped Chase. “You’re going to hell. You know that, right?”

  “Yes.” Zoric’s laugh was contagious as he slapped his friend on the back.

  “You also know I’m not going to let you do that, right?” Chase landed a friendly fist on Zoric’s arm.

  “It’s just coffee, my friend. Coffee. Nothing more.”

  “When we’re done here we disappear from her life.”

  Zoric then turned his evil eyes on Chase like loaded pistols. “And let her pick up the pieces alone? No. We both have been there and I will not abandon this woman. She does not deserve any of this. Her family…” Zoric let the words drop as a beep came from the computer.

  “What the hell is that?” Chase said looking closer at the screen?

  “Fire!” screamed Tessa as she ran out of the woods and stood aghast at the trailhead. “Look! On the ridge!”

  All eyes went to the ridge above them where a curtain of smoke bellowed over the tongues of flame marching steadily toward them. With each wisp of wind, the fire advanced to spots where moments before had been a refuge from the afternoon heat.

  ~ ~ ~

  Carter tapped his ear piece. “You get that Sam? Vernon?” Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, they crashed and burned. Literally. He motioned for the driver to stop as he pulled out a map from his vest pocket with one hand while running the other over his closely
cropped blond hair. It had been sheared so close that Carter ran his hand through it again to assure himself there really was more than just skin. His pale eyes narrowed as his focus out the windshield searched for signs of smoke. Unfolding the map matter-of-factly did not cause the driver to question his guard. He remained silent as Carter ran an index finger along numbered red and blue lines that indicated roads, trails and topography.

  The passenger door swung open and Sam looked up at her partner who swung his feet out onto the step, then hopped down in front of her, so close he could feel her breath. The smell of spearmint reached his nostrils as he watched her spit her gum out at his feet. She didn’t step back in retreat, rather put her hands on her hips and snarled at the cocky ex-astronaut.

  “You did that on purpose,” she said suddenly shoving Carter back with her fist that had more force than most men possessed.

  “I love it when you get physical, Sam.” Carter chuckled when Vernon joined them wearing a sour look. His eyes fell on Sam then the astronaut. “There’s my favorite techy,” Carter said offhandedly as he opened the crinkled map up again. He noted the redness in Vernon’s face, the rushed breathing, and the if looks could kill expression he leveled at him before continuing.

  Poor, jealous sap, Carter grinned. Vernon just didn’t realize Sam was way out of his league. If a handsome, dare devil astronaut couldn’t win her over then Vernon just didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell. Besides, Sam only had eyes for their captain, not that Chase paid much attention to Sam’s obvious availability tactics. Sometimes he seriously worried about that guy. A babe like Sam loving all over you could make a man change his tom cattin’ ways. Then he smothered a grin; not even Sam could do that, Carter thought logically. He loved women too much to restrict himself in matters of the heart.

  “We’re here,” he pointed to the map, holding it awkwardly with one hand until Sam lifted one side. “Chase says the fire is moving fast. We’ll never make it through there in time. Even if we could, Chase thinks it’s too big of a risk. So, if we go on this old mining road here,” Carter pointed to another spot on the map, “it comes in less than a mile from the Global Navigation facility. We’ll rendezvous with Chase and his people then head north here.” After tapping the spot, Carter folded the map and stuffed it back into his vest pocket. “This will all be over within less than an hour if we can get through the pass.”

  Vernon searched his hand held electronic device quickly and nodded. “Roads are in good shape. Global had them widened and resurfaced with a chip and seal mix just a month ago in case of emergencies.”

  “How far sighted of them,” Sam quipped. She sniffed the air. “Smoke. How soon will Chase be here?” Sam glanced at her Rolex and then to the darkening skies. “I don’t like this.”

  Vernon continued to look at his hand-held computer. “The aerial link shows that fire has jumped the ridge. I think the captain is trapped, Carter,” Vernon said with all the calm he could muster. “If they’re not on their way…” He left the sentence unfinished.

  Carter looked up the road as if Chase Hunter and Zoric would appear in that monstrous black Hummer. He never understood why someone like Chase didn’t get a fast and furious sports car like his. Chicks dug that kind of crap, not that Chase really cared what his lady friends preferred. Those brainy types he attracted seemed contented to just breathe the same air as Dr. Chase Hunter. All those old books, Jazz music and candle light dinners in Old Town just prolonged the inevitable; a roll in the hay.

  Carter found a couple of beers; a jukebox and flattery got a guy from point A to point B in record time. Of course, he stayed away from all those brainy, high brows. He’d tried that at Houston and the Kennedy Space Center. NASA’s combined IQ if turned into rocket fuel could have easily gotten man to Mars and back in record time. The women, although more enjoyable to work with and easier to respect, tended to over analyze a weekend at Coco Beach. That Russian astronaut certainly didn’t understand the concept of sharing and nearly killed him on the International Space Station. All hell broke loose when the American female astronaut sent a revealing photograph of herself with the words bring your rocket to my space. Unfortunately, Natasha had been floating by at the time he opened the picture. That had been the beginning of the end of his career at NASA.

  Carter and Chase met only a few years after that episode during a Buck Austin campaign event for president. A gunman managed to out maneuver the Secret Service. Chase, having been invited by Benjamin Clark to the event, hoped meeting the future president of the United States would help the Delta Force captain understand the idea of Enigma.

  Just after Buck Austin finished his speech to a roaring crowd of enthusiastic voters, he moved from the stage to shake hands with his fans on the ground. Chase stood in the first row with Ben noticing that the ex-astronaut, Carter Johnson, also enjoyed the admiration of the crowd. From the corner of his eye he saw a short, chubby man with glasses pull out something dark from under his shirt. As the gun came up, Chase leaped on the future president, taking the bullet through his arm.

  Without thought to his own safety, Carter lunged at the shooter, who began screaming some socialistic mumbo gumbo. Knocking his stocky body to the ground, Carter began pounding the shooter’s face with doubled fists. Secret Service, embarrassed by their lapse in security, tackled all three men, knocking Carter unconscious, and giving Chase a swift kick to the side and a goose egg size knot on the back of his head. Both protectors ended up in the same hospital room and became fast friends in spite of their personality differences. Chase admired the astronaut’s carefree attitude and reckless disregard for danger. He would have made a good Special Forces man. Carter respected the former Delta Force captain for no other reason except he deserved it. He was a man’s man. No nonsense. Honest. Fearless.

  “Look,” Vernon pointed toward the road. “It’s Zoric. He looks hurt.”

  The three rushed toward their comrade who awkwardly carried someone else over his shoulder. Even though the old man had not been over weight, the effect of smoke in his lungs, a downhill trek and trying to out run a forest fire, had winded Zoric. Blood trickled down the side of his face from a wound on the side of his forehead.

  When Carter gently removed the old man from his care, Zoric felt his knees buckle only to be pulled back up by the capable hands of Sam and Vernon.

  “Where the hell are Chase and Tessa?” Carter yelled, hearing the fire marching toward them.

  “We were cut off. He’s still up there.”

  Sam stiffened. “Dear Lord in Heaven.”

  “We were ambushed. I tried to push Crawley inside the Hummer to escape but they shot out the tires so we took cover in the rocks. They managed to separate us long enough for the fire to make it impossible for us to regroup. Last I saw Chase they were headed deeper into the forest. I forced the old man to his feet when the shooting stopped, figuring whoever ambushed us needed to get in front of the fire.” Zoric nodded toward Jericho Crawley. “He just couldn’t make it with the wheezing and coughing.” He wiped the blood from the bullet graze on the edge of his black tee shirt, and then examined it as if surprised to see the evidence of the near miss.

  Carter carried the old man like a baby until they reached the trucks where he sat him down on wobbly legs. He felt Jericho Crawley pat his arm as he leaned against the truck. “Thank you.”

  “We’re leaving now.” Carter motioned for the rest to return to the truck they were to be guarding.

  “What about Chase?” Sam demanded. “We can’t just leave him up there.”

  “If we don’t get this Moly 99 to Global a lot of people are going to die. Now, Sam! Chase will find a way. He always does.” Opening the door of his truck, he stepped up to find his driver gone. “What the hell?” Carter looked down at his crew and was stunned to see all three drivers holding them at gunpoint.

  “Guess you didn’t count on this, did ya, Mr. Hotshot Fly Boy.” The other drivers grinned smugly as the one in charge ran his gun up and down Sa
m’s back suggestively.

  Carter sighed. “That’s really not a good idea, buddy.”

  Chapter 24

  G unfire exploded around Chase’s team as the forest fire began its steady death march toward them. Seconds earlier Jericho Crawley meandered to the Hummer, stretching his legs and arms from sitting too long in the shade. Removing a bottle of water from the Styrofoam cooler, he turned a watchful eye towards him.

  His concern at smelling smoke alerted Tessa first. She rubbed the old man’s back gently and reassured him that two years ago forest fires could be smelled sixty miles away. She whispered that she’d just take a quick look while everyone put supplies back in the Hummer so preparations could be finalized to meet Carter and the convoy of trucks.

  Just as she screamed a warning, gunfire erupted causing everyone to scramble for cover. Tessa crouched down and covered her head while desperately looking for someplace to hide. Later she would realize a bullet pinged off a tree above her head making her scream again. She felt like being trapped in a carnival shooting gallery where you would take a shot and something would ping then send the duck in the opposite direction.

  The image of her family floating gently in a rented canoe on Lake Tahoe swam up into her consciousness just as something heavy slammed her to the ground. Large hands pushed her head down as arms covered her back and neck. Tessa could still hear bullets hitting boulders and the gravel as their sting slammed against her arms and legs.

  Barely able to catch her breath, Tessa heard Zoric call out to them, with a deafening response from Chase that made no sense; something about go without them. In that instant of confusion Tessa felt Chase’s warm breath on her ear, his left hand in her tangled hair, and the pungent stench of the world burning all around them. The sound of ricocheting bullets had been replaced with the crackle of fire.