The Book of Joshua II - Believe (The Gems & Gents Series 3)

by Iris Bolling

  “Joshua has been gone for too long. I’m in my senior year of high school now and I need him.” Sally could see the tears beginning to form in Phire’s eyes. The young girl was just as her name suggested, full of fire, but she loved her brothers fiercely and would do anything to keep them safe.

  Joe held his daughter to him and kissed her forehead. “Joshua is going to be just fine.”

  “No, he’s not Daddy. Something is very wrong.” She threw the sheet back. “If you’re not going to call the White House, I’m calling Pearl.” She jumped out of bed. “I know she is not afraid of Mr. JD.”

  She stomped towards the door. As she reached it, she slowed her steps then turned back to her parents. “You’re not going to stop me?”

  Both shook their heads, “No.”

  A confused look covered Phire’s face. Then it dawned on her. “You two are getting ready to do the nasty, aren’t you?” She put her hands on her hips and shook her head at them. “While I’m in the house? Don’t you know I’m an impressionable child?”

  “If you don’t close that door, you’re going to be a child with a sore behind,” Joe declared.

  “Tsk Tsk, you should both be ashamed. Doing the nasty at your age. My friends would be appalled, I tell you, appalled.” She ducked when the pillow came flying across the room at her. She closed the door giggling, then peeped her head back in. “You missed.”

  Joe and Sally laughed with her. Once the door was closed and they knew she was not within hearing distance, they both got out of bed.

  “You call Samuel. I’ll call Lucy.” Sally put on her robe. “Someone is going to tell me where my son is before this day is out.”

  ❖❖❖

  Quantico, Virginia

  There weren’t many things that ex-CIA operatives could do once they retired that would match the excitement of life in the field. Lucy Russell had been fortunate. During her last year in the field, she’d met and worked closely with Joshua Lassiter, a patriotic young man who believed in God, his family and his country. One day he asked her what was she going to do with all that technical knowledge she possessed. She replied, share it with her dogs. He said he had a better idea. He needed a computer lab and a technician who did not have to answer to the government, hence bypassing delays in action. His one requirement was that she use only top of the line technology. What techie would turn that down? He brought her to his house and said, "Welcome home.” That was five years ago, yet, she was still there with no plans of leaving him or The Cave.

  In that timeframe, he had built an impenetrable home and she had built The Cave, a command center to rival the Pentagon. Lucy always thought Joshua must have had a Batman cave when he was young and wanted his own bat cave. It was in The Cave at the command console where she watched Joshua's vitals run across the monitor. Yes, she’d tapped into Ned’s computer system without his knowledge. Hell, she could do that, after all, she taught him everything he knew about technology, just not everything she knew.

  Lucy had never met Roc, but she knew the woman’s reputation before she quit the agency. Roc was the best medical operative in the business. Lucy knew Joshua was in good hands and would be home soon in need of medical care. Lucy was making arrangements when the encrypted message came through.

  The question of why, crossed her mind, but she learned long ago to do, not question. She glanced up at the vitals. They were improving, but why had Roc contacted an outside entity for extraction when she had just confirmed Ned’s extraction plan? Something was off, however, she had to believe if Roc made the request, there was a reason. There were agents who worked within the confines of rules and regulations of the government. Then there were agents who understood that every now and then, one had to work around those rules and regulations to protect the United States from itself. This involved Joshua's life. The latter of the two was needed. This was not the time to be asked a million and one questions as the government has a tendency to do before making a decision. Lucy picked up the secure telephone and punched in a code, then hung up. Two minutes later the telephone rang three times. Lucy sent a message from a handheld. Medical extraction needed for Absolute. A second later a message came back. Details?

  Lucy smiled, no questions asked. She sent the info and was waiting for confirmation when the house phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Hello Lucy, have you heard from my son?”

  Damn, the woman had an internal radar system when it came to her children. “Hello Sally. Have I heard from him?” Lucy looked at the vitals again. “No,” Lucy frowned as she slid back from the desk. “I haven’t heard from him.”

  “Hmm, well, here’s the thing Lucy. I’m very concerned about him. I can’t explain why this time is different, but I feel like....like he needs me. He needs his mother.”

  Lucy looked at the monitor showing Joshua’s vitals. They had moved a little, but not enough for her to tell his mother, her son was fine. The desperation in Sally’s voice forced Lucy to respond. “A child could always use their mother around. I’m certain he’ll be home in a day or two.”

  There was a short intake of breath on the other end of the phone. “All right Lucy. If I don’t hear from him in a day or two, you will see me.”

  Lucy hung up the phone and sighed. “I have no doubt about that,” she shook her head and began putting things in place to get Joshua home when she noticed, another intercept was placed on Ned’s computer. “What the…” Not trusting the computer, she sent a message using her handheld. “Boogie in your system.”

  Chapter Five

  Washington, D.C.

  “Mr. Johnson, Secretary Davenport is here to see you.”

  Calvin looked up from the work on his desk. “Send him in, Jane.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Jane, Calvin’s secretary, opened the door, then stepped back. “Mr. Secretary he can see you now.” Jane closed the door after the Royce stepped in.

  “Mr. Secretary,” Calvin stood and shook Royce’s hand. “What do we have?”

  “He has been located. We are ready to bring him home.”

  Calvin sat back relieved. “The President will be happy to hear that. What’s his condition?”

  “Critical, according to his handler. He is getting medical attention to stabilize him for the trip home. We have a medical team available on the plane.”

  “Who is handling the military end of the operation?”

  “General Ashton.”

  Calvin frowned. “Jane,” he waited.

  “Yes Sir.”

  “I believe General Ashton is in the Sit Room. Have him to report here immediately.”

  “Yes, Sir.” Jane retreated.

  “Concerns?” Royce asked.

  Nodding, Calvin replied. “From time to time the General believes his opinion is more important than that of The President’s. He delays certain orders at will. I want to ensure he understands this is not one of those times.”

  “Ashton believes he is more powerful then he actually is. Be careful dealing with him.”

  “You’ve dealt with him before?” Calvin asked.

  Royce nodded as he stood. “He’s more bark than bite. He’ll try you because you have no military background. Put him in his place once. That should rein him in for a minute.” He extended his hand to Calvin. “I’ll keep you abreast of the mission.”

  “I appreciate that,” Calvin returned the handshake, just as General Ashton burst into the room. “Don’t you ever summon me when I’m in the middle of a mission.”

  Royce smirked as he sent a knowing look Calvin’s way. “You never disappoint Ashton,” he stated as he nodded to Calvin and left the room.

  Calvin looked up at the angry expression on the General with the buzz cut from hell. That would give anyone a reason to be an ass all the time. At the moment Calvin did not have time for him or his asinine ways. “Have a seat General.”

  “I don’t have time for this Johnson. Some of us have real work to do. My day does not consist of pushing paper around.”

  Ca
lvin rounded his desk, took his seat, then cut the General off. “My time is at a premium General. What’s the status on the Lassiter mission?”

  “Who are you to question me on a status?”

  Calvin shook his head, picked up a pen and began to do paperwork. “The one who is going to have your stripes if you don’t answer my question.” Calvin paused and looked up. “Right now.” He looked back down, and began writing again, “Status?”

  The General looked as if he was ready to explode, but knew the Chief of Staff had the power to do just what he’d stated. “A medical plane has been deployed to the area. We expect touch down at nineteen hundred hours.” Calvin looked up at him. “Sir.” The man seethed.

  Calvin put down his pen and sighed. “General. I’m not clear on the hostility. Would you be kind enough to take a moment to enlighten me?”

  “May I speak freely, Sir?”

  Calvin nodded. “I don’t see how I could stop you.”

  “You and your boy in the Oval Office know nothing about protecting this country. I’ve served in the United States military for close to thirty years now. And I have to take orders from a boy who is too young to even shine my shoes.” He angrily pointed to the Oval Office, which was through the connecting door to Calvin’s office.

  Calvin stood, as he spoke calmly to the General. “You’re a military man, so I’m going to assume you understand the chain of command. In your thirty years of service have you liked everyone who has held the office next door?”

  “No Sir, I have not,” came the indignant reply.

  Calvin nodded as he walked around to the front of the desk. “Have you openly disrespected them as you have this President? And please speak honestly.”

  “I don’t recall,” The General replied hesitantly.

  “You don’t recall?” Calvin asked standing toe to toe with the man. “Do you recall running for President of The United States?”

  “No Sir,” the General narrowed his eyes.

  Calvin pointed to the Oval Office. “That boy did. Seventy-five percent of the citizens of this country voted that boy into office. That boy probably has more battle scars than you will ever have. When you are elected into an office, then you have earned the right to disrespect anyone you like. However, as long as you serve in this United States military, you will answer every damn question I ask of you. Every time I summon you, you will appear. And you will never…refer to the President of the United States as that boy. If you do so, in person, in public, in the damn bathroom under your shower, I will strip you and have you court marshaled. Are we clear General?”

  The General stood sharply at attention. “Yes, Sir, we are.”

  Calvin turned his back, then returned to his chair, picked up his pen and began working again. “I expect an update every hour until Operative Lassiter is back in his mother’s arms, safe and alive. You are dismissed.”

  The General walked out of the room, then dialed a number on his cell phone. “Get that plane in the air—now.” He hung up the phone then looked over his shoulder at the closed door to the office he’d just exited. If looks could kill, the Chief of Staff’s office would have exploded.

  ❖❖❖

  Mexico

  Roc checked the message again. The one from Ned indicated the plane would be at the drop site at nineteen hundred hours. The second message indicated a Black Hawk would land at the designated spot at eighteen hundred hours. It was taking a chance, but the safest route, to Roc, was with the Black Hawk. She wasn’t sure what the situation was with the White House and Absolute, but she was positive the person in the Black Hawk would get the man home. She sent one more message to the man in the administration whom she knew she could trust. Absolute secure. WH?

  Preparing to depart, Roc reached to touch Absolute’s forehead to get a gauge on his temperature. His hand sprung up grabbing Roc’s wrist as his eyes opened. Troubled, confused eyes looked back. Then, they softened as if something private was revealed to him. “Angel,” he smiled then closed his eyes as his hand dropped back to the table.

  Roc had been called many things in this line of work, angel had never been one of them. The handheld beeped. It was a message from Ned. Security breach. Get Out.

  In less than five minutes, Roc had dressed Absolute in black sweats, stuffed his clothes in the sack, and was walking out of the back with him across her shoulders. The man’s legs were so long, it created a balance problem, but Roc was trained for this. They were going to meet that chopper and get out of Mexico alive.

  The dark of night covered their movements. The night vision goggles provided a clear view through the trees, leading in the opposite direction of the jeep. After walking five hundred feet from the structure, Roc stopped, placing Absolute on the ground against a tree trunk. There were two things Roc did not do. Run was number one. When you run with the enemy behind you, they will eventually catch you. Roc’s motto was why run when you can kill.

  Ned’s message indicated their position had been compromised. Roc needed to know by whom. Who was the enemy? Knowing the answer to that question would determine the next step. It did not take long for the answer to appear. At the sound of engines, Roc stooped down next to Absolute’s body and watched as the cabin was surrounded. Not a hundred feet from where they were, a jeep with four men inside stopped. The driver stepped out, looked around, then pointed, giving instructions to the other men. While three of the men were clearly of Mexican descent, the leader, was not. He was an American. The men pulled weapons from the back of the jeep and headed towards the cabin. Now what was an American doing leading a group of Mexican assassins? Their weapons of choice made that distinction clear. They came to that cabin to kill. To Roc’s way of thinking, there was only one course of action. The handheld beeped as one of the men reached the perimeter markers put in place earlier. Roc nodded. “Take a few more steps and your behind is mine.”

  There were now three beeps on the monitor indicating three members of the team were within 100 feet of the cabin. One was about to reach the front door and would soon be inside. Once they entered, game over. They would know Absolute was no longer there. Capturing one to determine how they found his location would be ideal. However, Absolute’s life was at stake. The question would have to be answered later.

  Roc positioned Absolute back over her shoulder, checked the handheld, then pushed a button. Roc began the countdown as they moved towards their pickup site. When the handheld beeped a second time, Roc picked up speed.

  BOOM! The sound of the explosion ricocheted through the air. Roc continued to move through the brush, to the top of the ravine where their transportation would be waiting on the landing strip above. The additional two hundred pounds made it difficult to climb the steep hill, but not impossible. Once the ground leveled off, there were only a few feet to the strip. The problem was, it was an open few feet. If someone were on their trail, they would be clear targets. Couldn’t worry about that, the order was to bring Absolute home. Roc had to get to the top to accomplish that. Whatever they encountered once there would be handled.

  “All right Absolute,” Roc stated as the landing strip came into view. “This is where it gets a little tricky. Looking around Roc noticed a small aircraft with the American flag on the wing was already on the strip. “The good guys are here.” Roc said right before a bullet sailed in their direction, striking the tree trunk next to them. Roc ducked back into the bush. “I may be wrong on that.”

  Whoever took the shot had night vision wear. There was no way they could have been seen by the naked eye. Roc typed a quick message as they moved swiftly down the strip, being sure to stay out of sight. Under attack. Roc stopped, remembering the message from Ned. The message was deleted. “Looks like we’re on our own Absolute. The good guys are misbehaving. That’s not right,” Roc said as the area was scanned for a safe spot. Roc adjusted Absolute, then moved behind a large tree trunk and sent a message to her backup. Under attack. ETA? Before another step was taken a message came back. ETA-Two minut
es.

  Roc messaged back, Expect fire.

  Lock coordinates.

  Roc pushed a button on the handheld. Done.

  Stealth mode.

  Roc looked up. The density of the trees would not allow for a clear evacuation. They had to go to open ground. A sound came from behind them. Then another sound came from the left. The bad guys were trying to surround them. They had to move. Roc sent one last message, Track, pocketed the handheld then moved forward.

  The strategic move would be to cover the perimeter of the landing strip, cutting off their escape route. Roc was not going to that area. They were going to a less dense area within the woods that would allow a ladder to drop from above. The handheld beeped. Roc took that as an indication their transportation was in place. Looking around, a few feet away there was a slight opening. The area looked as if campers were recently there. Roc took up a position next to a tree looking up for any sign of their transport. Nothing. Then gunfire rang out. Taking a protective stance with Absolute on her shoulder and gun in hand, Roc scanned the area. The shots were not in their direction. “What the…?” Rapid gunfire continued. Roc heard a whoosh sound and looked in the direction of the opening. A rope ladder was hanging. Looking up, there was the transport in midair. Not thinking twice Roc, holstered her weapon, ran and grabbed the ladder. As soon as Roc’s foot hit the bottom step, the chopper pulled up. Roc climbed up as quickly as the extra weight would allow, praying they would clear the trees. By the third step, shots were coming in their direction. Suddenly the weight of Absolute’s body was pulled away, giving Roc the freedom to move quickly up the ladder. The gunfire was directed at them now. That was too much. Roc pulled a button from the knapsack, bit the plastic covering and dropped it below. “Pull up,” Roc yelled. The ladder burst full speed across the top of trees, smacking Roc’s body against branches, just as the small device exploded below. Boom!

  “Give me your hand,” a familiar voice demanded.