The shooter closest to Edwards pulled Edwards’ SIG from its holster and took his personal cell phone. Edwards glanced back. The four officers in the rear SUV had met the same fate.
With two Glocks pointed at him, Edwards watched as three men got out of the rear seats of both patrol cars. They quickly opened the front and rear doors of the SUVs and dragged Edwards’ men out, throwing the bodies into the trunks of the police cars. Lastly they peeled the decals and light bars off the Dodge Challengers and tossed them into the trunks too.
A tall, powerfully built man with brown skin and dark hair and eyes arrived at Edwards’ door. The man opened the door and roughly dragged Edwards out and shoved him into the back seat. Edwards felt like a ragdoll in the big man’s hands. The man then sat beside him and smiled, while aiming a Glock at him. Edwards couldn’t tell his ethnicity. Maybe Cuban, or some kind of mix. He also saw a large fixed-blade knife strapped to the man’s left thigh. Edwards cringed.
The men wearing police uniforms stripped them off; beneath they were dressed like Edwards’ men—black polo shirts, jeans, and hiking boots. One man took the driver’s seat in each of the Dodge Challengers, drove them past the SUVs, made U-turns in the road, and sped away.
The rest of the men sat in the SUVs; two in the front seats of Edwards’ SUV, five in the rear SUV. A device was plugged into the SUV's cigarette lighter. Edwards assumed it would block the vehicle's GPS.
The big man next to Edwards had a deep, rich, clear voice. “My name is Lucian. I work for Dima. I’m going to tell you things to do, and you will do them to avoid pain. Understood?”
Edwards swallowed. “Yes.”
Lucian said, “Change your burner phone from vibrating to ringing so I can hear it.”
Edwards complied, while Lucian took out another phone and dialed a number. He only said, “Ready.” Then he hung up and put the phone away.
Edwards’ burner phone rang.
Lucian stared at him. “Take the call, Edwards. On speaker.”
His hands trembling, Edwards answered it as directed. It was Dima.
“We watched for your arrival at all the airports, Edwards. We have been following you all morning. We didn’t show up for your ambush team, but we’re pulling two more SUVs up behind you as we speak. I assumed betrayal on your part. Treachery is not a nice thing, is it? However, it is predictable. Still, all will be forgiven if you deliver the flash drive, Mattia, and Valentina to us. Then the original agreement will still work, and you will get your niece back.”
“If I don’t see my niece first, now, then no deal, Dima. Kill me, torture me, whatever.” Edwards wondered if Lucian would use his knife on him. He didn’t care.
He nearly jumped when someone knocked on the passenger window of the SUV. Turning, he gaped when he saw his niece standing in front of him, her brown hair in disarray, her hands tied behind her back, duct tape over her mouth, her white blouse dirty, her round face bruised and strained. “Therese!” he yelled.
Her face scrunched up, tears in her eyes, as she was dragged away from his window toward the rear vehicle.
“Therese!” Edwards tried to open his door, but Lucian put a hand on his arm to restrain him. Edwards had never felt a hand that strong in his life. He couldn’t move.
Blanching, he slumped in his seat and faced Lucian.
Lucian patted Edwards’ shoulder. “You give us what we want, and we give you your niece. Alive. Otherwise we take her and you’ll never see her again, as promised.”
Edwards didn’t believe anything Lucian said. They were going to kill him no matter what happened.
Twisting to another man in the back seat, Lucian said, “Prep him.”
Edwards didn’t protest as a throat mike was placed around his neck, beneath the collar of his shirt and light sport coat, and an earpiece was placed into his ear.
Lucian smiled. “We will be watching you and Steel, and listening. If we see a flicker of awareness in Steel’s expression, if we hear a whispered word through the mike that we don’t like, Dima is in the rear SUV with your niece and he will drive away.”
Lucian leaned closer. “And then sometime we will come for your niece’s mother, Darcy’s sister. In a day, a week, or a year. We’ll take her, and she can join her daughter, who we’ll save for the special event.” He leaned back and smiled. “Some buyers enjoy mother-daughter combinations. They are hard to come by, very expensive, and thus very profitable.”
Edwards’ thoughts raced. If he gave Mattia and Valentina to Dima, he knew they were as good as dead. He couldn’t do it. But if he didn’t make the hand-off, Therese was finished. He needed something in-between. Sorrow welled up in his chest. He doubted that he or Therese would survive what he was about to do.
CHAPTER 20
It was mid-afternoon and Steel stood in front of Angel’s souped-up white van. Matt and Val were inside, with Zeus in the driver’s seat. Steel had his Glock in his holster at his back, the MP7 resting on the front hood. The MP7 was probably overkill given the setup, but after the Bahamas he was fine with that.
They were parked on a dirt road at the west edge of a four-way, uncontrolled intersection in the western region of Big Cypress National Preserve in southwest Florida. The van and Steel were facing east.
On both sides of the road dwarf pond cypress trees filled the landscape, their sparse branches and foliage ghostlike. A few giant cypress trees grew among them, their wide bases of leglike clumped roots stuck into the mud. Ferns, marsh grass, and other plants formed a thin understory. The spring had been dry, or there would already be a foot of water below the raised road.
Both Angel and Zeus were familiar with this location and had agreed it was good for what they wanted; isolated, with few options to trap them, and options for escape, if needed. Steel felt it was as safe as any. No snipers on rooftops or hiding around building corners. Good visibility in all directions. And no one except his team had the location ahead of time, so it would be impossible for Dima to hide snipers behind the few big trees out in the seasonal swamp. Plus the sun was at their back, not in their eyes. Everything was favorable for a safe hand-off.
Steel still hadn’t called Emilia with final directions for Edwards. He was waiting on Angel.
Angel’s voice came over coms; “I’m in place, three hundred yards south of the corner.”
Steel peered east of the south road, but he couldn’t spot him. “You see him, Zeus?”
Zeus swept the landscape with a pair of binoculars. “No. He’s part of the mud out there, sir. Good job, Old Man.”
“Of course, young boy,” replied Angel.
Zeus chuckled.
Satisfied, Steel dug out his phone and made the call to Emilia, giving her the location and instructions to relay to Phil Edwards. At the end he added, “Tell Edwards he has ten minutes to get here or we’re gone.”
“Call me after the hand-off is complete,” said Emilia.
Steel put the phone away. A snowy egret flew overhead, and he watched a cottonmouth—easy to spot with its blocky-sized head and red and black skin—crawl across the road. Rachel would love it here. He was glad she was with Christie. Rachel loved Montana too. It felt strange to not have Christie beside him.
EDWARDS’ PHONE RANG.
Lucian looked at him. “On speaker.”
Edwards complied and listened as Emilia said, “Drive straight ahead five miles west to the second four-way intersection you come to. Park on the shoulder. Walk alone to the center of the intersection.”
The call ended.
Lucian pointed forward. “Let’s go.”
His driver pulled their SUV out onto the road.
Lucian turned to Edwards. “At the hand-off, tell Matt and Val to walk to the rear SUV.” He placed a hand on Edwards’ arm. “Take a deep breath. Act like you know what you are doing, Edwards. Button your coat. Don’t be stupid. The rest of your niece’s life depends on it.”
CHAPTER 21
Steel picked up the MP7. Four SUVs were barrelling d
own the dirt road from the east.
In a minute all four SUVs stopped in a line on the shoulder at the east edge of the intersection. Drivers, front passengers, and some rear passengers of the SUVs got out, all holding HK MP5/10 machine guns, wearing sunglasses and remaining standing behind the open doors. A dozen CIA officers in the street, maybe more in the SUVs. The number of men and the firepower told Steel that Edwards took the Dima threat seriously. That was a relief.
Phil Edwards got out of the passenger door on the driver’s side of the lead SUV. Steel recognized Edwards from the photo Emilia had sent him. “We’re up, everyone.”
Zeus opened his door and remained behind it, standing in the street, holding the SIG MCX.
Edwards walked to the middle of the intersection and Steel strode forward to meet him. Edwards seemed a little tense, but nothing alarming stood out. Facing someone you never met holding an MP7 would strain most people. Emilia had told Steel that Edwards no longer worked in the field, but had collaborated with M4N on some assignments for the CIA Special Activities Division.
Edwards rested his hands on his hips. “You came pretty light considering what you dealt with in the Bahamas, Steel.”
Steel shrugged. “I’m glad you came heavy.”
Edwards took out a pair of sunglasses and put them on. “I read what you did in the Bahamas. We’re lucky to have your help.”
“I’m glad to have someone else running this hand-off,” said Steel.
“I have the witness protection agreement.” Edwards retrieved it from an inner jacket pocket and handed it over to Steel. Steel read it, quickly satisfied. He lifted his left hand as a signal. Matt and Val exited the back seat of the van and walked toward them.
Steel regarded Edwards carefully. The man seemed like an office manager, but looked intelligent. “There’s a leak in the CIA. Be careful.”
Edwards grimaced. “We’re taking every precaution possible.”
Matt and Val arrived beside Steel, their hair astray and their clothing rumpled. Both were fidgeting, their eyes darting to Edwards and beyond, at the CIA vehicles. Matt was carrying his computer satchel, his left arm still in a sling.
Steel handed Val the witness protection document. “It’s official. You’re protected.”
Matt and Val read it together, and then exchanged smiles.
Matt looked at Edwards, his shoulders sagging. “Thank you, sir.”
Edwards nodded once. “We’re happy to do it.”
Val threw her arms around Steel. “Thank you for everything.”
“Of course.” He was glad it was over.
“We appreciate it, Steel.” Matt put down the satchel and extended his hand, and Steel took it.
Steel felt good. The young couple were finally going to be safe from Dima, and the flash drive was going to the CIA. He also felt relieved knowing the hand-off was nearly over. He could put it behind him and join Christie and Rachel in Montana.
Val folded the agreement and shoved it into her jean pocket, smiling.
“The flash drive.” Edwards held out his hand to Matt.
Matt lifted the satchel. “I want to carry it into Langley, sir.”
Edwards didn’t look happy, but he nodded. “Acceptable.”
There was an engine whine from the east. A car was racing toward them.
Steel tightened his grip on the MP7. “Edwards?”
Edwards looked bewildered. “It’s not ours. One of yours, Steel?”
“No,” murmured Steel. “Everyone get ready.”
A red Mini Cooper roared up, screeching to a stop on the opposite side of the road from the CIA, twenty feet behind the fourth SUV. Four CIA officers aimed their guns at the car.
A slender woman slowly exited the driver’s door, wearing an open cactus-green trench coat, tan slacks, a tan blouse, and tan running shoes. Her coat collar was turned up and, along with a green scarf and a tan fedora, hid her hair and most of her face. Head down, her palms flat atop the car, she stumbled around the rear of the Mini Cooper, and threw up in the middle of the street. Wiping her mouth with her coat sleeve, she staggered around the street side of the car to the front fender, where she stopped and leaned on it with both hands, her head down.
Steel didn’t trust the situation. Edwards looked just as surprised by it.
LUCIAN DOUBTED THE woman in the street was connected to Edwards. Maybe Steel, but Steel seemed surprised too. He was tempted to order his men to shoot the woman, but if Steel saw CIA officers murder a woman in cold blood, he might blow-up the hand-off. Deciding he would give the order to kill her later, he said into coms, “Edwards, order a man to search her, and one to cover her.”
“GET THAT WOMAN FACEDOWN in the street!” barked Edwards. “And search her for a weapon!”
One of Edwards’ men barked, “Down on the ground on your stomach, lady!”
The woman swung around and slid down to a sitting position, her back against the front tire, her head lolling on her chest. Steel didn’t buy it.
“Facedown!” repeated the CIA officer.
The woman rolled to her side, ending up on her stomach in the dirt, one arm partially beneath the car.
“Search her!” barked Edwards.
Two CIA officers from the last SUV crossed the street. One patted her down while the other kept his gun on her. The officer who searched her, straightened. “She’s nonresponsive and unarmed, sir. She stinks of alcohol.”
Edwards stared at the woman, and then said loudly, “One of you remain beside her. Stay alert.”
The other officer backed up to resume his position by the rear SUV.
“Woman in a Mini Cooper, facedown in the street,” murmured Steel. “Unknown motivation. Possibly drunk.” He wasn’t sure what to make of the woman, but he kept his gun up. It didn’t fit Dima’s approach to send one woman up against four SUVs loaded with CIA officers. But maybe Dima was planning something and the woman was a wild card. Still, she was unarmed and posed no danger where she was in the road. And one of Edwards’ men had his gun on her. Not a threat. The north and south roads were empty. No other vehicles were approaching.
Abruptly impatient, Steel lifted his chin. “Let’s get this done, Edwards.”
“I agree.” Edwards motioned to Matt and Val. “Walk to the rear SUV.”
Matt and Val glanced at Steel, and he nodded to them. The young couple walked down the middle of the road. Edwards strode beside them.
Steel remained near Edwards, closer to the south shoulder, still watching the woman, his gun ready. “Zeus, Angel?” he murmured.
Zeus came back first. “Nothing noteworthy, sir. Eyes on the front SUVs.”
“I don’t trust the situation,” said Angel. “Something is wrong.”
“I agree.” Steel eyed the street. “Any reason to call it off?”
Angel sounded certain. “The woman isn’t who she pretends to be. If she makes a move, I’ll kill her.”
“Good.” Steel was satisfied. One woman. Two guns on her. And Angel wouldn’t miss.
He was able to see into the lead SUV as he passed it. A CIA officer sat in the rear passenger seat. The man was tall and well-built. Massive. Maybe bigger than Zeus. He had an MP5 on his lap and stared at Steel as he walked past.
They kept walking, past the first two SUVs, then the third. Steel was right. The SUVs held more officers than those in the street.
The prone woman still hadn’t moved. Enough of her face was visible so Steel could see it. Forty, sharp featured, and possibly Spanish. Hints of blond hair showed at the edges of her tilted fedora. Her eyes were closed. Steel still didn’t know what to make of her, but her presence continued to make him wary.
As they walked, Steel noted Edwards covertly taking his earpiece out of his ear and removing a throat mike, tossing both to the shoulder of the road. Before Steel could respond, Edwards bumped into him and plucked Steel’s Glock from the holster at his back. Steel stopped, his MP7 now aimed at Edwards’ stomach.
Edwards held Steel’s Gloc
k in front of his thigh, pointed down and out of view of the CIA officers. In silence he unbuttoned his coat and pulled it back.
Steel saw Edwards’ empty SIG holster. “Matt, Val, stop,” he murmured. “Edwards?”
Matt and Val stopped, nervously eyeing Steel, and then Edwards.
Edwards whispered, “I need your help, Steel.”
With a sinking feeling, Steel glanced at the CIA officers standing alongside the SUVs, all of whom were staring at them, guns still aimed down. They couldn’t hear what Edwards was whispering. “What are you doing?” he whispered.
“I have a niece. Therese.” Edwards’s expression was strained. “Dima has her in the fourth SUV. He’s killed all my men. He’s going to put my niece into the sex slave trade.”
Zeus spoke over coms. “SUVs approaching from the west and north, sir.”
Steel’s mind raced. “Abort, everyone. Repeat, all CIA officers are Dima’s men. Edwards’ niece is in the fourth SUV with Dima.”
They were too far from the van to make a run for it, which left the Mini Cooper. But the woman on the ground was an even bigger risk now. She had to be with Dima. Steel didn’t know what Edwards’ plan was, but he saw pain in the man’s eyes. That he understood.
Steel kept his voice hushed. “Matt, Val, get behind the Mini Cooper. Run!”
Val drew her gun and ran, leading Matt. The men along the SUVs were raising their guns. So was the man covering the woman on the ground, and he was closest to Matt and Val. Whirling, Steel fired a burst from the MP7 and sent the man near the Mini Cooper falling to the street.
Angel’s MK18 machine gun erupted from the marsh, punching into the middle SUV frames and windows, sending two of Dima’s men to the ground, while others scrambled into the SUVs or hid behind doors. Zeus fired his MCX at the front SUVs. It sounded like a war zone.
Steel Trap: A Jack Steel Action Mystery Thriller, Book 4 Page 13