Several more Libyans had stopped their cars and were now walking toward the military transport truck, some of them already repeating the newly introduced mantra.
“Fuck the Americans and fuck the Jews!”
Mac spotted Jack moving slowly behind a row of palm trees as the sound of approaching sirens could be heard in the distance while Densmore and his men quickly jumped back into their vehicles and began to slowly drive away, leaving the growing and increasingly angry mob of Libyans to gather in front of Ella’s building. The bearded militant who had first shouted out that Ella was Jewish, pointed his assault rifle into the air and fired off several rounds. Several others among the armed Libyans were soon doing the same. Mac knew it would not be long before one of them pointed a weapon and fired it at the building itself.
The sound of the sirens grew closer as a Benghazi police car pulled in behind the gathering mob. A few of the militia members approached the police officer, firing their guns into the air while screaming for him to leave them alone. Mac watched as the police car quickly backed up and drove away.
So much for the cowardly cavalry…
Udi put his communicator to his ear, listening as he was told Ella was back inside the building.
As many as seventy Libyans were now gathered at the building entrance.
“Kill the Americans and kill the Jews!”
Mac looked over at Udi and winked.
“Hey, the good news is they changed their minds about fucking us!”
Ella approached from behind both Mac and Udi as they continued to lie on their stomachs peeking out at the Libyans below.
“So very glad you were sent to me, Mr. Walker. I just love dealing with this kind of trouble so early in the day. You know, life’s just so boringly simple when you’re a Jewish woman in the middle of a city run by Muslim men who are born to hate everything about you.”
Mac looked back to reply to Ella’s words, but paused as he watched her moving forward along the roof, crouched low and carrying in both hands a World War Two era MG-42 machine gun.
“Udi, after I get this set up, I want you to yell out to those assholes down there that we mean business. If they don’t disperse, we are going to cut them into ribbons.”
Udi smiled back at Ella as she expertly extended the doubled legged base of the MG-42 and positioned its barrel to point just above the heads of the Libyans below.
“Mr. Walker, you can make yourself useful by helping to feed the ammo. That is, if you know how to do that.”
Mac grabbed onto the ammo belt.
“Oh, I think I can manage.”
Udi stood up and looked down at the Libyans gathered in front of the building and shouted down to them in Arabic.
“Hey! Hey! We are going to ask you to leave this area now! If you fail to do so, we are prepared to defend ourselves. We are well armed. Do you understand?”
“Send out the Jew bitch!”
The Libyans cheered the suggestion as they fired more rounds into the air.
Ella’s jaw clamped down as she moved the MG-42’s barrel several more inches higher to ensure she wouldn’t hit anyone below or away from the building. Mac knew the gun was rated to fire at a thousand yards.
The sound of the MG-42 in action was similar to that of an incredibly loud and violent chain saw. Within a few seconds Ella had unleashed a barrage of over sixty rounds, the results of which were instantaneous.
Bellow them, the Libyans scattered, their eyes wide in terror of the death that could rain down from above. Again Ella pulled the trigger, and again the MG-42 snarled its menacing warning.
A mere minute later and no sign of the gathering Libyan mob remained. They were a people well versed in the sound of a deadly weapon, and knew when it was time to move and move fast.
Ella stood up and brushed off the dust from the front of her skirt and blouse and then looked back down at Mac.
“Ok then, Mr. Walker, I guess it’s time to get you to that safe house of yours. Please meet me downstairs as soon as possible.”
Mac watched the back of Ella as she made her way across the rooftop, not aware of the wide smile that crossed his face – that is until Udi’s fist punched him in the shoulder.
“Not for you to look at, Mr. Walker.”
Mac looked back at Udi, the smile still on his face.
“Are all Israeli women like that?”
Udi’s face was again expressionless as he stood up.
“It is often said, Mr. Walker that it is not the Israeli men the Muslim radicals should fear, but rather our women. That said, Ella is something…special. That can be both a good thing, and a bad thing. You would do well to know that. She is not to be trifled with.”
Mac looked down to see Jack staring back up at him from the ground, his head shaking from side to side.
“Told you, Mac – fucking Benghazi.”
Mac looked out across the city streets, thinking he could just catch a glimpse of the blue watered Mediterranean Sea. The temperature already felt to be nearing ninety. They had been in Benghazi for less than twelve hours.
X.
…Mac’s phone rang. It was Tilley.
Mac hesitated answering, still uncertain whether the man could be trusted. By the fourth ring he decided to hear what Tilley had to say.
“Mac – you there? I was able to get a hold of someone I know in State who has been hunkered down in Benghazi for the last few months. They said they would send out someone to help you get settled in over there. Have they arrived at Ella’s location yet?”
Again Mac found himself trying to quickly process the information Tilley was giving him. Tilley must have been referring to Densmore who, the last time Mac checked, was FBI, not State Department.
“I saw a guy named Mark Densmore and a few other men show up here. I know of Densmore – he’s FBI. Or he was. Is that who you’re talking about?”
Tilley went silent, and Mac knew he had just surprised him with his knowledge of Densmore’s FBI connection, and was likely also shocked that Mac had spoken the name over the phone. Good, if Tilley was lying to him, Mac had to rattle the other man to improve his chances of catching him in a lie.
“Did you say FBI, Mac? That this Densmore is…FBI?”
“That’s right, we ran in the same circles about ten years ago. I don’t know the man well, but I do know him.”
Mac could hear Tilley clearing his throat, a sign he was considering what he had just been told. Perhaps Tilley was as surprised to learn of FBI being in Benghazi as Mac was.
‘You sound surprised, Tilley and given you’re supposed to be the one who brought my team this assignment, that don’t sit real well with me, you know? We just sent home one pissed off mob of Muslims here, and I’m sure they’ll be back as soon as they clean the shit from their pants, so how about you tell me straight up what the fuck is going on? Why the hell do we have FBI in Benghazi?”
Tilley’s reply came back slow. He was being very careful about the words he used.
“Mac, I know I have to be looking pretty suspicious to you right now. I get it, and at this point, all I can do is apologize and do my best for you to keep the assignment proceeding so you stay safe and eventually we all get paid. I have no idea on the FBI information…if you saw who you say you saw, then the first thing I’m going to do after talking to you is confirm that information here on my end. My contact is with the State Department – at least officially. That is who was supposed to send you some help out there. And I trust him one hundred percent Mac. I really do. I know at this point you don’t trust me, and that’s ok, but hopefully after Ella gets you set up, I’ll start to earn that trust back.”
Mac sensed Tilley was being sincere, though he also had to consider the man was likely at this point in his career, an exceptionally proficient liar.
“Who is this Ella? How do you know her?”
Tilley’s tone was slightly more relaxed.
“Ella Lerner is top tier, Mac. That’s all I want to say over the pho
ne. You’re in very good hands. She owed me one, and her helping you and your team out is payment for that debt. She’s nobody you want to fuck with though, so don’t even think about it.”
Mac grunted, remembering Ella’s recent display with the MG-42 machine gun.
“Yeah, saw a bit of that already. She’s not so bad on the eyes too.”
Tilley chuckled. He was becoming more relaxed, more like his usual self.
“I need you to stay focused, Mac. Plus, word is, you already had a bit of down time with a certain attractive and very wealthy someone right before you flew out of D.C. I figure you should have that kind of thing out of your system for at least a few days, right? Just let Ella get you to the safe house and then we can confirm your assignment details once you’re settled in.”
Mac saw Udi motioning for him to follow him down from the roof and back into the building’s interior.
“Ok, Tilley I’ll let you know when we are at the safe house.”
Mac hung up the cell phone and nodded back to Udi while also noting the street below remained clear of trouble. The angry mob may return soon, but it hadn’t done so just yet.
Standing back inside the lobby of the Libyan Freedom Network building, Mac was glad to see the three other members of his crew were already inside and waiting for further instructions. Benny and Minnick appeared calm, though focused, while Jack looked somewhat more on edge.
Ella stood looking back at Mac, her arms crossed over the front of her black blouse.
“I am certain I made clear you were to make your way back down here as soon as possible, Mr. Walker. You have kept me waiting.”
Mac was about to respond with one of his more typical smart-ass comments, but looking back at Ella’s humorless, dark eyes, thought better of it. She was in no mood.
“I apologize. I was speaking with Tilley.”
Ella Lerner’s mouth curled into a smirk, her high cheekbones made more prominent by having left her blonde hair still pulled back in a pony tail.
“I would imagine your confidence in your Mr. Tilley is a bit lessened, yes?”
Mac shrugged, looking back at his men to let them know they were in no immediate danger.
“Things went to shit. It happens.”
Ella shook her head.
“Not when I’m in charge they don’t. I have been told the location of your safe house Mr. Walker. Udi here will see that you are safely transported to there in my vehicle. After that, I must reiterate, our business together is to be concluded. You are not to contact me again. Do you understand?”
Mac simply nodded, though as he looked Ella over again, quietly hoped they would have an opportunity to get to know each other better, and soon.
Unknown to Mac, Ella was hoping the same.
XI.
Mac, Benny, Minnick, and Jack sat inside the tan Mercedes 300 that was parked in the front of Ella’s building. Though older, the car’s tan leather interior remained in almost new condition, and when Udi turned the ignition, the engine started instantly and idled smoothly.
Mac sat in the front passenger seat while the other three men in his crew sat shoulder to shoulder in the backseat. Udi backed the vehicle slowly onto the street and pulled away smoothly, steadily increasing the Mercedes’ speed as he exited off a gravel covered secondary road to turn onto one of Benghazi’s primary highways that led to one of the many large suburban areas on the outer portions of Benghazi. Udi expertly moved the Mercedes into and out of traffic as he kept the vehicle’s speed above seventy miles an hour.
“Your safe house is located in a residential area just outside the city proper. Very nice neighborhood actually, home to some of the area’s wealthier residents. I was told the property is fully gated, and should provide ample security for you.”
Mac glanced over at Udi, admiring the Israeli man’s driving skills. Udi exited the main road and was once again on a secondary road. Though still somewhat paved, it was covered under a fine layer of desert sand. The Mercedes vaulted forward, now speeding along at nearly ninety miles an hour, causing a large plume of dust to billow up behind them.
Just as Udi described, the properties to the right and left of them were expansive, with large, soft colored stucco buildings and meticulously cared for gardens. While Benghazi had many slums within the city, the homes ringing its borders indicated residents of considerable wealth.
Udi slowed the vehicle and turned sharply left onto a narrow drive that led to a substantial dark ironed gate with two guard towers one each side. The gate was open, allowing Udi to speed through it and travel another hundred yards to the property’s main house – an expansive two story structure painted tan and white with massive floor to ceiling windows on the first floor, and several large balconies that jutted out from the second floor. Mac estimated the home to be at least six thousand square feet.
“Here we are, gentleman your safe house, courtesy of your friend Mr. Tilley. My job is done. This is where we part ways. Please follow Ella’s instructions – do not contact us again.”
Mac, Benny, Minnick and Jack exited the Mercedes and watched as Udi sped off down the long drive and back onto the road, soon to be lost amidst another plume of sand dust that marked his swift departure.
Minnick peered up at the large home and then glanced at Mac.
“Home sweet home, huh?”
Mac ignored the comment, already attempting to call Tilley. The phone rang three times and then went to Tilley’s voice mail.
“Tilley, it’s Mac. We’ve arrived and are awaiting instructions.”
Benny began walking toward the home’s large, wooden, double-door entrance.
“Might as well check it out while we’re waiting to hear back from Tilley.”
Mac noted Jack surveying the surroundings. Two other properties were easily in view from where they stood. One to the east of the safe house sat some four hundred yards away, while the other across the street, was likely no more than a few hundred yards. Like the safe house, the other properties appeared to be upper class residences as well.
“Feel like we’re too much in the open out here, Mac. Don’t like it.”
Mac’s eyes squinted into the increasingly warm and bright Benghazi sun. He understood Jack’s concern. He didn’t like the location either. While it allowed them to see who was coming, it also made them a much easier target, and given the relative distance from the main city, help would be a long time coming. This particular safe house did seem an odd choice, if for nothing more than it would require them to drive considerable distance to get anywhere.
That said, it was one hell of a nice property.
Benny called out behind him as his hand reached out to push against the entrance door.
“C’mon, let’s go inside.”
Mac’s phone rang, causing Benny and the others to pause and look back at Mac.
“Yeah, Tilley go ahead.”
“Are you at the assigned location?”
Mac looked back at the large home’s entrance.
“Yeah, we’re here. Nice place Tilley, so how about telling us what the hell we’re supposed to be doing?”
“Go inside, Mac. Check out the home’s interior, including the upstairs. Then call me back.”
Tilley was keeping the call brief in case there were attempts to intercept their communications. He had already hung up.
Mac saw Jack staring back at him, his face indicating he wanted to know what Tilley had said.
“He didn’t say much, just that we should go inside and check it out and then call him back.”
Minnick pointed up into the searing blue Benghazi sky.
“Hey, check it out. Is that one of ours?”
Mac’s eyes followed to where Minnick was pointing, spotting the single military drone slowly approaching the vicinity of their safe house, its gray metallic exterior flashing against the sun’s rays. The drone’s presence gave Mac a slight chill, leaving him with the distinct feeling he was somehow glimpsing a darker future, a time to com
e when the drone technology of today would be the nightmare of tomorrow.
Minnick’s voice cut through Mac’s thoughts.
“You ok, Mac?”
Mac shook himself from his prognostications, though his eyes still glanced back at the approaching drone.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Something about those drones though…they just don’t seem right to me the way they creep across the sky like that.”
Benny was watching the drone intently as well before shrugging and waiving a dismissive hand at it.
“Those drones have saved a lot of lives Mac. They go in so our boys don’t have to, and that’s all right by me.”
Military Fiction: THE MAC WALKER COLLECTION: A special ops military fiction collection... Page 33