by Scott Cook
“Let me guess,” She said sardonically, “A platoon of vampires.”
“Nah… but a dude with what doesn’t look to be a fishing rod. Ready to run?”
She groaned.
“Good, me, too… go!”
She bolted, still clutching her suitcase and purse. Even so, her long legs could propel her at a good clip. He was right beside her, still holding her other bag, too. He was blocking her view of the parking lot not to mention protecting her body.
They arrived at the Jeep and he threw open the driver’s door and snatched her bag. As he went around to the rear of the vehicle, he tossed both bags and her backpack into the cargo area, rounded the other side and jumped in.
She lowered the visor and the keys fell into her lap. She was breathing heavily now, adrenaline coursing through her veins. So keyed up was she that when she tried to pick up the keys, she dropped them into the foot well.
“Shit!” Andrea cursed.
He had his weapon in his hand and was half leaned out of his still open door, training it on the man who’d apparently seen them and was coming their way.
“Beautiful,” he said almost as if he were glad she’d dropped the keys, “This wouldn’t be a good scene unless you’d dropped em’. Too bad you weren’t wearing heels when we ran, too… that woulda been sweet!”
“Asshole!” she said, but with a laugh in her that threatened to grow hysterical.
“Anytime now,” He said calmly, “Our buddy is taking aim.”
“Fuck the prick!” Andrea yelped as she finally got the key into the ignition and turned it.
“Is the language really necessary?” he asked haughtily, “Can’t we just kill several assassins, dry hump, chug booze and flee the scene like Christians?”
“For the love… just fucking shoot him!” Andrea scolded while laughing, “Oh my God…”
“Oh! Good idea…” he said, “Except the guy is like a hundred feet away.”
“What’re your bullets lazy or something?” She asked hotly as she put the Jeep in gear.
“No, but believe it or not, that’s kind of far for a handgun. I could probably hit him, but I don’t want to miss around here,” He explained calmly, slamming his door. “Please proceed with alacrity.”
“Of all the superheroes in the world to come and save my ass…” She grumbled as she stomped the gas and backed the Jeep quickly out and around from the space. She threw it in drive and mashed the pedal again. “I had to get friggin’ Mel Gibson!”
The night was ripped open and something passed through the clear plastic of the rear window and out the other side.
“Mel Gibson?” he asked casually as he turned around in his seat and half climbed into the back, rummaging for something.
“Yeah, you know,” She said, her crazy laughter coming out again. “Lethal Weapon. What was his name?”
“Uhm… Riggs? Yeah, Martin Riggs,” Jarvis commented as he aimed and emptied his magazine out of the open rear panel.
“Hang on!” She said and took the corner out onto the road at nearly thirty, making it feel as if the Jeep were going to tip. “This is a lot more exciting than the night I had planned!”
He sat back in his seat and grinned a death’s head grin at her, “Sorry… I’m not much for TV.”
Chapter 20
“Do you think we’ll have to leave the country?” Missy asked as she guided our captured Jeep from Juan’s farm toward her house.
I sighed, “I hope not. If my suspicions are right, then your kidnapping was to get Clay. And further, if my suspicions of whose behind it are right… then we should be able to resolve this definitively.”
She glanced over at me, “You really believe Miles Palmer is the… I don’t’ know… Goldfinger in all of this?”
“More like Blofeld,” I joked. “I think that maybe Palmer or his wife are behind the scenes, but our most immediate problem is this Garcia. Tell me about him.”
“He treated us pretty well,” Missy replied. “They didn’t try to abuse us. I was strip searched by female members of his group, but the kids were only patted down. Garcia himself seemed… at least partly decent.”
I gave her an expectant look.
“He seemed genuinely interested in helping his people. When I got pissed and said that he didn’t know what it was like to have his children captured, he got very angry. Damn near wrenched my neck.”
My eyes widened, “Whoa!”
She grinned, “I flattened his nose. Told him that I could’ve shoved his nose up into his braincase and killed him right then and there. He seemed impressed by my strength of will.”
I don’t doubt that,” I said with a smile.
“Thing is… he told me his youngest daughter was gang raped by Nicaraguan soldiers and then shot. His son was killed while serving in the army and his wife was taken by the same men who’d murdered his daughter.”
“Jesus…”
“Yeah,” She said glumly. “Pretty harsh. So if I had to guess, I’d say he’s sincere.”
I thought on that for a moment, “Okay, so Garcia wants to overthrow the Nicaraguan government. But he’s just a poor native. He manages to put together a rag tag group of maybe sixty or seventy people, at least that I saw… not nearly enough. So he needs a few things.”
“Money,” Missy offered.
“Palmer or his wife,” I said. “He also needs a professional soldier.”
“Clay,” She said with a frown.
“Exactly,” I said. “Let’s look at the facts. One: Clay is former Force Recon. Yeah, he’s been out for twenty years, but a Marine is always a Marine. Two, a friend of his happens to be a filthy rich guy with a big business.”
“Uh-huh… I see where you’re going.”
“Three: Miles and Andrea are locked into a power struggle over the business. He started it, so he feels it’s his. She made it what it is, so she feels it’s hers.”
“Four,” Missy added, “their divorce puts her at a disadvantage, I’d guess.”
I nodded, “Right. So according to Miles, Andrea wants to back the Nicaraguan rebels so that when they succeed, she gets permission to build the full-scale El Cuidad Verde.”
“Kind of makes a good case,” Missy admitted.
“On the surface of it’ I stated. “But one of the men who attacked the project yesterday was carrying her business card. I know a red herring when I see one, and that one stinks like it was left on the dock in the sun all day.”
She chuckled, “Gross.”
“Yeah,” I chuckled too. “Also… and I want you to keep this under your hat… Umberto recognized one of the dead attackers as a man he used to employ. Miles did too, but reacted as if he didn’t.”
“Hmm…” She said. “That’s weird… I assume by keeping that under my hat, you mean don’t tell Lisa?”
I nodded and frowned, “I don’t trust her. She’s working for… and involved with… Miles.”
“Damn…” Missy muttered. “You okay?”
I grumbled something non-committal, “Let’s leave that cluster fudge aside for now. Look a little deeper at the situation we’re in… Miles’ old buddy Clay comes to Costa Rica, right when things are getting interesting. Kind of curious, that. Second, Miles’ old buddy Clay just happens to be a trained infantry specialist. Then all of a sudden, you and the kids are nabbed. Clay and I go in, I could barely keep him from going honestly…”
She sighed, “And Garcia manages to exchange him for us. Bonus… he gets my son as a means of leverage over Clay.”
“Exactly,” I said darkly, “Otherwise Clay, knowing all of you were safe would have told Garcia to stick it up his ass.”
“Geez…” Missy breathed. “You make a good case.”
“It’s one of my powers.”
“That doesn’t preclude the idea that Andrea is behind it all,” Missy pointed out. “She knows Clay too. We’ve met her once. She knows enough to have set things in motion, too. But I don’t get it… there are any number of me
rcenary ex-soldiers in the world. Why not just hire one instead of using Clay?”
I had to admit she was right, “A great point… a point against Andrea being behind this and for Miles. He might think it a good idea to use somebody he knows… but why would she? That’s why I need to find that woman.”
“And find my husband and son,” Missy almost growled. “Dammit, Scott… can’t we just… just go! You and Clay—“
“Missy,” I said kindly and took her hand. “There’s nothing I’d love more. But where do we look? Even if I knew, you sure as shit would not be joining me. I know you’re tough and all that… but you have two daughters to keep safe. I promise you, though… I will get them back.”
She let an impressive string of curses fly and banged her fist on the steering wheel. I was right and she knew it, but she wasn’t happy about it. I couldn’t blame her one bit.
“It’s just… it’s just killing me sitting around doing nothing!” She exclaimed.
“I know,” I said. “Believe me, I know. I’d be going ape shit in your place.”
She seemed to center herself and exhaled a long breath, “You’re right, though… so I’m sorry, but it’s all on your shoulders. You are the only one who can find them.”
“That’s why I’m here… and I need Andrea to do that. I need them both in fact,” I said in a hard tone. “Even if I have to beat it out of Miles… the location of the new camp, I mean.”
“There must be some evidence someplace,” Missy said almost pleadingly. “I mean somebody must have paid Garcia or something, right? There must be some trail…”
“So I guess asking Lisa to dig into the company’s financial records is probably out,” Missy suggested. “Or even digging deeper into more carefully guarded stuff where she’d have to use her position to find out.”
“She’s not on our side,” I said, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. “Until she makes a decision… we can’t trust her, understand?”
Missy sighed, “Yeah… I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t long after that we pulled up to the gate in front of the house. I’d only been here yesterday morning but it felt like a hundred years had passed. I got out and opened it and we pulled down the drive and up to the house. Everything looked perfectly normal, but I wasn’t going to take any chances.
‘I’m going to do a quick inspection around the exterior,” I said, “then we’ll go in and I’ll clear the house.”
Missy nodded. I had one of the Sig Sauer 9mm pistols we’d taken from the attackers at the Cuidad Verde project and had an additional two magazines in my pocket. I jogged around the house, looking for anything obvious and inspecting each window and the back door carefully. No sign of forced entry.
“Okay, I think we’re good to go,” I told Missy as I came around the side of the house, “Just stick to my six and I’ll clear the interior as we go.”
“Aye, aye,” Missy said with a grin.
Again, there was nothing amiss. Nobody had come to the house looking for anything or to lay in wait. That was fortunate for them.
“It’ll take me a few minutes to pack,” She stated.
“Good, I’m expecting a call any—“
The satellite phone rang and I grinned. I looked at the screen and the incoming call was unknown. I knew who it would be, though.
“Spenser,” I joked.
A laugh. A man’s deep rich voice came over the speaker, “Scott, how are you?”
“You’re kidding right, Gregorio?”
Santino chuckled, “Silly question, I know. Juan said you wanted to talk to me?”
“Yes… I didn’t know you had your hand in foreign business,” I began. “You and Charles?”
“I’m always interested in a new business opportunity,” He replied, “and ever since our little… adventure… in South Florida, I’ve had a rather substantial influx of capital. Capital I’ve been investing into legitimate vehicles. Something I think my grandfather would want.”
I chuckled softly, “Just like that, huh? Open a lake boat cruising thing in Costa Rica?”
He laughed, “It’s hardly spur of the moment. I’ve been working on it since last summer. The recent pandemic has presented a great possibility for new tourism. People are more desirous of travel than ever before. Probably a result of being cooped up for several months. Also… it allows me to put some boots on the ground in a unique spot in the drug trade supply chain.”
“Uh-huh, I said knowingly. “Knowing how you feel about drugs… is there more to this thing than a simple business opportunity?”
“It may be,” My friend said enigmatically.
“Then that brings me to the reason I asked you to call,” I said.
I gave him an abridged version of what’s been happening so far. He listened attentively until I was finished.
“I’m glad I could help,” Santino said. “It’s my great pleasure to let you use that ship for as long as you need.”
“I appreciate that, Gregorio… does any of this ring any bells with you?”
He paused for a thoughtful moment, “It is interesting how the Saint Louis connection has cropped up again. And now… now Lisa is tied in as well.”
I grunted, “There is something that strengthens your idea. When I first met Audrey, she mentioned how she’d heard some things about me. Even about what I’m like… in bed. She being a former CIA operative, I assumed at the time that she’d spoken to Nikki Sloane, a woman from the FBI I know.”
“I know who she is,” He said softly. “I’m not just a friend, Scott. I’m also a fan.”
I snorted, “Well… now I’m thinking Audrey got her private information from another source… in Missouri.”
“That’s… disturbing. I know I don’t know her as well as you… but my instincts are well-honed, as you might expect. I can’t believe Lisa somehow set you up or helped to arrange things between Audrey, her grandfather and all that went on concerning that sunken U-boat. I just can’t believe Lisa would betray you. Yes, maybe she had to go and find herself… but for my part, and Angela agrees… it’s temporary.”
“I hope you’re right,” I said. “But two plus two still equals four where I come from. And all this Lisa and Palmer and Andrea and Missouri shit aside… I just want to get Clay and Declan back.”
“How can I be of help?”
“You already have.”
He chuckled, “Offering you a free place to stay is child’s play, Scott. Is there anything else I can do?”
“You said you were in Costa Rica, right?” I inquired. “You’re onboard the salvage vessel now?”
“Not yet,” He replied. “I’m actually flying in to Limon this evening. It’s on the Caribbean coast. Why?”
I paused. What I was about to ask was big. The moment I asked, I’d put several of my friends in potential danger. I also knew that Santino wouldn’t refuse me. Whatever happened as a result of my next question would be my responsibility.
“Scott?”
I blew out my breath, “Gregorio… please don’t feel even the slightest bit bad about refusing this…”
“Scott, don’t worry. What can I do?”
“I may need a few people to join me on… on a raid,. You and Charles would be helpful. I may have to go in and get Clay… and right now, the only person I can even think to ask is Lisa… and that’s an issue. I’d like a few more, if possible.”
“Done,” He said without hesitation.
“Gregorio…”
“Done. That’s it. Charles and I will be there. I might be able to get some additional help as well. I’ll get in touch with you when I arrive and see where you are and what we can do next. I’ll speak with Jack as well. I’m sure that he, Jibreel and McClay will be happy to help.”
I groaned, “Thanks Gregorio. I…”
“Scott, I understand the weight of responsibility you feel,” My friend stated. “But we’re all adults. We can make our own decisions. And it says a lot about you that we’re willing to come t
o your aid without having to agonize over it.”
“Thanks, Gregorio.”
I hung up and began to absently stroll around the house. I could hear the sounds of packing going on from the direction of the bedrooms. Missy was right, I’d have probably ended up bringing back a suitcase full of tank tops and board shorts.
I smiled to myself at that as I looked out the windows in the family room. They gave a three-sided view of the yard and lake behind. The afternoon was bright and sunny and the trees behind the house gave a lot of shade to the large backyard.
It was a tranquil setting, especially with the silvery lake in the distance. So when the two men appeared at the top of one of the walls and dropped into the yard, it was all the more jarring.
Chapter 21
“Missy, we’ve got company!” I declared in an urgent but quiet tone as I stepped into one of the back bedrooms. “Do you have that Sig I gave you?”
Missy had just closed a large suitcase. She looked up at me with wide eyes, “I… yes, right here.”
I cursed, “Okay, I don’t know how many. I saw two coming over the wall. That means a vehicle outside the gate. Could be more or they could be the only two. Where can you hide in this place?”
“Hide?” She asked indignantly. “I’m not—“
“Dammit, Missy!” I snapped. “I locked all the doors, but that doesn’t give us much time! You’re not a combatant! You need to hide until I can deal with this. No arguments, please!”
She bit her lip, picked up the suitcase and flung it into the closet. She swore and turned back to me, “Okay… there’s an attic crawlspace above us. There’s an access hatch in the master closet.”
“Where’s the other suitcase?” I asked.
“That’s it,” she said. “I packed for all three of us in that big one. It’s summer, so I got plenty of outfits in there.”
She led me into the master bedroom. As she opened the closet door, I heard pounding on the front and back doors. I was a little surprised at that. Why didn’t they just shoot the locks?
The access panel was one of those drywall squares about two feet on a side. There was no ladder or drop down stairs.