Corps Justice Boxed Set: Books 1-3: Back to War, Council of Patriots, Prime Asset

by C. G. Cooper

  + + +

  West was getting more and more excited as the interrogation went on. He’d already found out about SSI and Cal’s stake as owner. Cal, through extreme willpower, had skirted questions about SSI’s covert wing. Who would’ve thought he’d catch the heir to a billion dollar company? The options started to whirl in Dante’s head.

  Maybe he could ransom Cal.

  Maybe he could exchange his prisoner for money and weapons.

  The possibilities were endless.

  DANTE: You’re in luck, rich boy. I’m thinking that you might just make it out alive today.

  Cal looked up through puffy eyes and spit more blood onto the floor. His insides were on fire and his tongue felt like a puffed up marshmallow. Every time he got shocked, he swore he’d bit off another piece of his tongue.

  DANTE: What’s wrong? No more smartass comments?

  CAL (thickly): What do you want me to say?

  DANTE: How about you give me the number to someone I need to call at your company? Maybe I can talk to someone sane there.

  CAL (thickly): I don’t know the number. It’s on my cell phone.

  Dante glanced down at his pant pocket as if he’d forgotten the missing cell phone. He pulled the cell phone and battery out.

  DANTE: How do I know they won’t track me as soon as I put this battery in?

  CAL: Aren’t you the one that told me cell phones don’t work down here?

  DANTE: True.

  CAL: So how the hell would they track it?

  DANTE: OK. So what’s the phone number?

  CAL: Call my cousin Travis. It’s under T. Or wait, you can read can’t you?

  West shook his head and looked back down at the phone. He replaced the battery and turned the phone on. Cal watched expressionless, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal his surprise. He wondered if he’d even be able to reach the trigger Neil attached to his right molar with his tongue.

  Neil had instructed him to tap the molar three times and the miniature flash bang he’d installed within Cal’s cell phone would detonate. The problem now was getting his swollen tongue to react at the right moment.

  Cal moved his numb tongue around in his mouth and spat another gob of blood and phlegm onto the floor. He looked back to Dante.

  DANTE: This thing is asking for a password. What is it?

  Cal gave Dante the access code and instructed him on how to retrieve the correct phone number.

  CAL: You may want to try making the call from the phone. It’s got enhanced signal strength and could work.

  DANTE: I thought you said it wouldn’t work down here.

  CAL: It’s worth a shot. Might get you through faster, unless you have a better idea.

  DANTE: What the hell.

  Dante speed dialed Travis’s number and held the phone up to his ear. Just as it reached his ear, Cal carefully tapped his molar three times and the cell phone exploded with a shriek.

  West collapsed to the floor, his hearing in his left ear thoroughly wiped out. He lay unconscious as Cal tried to find a way out of his restraints. Neil had been very clear on the last point. West would only be incapacitated for a maximum of three minutes. Cal had to hurry.

  Chapter 23

  Above N.O.N. Compound, Williamson County, TN

  The team on the helicopter waited anxiously as Neil patched into the onboard system and clicked away.

  NEIL: I’ve almost got it. There.

  Everyone looked expectantly at the video monitor to see the change. Neil had been right. What before looked like only a few spectrums now looked like a rainbow where every color bled into the next.

  TRAVIS: You want tell me how the hell this helps us?

  NEIL: Patience, Trav.

  TRAVIS: I’m about out of patience, Neil. My cousin, your friend, is down there right now having that fucking gangster do who knows what to him. He might already be dead.

  ANDY (placing a hand on Travis’s shoulder): We don’t know that, Trav. Neil’s doing his best. So show us how this works, Neil.

  NEIL (pointing at the monitor): Now this is all just theory, but I’m thinking that if we zoom in close enough we might be able to see the vents.

  TRAVIS (now somewhat calmed): What are we looking for?

  NEIL: It should almost look like a little fire. You know how you look at a flame say coming out of a pipe? I’m thinking if I got the calibration right, we’ll be able to see that.

  The group spent the next minute staring at the screen as Neil zoomed and panned over the terrain. Brian almost jumped out of his seat pointing.

  BRIAN: What’s that right there?

  NEIL (looking at where Brian’s finger was): Let me zoom in. That looks like a vent! Now let me follow it up this way…

  ANDY: There’s another one!

  TRAVIS: Good job, Neil. Now keep following those vents and let’s see if we can find that damned rabbit hole.

  + + +

  In under a minute, Cal had somehow managed to scrape the zip tie on his left wrist almost all the way through on the rusted bed spring. He gave one last tug and the tie popped off of his bloodied wrist.

  He glanced back down at the still unconscious West. His internal clock told him he probably had less than a minute to get out. Cal didn’t want to find out if his body could handle a hand-to-hand fight right now.

  + + +

  The helicopter crew tracked the vents to a location just over a mile from the main house. There they found some kind of tiny structure that appeared to be a sewer drain. Travis decided to start the search on the ground there.

  After hearing from MSgt Trent that there was a third steel door behind the second, Travis ordered Trent to leave two men to guard the house and bring the rest via helicopter to the possible tunnel exit.

  TRAVIS (to the pilot): Put her down right over there in that field. We’ll hump the rest of the way.

  NEIL: Where do you want me?

  TRAVIS: Stay on the helo and give us updates from the air. Doc, I want you ready with whatever medical gear you have.

  BRIAN: Roger.

  TRAVIS: Andy, how do you feel about going in first?

  ANDY: I’m game.

  TRAVIS: OK. The rest of us will provide support.

  PILOT: Ten seconds to LZ.

  TRAVIS: Roger. Let’s go get our boy.

  + + +

  Cal had almost removed his last restraint when Dante started stirring. He looked up in confusion and shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs. Attempting to focus, he got up to his hands and knees just as Cal snapped the last zip tie off of his left ankle.

  With speed that surprised Cal, Dante got to his feet and reached in his pocket for a gun. Staggering on unsteady legs, Cal snatched the baseball bat from the ground, swung it backhanded, and connected with West’s firing hand just as he extracted the pistol from his coat.

  The weapon fired and clattered to the floor as Dante clutched his hand.

  DANTE: You’re gonna pay for that, boy.

  Dante stepped backed and grabbed a wicked looking filet knife from the bench. Cal was trying his best to stay on his feet but his head was reeling. His body had taken a real beating. He had to focus. His life depended on his ability to stay on his feet.

  Chapter 24

  N.O.N. Underground Facility Back Exit, Williamson County, TN

  Andy led the reinforced team up to the iron sewer grate that was mounted into the side of the hill. The criss-crossed iron bars were big enough to fit an arm through but no way near big enough to fit a person. The stench was foul. He could see water draining out through his night vision goggles and smelled like it came from a local cow farm. Sweeping the area, he looked for some kind of entrance. Where the hell was the exit? Looking back to his left he stopped.

  ANDY: Did you hear that?

  MSGT TRENT: Sounded like a muffled gunshot.

  ANDY: Yeah. Came from inside the grate. You think you can move it?

  MSGT TRENT: Let me take a look.

  Trent shouldered his we
apon as the rest of the team provided cover. The huge man felt around the edge of the grate for some kind of release or handhold. Nothing. Next, he reached inside the opening and started methodically feeling along the inner edge. Halfway around he stopped.

  MSGT TRENT: I think I’ve got a handle here but it’s locked.

  ANDY: Where are the hinges?

  MSGT TRENT: On the left side.

  ANDY: You think we can blast through it with a little demo?

  MSGT TRENT: Won’t that give us away?

  ANDY: I think it’s a little late for that. Besides, I didn’t like the sound of that gunshot a second ago.

  MSGT TRENT: OK. I’ll go get the breach kit from our guys.

  Andy nodded and looked back to the grate. I hope it’s not too late.

  + + +

  The two wounded men circled each other trying to find an opening. They each eyed the pistol on the ground. The weapon would easily turn the tide.

  West took a quick swipe at Cal. Cal dodged easily and shifted left as West moved closer to his lost gun.

  DANTE: I can’t wait to carve you up, white boy.

  CAL: Looks like I’m winning. You’re the one with half an ear.

  Dante put his hand up and felt the remains of his tattered ear. Although wounded, he was far from being out of the fight. The loss of hearing in his left ear wasn’t going to stop him. West looked at his opponent with pure hatred. Only one man would be leaving alive. By the look on his face, West was convinced he would be that man.

  + + +

  The team stepped back and took cover as the signal was given that the breaching explosive was set. Andy counted down with his fingers and the demolition man pressed the button on the remote device.

  At the same moment, the loud blast echoed through the trees.

  Andy looked around the tree and saw that the grate was now resting on its hinges. They were in.

  + + +

  Cal and Dante looked toward the open hallway at the sound of the muffled explosion. Fear crossed Dante’s face as he quickly calculated his options. He still had an extra escape route in case the back sewer was found.

  CAL: I told you my boys were coming.

  DANTE (shaken): They’re not here yet.

  As he spit out his last word, he lunged for the discarded pistol. A second later, Cal was also diving for the weapon. He was too late. As he descended to the floor, Cal could see Dante wrapping his hand around the pistol and turning his way. The world slowed as Cal stared down the barrel of his executioner.

  + + +

  The team rushed into the tunnel scanning and clearing as they went. They kept as quiet as they could, but the running water made it almost impossible. Andy pushed hard as he moved down the tunnel. Fifty feet down he found a door. Luckily, this one wasn’t made of steel.

  + + +

  Cal lurched to the right as the Dante pulled the trigger. Miraculously, the bullet somehow only grazed Cal’s head as he descended the final distance to the ground. The side of his scalp burned from the bullet’s passing. He ignored the pain and tried to knock the weapon aside.

  Dante brought the pistol back around towards Cal. This time he wouldn’t miss.

  + + +

  MSGT Trent barreled through the wooden door like a freight train. Andy came in right behind with his weapon leveled. He could see light ahead and heard the sound of another gunshot.

  + + +

  Instead of shying away from the gun, Cal embraced it…literally. He grabbed Dante’s pistol hand and tried to angle the barrel up as he pulled the weapon closer to his chest.

  A crash sounded from the hallway and Cal could see Dante struggling to keep his focus inside the room. For Dante West, the next few moments would seal his fate regardless of whether he lived or died. His only hope now was to exact his revenge before that happened.

  + + +

  Andy ran down the tunnel trailed by the rest of the assault team. His heart pounded as he readied himself for the scene he was about to encounter. Would Cal be dead? Rounding the corner his heart leapt as he saw his friend struggling on the ground with West. Still alive.

  + + +

  Dante’s eyes widened as he glanced at the hallway to see men in black streaming into the room. The two men grappled on the floor, a fight to the death. The pistol remained lodged smack in the middle of the two. A hairs breadth either way and one man would be dead.

  Cal and Dante lay locked in a deadly embrace, eyes blazing and desperate. West’s finger still gripped the pistol trigger. Cal struggled to point the gun back at West. Cal saw his opponent pull the trigger twice and felt the loud double report of the gun.

  + + +

  The assault team watched helplessly, not wanting to take a shot for fear of hitting Cal. His friends each felt the two gunshots deep in their guts. They all screamed at once as Cal slumped to the floor.

  Chapter 25

  Camp Spartan, Arrington, TN

  The funeral was a private affair. All of Cal’s and Jess’s friends attended.

  They’d decided to dedicate a new cemetery on Camp Spartan itself. With some heavy legal work by Marge Haines, they were able to get the approval of the state and local authorities. The deceased was family after all.

  The grave site was situated on a lonely hill overlooking the rifle range. It afforded a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. According to Travis, it was where Cal had taken Jess for their first picnic on the campus grounds.

  Cal stood flanked by his closest friends looking down at the casket holding his beloved Jessica. Although still gripped with grief, his head and heart had turned the page. She would never be forgotten, but Cal could live free of guilt. The death of Dante West had closed that chapter for Cal. He could now move on as Jess wanted.

  The service was short but beautiful. Jess’s pastor presided over the affair with grace and dignity. Not a dry eye remained in the crowd. It never ceased to amaze Cal, as he stood surrounded by some of the fiercest warriors he’d ever met, that such men often held the most compassion and emotion. It was what allowed them to do what they did to the best of their abilities and protect fellow Americans that often criticized their methods and spat in their face. These were men of duty and honor.

  He was finally home.

  + + +

  Cal said his final farewells to Jess’s parents and split off to rejoin his friends. Travis cut him off before he got there.

  TRAVIS: How you doing, Cal?

  CAL: Still a little bruised up, but I’m OK.

  TRAVIS: It’s only been a week, but you’ll have plenty of time to heal now.

  CAL (absently): Yeah.

  TRAVIS: Hey, I know this might not be the best timing, but I’ve got some people I’d like to introduce you to.

  CAL: Here?

  TRAVIS: Actually down at The Lodge.

  CAL (eyebrow raised): Mind giving me a hint?

  TRAVIS: It’s a little hard to explain. Why don’t you tell the guys we’ll meet them at the bar in about an hour. The Sergeant Major’s bringing out the good stuff.

  + + +

  Travis led the way down the second floor corridor of The Lodge. Cal could see two burly men in suits standing outside one of the large suite doors. What the hell? He decided to keep his mouth shut and follow Travis’s lead. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.

  Travis nodded to the two guards as one mumbled into his lapel mic. Following his cousin into the suite, he noticed the backs of nine men as they entered. Each man was dressed in casual attire but even their clothing couldn’t dampen their air of dignity and power. They came in varying shapes and sizes but all seemed familiar to Cal and apparently with each other.

  The tallest guest turned as did the other eight at hearing the sound of the door closing. Cal almost tripped as he recognized each and every man, not from personal acquaintance, but because in the suite stood nine of the most powerful American political leaders of the last two decades, including three former U.S. Presidents.