Page 29 of Operation: Reckless Angel

“Six continues to be the best number for staffing for these types of cases,” Garcia said. “And six assigned to the DEA Partner missions is also vital. But that makes covering Ops under normal circumstances difficult if we keep full staffing on the PGP Installs. We need to be able to have an additional asset rotated in to cover Ops.”

“Agreed,” Shepherd said. “Bravo Team will be back by the first of the year. Four extra men to staff the different needed positions will alleviate the strain on our resources. Anything else?”

No one else raised any issues.

“As Cooper said, our next case is one none of the alphabet agencies is allowed to touch. You were supposed to begin it by shipping out Sunday afternoon, but since you finished this Op ahead of schedule, you’ll fly out tomorrow morning. I’m sure you were hoping for a few days off. Sorry, that will not be the case.” There was a knock at Shepherd’s door. “Come,” Shepherd called.

Caleb ‘Hound dog’ Smith entered. He closed the door behind himself and took a seat at the conference table with them.

“We’re rotating in Smith to replace Miller, who will be assigned to HQ and Ops for the next week,” Shepherd continued.

It was clear to Roth that she already knew that. She’d probably requested it to have more time at home with her daughter, Hahna. And as Shepherd continued the briefing on the next case, it was apparent why Smith was included on the team.

The team would spend a great deal of time monitoring and recording the comings and goings of anyone visiting the property of John Wells, a wealthy arms manufacturer who held several lucrative government contracts. He had a large home positioned on hundreds of acres of western Texas land. A government satellite would be repositioned to aid in the surveillance. The Shepherd Security Team would be the only ones who could access the intel it transmitted.

“Why aren’t any of the intelligence agencies allowed to touch this?” Jackson asked.

“Who suspects him of what?” Garcia added.

Shepherd’s lips tipped into a grin. “All very good questions. I have no answers. Just more questions. From all accounts, this guy is clean. Either someone knows something they need us to confirm or they’re on a fishing expedition.”

“Why do we have to stay and monitor the comings and goings?” Garcia asked. “We could rig it up and be done.”

“Our employer for this Op does not want anyone else but us to see the results of our investigation.”

“The DoD?” Jackson asked.

Shepherd nodded. “This case came directly from the Secretary of Defense.”

“And they don’t want the FBI, CIA, or even Homeland to know we’re surveilling this guy?” Jackson asked.

“We are forbidden to share what we discover with anyone outside of SecDef,” Shepherd said. “The case particulars will be pushed through to your tablets. You’re wheels up at zero six hundred from Chicago Executive. Handguns and assault rifles are approved for this mission. Requisition Ryan is pulling your supplies and will pack your vehicles. Enjoy your free evening, gentlemen,” Shepherd said, ending the meeting.

Kilo

Roth stayed at HQ and slept on his office couch again as the departure from HQ would be early, by zero five thirty. After grabbing his rifle and tactical clothing from his locker in the Team Room, he stowed them with his other gear in the back of one of the two SUVs they’d drive to the airfield. Both vehicles were fully loaded.

It didn’t take the six of them long to transfer the gear onto the plane. The six men spent the majority of the flight reading through the information that had been pushed to their tablets regarding their target and the investigation parameters they were being tasked with.

“If this guy is as clean as he looks on paper, someone is really trying to jam him up,” Cooper said after everyone had finished the reading.

“Or he really pissed someone off,” Garcia said.

“I’m seeing no probable cause for this mission,” Smith added. “Unless there is information that is being withheld from us.”

Garcia laughed sarcastically. “That never happens.”

Cooper’s trademark smirk settled on his face. “All I know is that SecDef strictly set the schedule of our surveillance mission beginning on Monday at zero nine hundred of this week and concluding the following Saturday at eleven-fifty-nine hours. We were not supposed to arrive onsite until Monday morning. We’re going in a few days early. Wonder if we’ll catch something no one expects us to by being early.”

“And if we hang around until Sunday or beyond, will we see something we shouldn’t?” Garcia added. “Something really stinks about this Op.”

Excitement skipped through Roth. This could be really interesting. This case was definitely different from any other he’d taken part in. And here he’d thought his career was over after his injury. When he thought about it, he was astounded at how things had turned out. Working these types of cases for Shepherd Security, with this group of professionals, was better than anything he could have dreamed of. The missions were varied, and he knew, important.

“Does SecDef know we’re going in early?” Jackson asked.

“No,” Cooper said. “As I said, we were instructed to start our surveillance on Monday morning.”

Garcia emitted a low whistle. “This Op really stinks.”

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