Page 26 of Evening Shadows

Doc didn’t remind Ken that he’d asked that same question before they’d boarded their original flight from Baltimore. “Ready, but I like it looking nice and new.” He ran his glance over everyone aboard. “Got it?”

While that statement often wrangled boisterous comments, the team just nodded and returned their focus to him.

On the laptop screen, Ken and Jesse began pointing out areas they would recon for the best visibility and cover. After verifying the field of battle, they’d map out the rescue and their egress route, then get down to business. While they’d have to go in by vehicle and walk about five klicks to avoid detection, they’d have helo support to get their asses out of there and back to the airport. While only a short jaunt for everyone but him and Sam, they needed that quick transport.

“Once we split, Franks will lead Old Man, Cowboy, and Doc while we’re separated. And Stone if he’s able to return in time.” Looking around the group, he received nods from the men used to the Hamilton brothers taking a back seat, but Sam looked perplexed and bit her lower lip. He’d give her a moment before she figured it out.

A light bulb seemed to be slowly burning in her mind. Then her eyes snapped to his. “You said you’re participating. If Franks is leading the team, what will you be doing?”

“I’ll be your spotter.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve worked without a spotter before. I don’t need one now.”

No one completely denied his directives. They would discuss them and sometimes find a better solution, but Sam’s argument nearly spoke of insubordination. He wouldn’t lie to himself that while he had that burning need to be a part of the op for Cody’s sake, being near Sam, being able to protect her, also drove him to participate, even though his injury might hamper his mobility if they needed to make a quick retreat.

“Doesn’t matter. You’re getting one.” His voice brooked no argument. She did sulk a bit like a child who couldn’t convince his parents to buy her candy, and he found that quite cute. “Once Sugar and I are in place, we can fill in the gaps and guard posts.”

“Bad news, boys.” As an afterthought, Devon said, “Sorry, Sugar, boys and girl.” He winked, which made Ken think she’d moved into Devon’s view. “He’s suspected of trading arms.”

“That’d explain all the armed guards,” Franks said, even though that hadn’t been a question for anyone.

“Boys and girl,” Ken smiled at Sam who returned it with a scowl he doubted Devon had received for the same comment, “not like I have to tell you, but this isn’t going to be pretty. I know we all want to rush in and grab Cody, but we can’t unless we want to put Cody’s life at more risk than it might already be. You’re working with a smaller team than you’re used to.” He waved his hand to silence Franks before he spoke. “I know we’ve had smaller teams before, and like then, I know we can do this without injury.”

“I’ve put in a call to a friend of ours to see if any government agency is after the man. I’ll let you know as soon as I do, so step light.” Devon’s words rested heavily in the air. No one liked to wait. But getting it right meant everything.

“We’ll recon the hell out of that bitch,” Cowboy said. He tilted his head to the side a moment. “Does the no-cursing thing apply to ops? I mean, Reagan won’t know.”

Jesse grinned. “I don’t think my daughter meant to stifle you.” Then he chuckled. “And you’re right, she won’t hear you on an op.”

“Thank fuck,” Cowboy said. “I didn’t think I’d make it.”

Not ignoring the situation, but the bit of levity relaxed the team a bit and he wholeheartedly approved.

“Although she’s not allowed in the war room,” Jesse said, “one of her uncles sometimes breaks that rule and she may hear you or find out.”

Cowboy growled. “Damn, Devon.”

Devon laughed, pulling his hands from his keyboard and holding them up in surrender. “I don’t know what my big brother is talking about. But,” he pointed out, “if she happens to be here, I’ll let you know before she has the chance to get in and chastise.” He dropped his hands and cleared his throat. “Ken, I think I see a spot for you and Sugar to set up about a half mile out. There’s a line of sight and elevation problem for most of the area, so give yourselves extra time to recon.”

At times like these when they all crowded around a laptop, he wished for all the big screen TVs Devon had installed in the war room.

“The aerial is a bit fuzzy, but the complex is set up for protection. There’s only one way in or out, unless it’s through the jungle that surrounds him on all sides. If he’s a paranoid bastard, there could be traps or guards even there. It appears he had the jungle near his home cut back, which means you’ll have more open ground to cover than we’d like.”

“No problem. Sugar will clear us a line,” Cowboy said.

“Michael, remember I’ll have you in my sights too,” Sam countered.

Her joke sent a cold shiver down Ken’s spine, the thought of what he’d overheard popping into his head. Surely if Beverly had asked her to kill anyone, she’d refused. His head couldn’t get around anything other than that refusal.

The remainder of the flight they reviewed the photos and map. Without setting foot down, they couldn’t tell if the jungle would be a friend or foe for them. They couldn’t tell how thick the foliage was, and not having machetes could be a help or hindrance.

During weapons check and camouflage paint application, Stone taught a few basic phrases in Spanish to include—to Cowboy and Doc’s benefit—one beer, please.

After that, they each caught a combat nap. He, Franks, and Old Man were the last to sleep and the first to rise. Before the pilot announced their descent, everyone was awake and buckled into their seats.

With another smooth landing, Ken applauded the choice in pilot that Jesse and Devon had selected. The woman was worth every penny. While they taxied, the team grabbed their gear, suited up, and conducted a weapons check.

“GPS check,” Ken directed.

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