Last Call - A Thriller (Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels Mysteries Book 10) (32 page)

“How often does his Don Juan act work?” Val asked Chandler.

“He overrates his abilities,” Chandler said. “About everything.”

“Bonita, tell me you are not still sore about that tiny little incident in Abidjan.”

“We’re surrounded by gunman,” Chandler jerked her thumb at Heath, “and Lothario here takes off running.”

Heath appeared surprised. “That was my staunch, unrepentant feminist streak,
mi amor
. I knew a woman as capable as yourself would find your way out of that situation, and did not need a man to rescue you.”

“You were supposed to cover our six, and you fled like
un conejo asustado
.”

“Untrue. I did not flee like a frightened rabbit.” He puffed out his chest. “I fled like a proud, determined jaguar, who used his large brain to realize he was very outnumbered.” Heath shrugged. “I was simply following my training.
Make sure you are safe before you attempt to save others.
You remember that lesson. Besides, you survived.”

“I was shot twice.”

“And who was there to share his compression bandages with you?”

“I took them from your pack after I broke your nose.”

“Not true!” Heath turned to Val. “My nose was bleeding, but was not broken. Much to the relief of
muchachas
everywhere.”

“I think I like your boyfriend,” Val said.

“Help yourself. Just don’t count on him when the shit goes down.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing now?” I asked. “Counting on him if the shit goes down?”

“I am only being paid today to provide the explosives,” Heath said. “Not for my mercenary abilities.”

“What are the explosives for?” I asked, feeling very out of the loop.

“For the good of humanity,” Chandler said. “Even if we get your husband out of that place, they’ll keep bringing people back. La Juntita has to be closed, permanently.”

“And how much do these explosives cost?” I asked.

“Chandler has already arranged for payment,” Heath said.

“How much?”

“For the explosives and other equipment?” Heath held up one finger.

“One thousand?” I turned to Chandler. “Let me cover that.”

“One hundred thousand,” Chandler said.

“You guys are kidding.” I looked around, but no one was grinning. “Right?”

“Explosives cost money, and I brought a lot with me. Plus vests and assorted gear. But I am not making a dime off of this illegal munitions transaction. This only covers my expenses. There are dealers to pay. Officials to bribe. Transportation fees.”

“How much would it cost to have you help us?” I asked.

Heath laughed. “How much to go on this suicide mission? Are you an honest police officer, may I ask?”

“Yes.”

“Then you cannot afford me. But
bonita
…” he stared at Chandler and winked. “I would provide the equipment, and my services, for just two hours in the bedroom with you.”

“I’ll give you forty minutes in the shitter,” Chandler said.

“One hour.”

“Forty-five minutes.”

“This hardly seems fair, since you enjoy it just as much as I do.”

She glanced at his lap. “I’m not the one trying to hide his hard-on.”

“Fifty minutes. My refractory time is not what it once was.”

“No butt stuff.”

“Deal.”

A partially hunched-over Heath stood up and led Chandler into the bathroom.

“I’m beginning to feel really undersexed,” Val said.

“You can come up to the cockpit,” McGlade said, climbing in through the side door. “I’ll show you why it’s called a cockpit.”

“How about right here?” Val said. “Right in front of everyone?”

McGlade’s face lit up, then sunk when he realized she was teasing. “You’re mean. We’re going on some crazy
Dirty Dozen
suicide mission, and everyone is getting laid in my motorhome but me.” He pointed to the bathroom. “They’ve got the right idea. Validating life with sex, before going into battle. But rather than consider that I might actually be a human being with real needs, you belittle me, make fun of me, and remind me that I don’t have a significant other like both of you do. That I’m just a sad, lonely, unloved fool.”

Wow. Where’d that come from?

Val blinked. “Jeez, Harry. I’m sorry. That was insensitive. You’re actually a pretty decent guy, and in your own way you’re also, dare I say, a little charismatic.”

“Really?” he said.

Val nodded. Harry looked at me.

“I guess a woman could do worse,” I said truthfully.

“Lots of terrible men in the world,” Val said. “You’re probably in the top fifty percent.”

“Wow. If I knew I actually had a shot, I wouldn’t have jerked off when I was outside. But I guess I could pop some Viagra and throw you one if you give me about ten minutes. Would you mind wearing a red clown nose?”

Val politely refused his offer, and Harry went back to the driver’s seat.

Herb opened his eyes. “Did I miss anything?”

I ticked off my fingers. “The explosives are here, make love before war, and cherish your partner because some people don’t have one.”

He smiled. “Then you should be extra grateful, Jack. You’ve got three partners. Phin is your husband, you’re in business with McGlade, and you and I will always have one another’s back.”

“Count me as a fourth partner,” Val said. “Everyone in this motorhome is here for you, Jack.”

That didn’t make me feel good. It made me feel quite the opposite. Here was a group of people willing to lay down their lives for me.

And I was a self-interested Judas goat, leading them all to the slaughter.

H
e wasn’t making any headway with the handcuffs other than rubbing more skin off his wrists, but it didn’t matter because Lucy and four guards marched him back into the playroom, and once again chained him to the rack, giving it enough of a crank to make Phin’s broken ribs wake up.

“What about that handcuff key and that stashed knife?” he asked.

“We have time,” Lucy told him. “The hot plate, first. Be right back.”

W
e’ve got an hour before dawn.” Chandler pointed at her tablet. “Everyone maintain radio silence unless it’s essential. We’re approaching from the north, through the minefield. Jack and Herb, use your metal detectors. Don’t step anywhere until you clear it first. Heath, Tequila, and I will be behind you with the wheelbarrows. Heath and I are going to set up explosives at key points around the two main structures. We’ll each have a radio detonator, but all of the blasting caps will be wired together, and we only have one receiver, which we’re going to place here, at the eastside base of the arena. Everyone is armed?”

I had my Colt, and an extra Glock. Val and Herb had my other Glocks, and Herb had the Mossberg shotgun. Harry, Katie, Chandler, Fleming, Heath, and Tequila had whatever they brought with. We all had Kevlar vests and helmets, compasses, and binoculars. It felt like we were going to war.

Which, I suppose, we were.

“Fleming, there’s a ridge here, a hundred and ten meters to the south. You’ll provide cover from there. Can you make it?”

Fleming patted her armrest. “Mecanum wheels and two horsepower. This chair can handle any terrain.”

“Val, that leaves you here in the RV. Your best vantage point is the roof. Will that be a problem?”

“I’ll manage.”

“Jack, Harry, Herb, you’re breaching the mission building. Doors here, here, and here. Most of the guards will be asleep, and we don’t want to wake them, or any servants. Tequila, as soon as we pass the minefield, you’re on your own. You have the printout?”

He nodded.

“What can I do?” Katie asked.

“Stick with Jack and follow her orders. To the letter. If you take one misstep… Fleming, what’s your longest confirmed kill?”

“One point eight kilometers,” Fleming shouldered the H&K rifle. “From the ridge to the arena is easier than shooting turds while sitting on the toilet.”

“I won’t take any missteps,” Katie said.

“We have four mission objectives. Find Phin. Free the prisoners. Find Kite. Blow the place.”

“You don’t blow it until I give the signal,” I told Chandler. “You said there are more than only guards inside. There are servants. They should have a chance to get away.”

Chandler nodded. “You make the call. But you
will
make the call. That hellhole is going bye-bye, and I’m the one who paid for this operation.”

Heath tapped his chest. “
Bonita
, you hurt me in
mi corazón
.”

“Okay, people, outside. Com and starlight checks.”

As they began to head for the exit, I said, “Wait.”

Everyone stopped. All eyes were on me.

“I’m not one for speeches,” I said. Then I locked eyes with each of them in turn.

Fleming wasn’t exactly a friend, but she was a damn fine person to know. More compassionate than Chandler. More competent than I’d ever be, even in that wheelchair.

Heath, who I’d only just met, but was putting his ass on the line.

Chandler, who I’d traded so man professional favors with that maybe we actually were friends. I was so lucky to have her on my side.

The same with Tequila. The guy was impenetrable, but we’d gone through a lot together, and his loyalty was unwavering.

Val, the younger sister I’d never had. Coming to help even as she battled her own demons.

And my brothers, Herb and Harry. I didn’t know what I’d done to deserve them. In McGlade’s case, I’d probably done something bad. But they were as much a part of my family as Phin and Sam, and once again they were risking their lives for me.

What do you say to that?

“And I’m not one for sentiment,” I continued. “But thank you. All of you. I know the sacrifice you’re making. And I won’t ever forget it.”

No one said anything. Then Harry spoke up.

“Jack’s right. She sucks at speeches. But to anyone who gets out of this alive, drinks are on me.”

The joke hung there like a crooked painting.

McGlade took another swing at it. “Wow, cheer up, people. Chances are the majority of us will probably survive.”

Again, no one laughed.

“I was in a gay relationship once,” he said, “but I got hurt in the end.”

Silence.

“Damn,” Harry said. “Tough crowd.”

People filed out of the motorhome, McGlade last. He gave Herb Bacondict a pat on the head. “You’re sitting this one out, buddy. My pets never seem to make it through these things.”

Herb pissed all over the floor. McGlade closed the side door and said to me, “Don’t tell him, but as soon as we get back to Chicago, it’s straight to the butcher.”

“Not cool, Harry.”

“You know what’s not cool? Fifteen thousand dollars of damage to the Crimebago Deux that insurance refuses to cover because I don’t have a rider for domesticated swine. The only way I’m letting him in my condo is as single portions, wrapped in tinfoil.”

The desert smelled like I imagined it would; like lonely wind and dry plants and dusty sand that coated nostrils and lips. It was chilly, and eerily quiet.

We did sound checks with our ear bud radios; one of Fleming’s toys. They were so tiny I was afraid I’d lose mine. Chandler gave us the basics on how to use the night vision goggles and the metal detectors. To keep our approach silent, Herb and I each had a second ear bud that plugged directly into the headphone jacks. So I was effectively deaf to sounds of the environment, and could only hear my team, or the electronic whine of metal being sensed.

Val rested her crutches against the back of the RV, made sure her rifle was slung correctly, and casted a glance my way.

“Be careful,” she said, her words hitting my ear receiver a second after I saw her lips move.

“You, too.”

Tequila gave Fleming a peck on the cheek, and then she motored off into the green-tinted night. Then he, Chandler, and Heath loaded wheelbarrows with high explosives, and as a group we moved north.

I had a surreal moment. I was a city cop from the Midwest, and I’d done some scary things and been in some dangerous situations, but here I was in Mexico wearing Starlight goggles and holding a metal detector about to navigate through a minefield.