Corps Justice Boxed Set: Books 1-3: Back to War, Council of Patriots, Prime Asset (24 page)

CAL
: So how
do you decide which mission you do green-light?

TRAVIS
:
There’s no real formula. It really comes down to a couple of
things. One: do we think we can get away with it without being
exposed? Two: does the result of a successful mission, and its
positive effect on this country, outweigh the possibility of
failure AND exposure Three: does the mission live up to the
standards of Corps Justice? If any one of those things can’t be
answered definitively, we don’t move forward. Sometimes we’ll go
back to our sources and tell them thanks but no thanks and give
them a recommendation on who should handle the problem.

CAL
: Can
you give me an example of a mission you didn’t do?

TRAVIS
:
Yeah. Three years ago one of our sources came to us with an
interesting dilemma. Apparently, one of the big Mexican cartels was
hiring American engineers to dig these elaborate tunnels under the
border. The problem was that law enforcement didn’t have the
manpower to track down the leads and exploit the intel, so they
came to us. We looked at the intel and asked what they wanted done.
Basically, they wanted us to shut down the operation. We ended up
not taking on the mission, although we did provide them with some
of Neil’s toys because we didn’t see the direct result it was
having on American security. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not all
about the cartels bringing their drugs into our country, but we
just didn’t feel like it was a worthwhile operation for the amount
of effort we’d be putting in.

CAL
: So
what if the cartels were running terrorists through those tunnels
and not just drugs?

TRAVIS
:
That would’ve been another story. We hate terrorists around here;
especially the ones that try to sneak into the country. But you
need to understand that we get A LOT of requests and we’re only one
company. As much as it sucks sometimes, we can’t say yes to
everyone.

CAL
: I
think I’ve got a better picture now. So tell me how you think I’d
fit into the equation.

TRAVIS
:
Honestly, I just don’t have the time to run it anymore. It’s not
that we run a lot of ops, it’s just dealing with our sources and
going through the thought process. As CEO, it’s probably best that
I don’t run it anyway. Too much visibility. I’ll still be involved
but I think you’ve got the brains and experience to run
it.

CAL
: Trav,
I’m a Marine Staff Sergeant. You’re talking about running a covert
arm of this company. I’m not sure I’m really qualified to do
that.

TRAVIS
:
You’ll have help. Dunn, Haines, Patel and Higgins to start. And
don’t forget that I’m not going anywhere either. Don’t worry, we’re
not just gonna throw you to the wolves on day one. We’ll ease you
into it.

CAL
(skeptically): That sounds like what my company gunny said
before I took over as platoon sergeant.

TRAVIS
:
This ain’t the Marine Corps, cuz. SSI is a well-oiled machine.
Besides, not to pump up your ego too much, but you’ve got a lot of
your dad’s talents. The guys around here already respect you and
think you’re part of the team. Anyone gives you grief, I’ll deal
with them. Plus, is there anyone else in this world that we could
trust more to run our covert ops? I think not.

Cal mulled it over. Is this really what he
wanted to do? He’d always respected his father’s company and the
men in it, but running what was essentially a division within a
multi-billion dollar corporation at his age was almost too much to
fathom.

The sun had already set as he thought about
what else to ask his cousin. Cal obviously didn’t need the money.
He’d considered going back to school, maybe heading back to U.Va to
finally finish his degree. He couldn’t go back in the Marine Corps.
It was still entrenched in two wars and he’d already gotten funny
looks from those who knew about the Navy Cross. He loved the Corps
but that chapter was finished. He couldn’t go back.

Besides, this might give him the opportunity
to actually do some good without being bogged down by rules of
engagement or meddling by higher headquarters. He could think of a
lot worse options out there.

CAL
: So
you’re saying that at some point I’d have final say in any
operation we take on?

TRAVIS
:
Yep.

CAL
: Do we
have a name for this quote, unquote division?

TRAVIS
: Not
really. I call our inner circle the Fantastic Five but no one
thinks that’s very funny. I guess if you want to name it, you can.
I wouldn’t recommend going out and getting business cards
though.

Cal nodded. The idea was starting to grow on
him.

D
ante looked around at his underlings. All were armed and
ready. They’d taken the remainder of the afternoon to inventory
their gear and finalize plans.

DANTE
: Any
last minute questions?

The gathered men shook their heads. They
knew the plan. It wasn’t a complicated one.

DANTE
:
Alright. Let’s get going.

West led the way to the back of the house
and out the door. Their vehicles were waiting and fully gassed.
They’d all been serviced earlier in the week per West’s
instructions. He was not about to let a low oil light or a faulty
transmission screw up this night’s action.

The assault crew piled into their respective
vehicles and cautiously pulled out of the driveway. After the
episode with the police earlier everyone was on edge.

The caravan made its way out of town and
onto the interstate. It would be a short twenty-minute ride to
their destination. West was almost giddy with anticipation. He
calmed his nerves as he always did: by imagining a mental picture
of a dead Cal Stokes.

+ + +

Cal and Travis talked until the sun had
fully set. There were still a lot of details to be ironed out once
the former Marine had made his final decision, but Travis was
confident that Cal would come around.

TRAVIS
: So
like I said, Cal, sleep on it and we’ll talk about it again over
the next couple of days. Right now, your focus needs to be tracking
down West.

CAL
: OK.
Give me a day and I’ll give you a decision one way or another. How
about we…

Cal felt his cell phone vibrate in his
pocket. He pulled it out and checked the caller ID.

CAL
: I’d
better take this, it’s Frank. You wanna wait or see you
tomorrow?

TRAVIS
:
I’ll catch you in the morning. Give Frank my best.

Travis got up out of his chair and turned to leave.
Cal picked up the call.

CAL
: Hey,
Frank.

There was a pause on the other end.

DANTE
:
Frank can’t come to the phone right now, if you’d like to leave a
message please wait until the sound of the gun shot.

Cal’s blood froze. He knew the voice well.
He had heard it over and over in his brain since waking up in the
hospital. Dr. Higgins had it right: Dante West had made his
play.

Travis turned to wave goodbye and noticed
the pale expression on his cousin’s face. He quickly walked back
into the room and shut the door.

TRAVIS
(whispering): What happened?

Cal grabbed a piece of
paper and pen from the desk and scribbled:
It’s West. He’s got J’s parents.

Travis nodded and grabbed his own cell
phone. He speed-dialed the emergency number for the SSI alert
system. Within minutes, the entire internal management team would
be assembled in the war room and the quick reaction force would be
mobilized.

Cal turned his attention back to the
call.

CAL
: What
do you want?

DANTE
: I
guess I don’t need to formally introduce myself. By the tone of
your voice, it sounds like you already figured that one
out.

CAL
: What
have you done with Jess’s parents?

DANTE
: Oh,
nothing yet. Just a couple of bruises. Old man wanted to fight back
so we had to smack him around a little.

CAL
: I
swear if you touch them…

DANTE
: Now
let’s not start making promises you can’t keep, hero boy. How about
we get down to business before I have to cut this call
off.

CAL
: What
do you want?

DANTE
: I
want you, Mr. Stokes. So here’s the deal. I want you to come meet
me and some of my friends. If you act nice we’ll exchange you for
the husband and wife. If you call the cops or do something stupid,
they die.

CAL
: How do
I know you’ll keep your word?

DANTE
: You
don’t, but what other choice do you have? From what I’ve read
online you’re the hero type. I seriously doubt you’ll let these
old-timers die.

What other choice did Cal have? At the
moment, he couldn’t think of another option than to agree.

CAL
: OK.
Where do I go?

West relayed the address and Cal wrote it
down.

CAL
: What
time do you want me there?

DANTE
:
Let’s say one AM. That way we’ll have the place all to ourselves.
Come alone.

CAL
: I’ll
be there.

DANTE
: See
you then, hero.

The phone went dead and Cal stood and stared
out the window. The moon was almost full and he could clearly make
out the surrounding trees. The forest seemed eerily calm, as if
anticipating the impending confrontation.

TRAVIS
:
What did he say?

CAL
: He
says he’ll let them go if I give myself up.

Without a direct reply, all Travis could do
was nod. He knew it was better not to give an opinion until the
team had gathered.

TRAVIS
:
I’ve already alerted the headquarters staff. They should be
gathering in the war room right now. Let’s go see if we can figure
this out.

Cal managed to grab his
notes and followed his cousin out the door. Doubts swirled in his
mind as he tried to focus on some kind of solution.
How did I not see this coming?

D
ante replaced Frank’s cell phone on the kitchen table and
turned to his prisoners. They were sitting on the floor flanked by
two of West’s men.

DANTE
:
Looks like your boy is gonna pay us a little visit. You both behave
and you might get to go home.

Frank glared at the gang leader through
hate-filled eyes.

FRANK
: You
leave Cal out of this, you murderer!

DANTE
: Now,
now, grandpa. That’s no way to treat your host. Don’t make me put
you to sleep again. Better yet, how would you like me to give your
lady a little time with a couple of my boys here?

FRANK
: You
touch her and I’ll kill you!

Dante responded with a kick to the man’s
stomach. Frank doubled over and retched on the floor.

DANTE
: Now,
see what you’ve made me do? Like I told you before we took you out
of your house, you keep your mouths shut and you just might make it
out of this. If not, I can’t make any promises.

He shrugged to accentuate his point, as if
the choice were completely out of his hands.

Frank looked up again and put his arm around
his quietly sobbing wife. She’d already been through so much with
Jessica dying. Why this too?

DANTE
: Now
we’ve only got a few short hours to wait. My boys will take you
back to the master bedroom and tie you up so you can get some
sleep. I’ll come get you when the time comes.

West waved a casual dismissal and the two
guards pulled the prisoners to their feet and took them to the back
of the house.

Dante turned back to the window and repeated
the phone conversation over in his head. He’d always had the
ability to find the calm within the storm. His analytical brain
outshone any of his competitors. Many had underestimated his
talents. His was a gifted mind that catapulted him up through the
ranks. That, coupled with his ruthless tactics, would see him rise
once again.