Charley understood the change in Spirit and signaled her to advance. They both combat-crawled up to the back side of the motorhome. A quick peek inside revealed Katie sitting at the dinette table, tied and gagged. A pair of swarthy men with beards sat nearby. Not very alert. In fact, one was dozing. Given the setup, it did not appear any trip wires were in the area.
“Where is Kareef? This can’t be that easy. But I’ll take it.”
He signaled to Spirit to charge through the door after he kicked it in. Standard drill that Spirit also trained hard to learn. She crouched, muscles tense, ready to pounce on the first man that was awake. Charley carefully checked the door to see if it was unlocked before kicking it in. WTF, not locked. He quickly opened it a foot, Spirit sprang through the opening and sank her teeth into the man’s arm, shaking it violently. Charley used his pistol to whack the sleeping man unconscious. Then he did the same to the screaming man that Spirit had pinned to the floor.
After zip-tying both, he turned to Katie, “Are you alright?”
She nodded and murmured through the gag. Charley removed it and the bindings on her hands and legs.
He held her close, “No time to waste. Where is Kareef?”
“He left an hour ago. Not sure when he’s coming back.”
Spirit nuzzled into Katie’s arms, licking her hands and face.
“Oh, Spirit, I knew you would track me down. You are a brave girl.”
Spirit chuffed a soft bark of agreement. Thanks for the praise, but, err, we better make tracks. She wagged her tail and motioned to the door with her nose.
As they headed back to the beach, Charley radioed Hawk. “Mission accomplished, Hawk. See you at the pickup point in fifteen, tops.”
“Roger that, CJ. We’ll be there.”
The chopper dropped to the water just above the breakers so Charley could lift Katie through the side door. Spirit needed no invitation. She leaped in even before the helicopter touched down. As soon as all were safely aboard, they lifted off and made a beeline for Miami.
UNHAPPY MULLAH
MULLAH ABDUL KAREEF returned with Omar from his errand downtown and looked at the empty chair where Katie was tied up when he left two hours ago. He called his men who were cowering in the bedroom, “Ahmed, Fadi, where is the woman? Is she using the bathroom, because she is not in the chair?”
Ahmed came running, rubbing the bump on his head where Charley’s pistol landed, avoiding eye contact with the Mullah. Fadi was slinking behind him, nursing this bloody arm where Spirit sank her teeth. Ahmed murmured, “It is not our fault, Mullah Kareef. We were surprised by a man who must be the woman’s brother and his ferocious dog.”
“What? You were beaten by a single man and his dog?”
Fadi spoke, holding up his arm, blood covering his hand, “Yessir, look what the dog did to my arm.”
Kareef frowned, “Come here let me see.”
Fadi held out his arm. The Mullah grabbed it at the wrist, flashed his knife and severed a fingertip, at the first joint. Fadi screamed.
“You will lose more than a finger next time, Fadi. Now go clean up. We must prepare to attack Charley Manner as soon as we hear from Hadad and the dogs he will bring.”
~~~
HADAD PICKED UP the phone and dialed Kareef’s SAT phone. It was time to own up to his mistake, losing one of the dogs—the larger one, a male. The Mullah will not be happy.
“Hadad? You had better have good news. Plans have changed. We can no longer lure Charley Manner to us. We have lost the bait. Tell me you have found my dogs. I need them to attack Manner with overwhelming force.”
Hadad coughed, cleared his throat, “Mullah Kareef, I have located one of the dogs.”
“What? Only one? First, Ahmed and Fadi fail to keep the woman from escaping and now you cannot find two dogs. A simple task, is it not?”
“I am sorry, sir.”
“Sorry doesn’t make up for your idiocy, Hadad. What is the condition of the dog? Is he ferocious?”
“Err, it is not a male. The male is still lost. But Zahira, the female, is well-trained and can do what you want.”
Zahira cowered in the corner of the motel room when she heard Hadad speak her name on the speakerphone. Hadad's training technique, using threats and beatings, will not insure complete obedience.
“Are you still in Homestead?”
“Yessir, would you like me to bring the dog to you?”
“No, I will meet you at the motorhome on Sunshine Key in two days. Do you have the address?"
"Yes, Mullah Kareef."
"Good. Be sure you are both ready for a week's stay.”
“Ready? A week? You mean I will not be excused after delivering the dog?”
“You are a bigger idiot than Fadi and Ahmed put together. Of course, you must stay. You are the trainer, the handler or whatever they call you. I will need you, the dog, the idiots, Fadi and Ahmed, to attack Charley Manner, his dog and anyone else that might be with him. We will plan the night attack for some time in the next week.”
He took out his knife and waved it across his throat, careful not to press the sharp blade against his skin, “And I will kill him while he sleeps.”
~~~
HADAD PACKED the few belongings he had purchased at Walmart, including a hunting knife and a Kevlar tactical harness for Zahira. She will need some protection when she fights the SEAL dog. Too bad I did not find Makeen. He is the stronger one. The Mullah is not happy .
He called the front desk, “Hello, I am checking out early from room 102. My plans have changed.”
The desk clerk said, “Alright, Mr. Hadad. You will be charged for today as well, since it is past eleven o'clock.”
“But it is not even noon?”
“I'm sorry, sir. I have no authority to waive the charge.”
Hadad cursed to himself, stupid infidel, but I must not draw attention to myself.
“Okay, just add it to my credit card and email a copy. I am in a hurry.”
Hadad called Zahira, holding out the harness. She sat, unmoving, in the corner. Hadad frowned, “You will obey, dog.” He got up from the bed and reached for her by the scruff of the neck. Before he could fasten the harness, Zahira slipped from his grasp and bit his hand.
“Aieeeee! What have you done to me, you ungrateful bitch?”
Hadad picked up the sheathed hunting knife and whacked the Malinois on the snout. She partially dodged the blow, spun around and crouched low, preparing to spring onto the bad man. Hadad backed away, reached into a pouch holding dog treats and threw some in front of Zahira. Her hunger took priority. She stopped and scooped up the treats.
Hadad threw more treats on the floor and quickly placed the harness on her. “You must save your anger for the SEAL and his dog, Zahira." She swallowed the last treat and looked at her trainer. Her expression was blank. No love for this harsh man. But she was still tired from the long swim in stormy water just two days ago, so she accepted the harness and walked with Hadad to the car.
Nearly two hours later, Hadad pulled into Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina. The 90-mile trip down A1A went smoothly. If Hadad didn’t have the Mullah threatening his life, he would have enjoyed the view of palm trees waving in the breeze and the aquamarine water bordering either side of the elevated highway.
Hadad let his thoughts wander. The infidels do not deserve such a beautiful country. Soon, things will change. The destruction of Hurricane Dorian will be nothing compared to what the Mullah will do.
He shouted his hatred for infidels out the window, “ Allahu Akbar!”
Only one more day before the Mullah arrives. Hadad will take the time to continue training Zahira. He did not like her new behavior of defiance. He reached for the bag of treats and the hunting knife. She will feel more than the blunt end if she continues to ignore my commands.
HAPPY REUNION
VICKY AND MAKEEN were waiting at the heliport when the CG chopper landed. Spirit leaped out when the door opened, rushed up to Make
en and nuzzled his ruff. Makeen nuzzled back, lowering his head to yield to his elder. It was clear, he had not forgotten his near-death experience being nearly crushed in the coils of a giant python and how Spirit saved him.
Charley called to Spirit, “Spirit, heel, come. I need you to help me with Katie.”
The Belgian-Malinois returned to Katie's side. Katie placed her hand on Spirit's battle harness and held fast. Together, they traversed the helipad and joined Vicky and Makeen.
Charley remained in the chopper for a minute longer, “Thanks, Hawk. You guys have saved Katie's life by helping us. When you finish your shift, we need to talk about security at the marina. The Mullah is not finished, I'm sure. He'll go ape-shit when he learns Katie escaped.”
“Roger, CJ. I'll stop by your place tomorrow. You taking Katie to her place on Key West?”
“No, she's staying with me in Marathon. Until we settle the score with Kareef, she's not safe alone. If Vicky is finished with her DEA assignment, I'll ask her to join us tomorrow, too.”
Charley jumped down and ran to join the two most important females, check that, the three most important females in his life. Makeen was happy to see Charley, too. The sturdy Malinois pressed against Vicky and smiled at Charley as he thumped his tail on the heliport deck; a bond with his new family was rapidly forming. No doubt, Spirit had something to do with it.
After a group hug, Charley looked closely at Makeen. The big Malinois was smiling, wagging his tail, thoroughly chuffed when Vicky stroked his head.
“Looks like your new friend is in love. Can you handle him for a day? The side car on my bike can only fit one Belgian-Malinois plus Katie. Can you come down to Marathon tomorrow with Makeen?”
Vicky stroked Makeen's neck, scratched behind his ears. He rolled over, exposing his belly, begging for more. “Looks like Makeen doesn't mind a sleep over here.”
“He must have seen some poor treatment from Kareef's people. The contrast with what we offer is a refreshing alternative."
Vicky looked at Katie. “Let's go inside to my office for a bit, before you leave. You look tired.”
Katie forced a weak smile, “Tired? Yes, but right now I can use a drink. The Mullah was not a very good host.”
Charley shook his head, “You are just like Mom, tough as nails. Don't worry, Sis, we will get the Mullah and make sure he doesn't cause anyone trouble again.”
Vicky added, “We have intel coming in that indicates he is planning something big. I think Katie's abduction is a side task he has given himself. No doubt, he is still pissed off about us messing up his plan to detonate dirty bombs in the Deep Strait. He wants to kill you, Charley, and maybe me and Hawk, too. Didn't he mention something during the phone calls about our meddling in his affairs?”
“Yeah, the guy is a maniac and he won't give up till he removes our heads.”
“So, he has returned to try again.”
“Not gonna happen, Vick.”
Spirit was watching them closely, her head swinging back and forth as each spoke. She barked agreement. The dog understands English. Smart Belgian-Malinois.
CANINE COURAGE
CHARLEY PULLED THE HARLEY into the parking lot near Katie's condominium building off Front Street in Key West. A beautiful location near the cruise ship docking pier in Sunset Harbor. Spirit and Katie tumbled out of the side car and headed for her apartment.
“I just need to pack a small bag for my stay at your place, Charley. We won't be long.”
Before they reached her door, a small child screamed. The sound came from around the corner on Caroline Street. Spirit ran toward it. She covered the thousand-foot distance in less than thirty seconds.
A young woman was pulling her daughter's arm while a man grabbed the little girl around the waist, trying to shove her into a van parked on the street. Spirit didn't break her stride as she launched herself at the man. A fur missile, jaws opened wide, she sank her teeth into the man's arm and shook it till he released the child.
Charley caught up and pinned the man to the ground. Spirit did not release her jaws until Charley told her. “Heel, Spirit. Good girl.”
Spirit released and checked out the van, sniffing around the rear door. She flashed a tell that suggested drugs. She hasn't forgotten any of her training.
The frantic woman hugged her little girl and said, “He leaped out of the van and grabbed Sadie when I was looking at real estate listings in the office front window. We were shopping for a new place. I can't thank you enough.”
Katie had dialed 911 when she heard the screaming and saw Spirit take off. The local deputy sheriff pulled up and cuffed the would-be kidnapper. Charley spoke to the deputy, “Just in time, Deputy. You might check that van. My dog thinks there are drugs inside.”
The deputy looked at Charley and Spirit, shook his head and said, “Do I know you?"
Charley put his arm around Spirit and answered, “You might, Deputy. Last year, one of my buddies from our last tour in Afghanistan, a Deputy Sheriff, Vince Walker, based in Marathon, was killed in action somewhere here on the Keys. Drug smugglers did him in.”
“Now I remember. Your dog helped us locate a drug drop. We eventually tied Vince's demise to the perps.” He shook Charley's hand, “My name is Matt Singer. Your dog is a first-rate enforcer.”
“Pleased to meet you, Matt. Spirit is a dog of many talents.”
The woman with the girl chimed in, “She doesn't lack courage to act swiftly, too. She saved my little girl from that awful man.”
Katie joined the group, “She’s my savior, too, more than once. You won't find a more courageous dog in all of the Keys.”
The deputy continued, “You're a Navy SEAL, right?”
“That's right. Retired now. And this is Spirit, my warrior dog. She saved my butt and many of my fellow SEALs while deployed in Afghanistan a few years ago. But that is over for me and Spirit, although she is still on point whenever the situation calls for it.”
The deputy locked the perp in the back of his cruiser and approached the van. He opened the back door and found a bag of white powder tucked behind the spare tire. He looked back at Charley and Spirit, “We could use your dog here on Key West. Any chance we could arrange it? I'll talk to my Captain.”
Charley shook his head, “Retired. Ready for action but still retired. Sorry.”
Spirit stood between Charley and Katie. You got that right. I need to stay close to my family. There is a nutty mullah trying to do them harm. Not on my watch. She turned toward Katie's apartment to check it out before letting Katie go inside.
Charley grabbed her collar and hugged her close, “Braafy, Spirit. Good girl. You are the best. Let's go.”
Spirit pranced in front, turned the corner and entered the sidewalk leading to Katie's apartment, Katie called back to Charley who watched their six, “I'll get my overnight bag for a few things. It's small enough to fit in the sidecar.”
Charley waited at the Harley in the parking lot. Spirit came back out and suddenly stood still, ears perked high. She started to whine. Something bad was about to happen. Gunshots rang out and people screamed. It was close, maybe a block away, in the direction of the cruise ship pier. Once again, Spirit bolted toward the sounds. She was very familiar with gunfire. Her training told her to locate the enemy and neutralize the threat.
When Charley reached the pier a minute after Spirit, he saw her combat-crawling along the edge of some storage containers on a dock adjacent to the cruise ship pier, remaining in the shadows as she worked her way closer to the shooter. He was dressed in black and wielded an AK-47. Not exactly the best sniper rifle, he strafed the lower deck of a large cruise ship on the next dock, using the storage containers as a sniper perch. The bullets were flying over the heads of passengers on the first deck. Obviously, the guy was not a pro. Probably some disgruntled cruise line employee. People boarding the cruise ship were screaming, some falling into the water off the gang plank.
Charley followed Spirit's path, also remaining in
the shadows. When he reached her, he pulled his Sig Sauer from a fanny pack and whispered, “Wait." He motioned with his pistol indicating a flanking maneuver.
He and Spirit had trained for this action hundreds of times and used it in Afghanistan to surprise enemy snipers. Spirit remained motionless until she saw Charley take a forward position on the blind side of the prone sniper.
Another hand signal from Charley and Spirit began crawling slowly toward the back side of the sniper. They were executing a pincer movement and will close in unison.
First Charley fired a warning shot above the sniper’s head, distracting him for a second. That's all it took for Spirit to pounce, biting a wrist to shake the AK free and pulling the man onto his back. It was over in five seconds. Charley leaped onto the container and stepped on the man's chest while pressing his pistol into the man's face. No contest.
The same Deputy Sheriff pulled his squad car onto the pier and joined the team, the would-be kidnapper still locked in the rear seat. “Looks like today is not a good day for a peaceful stroll. Thanks for the quick action. Back-up, including an ambulance, are on the way.”
“No problem, Deputy. We've seen much worse in Afghanistan. My dog is a highly trained combat weapon. Retired, but still fearless.”
The deputy smiled and tipped his hat after cuffing the sniper's bleeding hands behind his back. “Canine courage, for sure. Thank you for your service.”
Charley and Spirit went back to Katie's condo where she waited.
“Is everything alright, Charley? I heard gunshots. Then Spirit took off with you trailing after. I thought I should stay here out of the line of fire and called 911 again. It stopped quickly after you left so I didn't worry. You and Spirit can take care of yourselves without me getting in the way.”
“Some nut job had a beef with the cruise line that had a ship docked. Several innocent people took a swim falling off the gang plank. I don't think anyone was killed, thank God.”
Charley Manner series Box Set Page 28