Young Guns Box Set

by Kane, Remington

  Seeing that it was safe to do so, his female partner removed the blonde wig obscuring her features, as the man took off his mask.

  The faces revealed were average and showed them to be in their thirties. They carried Mary back inside and dropped her into a wing chair.

  “The husband won’t be back for another hour or so if he keeps to his routine,” the man said. His name was Russell; he had been a criminal for most of his life.

  The woman, who was named Tonya, sent Russell a nod of agreement as she used a roll of duct tape to secure Mary to the chair. Once she had done so, she finished by placing tape over Mary’s eyes and mouth. It was good timing, as Mary had begun to stir awake.

  Tonya slapped the older woman on the cheek, which sent a jolt of agony through Mary’s dislocated jaw.

  “Listen up, old lady. We’re going to rob you and take all your best shit, and there’s not a damn thing your rich ass can do about it.”

  Mary moaned from pain and fright as she took in the words of her unseen assailant.

  “You thought you were sitting pretty up here in this fucking cabin, didn’t you? You rich bitch.”

  “Leave her alone and let’s get to work,” Russell said.

  Tonya ignored him, then bent over to whisper in Mary’s ear. “When I’m done stealing your shit, I’m going to burn this place down with you in it. I can’t wait to hear your screams.”

  The threat was a lie, but it had the desired effect on Mary. She whimpered, as her bladder let loose from the terror she was feeling.

  While still bent over, Tonya laughed, pleased with herself for instilling such fear. The laughter died in her throat when Buttons the cat jumped on her back and sank his teeth into the side of Tonya’s neck. Tonya howled in pain while swiping at the cat. She was too slow. Buttons had dropped to the floor and taken off up the staircase.

  When Tonya placed a hand to her neck, it came away bloody, as her wound began to sting.

  “Fucking cat! Damn but that bite hurts.”

  Russell came over and looked at the wound. He could make out the bite marks the cat had made and saw that they were already reddening.

  “Get to a bathroom and put a band-aid on that. And be sure not to leave any blood behind.”

  “I’m going to find that cat and kill it,” Tonya said.

  “That can wait. Treat the bite then search the bedroom. I’ll be checking out the rooms down here.”

  * * *

  The thieving couple, who had been dubbed, The Dangerous Duo, by the FBI, exited the home forty-six minutes later. They had scored big and were leaving the house with a load of expensive jewelry, a collection of gold coins, and valuable electronics.

  Tonya never did find the cat, despite overturning the bed and looking under the sofas and chairs. As she turned to gaze back at the house, she saw Buttons staring at her from a second-floor window. Tonya sent Buttons the finger, then hurried to catch up to Russell as they headed back to their vehicle, which was a motor home.

  The FBI had named the pair of home invasion artists, but they had yet to identify them. Buttons the cat would be the key eyewitness needed to finger the pair. For while it was true that the cat couldn’t talk, he had captured them on video several times.

  Buttons was wearing a collar that contained a spy camera that had audio capability. Mary placed it on him whenever he went outside, to capture his adventures in the meadow by their home. Instead, it had documented her attack and the subsequent robbery.

  Buttons left the window, went downstairs, and settled beside Mary on the arm of the chair. Just knowing he was there made Mary feel worlds better.

  * * *

  THREE DAYS LATER

  Tanner studied photos of Russell and Tonya and wondered about the odd angles they’d been taken from. It was as if someone had snapped their pictures while lying on the floor. His puzzlement vanished when he went online and perused a newspaper account about the pair’s latest home invasion. Reading about the circumstances that led to the photos being taken made Tanner smile, while causing him to think.

  Cameras were not only becoming prevalent but were shrinking and being hidden in places of concealment that years earlier would have been impossible.

  Operating out of sight of prying eyes might well become a thing of the past given how electronic surveillance was proliferating throughout the world. That was a dangerous thing for people like himself, an assassin, and could someday lead to his own face being captured on video.

  While it was true that his government contact Thomas Lawson could run interference for him, Tanner wanted to rely on no one. As a Tanner, he operated outside the law and as a lone agent. While the former would remain true, he wondered if the latter statement would soon be false.

  In the new world that was dawning, a man could no longer go it alone. That was becoming clear to him. He already needed help from suppliers such as Duke and hackers like his friend, Tim Jackson. As technology advanced he would need more assistance. With that in mind, Tanner had begun thinking that the next Tanner might be more than a single man. A future Tanner, himself included, might by necessity be assisted by a team.

  Building a unit of skilled professionals around himself did not appeal to Tanner, but he saw the need. Finding the right people would be another thing altogether.

  The first search Tanner needed to undertake was one which would lead him to his current targets. The man was named Russell Walker and he was a career criminal who had started out as a mugger in his teens. All that was known of the woman was her first name, Tonya.

  The pair had spent the last seven months terrorizing people in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. One of their victims had been motivated enough to hire Tanner to hunt down the pair and end them. Tanner would do so gladly, but first he had to find them.

  Included with the photos was a list of Russell Walker’s known associates. Tanner would use them to locate the so-called Dangerous Duo. Then, he would show them what real danger was all about.

  3

  Maz

  PADANG, INDONESIA, SEPTEMBER 2001

  Bagus and his wife, Permata, were welcoming and served a scrumptious meal of grilled fish and fried rice and vegetables. Their home was comfortable and consisted of one floor with a patio area in the rear. Its dramatic oversized roof gave the home flair.

  When Bagus informed his wife that Nadya had claimed she would someday marry Romeo, Permata made a face of displeasure. She reminded Bagus that their daughter’s premonitions didn’t always come true.

  Nadya spent the meal seated beside Romeo. When she wasn’t eating, she was grinning up at him.

  “My daughter is only twelve-years-old,” Permata told Romeo.

  “But I’ll be thirteen next week,” Nadya said.

  Both Cody and Spenser were enjoying Romeo’s reaction to the discussion. He looked uncomfortable as he assured Bagus and Permata that he had no interest in dating a child.

  When it was learned that the boys would be staying in the area for months, Nadya had an idea.

  “Let them live on the old boat, Father. They could help you fix it up.”

  Bagus considered the idea for a moment, then asked a question.

  “Do you young men know anything about boats?”

  Romeo answered yes, while Cody, who they knew as Xavier, said no.

  “Xavier and I have never restored a boat, but we’re both good with tools,” Romeo said. “We couldn’t do it ourselves, but if you supervise, Bagus, we could do most of the work.”

  “I couldn’t pay you much,” Bagus said.

  “We don’t need much,” Romeo said. “We’re here to train with a martial artist, but that won’t eat up all of our time, so we’ll need something to do, right, Xavier?”

  “Yes, and I want to learn to speak your language too, Bagus.”

  When it was time to leave, Nadya hugged Romeo again. Despite looking uncomfortable by the attention the girl was showing him, Romeo smiled and told Nadya that he would see her around.

  *
* *

  The next morning, the boys traveled with Spenser up into the hills. They had to leave their rental and continue on foot the last hundred yards to reach the home of the man they had come to see. His name was Maz. Maz was Russian and a master of hand-to-hand combat.

  “You say this guy trained you when you were our age, how old is this dude?” Romeo asked Spenser.

  “I think he’s in his fifties now.”

  The boys stopped walking. Taking notice, Spenser halted and looked at them.

  “What?”

  “A guy in his fifties doesn’t sound like he’d be a bad ass,” Romeo said.

  Spenser smiled. “Remember you said that when Maz is training you. He’s forgotten more about hand-to-hand combat than the two of you combined know. Don’t let his age or appearance fool you.”

  “Why? What does he look like?” Cody asked.

  “You’ll soon see,” Spenser said.

  They reached Maz’s small home a minute later and took in the training area beside it. It was a large circular space filled with sand and surrounded by logs. A thatched roof was erected over it, keeping out the light rain that was falling.

  A long table was just inside the circle. On it were a number of knives, clubs, hatchets, and two axes.

  After a dog announced their arrival, Maz emerged from the house and called to Spenser while grinning. Although he was broad and muscular, a layer of fat covered Maz, and he had a bald head. After shaking hands with Spenser, Maz nodded at the boys.

  “These are your students, Spenser?” Maz asked in a Russian accent.

  “That’s right. Maz, meet Romeo and Xavier.”

  The boys shook Maz’s hand, as their eyes betrayed their doubt at his ability.

  Maz sent Spenser a wink.

  “I’ll test their skill level. You two, grab those axes and attack me.”

  “What?” the boys asked at the same time.

  “You heard him,” Spenser said. “and don’t hold back.”

  “Dude, we might kill him,” Romeo said.

  “Just do what Maz says. It’s why we’ve traveled here,” Spenser said.

  Maz kicked off his sandals, walked out into the center of the circle, and waited. He was dressed in a pair of faded denim shorts and a black tank top. Although his arms were thick with muscle, their definition was hidden due to the extra weight Maz carried.

  Cody and Romeo each grabbed an axe and stood staring at Maz. After he gestured at them to attack him, Cody made the first move. He was on Maz in an instant with the axe raised to strike the man’s shoulder. Maz moved with an efficient grace to block the blow with one hand while using his other hand to shove Cody backwards.

  Cody fell hard atop the sand and was amazed at the pure brute strength that had placed him there. When he looked up, he saw Maz disarming Romeo by twisting the wrist that held the axe. A moment more and Romeo was lying in the sand beside him.

  “Again,” Maz said, “and this time attack me together.”

  The boys fared no better on their second attempt. Cody went down from a kick to his side, while Romeo was flipped over Maz’s hip. As they lay on the ground stunned, Maz picked up the axes and began twirling them as if they were a pair of batons.

  Cody rose first, helped Romeo to his feet, then spoke to Maz in a tone of respect.

  “Please take us on as students. I want to learn from you.”

  Maz looked pleased as he sent a nod to Spenser. When he looked back at the boys, his face was serious.

  “We train six days a week for three hours. Be here at first light.”

  “Hell yes,” Romeo said, as Cody nodded in agreement.

  “If you miss a day, don’t bother coming back,” Maz said.

  “We won’t waste your time,” Cody said.

  Maz told them to take a seat at a picnic table while he went inside to feed his dog. Afterward, he would come back out and assess their skill level further. After Maz disappeared back inside his house, Cody had a question for Spenser.

  “How would you do against Maz?”

  “I would lose,” Spenser said. “Maz is the best, hands down. But guys, even though you may never be as good, you’ll soon be better than anyone you’ll likely ever meet. And if you do come across another one like Maz someday, your other skills and training will make sure you come out on top.”

  “You said we would train with him for about two months, right?” Romeo said.

  “Yes, and while you’re doing that, I’ll be hunting down Ryker.”

  “I still wish you’d let us come with you,” Cody said.

  “No way. Ryker is mine, but we’ll stay in touch by phone.”

  “And what happens if Ryker isn’t in Sydney?” Cody asked.

  “Wherever he is, I’ll find him, and I’ll kill him. Vince Ryker is as much a target as any contract I’ve ever taken.”

  “He may be dead already,” Romeo said. “You jacked him up good back in the states.”

  “If so, there’s still that protégé of his to track down.”

  “Do you think Ryker was training his son to be a Tanner?” Cody asked.

  “That’s what I think, and I hope I don’t have to harm the boy.”

  “You may not have a choice, especially after you kill his father.”

  “Let this be a lesson to you two. Be damn careful who you train. You don’t want another Vince Ryker coming back to haunt you someday.”

  “This is really Tanner Five’s fault,” Romeo said.

  Spenser smiled sadly. “There’s an old saying that fits. ‘The sins of the father will be visited on the son.’”

  “That goes for Ryker’s son too,” Cody said, “that is, if he’s walking around thinking he’ll be Tanner Seven. That honor belongs to either Romeo or me.”

  “Whoever Ryker’s protégé is, I’ll be sure to make that clear to him,” Spenser said.

  4

  Judas Goat

  ARIZONA, AUGUST 2018

  Tanner had need of Tim Jackson’s hacker skills once more as he sought to track down a thief named Harvey Kenton. Kenton was a known associate of Russell Walker and might know how to find Russell.

  Harvey was a wanted man himself. He had committed arson on the home of a girlfriend who had cheated on him. Harvey was wanted on a Class-A felony charge and had skipped out on a fifty-thousand-dollar bail. Despite the difficulty in finding him, Harvey was a place to start.

  Tim had come up with a list of locations and people that both Harvey, and Russell Walker, might frequent. Harvey’s list had eight items, while Russell Walker’s list held only one possibility. Walker had an ex-wife that had been a high school sweetheart. Tim had reasoned that there was a chance the man might reach out to her.

  Tanner didn’t think so, since Russell would have to know that the Feds would be looking for him to make that move. Then again, if nothing else came up, Tanner might stake-out the ex-wife’s house.

  To find Harvey, Tanner had flown to Arizona. He was in the town of Gilbert and keeping watch over the apartment house where Harvey’s ex-girlfriend lived. Harvey Kenton had burnt down the woman’s home as payback for her sleeping with another man. Afterward, he had stalked the woman and begged her to give him another chance.

  Such behavior denoted obsession. Tanner was counting on Harvey being unable to stay away from his ex-girlfriend, who was an unemployed beautician named Sherry.

  * * *

  It was on the second day of surveillance that Tanner noticed a car driving by the apartment house twice in an hour. The vehicle was old, noisy, and smoke belched from its tailpipe. As the car appeared for its third trip past the building, Tanner had raised up a camera with a powerful zoom lens. The camera had been a gift from Sara. She told him that it was better than using binoculars and pointed out that it could also capture what he was seeing.

  Now that he was using it, Tanner wondered why he hadn’t employed a camera earlier while tailing or surveilling someone.

  The man driving the vehicle was Harvey Kenton. He had a
large nose, blue eyes, and a cleft chin. Harvey’s brown hair was worn long and tied back in a ponytail. Tanner was about to start his engine and follow when the man pulled to the curb and parked half a block away.

  Harvey was taking a huge chance by being in the vicinity of his ex-girlfriend. If a cop were to spot him, Harvey would wind up behind bars. Having skipped out on his bail, a judge would show no leniency when it came time to pass sentence.

  Tanner eyed Harvey as Harvey watched the apartment building. If Harvey had been hoping to get a glimpse of his ex, he was out of luck. Tanner had seen the woman leave the building an hour earlier. At the time, he had almost followed her instead of staying where he was, in the hope that he would spot Harvey stalking her.

  The decision to stay on the apartment building had been based on the fact that Harvey had no way of knowing when the woman might leave her apartment. Tanner had guessed correctly that Harvey would stakeout the building, just as he was.

  After hours of fruitless waiting, Harvey drove off after a police car passed by. Tanner followed him, and they wound up in a rundown area of a nearby town. Harvey drove into the parking lot of an old motel with peeling paint and entered the last room on the right, Room 12. After leaving his car, Tanner walked up to the door of Harvey’s room and knocked.

  “Who is it?”

  “Are you Barry? Joey sent me here to give you the money he owed you. He said I’d find you in Room 12.”

  There was silence for a few moments, then came a question.

  “How much money?”

  “Five-hundred dollars. Why, it’s not enough?”

  The sound of a latch being thrown aside was followed by the door opening. Tanner moved into the room while pressing on the door, causing Harvey to stumble. Harvey landed on his knees by the bed and gawked at the gun in Tanner’s hand.