Stryker explained to Rachel, she would be going along with Herb and his attorney. Her name was Katie.
“I wish I could go with you but someone might recognize me,” he said.
“What about the mosque surveillance?” she asked.
“Get your team to start watching for these men while you are gone. The trip is only three days,” he replied.
“Keep in mind, the mosque needs to be extra covert, it’s probably being watched.”
“Got it, I am sure we won’t be alone. I take it no alerts about Ali have gone out yet?” she remarked.
“That’s right, no alerts until the other men are delivered to the mosque. At that time all hell may break loose and we want to be ahead of the pack,” he replied.
“One other thing, Steven Petloki and Igor Propov will also be in Davos.”
“Really, that should be interesting who they meet with,” she said.
“Will Israeli intelligence be able to help you with surveillance?” asked Stryker.
“Yes, I will make arrangements with Daniel,” she responded.
“Good, Herb can move around freely and cover business while you ladies watch everyone else.” he said.
They returned to the house and Rachel started packing for the Davos trip. They made contact with Herb about arrangements and as usual, Herb had everything covered. All she needed to do was get to the hangar at Dulles in the morning. Stryker checked with Sparks who assured him he and Morgan were ready for the farm. Stryker told him he would leave for Berryville as soon as Rachel departed with Herb.
At least we will have one night together, he thought.
18
Berryville, Arkansas
2016
Rachel was traveling light, leaving for Switzerland without the necessary clothes. Stryker had promised her that Katie would take her shopping in Zurich before going on to Davos. She planned to spend a lot of Stryker’s money for such a short notice operation. She smiled.
Stryker secured the house and he and Rachel headed to Dulles International Airport. Alpha’s jet planned to meet them at Landmark Aviation to pick up Herb, Katie and Rachel. Stryker told his pilots to bring his Gulfstream to Landmark as well. He and Rachel would depart, going different ways for very different purposes.
They parked the car and Stryker helped Rachel with her bag. The waiting area inside Landmark Aviation was comfortable and it seemed only minutes before Alpha’s Falcon 50 taxied onto the ramp. Herb Miller exited the plane and entered the waiting area, going directly to Rachel.
“You doing all right? Keeping him in line?” asked Herb.
“I try really hard but he can be such a jerk,” as she winked at Stryker.
“Well, several days away may be just what you need. Take your bag and go introduce yourself to Katie. I need a minute with Jake.”
As she walked toward the plane she looked back to see Herb already talking.
“This guy in Arkansas will probably bring a team. That’s the way I would play it,” remarked Herb.
“Yeah, we planned for that possibility and have surprises in place. Morgan and Sparks are helping me so I am not worried. Remember, Sparks is like an old maid, plans for every contingency.”
“You’re right, I’m just worried because I won’t be there.”
“I’ll say hello to the asshole for you,” replied Stryker.
“Works for me. See you in a few days.”
Herb turned and walked toward the Falcon just as a new Gulfstream g550 arrived on the ramp. Stryker waited for the Falcon to move away before walking to his ride. He entered and greeted his pilots, telling them he was the only passenger.
The flight was uneventful and the Gulfstream touched down at Little Rock on time. Dirk Morgan was there to pick him up and they headed to Berryville.
“I reserved a rental car in your name and parked it at the house like we discussed.”
“Did you have any problems with the claymores?”
“No problems, except Sparks was nervous helping me place them,” said Dirk.
“Yeah, he can get uptight with explosives.”
“You and Herb reach an agreement?” asked Stryker.
“We did, including off the books wet work.”
“You good with that?” asked Stryker.
“You bet, all I need are targets.”
“We may want to put you even deeper once we get our program going,” responded Stryker.
They arrived at the hunting cabin near sunset and Sparks greeted them. He had food ready so they visited while eating.
“The weather forecast for the next five days is mixed snow and sleet and heavy wind. There is also the possibility of severe thunderstorms ahead of the front. We plan for bad weather which I think is good for us,” said Sparks.
“I understand the claymores got placed according to plan and we are ready with cameras directed on the main gravel road,” said Stryker.
“Just as planned, we have not seen anything so far on the road. I mean like an out of place parked vehicle or anyone walking. We did see an older model blue truck yesterday with one male driver. It drove at normal speed and did not stop. It appeared again several hours later close to sunset heading in the opposite direction. We could not get a clear view of the driver, but the truck had an Arkansas plate that I looked into,” said Sparks.
“The plate was reported stolen in Conway three days ago. I flew the cub around the area and found the truck five miles north of here at an abandoned shack. I was afraid to get too close but I think it was the same one.”
“Have you seen anything else?” asked Stryker.
“No, only the one guy,” replied Sparks.
“My guess is if he is our guy he will bring others with him and come early in the morning hours because that is what I would do. Given the weather, the most likely time will be in two days with the absence of a moon and severe weather forecast,” he continued.
“How do you guys see this playing out?” asked Stryker.
“Based on our reconnaissance, they will most likely come from the hill behind the house. There is good cover the entire way and they can leave the truck several clicks on the adjacent gravel road to the north,” said Sparks.
“OK, let’s say you’re right then I will move around the house during the day doing basic cleanup work. At dark, I will go inside and into the tunnel after you kill the lights remotely. Is everything covered?” asked Stryker.
“Yeah, all is covered along with claymore mines located at the rear of the house and night vision and thermal cameras placed along the approach areas,” replied Dirk.
“All of your clothes and equipment are in the tunnel placed just before you come above ground. The only unknown remains which night they will attack. You may be staying in the tunnel for several nights,” said Sparks.
“Dirk will be close to you hidden in the woods beginning at midnight. We will be in constant contact via our radios. I placed a repeater on the hill to give us good signal strength. Also, you guys can trigger the claymores before or after they go in the house,” said Sparks.
“That about sums up the plan with the exception of noise, police and cleanup. We think the noise will be covered due to the storms. I have a third party cleanup crew used by the Agency to dispose of the truck and bodies,” continued Sparks.
“Why do you think they are coming sooner rather than later in the week?” asked Stryker.
“My DEA friend says they have phone intercepts with Pedro talking about a significant transaction taking place in the next few days,” replied Sparks.
“How reliable is your friend?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you he is my first cousin,” laughed Sparks.
“What else have you conveniently not told me?” hinted Stryker.
“Well there is good news, only you and Dirk are at risk since I will be here monitoring the radios and cameras in warm surroundings,” laughed Sparks.
19
Berryville, Arkansas
2016
Stryker left Sparks and Morgan several hours before dawn the next day. He hiked a route from the hunting cabin that would take him over the hill and behind the farmhouse. The early morning was windy and cold with promise of thunderstorms. His pack was light since all his equipment was already in place. The thick forest intimidated others but not him for he had explored these woods many times as a boy. He felt at home in the darkness even though he had night vision. He could walk to the house in less than half an hour but he was going slow and taking his time. When he reached the top of the hill, he looked for signs indicating watchers. Nothing stood out until he peered over the top of a boulder and found the stub of a cigarette. The stub was fresh, not over several days old. Someone had been here. A shiver went down his spine, wondering if the demon was close.
He reached the house and carefully searched around the perimeter before entering. The rental car was out front and his tell sticks were in place as he had left them. He slipped the key into the lock and stepped inside. He found no wires or other signs of entry so he went toward the kitchen. After looking around with his night vision, he decided to turn on the lights. Everything was in place so he unpacked and turned on the water and made coffee. He increased the thermostat, took his coffee and went to the front porch wondering what the new day would bring.
He finished his coffee then found a pen and paper to make his final checklist. During the day, he planned to work in the garage cleaning the super cub and generally arranging his workshop. He added to the list a trip through the tunnel to check out his equipment.
Back inside the house, Stryker looked at the two-glass candle holders located in positions covering the family room. Upon closer inspection of the glass holders, he could tell they were as he had made them. Inside each holder and out of sight was a grenade with the pin pulled and the firing handle held in place by the glass. The candles were placed in locations where a rifle shot through a window would shatter the glass and the grenade would drop.
A killing room. Perfect for a demon, he smiled.
Stryker checked on Sparks and Dirk, making sure their communications were working. He advised Sparks about the cigarette stub on the hilltop. Obviously, someone had scouted the location but not entered the house. Sparks listened carefully then moved on to a weather report. It appeared bad weather was moving into the area beginning around sundown and getting worse during the night. Morgan still planned to be in place close to the tunnel exit at midnight. Stryker suggested Dirk join him in the tunnel given the weather situation. They both had foul weather gear and could leave the tunnel quickly should Sparks notice activity. Stryker advised Sparks to have Dirk mount his thermal image scope to his rifle, which would work better given the weather conditions.
Around 5:00 p.m., Spark’s voice came over Stryker’s earbud.
“Viper One, the blue pickup just drove by the front of the house with a single male driver headed north,” spoke Ryan over the radio.
“Good, I’ll call you back on your cell. Stand by One.”
“Ok, do you think he saw the rental car?” asked Stryker.
“Sure, we made certain the car could be seen from the road,” replied Sparks.
“Ok, I guess we are go for tonight.”
“Certainly looks that way. I will keep you informed,” said Sparks.
Given the sighting, Stryker started to get ready sooner, making sure not to be surprised should they come early. He dressed in fatigues and boots, planning to remain inside until dark, then descend into the tunnel. He called Sparks and told him they might want to move up the schedule, thinking the bad guys might attack sooner due to the storms.
“Tell Dirk, I will meet him at 10:00 and to flash his IR when he gets close. Also, kill the lights inside the house at 10:00. When Dirk arrives we will do a radio check one last time for updates,” said Stryker.
At 9:30 p.m., Stryker made a last minute house check and locked the front door. Everything seemed in order so he went to the bedroom closet and entered stairs behind a false wall, heading down to the tunnel. The sides and top of the tunnel were concrete and the bottom was made of special composite with raised rails. A flat cart, ten feet long, sat on the rails and could be pulled along from an overhead cable system with handles. Stryker settled onto the cart and started moving into the darkness. His night vision and IR made the tunnel a bright green color. The distance to the exit was close to one hundred yards ending at another set of stairs. At the top of the stairs was a sliding lid, which provided an exit into a dense part of the forest. It was hard to find and Stryker more than once had to use his GPS when approaching from the woods. Stryker dressed and checked his gear then opened the exit door at 10:00 p.m. and stepped up through the opening. As he came out, he saw Dirk standing to one side in the rain.
Typical Delta, full of surprises, he thought.
“Dirk, you scared the crap out of me. How did you find this in the dark?”
“Well, Jake, I have to admit I already marked it with my GPS, just like you would have done.”
“Yeah, well let’s get back below ground and out of the weather,” Stryker smiled.
“I don’t think our radios will work down there so I brought an external antenna to run out on top,” said Dirk.
“Good thinking, let’s hook it up and check in with Sparks.”
“Viper One and Two in position.”
“Viper Three reads both of you loud and clear. The lights are off in the house and nothing to report so far. Wait a second, the pickup is moving back on the road in front going south. No, hold on, it’s turning around and going back north. I think they have taken the bait,” said Sparks.
The storm picked up with heavy rain, thunder and lighting. Stryker and Dirk rested on the platform and waited. Around midnight, Sparks announced five men were approaching from the rear of the house and were several hundred meters away.
“Dirk is going to cover east and I am going to the top of the hill,” said Stryker. “I will shoot the candles inside the house and Dirk will trigger the claymores outside as planned,” he continued.
“Viper One and Two are out of the hole and moving to positions,” reported Stryker.
“The four men are moving slowly without night vision. They will reach the house in approximately fifteen minutes is my best guess,” reported Sparks.
Stryker reached his position near the boulder with time to spare. He could not see Dirk but could see the men clearly. They were close to the back of the house but would be out of his view if they went to the front. Sparks reported three men kicked in the back door and were going inside and clearing the rooms. They reached the main room as Stryker aimed at the first candle. In less than a minute, both glass holders broke and grenades rolled onto the floor. Stryker heard the blasts and saw light flash inside the house. The two men outside hearing the blast ran north then split up with one going east.
Stryker picked up the man running north and adjusted his rifle. The range was two hundred yards and he barely needed to lead his target. He eased back on the trigger and fired. The man stumbled and fell, the 7.62 round shattering his skull. Stryker moved from his position down the hill and toward the man. Halfway there he heard screaming in the distance.
Dirk had seen the man running east toward him and decided to take him down without his rifle. He waited as the man moved in the dark and attacked using his combat knife. The man saw him at the last second and screamed as the five-inch blade nearly severed his head.
“Viper One to Viper Three come to the house, the party is over and bring the blue truck.”
“On my way,” replied Sparks.
Inside the house, everything was blown to bits along with the killers. None of the men had identification but looked to be from Mexico or Central America. Their bodies had been shredded by the blasts, as they must have turned at the last minute, which preserved their faces. They had AK-47’s and 9mm Bersa pistols. Once Dirk dragged the other men to the house Sparks took pictures of each face and called the cleaners. The men, minus t
heir weapons, were thrown into the blue pickup truck. Sparks drove it back to the deer shed several miles away. At the shed, Sparks wiped down the truck and left it for the cleaners. He walked back to the gravel road where Dirk waited.
Stryker cleaned the house of blood and made it appear to be under construction inside. He brought saws and equipment from the barn and lumber to hide the effects of the blast. When he finished, Dirk and Sparks returned and they all left for the airport in the rental cars.
There were no reports of explosions or gunfire due to the lightning and thunder in the area at time of the attack. The only question remaining was which one of the men was the demon assassin.
Hopefully, Jack’s CIA friends could solve the mystery.
20
Washington, DC
2016
Rachel met Stryker’s jet at Landmark Aviation and they visited briefly with Sparks and Morgan. Sparks planned to run the faces through the CIA’s computers after he and Morgan checked into one of the CIA safe houses. Rachel and Stryker went to Stryker’s house and changed clothes before meeting Herb and Katie at Maggiano’s. He wanted to hear all about Davos but had to wait until after giving the waiter their food orders.
“Hey, I understand you all had a great vacation,” commented Stryker.
“Well, if you call standing in the cold and sneaking around watching people then you might be on to something,” remarked Herb.
“Ok, just kidding, I’m sure it wasn’t much fun but did you get anything from the meetings?” asked Stryker.
“Not so much from the conference but with the help of my friends we observed other meetings at hotels and restaurants. The importance is yet to be understood. For example, Steven Petloki showed up with a man we identified as Alex Antras. He turns out to be a billionaire financier behind anarchy groups like the Wall Street and climate change protestors. Mossad believes he is dangerous,” finished Rachel.
“We saw Igor Propov at the conference meeting with Prince Assiri from Pakistan. They met for dinner and were joined by Steven Petloki. Maybe just a coincidence, but based on our experience in Afghanistan we need to look closely at these guys,” said Herb.
Deadly Resonse (The Jake Stryker Series Book 1) Page 6