The Colonel's Daughter (16 page)

“If I tell you and you don’t kill me, they will kill me. Either way I am dead.”

“Well today may be your lucky day.” The Colonel paused. “Listen, we already got Maurice. It’s just a matter of time before we get your boss Afshin Shahrivar. You’re already going down. The only choice you have is to join the winning team.”

“Afshin doesn’t care for his own son, Maurice. But I do. He’s my sister’s son. I care about them both.”

“Then join the winning team.”

“Only if you protect my sister and you bring her to America.” Sweat dripped down Faisal’s sunken cheeks.

“I’m not a family reunion coordinator. But…I’ll see what I can do.”

“The woman is over there.” He pointed in the direction of the tie down.

He escorted Faisal back onto the wooden deck.

“Well it took you long enough.” Javi joked as he handcuffed his final prisoner to the stainless steel railing.

The Colonel handed Faisal over to Javi and asked, “What time are you expecting your boss to call?”

“I have to call him.” Faisal offered both hands for an easy handcuff. “He will suspect something if I don’t call by ten o’clock.”

“Javi, I want you to get Dallas on the phone. I need him ready to move by twenty two hundred.”

Colonel Johnston circled the deck and found Susan. He didn’t dare touch the duct tape that was placed over her mouth. As soon as he untied her wrists, she swung her right arm up in the air and swooped down slapping the Colonel with all her might.

Removing the tape from her own mouth, she cried out, “How dare you put your daughter in such danger? I’m a mess…look at me…and my shoes…” She leaned over the railing mourning the loss of her shoes as her dress flew up with the wind.

“I don’t have time for this, Susan. Let’s go.” He grabbed her upper arm pulling her across the deck.

“I insist you take me to a hotel immediately.”

“Well, there’s something I gotta do first, Susan, so you just sit tight.”

“James, I am not gonna stand for this. Do you have any idea what I have just been through because of you?” Then she found a cushioned deck chair and plopped down fanning herself.

“Hello Susan,” Javi said while handing the Colonel his cell phone with Dallas on the line.

Colonel Johnston’s nostrils flared as he put the receiver to his ear. “Dallas, son you get this guy Afshin Shahrivar and its checkmate. Now how many times have I whooped both of you two boys’ asses at chess? That’s right, too many to count. And what happens at the endgame that is different from the middle-game? That’s right, the pawns become more important. Now, Shahrivar failed to protect his pawns. Let’s finish the game son.”

The Colonel hung up and while handing the phone back to Javi, he gave Susan a glance but she wouldn’t have it. She crossed her arms and looked away. Faisal gave Susan what the Colonel thought was a flirtatious look.

The Colonel placed Faisal in a headlock. “You better not have touched her.”

Faisal flapped his arms screeching. “I didn’t touch her. I didn’t touch her.”

“Colonel,” Javi extended his hand holding his cell phone. “It’s General Brown, sir.”

He released Faisal, “General, we can make the call as soon as you’re ready on your end to intercept the phone call and get the grid coordinates.” He turned to Faisal, “The satellite’s pointing to you…make the call.”

“I want assurance that you will not harm my sister. And you will bring her to America.”

The Colonel got close to Faisal’s ear and whispered, “Make the call.”

“I want assurance.”

“Susan?” The Colonel stared down Faisal, “Did this guy hurt you?”

“He tossed my stilettos overboard.” She put her arms on her hips.

“Did he molest you, Susan?”

“Oh God, no he did not.” She gagged.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll give the order that your sister doesn’t get hurt. Now make the call.”

Faisal reached into his pocket for the cell phone.

“He’s making the call.” He informed General Brown.

The General responded, “I’m going to let that slide James because I know you heard me loud and clear when I agreed to save that man’s sister way before you felt the need to pull that charade. I’m glad to see the old Colonel is back.”

“General, start your coordinates. We’re live…”

Faisal made small talk with Shahrivar but it wasn’t enough time to trace the call. He shrugged his shoulders as if not having anything else to say.

Susan looked at the Colonel as he motioned to Faisal to elongate the conversation. She noticed Javi was preoccupied with keeping the prisoners quiet. Upon seeing that Faisal was ready to end the conversation prematurely, she leaped towards the cell phone with dramatic screams.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s gone crazy. She’s out of control. I can’t take it anymore.” Faisal’s heavy accent grew worse as he tried to speak over Susan’s wailing.

“Got it,” The General said.

The Colonel tapped Susan’s shoulder, gave her a thumbs-up and grabbed the phone from Faisal.

“We leave you gentlemen in good hands.” Javi said handcuffing Faisal to the railing alongside the others as the bright lights of two Coast Guard ships appeared in the horizon.

The Colonel placed a hand on Susan’s back and helped her exit the yacht to board the rented fishing boat.

Javi picked up his cell phone and called Dallas. “We got the Intel. He’s at Marjah in the Helmand Province.”

Dallas replied, “Oh man! Javi, that place is a death trap. It’s a giant mine field over there.”

Javi jumped onto the yacht’s swim platform with the cell phone to his ear and boarded the fishing vessel joining Susan and the Colonel. “Listen Dallas, the Colonel needs you to get Shahrivar’s wife out of there alive.”

“This is a suicide mission. He wants me to get the wife out of there alive. You’ll be lucky if any of us come out of there alive.”

“You can do this, Dallas. You’re the man now. It’s checkmate brother.”

The Colonel who had been staring at Javi said, “Let me talk to that boy,” and grabbed the phone. “I got some good news for you son. The General and I called in a favor from our buddy, Commander Riggins and he’ll be supplying you with top quality air support. You’re getting transport and cobra attack helicopters and the black hawks are going to be covering your rear and they’ll make sure you’re in the clear.”

Javi joked while steering the fishing boat, “Look at that, the Colonel’s busting out a rhyme.”

The Colonel looked at Javi, squinted then continued, “Now I don’t care if Shahrivar feels the bitter end of the butt of your gun, you just make sure you get that wife of his out of there alive.”

Dallas insisted, “Sir, there are thousands of bombs buried in that sand. It’s mine field, a death trap.”

The Colonel remained silent.

“I’ll do my best sir.” Dallas said.

“I’ll make the call right now and get you five 70-ton Assault Breacher Vehicles if that’s what you need. They’ll plow right through the firing line charges and they’ll detonate those bombs. I’ll make sure they pave the way for your men. How does that sound?”

“Thank you sir, I really appreciate that Colonel. It’s checkmate, sir.”

“That’s right. Now you be safe. I don’t want you disappointing my daughter.”

The Colonel hung up the phone, sat down next to Susan and gave a loud exhale. “I’m going to be retiring Susan, finally settling down. Maybe live somewhere close to my daughters, if they’ll have me.”

“You talked to Jasmine?”

“Yes and her mother also paid me a visit.”

“Hmm…” Susan crossed her arms, “Good for you James. I wish you the best,” avoiding eye contact.

“Are you going to stay angry with me forever?”

“I don’t hate you, James but this life isn’t easy on me either. You think I didn’t suffer watching you on the news?” Susan broke down in tears.

“Alright, will you stop the crying? Stop that crying. What do you want from me, Susan?”

“I don’t want anything from you. I want to be free of this heart ache.” She wiped her smeared mascara with her fingers. “Our divorce was finalized and you weren’t even here for it.” She sniffled.

“I thought you’d be happy about that. Just stop your crying, woman please.”

“Can’t you just be a little sensitive? Don’t you see that I’m having a breakdown?”

The Colonel looked over at Javi who continued to steer the fishing vessel pretending not to hear a word.

Susan took a deep breath, “I’m moving to Coco Beach with my sister. She’s recently divorced herself and we’re getting this great beach house together. I was only coming back to the apartment to get some of my stuff together…when...well you know.”

“Shh…you don’t need to mention what happened. Just relax. Javi and I will take you over to the apartment and you can get whatever you need.”

Her cheeks full of mascara, she pouted, then nodded in agreement.

* * * * *

Chapter Seven

“My mom makes the fluffiest pancakes in the world.” Samantha licked the sticky syrup from her fork.

“I can see that.” Abby’s eyes widened. “I love pancakes. My mom used to take me out to dinner a lot and I would usually ask for pancakes. We would call it brinner—breakfast for dinner.”

“Is your mom my grandma too?”

“I’m really not sure…but I don’t think she would mind being your grandma. Although, you may not want to use the word grandma because that would make her sound old and she wouldn’t like that. Maybe you could call her something like Lala.”

“I don’t mind calling her Lala. Besides, I already call my grandma…grandma.”

Jasmine walked towards the front door and peeked through the blinds.

“It’s Javi!” She fidgeted anxiously with the dead bolt.

Javi wrapped both arms around Jasmine lifting her feet off the ground. “Mmm…Smells like pancakes.”

“You’re just in time. They’re nice and hot. I can serve you some if you’d like.”

“I’d love some pancakes.” He walked by Samantha and ruffled the top of her hair.

Abby looked at him, “How’s my father? And how’s my mom?”

He pulled out a chair. “Your father’s flying to Texas with the General. And your mom is moving to Coco Beach with your aunt. She’s doing just fine.”

Jasmine poured a glass of orange juice for Javi. “Well I’m kind of glad you didn’t have to go with them.”

“So am I.” He smiled. “Besides, I promised Sam here that we would have a pizza night.”

“Momma already ordered pizza last night. We had a girls’ night and I even went to bed at midnight.”

“Whoa, midnight…sounds like a wild party.” He winked at Jasmine.

“Samantha, why don’t you go and get washed up and you can go ride your bike for a bit.”

“Okay.” She ran to her room. “I want to show Javi this cool trick I learned on my bike.” She called out from her room.

“Cool trick? I hope you’ve been wearing your helmet.” Javi’s eyes widened.

Abby put her fork down. “Have you spoken to Dallas?”

“Yeah, I spoke to him a few times.” He drowned his pancakes in syrup.

“He’s doing just fine. He’s being promoted. You know, I’m very proud of that kid. He’s a fine soldier.”

Abby stared at her coffee mug.

Jasmine placed her hand on Abby’s forearm. “He’ll be back before you know it. And he did call you to tell you that he was thinking of you. I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to come back home safe.”

“These pancakes are delicious.” Javi said with a mouthful.

“Listen Javi,” Abby knit her brow. “I grew up with my father always avoiding these same types of conversations. I recognize all the avoidance tactics. He was always on some top-secret mission and he could never divulge any details. I’m not asking you for details. Just tell me that my father didn’t send Dallas on some type of suicide mission.”

He picked up his orange juice and gulped. “I’m sorry Abby. You’re right I can’t tell you any details.” Then he remained silent.

“Well…tell her something.” Jasmine insisted. “You can’t just leave her in the dark like this.”

“If she doesn’t trust her own father, I’m not getting involved in that.” He stared at Jasmine.

Abby looked at Jasmine, “He’s right. I don’t trust my father. And now that Colonel Johnston can’t go on his own suicide missions, he’s going to send the man that I love directly into harm’s way.”

“It’s not like that, Abby. Your father is taking every precaution. He’s doing more for Dallas than I’ve ever seen him do for himself. He’s pulling all the punches and calling in every favor so that Dallas can come home to you safe.”

“Can I talk to Dallas? Can you get him on the phone for me?”

“I can’t do that right now. I’m sorry.” Javi took another bite of his pancake.

“This must be so hard for you Abby, I’m so sorry.” Jasmine placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you, Jasmine,” and using her father’s own avoidance tactic, “I’d like to do something for the two of you. I want to babysit for you tonight so you two can go out. I had a lot of fun at our girls’ night and I wouldn’t mind repeating it again with my niece.” Abby smiled burying her sadness. “I’ll order some more pizza or maybe Chinese. Does Samantha like Chinese food?”