Cornerstone (Phantom Squad Series Book 1)

by J. M. LeDuc

  CHAPTER 19

  At sunrise of the second day, Falcon stood once again in front of Omar.

  “So,” the old man said, “have you learned anything new since our last meeting or did you come to say goodbye?”

  Falcon smirked. “My contact brought me up to speed. It seems the Phantom Squad is without a leader.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah. Your boys might not have killed Venturi, but indirectly, they killed his wife. She died during childbirth. She bled out due to scar tissue brought about by being tazed by one of your men.”

  Omar sat erect when he heard the news. Partly proud of what he was hearing, but mostly frightened because he knew what Colonel Venturi was capable of.

  He was angry at himself when he noticed Falcon’s expression. One that told him that Falcon could sense his apprehension.

  Falcon smirked. “Seems the colonel went off the deep end and bugged out. No one, including the U.S. Government, knows where he went.”

  Omar rubbed his hands together in thought. “So, you are of no help to me then.”

  Falcon laughed in what seemed like arrogance. “I learned a few more things that might help your cause.”

  “Such as?”

  “Such as, the president plans a little trip to the Middle East. A meet and greet with the troops.”

  “So?”

  “So, no one knows of it. All hush-hush. He doesn’t want a media circus.”

  Omar’s mind went into overdrive. “No one knows?”

  An evil smirk engulfed the American like a Cheshire cat. “Just you and me.”

  Omar waited for the American to continue.

  “It seems to me, you may have a way of flushing out the squad, if you catch my drift,” Falcon said.

  Omar combed his boney fingers through his beard. “Do you know where President Dupree plans on stopping?”

  “Not yet, but I will.”

  A belly laugh could be heard throughout the catacombs. “Sit,” Omar said, “there are plans to be made.”

  CHAPTER 20

  Joan watched Alana’s demeanor soften the moment she laid eyes on Faith. She couldn’t help but think of Brent as Alana held the child. She watched from across the room and saw an immediate connection between woman and child.

  “It’s time for her bottle,” Joan said. “Would you mind holding her a bit longer while I heat it up?”

  Alana didn’t even look up. She just smiled and brought Faith’s face next to hers and lightly kissed her cheek. Faith cooed at her touch.

  Joan smiled as she walked into the kitchen. While she readied Faith’s meal, she could hear Alana’s laughter coming from the nursery. It was a hardy laugh, a soul cleansing laugh.

  “Would you like to feed her?” Joan asked, returning with the formula.

  Alana’s eyes opened wide. Her full red lips broke into a joyous expression. “I would love to.”

  Joan handed her the bottle and watched the bond between them grow. She watched Faith reach up and grab Alana’s hair. Something she had never done with anyone but Brent. Watching the two interact, Joan somehow knew Alana’s feelings toward Brent.

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  Alana’s gaze slowly drifted to Joan. “I don’t know what—I mean, I . . .”

  Not one to judge, Joan just shrugged. “It’s all right.” She leaned forward in her chair and her expression turned more serious. “I loved Chloe and I know Brent would never have done anything to break his vows. He loved her with all his heart, but,” Joan hesitated and took a deep breath, “we all know he developed a special connection with you while the team was in the Mid-East.”

  Alana’s eyes welled up with tears. “What do you mean, you all know? Did he say something?”

  Joan shook her head. “It’s what he didn’t say. He—I don’t know—I could just sense it. Everyone could.” Joan stood up and walked over to the rocking chair. She removed a tissue from the changing table and handed it to Alana. She squatted down in front of her and continued to speak. “He was so adamant when Bishop Jessop suggested that you come to the funeral. It was as if your being there would somehow undermine his love for his wife.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Joan sighed. “It’s hard to put into words. Brent was not one to show his emotions, but when your name was mentioned, it was if he wore his heart on his sleeve.”

  “I don’t know that expression, ‘wore his heart on his sleeve,’ what does it mean?”

  “It means his emotions were visible. We could all see how he felt about you.”

  Alana looked confused. “But his emotions were negative, were they not?”

  Joan smiled. “I’ve known Brent since I was sixteen and the only other time I have ever seen him act that way was when he and Chloe were estranged.”

  Again, Alana’s eyes filled with tears. “You have me so confused. Now, you are talking like Seven.”

  Joan laughed. “No wonder you’re confused.” She looked down and saw that Faith was sound asleep. “Here, let me take her and then we’ll talk.”

  Alana removed the bottle from her mouth and kissed the milk from her lips. “Sleep well, little one.”

  After laying Faith down for a nap, the two sat at the kitchen table and sipped a cup of coffee. Neither saying anything. Alana put her cup down and swept her hair away from her face. “It’s true.”

  “What?”

  She looked away. She didn’t know if she could handle seeing Joan’s face as she spoke. “I fell in love with him the first time I met him. It was nothing he did or said, it was just, I don’t know how to explain it. I just knew.”

  “Did he return the affection?”

  Alana brought her cup to her mouth and drank. “He was caring and looked at me in a way no other man had ever done so before.”

  “There had to be something more,” Joan prodded.

  “I don’t understand?”

  “Brent has the ability to see people for who they really are, not as the world sees them.” Joan thought of Maddie and how meeting Brent changed her. “Maybe someday, Maddie will tell you how Brent changed her life.” Joan removed the empty cups from the table and sat back down. “All our lives have been changed because of him. But with you, it is different. The bishop knew it and that’s why he insisted you come.”

  “How do you know Bishop Jessop insisted I come?”

  A glint appeared in Joan’s eyes. Her right eyebrow arched slightly higher. “I’m the only one who can contact Q outside of Brent. He works for the Endowment, not for SIA. The bishop asked me to make the arrangements. He explained the connection that had developed between you and Brent.”

  “I see. So you see me as a fool,” Alana said.

  Joan leaned over and clutched her hands. She spoke in a soft tone. “I see you as Brent’s salvation, as the only one who can bring life back into him.”

  Alana looked down at their intertwined hands.

  “I don’t see you as a fool,” Joan continued. “I see you as a woman who is in love and who longs for that love to be returned.” She hesitated and planned her words carefully. “If you are patient and if you stick around, maybe you’ll get what you long for.”

  Before Alana could speak, the front door of the townhome opened. Lucille stood in the entranceway. She was breathing hard as if she had been running. “There you are.” She stopped to take a deep breath. “I was told that if you weren’t back at headquarters in thirty minutes, your, and I quote, ‘butts will be hung out to dry,’ whatever that means.”

  They looked at each other and in unison said, “Seven.”

  The clock chimed twelve-thirty.

  “We lost track of time,” Joan said as she threw her messenger bag over her shoulder. “Faith was fed and is sleeping.” She eyed Alana. “I hope you can run. We don’t want to be any later than we alrea
dy are.”

  Alana grabbed her bag. “You lead, I’ll keep up.”

  CHAPTER 21

  The girls were winded when they exited the tunnel at HQ. The grate to the air conditioning duct had already been removed. Standing on the other side were Seven and Maddie. Neither looked pleased.

  Seven spit in his ever present cup. “Forty-five minutes late. Not the best way to get on my good side, soldier.”

  Alana looked at Joan and realized he was addressing her. “I’m sorry, it’s my . . .”

  “It’s my fault, sir,” Joan interjected. “It was my responsibility to watch the time. If anyone is to be reprimanded, it’s me.”

  Seven sucked in on his bottom lip, “See that it doesn’t happen again.”

  Scarlet was standing behind the two senior officers.

  He gave Alana a head nod. “Scarlet will take you to the locker room and show you how to gear up.” He turned his wrist and checked the time. “You have twenty minutes before you are to meet me in the armory, so I suggest you get moving.”

  Joan watched the two walk side by side down the hall. “It really was my fault,” she said to Seven. “Don’t be so hard on her. She has been through a lot.”

  Seven sucked his lower lip into his jaw and furrowed his brow. “You don’t tell me how to run my squad and I won’t tell you how to do your job. We clear on that?”

  Joan swallowed hard. “Yes, sir.”

  “Good, now if you’ll excuse me, I have a woman to break and a soldier to mold.”

  Joan looked over at Maddie. “That was a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

  “No I don’t,” Maddie replied. “Seven’s not happy about having to give the orders. He thought he left those days behind him years ago. He’s never been easy on a trainee and he sure as hell doesn’t plan on starting now.” She started walking down the hall. “Unless you have any other comments, follow me. We still have the world’s top covert agency to run.”

  Joan knew when to shut up and follow orders. This was one of those times. “Yes, Madame Director.”

  As they continued to walk, Joan could see concern in Maddie’s expression. “Has there been any news on Brent?” she asked.

  “A little. I’ll bring you up to speed when we get to my office.”

  Twenty minutes later, Scarlet and Alana entered the armory. Seven was waiting with Jefferson and Fitzpatrick. He glanced at the clock. It was all for show. He knew exactly what time it was. He glanced at Alana, “It’s nice to know you can tell time.”

  Addressing Jefferson, he said, “Sergeant, you can cross telling time off your check list.”

  Jefferson took the pencil from behind his ear and scratched out the top line on his clipboard. “Can tell time. Check.”

  Seven handed Alana eye and ear protection and walked over to the gun range. “It’s been a while since you were in the Israeli military. Let’s scrape some dust off of your handgun skills.”

  CHAPTER 22

  As they walked, Tag’s curiosity got the best of him. “Where to, Colonel?”

  “South. A Naval base, just this side of Jacksonville. There, we’ll catch a short hop to Pensacola, then we fly into Germany, and our final leg will take us to Armenia.”

  Tag pulled up short, showing signs of surprise. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were headed to the Armenian-Turkish border.”

  Brent looked at the lieutenant with a blank stare, one that brought apprehension to the young officer. “You’ll find I don’t kid. If you want to opt out, now’s your time. Once we board the jet in Pensacola, there’s no turning back.” Brent tried to read the lieutenant’s expression. “There’s no dishonor in doing so. This is my fight, not yours.”

  Tag’s heartbeat quickened. His nostrils flared. Air rushed in. His mouth opened slightly, letting the air out along with his nervous energy. His body tingled as if back in battle. He said nothing.

  Tag stopped and looked Brent in the eyes. “It seems to me, you’re used to going it alone, Colonel. Maybe it’s time you had some company.”

  “Suit yourself,” Brent said. He turned and walked west. “We need to get a move on if we plan on getting to the car lot before it closes.” He glanced over at Tag. “You look like you’re in good shape. Let’s pick it up, double time. I’ll lead.”

  As they ran, Tag’s leg and arm movements mimicked Brent’s. He saw Brent snap his head back in surprise. The expression made Tag smile.

  They picked up a car, nothing conspicuous, and began the long drive south.

  Like the car, the lieutenant’s mind was in overdrive. “You mind if I ask what I signed up for?”

  “I told you before, you can ask whatever you want.” Brent checked the GPS and kept driving.

  “You also said you retain the right not to answer. Is this one of those times?”

  Brent turned his head toward the passenger seat, looked him straight in the eyes, and then turned his attention back to the road. “As a sniper, you’ve been taught patience. From what I observed back at the Palm Cove train station, I’d say it’s pretty ingrained in your psyche. This is one of those times you need to put it into practice.” He looked back at Tag. “All will be disclosed once we’re in flight. In my line of work, nothing is left to chance and information is on an as needed basis.”

  Tag thought for a moment, “What exactly was . . . is your line of business, Colonel?”

  “As a special ops officer, did you ever hear of a covert military operation that was more myth than reality?”

  Tag laughed, but when he looked at the colonel, he saw the same vacant expression he saw back in St. Augustine. He swallowed hard. “Yeah, we all heard the stories. They were good entertainment when there was nothing to do, but no one believed them. They were too farfetched.” As he spoke, his attention never left the colonel’s face.

  Brent’s expression was pensive. He saw no humor in the stories.

  “You mean to tell me they were real!”

  A slight smile cracked the icy veneer. “As real as I am sitting here. I am, was the squad leader. We are only called in when all legal means to end a skirmish fail.” He paused and looked over at Tag again. “We never failed a mission and never failed in bringing all our men out alive. I don’t plan on changing either of those statistics.”

  “Does the squad have a signature?”

  “Like I said, everything is on a need to know basis. Right now, you don’t need to know that information.”

  “So, we’re meeting the rest of your squad in Armenia?”

  “Nope. This one is being run solo or a twosome if you still want in. It’s only fair I give you that much information.”

  Tag’s adrenaline level started to climb. He could feel his heartbeat speed up and his breathing increase. His eyebrows arched in excitement. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Not another word was spoken until they reached the airbase on the south side of Jacksonville.

  They showed their military I.D.s at the security checkpoint approximately a half mile from the base.

  “We’ll have two more check points to go through before we’re let onto the airfield,” Brent said.

  Tag nodded.

  Once they arrived at their destination, Tag didn’t see any jets, just cargo planes. “Where’s our ride?”

  “You’re looking at her,” Brent said, pointing to the C-130 cargo plane. “I hope you have some jumping experience. I bought the cheap seats. No in-flight movie and no landing. We deplane at 15,000 feet.”

  Tag laughed. “You really are crazy, you know that.”

  Brent chuckled. “You’re not the first to call me that, but I’ve got a whole drawer full of psych evaluations to disprove it. The way I see it, I’m just thorough. Just covering all my bases and working through all possible contingency plans.” He glanced in Tag’s direction, “You can’t follow what you can’t s
ee. We jump in the dark of night and board our next flight as soon as we land.”

  “Won’t there be military record of us leaving?”

  Brent nodded. “There would be, if they knew we we’re coming. The top secret part of this mission has begun. Follow my lead.”

  CHAPTER 23

  It was a short jaunt from Jacksonville to Pensacola. They had just enough time to put on their jump suits and check their gear.

  “I’m going forward to check with the pilot,” Brent said. “Be ready when I get back.”

  Brent returned five minutes later. “We’re two minutes from the jump zone. The pilot will count down from thirty seconds. When you see the back end of this bird open up, it will be time to fly. We can’t deploy our chutes until we break the eight-hundred-foot ceiling, so prepare for a rough landing.”

  The last minutes were spent checking each other’s equipment. As Tag tightened the colonel’s harness, he couldn’t help notice that Brent had the guitar case strapped to his back along with all his other gear. He was dying to ask about it, but he already knew he wouldn’t get a logical answer. His thoughts were disrupted by the mechanical squeal of the gears as the rear end of the C-130 opened. He looked out and saw nothing but the dark of night.

  Brent pointed to the coordinates on his altimeter and hand signaled for the lieutenant to set his to the same. Tag did as he was ordered and lowered his infrared goggles over his eyes. Everything took on an eerie green luminescence. His mind raced back to his last mission. Shaking his thoughts aside, he gave a thumbs up.

  “Thirty seconds and counting,” the pilot radioed. “Thanks for flying the friendly skies of the Armed Forces.”

  Brent and Tag gave each other a final nod as the pilot radioed, “I’ll count you down from ten. When I give the go, there can be no lag time. You’ll have a small window of opportunity if you’re going to hit your landing site.”