PRIMAL Renegade (A PRIMAL Action Thriller Book 8) (The PRIMAL Series) (18 page)

“We haven't seen any indicators of a compromise. I'll warn Flash to keep it real low-key.”

“Good stuff, we'll see you soon. Vance out.”

As he walked back he made eye contact with Bishop who walked stiffly toward him. The wound on his cheek had been sewn shut but he still looked like someone who'd gone twelve rounds with Mike Tyson.

“Vance, I’m sorry about all this,” Bishop said quietly.

The PRIMAL director nodded. “You fucked up, Bish. You should have waited for the team. Kruger is the only reason you’re alive.”

“I know.”

Vance grasped his shoulder. “No more renegade ops.”

“OK, boss.” He sighed. “Is there any news on Saneh?”

“Yeah, good news. The doctors think she's improving.”

“And the baby?”

“Too early to tell, bud. You can talk to the doctors when we get back to Abu Dhabi. We’ll be airborne soon. Try to get some rest, you look like shit.”

Bishop managed a grimace. “Thanks. Hey, can you make sure the guys who helped out Kruger are looked after.”

“Will do.”

It didn't take the team long to load their gear into Vanko's truck and he drove them across the runway to where the Lascar Logistics business jet waited.

Vance watched as Bishop, Chua, and Ice thanked Toppie and Vanko. Once they had disappeared inside the jet he stepped forward with Kruger and opened an aluminum suitcase on the stairs revealing wads of crisp US currency.

“OK, Vanko, how much more do we owe you?”

The pilot licked his lips. “A hundred thousand, plus eighty thousand for fuel.”

“That's not what you quoted,” said Kruger as he folded his arms.

The Russian grinned sheepishly. “All right, a hundred covers it.”

Vance took two bundles from the suitcase and handed them to the mechanic come pilot. “Here's a hundred. I'm guessing I don't need to tell you that if anyone asks...”

“
Da,
we never met. This never happened.” The Russian's eyes didn't leave the cash as he flicked the bundles. Stuffing them in his coveralls he turned to Toppie. “I'll wait for you in the truck.”

When the Russian had left Vance reached out and shook the grubby little South African's hand. “You really came through for my people, Toppie.” He handed over a stack of cash. “If there is anything I can do for you, just ask Kruger.”

Toppie bowed his head as he accepted the bundle of notes. “Thank you, this should cover what we owe Al-Mumit,
ja.
”

Vance glanced at Kruger, who nodded. He took another wad of cash from the case. “This is for your help.”

“No, that wouldn’t be right.
Helping out my old Recce mate was enough.”

Kruger’s eyes narrowed. “You do want something though, don't you, Toppie?”

The grizzled old quartermaster shrugged. “You know me too well.” He gestured at the ancient biplane sitting in the distance. “Annie is getting a little old and...”

“I'll get my people on it,” interrupted Vance.

Toppie flashed his yellow teeth. “Thanks.” He turned and joined Vanko in the truck, leaving Vance with Kruger.

“You're not coming with us?”

“No boss, Toppie's going to fly me back to Luangwa. My dog’s up there with Bishop's friends.”

He offered the South African operative his hand. “Thanks for looking out for Bish.”

“That's what family does,
ja
. Plus, I need the excitement. Things have been pretty boring since we shut up shop.”

Vance shook his head. “It hasn't even been two months.”

“Exactly, any longer and I would have gone insane. Keep me posted on any work.”

“Will do.” He climbed the stairs to the aircraft and secured the door. Most of the team was already reclined and fast asleep.

The pilot’s voice came through over the intercom as they began to roll forward. “Welcome back to Priority Movements Airlift, team. Help yourself to refreshments and make yourself comfortable. Next stop, Abu Dhabi International Airport.”

CHAPTER 16

ABU DHABI

The doors to Bareen Hospital slid open and Bishop spotted Mirza waiting for him in the well-lit foyer.

The bearded Indian managed a weary smile and stepped forward. “I'm sorry I didn't come earlier.”

“It's all right, mate.”

Mirza reached forward and grasped Bishop's shoulders. “She's awake.”

His heart lurched. “When?”

“Three hours ago.”

“Take me to her.” He strode toward the elevator. “Where is she?”

Mirza caught up as the elevator doors opened. “Level three, ward echo. Look, Bish, she's pretty disorientated, you need to take it easy.”

He waited for Mirza to step inside, hit the corresponding button, and watched the floor numbers as they climbed. Once the doors opened he raced into the ward, heart pounding. It was late at night and no one manned the nurse’s station.

“This way.” Mirza directed him down a corridor. “Room 304.”

He spotted the number on the door from a dozen feet away. Stopping he tentatively glanced back. Mirza gave him a solemn nod. Taking a deep breath he approached and pushed open the door.

Saneh lay on a bed surrounded by vibrant flowers. Without the tubes and machines attached to her she looked asleep. As he shut the door her eyes opened and he nearly burst into tears. Struggling to speak he managed to blurt out a few words. “I thought I lost you.”

She blinked away her own tears as he bent down and wrapped his arms around her.

He felt her body shudder as she sobbed burying her face in his neck. “Where have you been? We lost her, Aden. We lost her.”

The words hit him like a bullet to the chest. Tears flowed as he wept holding her tightly. Their baby had been a girl and she had never even made it into the world.

“It's going to be OK,” he croaked. “It's going to be OK.”

He held her until a nurse came and explained they needed to sedate her. She was still far too weak to deal with the emotion of losing the child. Bishop pulled a chair close and held her hand as the drug took effect and her eyes closed.

Mirza entered the room silently and put his hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “I'm so sorry for your loss.”

Bishop stared at Saneh sleeping. “I went after the man who did this, Mirza. I went after him and I killed him. What did it achieve? Nothing. I should have protected her that night. I should have been by her side.”

Mirza shook his head and took a seat. “You can't beat yourself up over this. You brought justice to the man responsible, that's all Saneh could ask. You need to be thankful you didn't lose her as well.”

“I started building a home for us in Spain, on my parent’s land.”

“It can still be your home. She loves you, Bish, nothing is going to change that.”

He wiped his eyes. “You're right. I need to make sure it's ready for when she leaves hospital.”

They sat in silence as Bishop held her hand. “So what has Tariq had you working on?”

“I've been doing some flying for the real Priority Movements Airlift.”

Bishop managed a smile. “Giving more legitimacy to the cover firm, that's a pretty smart move on Tariq's behalf.”

Mirza nodded. “We've been delivering humanitarian aid to refugee camps in Syria and Kurdistan. Not exactly taking down bad guys but it fills the void until PRIMAL is back online.”

“I think I’m done with PRIMAL. I can't stand the idea of losing her. Not after everything that's happened.”

“You’re not a machine, Bish. No one expects you to keep fighting.”

He turned to Mirza with tears in his eyes. “Good, because I can't.”

***

Vance pushed open the door to the intelligence cell and dropped into an empty chair. “Saneh is awake but they lost the baby,” he said quietly to Chua and Flash.

“Oh no,” whispered Flash from where he sat behind his terminal.

“Are they OK?” asked Chua.

“Mirza's in with them now. Saneh is still recovering from the treatment. Bishop's doing as good as can be expected. He wants to take her back to Spain as soon as she's released.”

“Yeah, that's probably for the best. I'll arrange clean passports for both of them,” said Chua.

“Do you think they'll ever work on the team again?” asked Flash.

Vance shrugged. “I don't know, bud. I do know we still need to lay low. Our little run-in with the Navy might trigger a response.”

Chua shook his head. “No, we've seen nothing to suggest they're on to us. I think your little CIA charade had them spooked, they kept the incident reporting in-house.”

He frowned. “It's not like you to talk the threat down.” He studied his counterpart’s face for a moment. “OK, I get it. What have you two got in mind? I'm guessing you want to go after the guys responsible for the ivory on board the
Zenhai
?”

“Correct.” Chua gestured to a screen on the wall. Displayed was a link analysis chart, an intricate web of lines joining events, locations, and personalities. “Flash started with the ship and he's tracked every link back through to a number of dummy corporations to a Triad syndicate based in Shanghai. They've got a front man, Zhou. He handles all the smuggling. Our gangster on the
Zenhai
reported directly to him.”

“And you want to take him down.”

“Yes, this is a cause Saneh and Bishop both believe strongly in. It might help them deal with their loss and it’s a just cause in its own right.”

Vance sighed. “OK, so what's your plan?”

“It's simple. The
Zenhai
isn't set to reach Shanghai for another five days. I want to make sure the Chinese authorities are ready and waiting.”

“And, let me guess, you can't do it without hitting the ground?”

“I need to make sure the authorities action it. I can't guarantee that if I only send them a tipoff.”

“Right, and you just so happen to have a contact on the inside willing to help you get to the right people.”

“I want to go in posing as a member of TRAFFIC. I'm fluent in Mandarin and I'm not going to pop up on anyone's radar. I can be in Shanghai within eight hours.”

Vance frowned. “There's more isn't there?”

“Yes, I want to take a media team with me.”

“Definitely not.”

“Listen, Bishop mentioned there was a BBC team working in Luangwa when Saneh was injured. I've tracked down the journalist and I want to take him with me to China to capture the moment when the criminals are apprehended. The media component of this is just as important as the arrest.”

“You think the Chinese will go for it?”

“They will when he tells them he has evidence that a Chinese corporation has been backing the poaching of black rhino. They want to be seen doing the right thing when it comes to the illicit wildlife trade.”

Vance let out a sigh. “OK, make it happen.” He glanced at his watch; it was three in the morning. “I'm going to bed. Don't stay up too late.” As he made for the door he realized the order had fallen on deaf ears. Both men were hard at work at their terminals. He shook his head; these intel guys were like a dog with a bone.

***

Bishop had never been to the Hotel La Capiard but he knew the history behind the luxurious residence. It was where Vance had confronted Tariq and set the events in motion that led to the forming of PRIMAL. Hallowed ground as far as Vance was concerned and it didn't surprise Bishop when the Director of Operations wanted to meet him there. The hotel wasn't far from the hospital and Saneh was resting.

He spotted Vance sitting at a table when he entered the restaurant. The big man wore his standard attire, a garish Hawaiian shirt and linen slacks.

“Hey Vance,” said Bishop.

The hulking African American rose and embraced him in a bear hug. “So sorry to hear about the loss.”

“Thanks, look I know I owe you for saving Saneh. If you hadn't come and got her I might have lost them both.”

“You're family, bud.”

They sat at the table and Vance waved the waiter over. “You want some coffee?”

“That would be great.”

Vance ordered two black coffees. “Whatever you and Saneh need, the team is here for you.”

“Yeah, I know. You've all been amazing.” He took a deep breath. “Hey, when PRIMAL starts up ops again, I’m not sure you’re going to be able to count me in.”

Vance nodded as their coffees arrived. When the waiter disappeared he spoke. “Bish, no one expects anything from you.”

He took a sip of the sweet black coffee. “I feel like I'm letting you guys down.”

Vance scowled into his own beverage then looked up. “You've taken more risks than anyone else. You've put more on the line and, well you've lost more than most. No one is going to feel let down.”

“Doesn't make it any easier.”

“Listen, bud, I remember the day I recruited an angry young man who wanted nothing more than to avenge the death of his parents. You've come a long way since then.”

“Really, I don't think so. I went after Mamba instead of staying by Saneh's side. I let her down when she needed me most. Not to mention that I put the entire team at risk.”

“What can I say, you always run hot when it comes to justice.”

“Not anymore.”

Vance nodded and inspected the menu. “So, can I buy you breakfast? The pastries here are divine. Ice loves the chocolate croissants,” he said with a chuckle.

Bishop managed to smile. “Sure is good to see him back on the team.”

“Nothing seems to hold him back.”

He lowered his eyes to the menu. Ice had lost limbs and four years of his life and he still wanted to be part of PRIMAL.

“Shit, I didn't mean it like that.”

Bishop sighed. “How about we get some of those pastries, yeah.”

They shared small talk as they ate breakfast. Once done Bishop shook Vance’s hand and walked across town to the hospital.

By the time he reached the entrance sweat drenched his shirt. As he composed himself in the air-conditioned foyer Mirza emerged from the elevator. The look on his friend’s face told him something was wrong. “Is she awake?” he asked.

“She's gone, Bish.”

“How? No, they told me she was doing well.”

Mirza grasped his shoulder. “No, I mean she's gone, checked herself out of the hospital.” He handed Bishop a folded piece of paper. “She left this for you.”

Bishop took the note. The delicate writing on the front, spelling his name, was hers. He unfolded it and began to read.

Aden,

I pray that you will not think less of me for what I have to do. I can't bear to see you at the moment and I can't go back to Spain. When I woke and I was alone, I realized the life we had planned was over. I need to come to terms with this loss by myself. Please don't try to find me. I do love you and may return one day, I just don't know when.

S

Bishop fought back tears as he finished reading. “She's gone.” He took a deep breath and started for the exit.

Mirza jogged after him. “What are you going to do?” he asked as he caught him at the doors.

“What can I do, Mirza? She’s right. I should have been by her side. She doesn't want me to find her and God knows I probably couldn't.” He clenched his jaw. “She needs time and time is what I'm going to give her.”

He paused at the hospital doors unsure of what to do or where to go.

“What about you, Bish?” asked Mirza.

“I guess I could go back to Spain.”

“And do what, mope around till she returns?”

“Well, what do you recommend? Hang around here and bother Vance for a job he's not going to give me? We’re on cease-ops once Chua wraps up his loose ends in Shanghai.”

“I was thinking something a little lower key. My crew could use another loadmaster on the runs into Syria and Kurdistan.”

“You need help delivering humanitarian aid?”

Mirza smiled. “If you can promise not to go looking for trouble.”

“Trouble, me? You're confusing me with someone else, mate.” He swallowed hard and forced his emotions deep inside. “Sounds good, count me in.”