Hard Case IV: A Violent Life (John Harding Series Book 4) Read online

  “Here’s to the Rattler. Damn… Eugene… you are one hell of a fast striker!”

  After the toast to Eugene, Lynn held up her wine glass. “We don’t always get to say this, John, but thanks.”

  That got a rousing review. I added what I felt. “You bunch are better than family. I had family. It’s overrated in some ways. Blood is blood. You bunch are blood to me. So… what do you all think about this Voltaire situation?”

  “Nuke her,” Jafar said immediately, which caught everyone off guard. “I know I don’t often get involved at this stage, but we need to take her out, her facility, and all of them on premises.”

  “We need her alive, Jafar,” Denny said. “It will be an assault on a citizen’s property, coupled with a body count I can only guess at. Tommy’s the only virgin here by his choice, but I trust him implicitly. Let’s confine our interaction to what must be done. This will be a bloodbath if they’ve armed the transients.”

  Lucas spoke first. “We’re bad, but we ain’t that bad, Denny. Unless you’re talking kill on sight, what did you have in mind for us to do?”

  Denny sipped his drink. His hand was shaking a bit. “I’m not sure this time, Lucas. We don’t have anyone on the inside that could tell us anything. We have a couple of options here. We can take out Voltaire, and turn the nest of snakes over to the government. I confess I’m unsure if our government knows what the hell to do with real enemies of the state. This is the reason I brought you all here together, interrupting the celebration.”

  “Hell, Denny, you’re not interrupting,” Casey drawled. “We’re all together because of you and John. We never figured everything would be a walk in the garden of evil. I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t see any options if you don’t want these transients to end up being released somewhere. You can bet they have every fake identification ever dreamed of. So… you’re looking for some kind of redemption when you order us into a kill zone?”

  Man… that was poetry, Case, I thought to myself. I had no clue at that point what I could say to make it seem any better. Casey pretty much illustrated what kind of moral quandary we were embarking on. I’m afraid that even though we are monsters, we’re kind of a mutant brand. Killing that many people, probably unarmed, borders on our monster dark-side. We’ve already went on a mission where we killed as many bad guys, but they were definitely trying to kill us. None of us were wringing our hands in angst over what might be decided. When the United States sends a drone in to strike a known target, the damn warhead doesn’t know what innocents it might be hitting. Whatever the target is, they didn’t get there innocently. They make their choices, and the United States makes its choice. My crew acts as the human equivalent of a Reaper Drone, but with most times less collateral damage.

  “How many of her own people do you figure Voltaire has with her?”

  “A dozen are in her employ on the estate, John,” Denny replied.

  Then here comes Laredo Sawyer, our top dog aviator, and master computer wizard. He’s wearing dress up clothes for a change with black slacks and gray pullover sweater. He didn’t even have on his cowboy hat, so you know he was into his clandestine mode. Laredo came right over to me, his hand out, which I shook.

  “Jesus, John, that was a damn war in the cage tonight, kid! Sorry I couldn’t be there, but I was working on a more secretive mission in conjunction with Cruella and her minion Samira.” Laredo waved off Cruella/Lynn’s death stare over being aptly labeled. “It’s all set, Lynn. We can present it just as you outlined. The conservative radio shows talked about it all day, and it made the Fox broadcasts already a couple times. Let me get some of that excellent refreshments you all are having and I’ll get started with the details.”

  Lynn got up and gave Laredo a cheek kiss and hug. “You’re the best. I know it’s going to be a hard sell, cowboy. I’ll get your drink while you dive in. What’ll it be?”

  “The Bud and Beam brothers like DL’s having please.”

  “On it.” Lynn went directly to the bar for Laredo’s beverages while he pulled over a chair at our crowded conference. Luckily everyone in existence was at the UFC fight night still.

  He had our complete attention. We had no clue what they had cooked up, but I already saw the down at the mouth look Jafar was giving Laredo. The kid wanted nothing to do with anything involving his wife, and he was sniffing something exactly like that in the wind. Samira was tough, and wanted more than her speaking engagements, which normally drew a huge audience now. The Islamists hated her with a passion beyond all logic, because her common sense speeches making the case for women’s rights within Islam hit them in a way they had no defense for.

  “Okay, here’s the deal,” Laredo said, taking the Bud and Beam brothers from Lynn. “I’ve set up an impromptu speech by Samira at the Palms Casino Resort tomorrow night. Lynn got Maria on board under the table, and she arranged the venue. Secondly, I hacked the internet drop those bozos are using at Voltaire’s estate, planting the usual idiot jihad bullshit about the speech. It was like I poked the hornet’s nest with a smoky stick. It drew them out just as you anticipated, Lynn, only on a multiple of ten. You want to take over from here?”

  “Yeah, I got to face the music sometime.” Lynn took a deep breath. “Look, guys, Samira has been rolling me big time. I figured we’d have problems with this Voltaire op. Samira wanted to be a part of it, using her usual gig. I thought if we could get those losers’ internet drop, we could stir them up into a jihad wherever Samira spoke. It was a long shot. Naturally, those morons won’t get close to Samira, since Maria was able to secure a place like the Palms for the speaking engagement. What this does is separate this contingent of idiots who are too stupid to know they’re being played, and get them away from the estate.”

  “Damn, Lynn,” Denny said. “That is hell a good. We split teams. Voltaire goes down during the speech with Dev, Jess, Jafar, Lynn, and Lucas at the Palms. Clint, Casey, and Hamburger Face will take down Voltaire with Laredo coordinating. We may end up with a nice crew of jihadists we can make disappear in one form or another, once Cruella explains their options. No doubt it’s better than what I had planned. You get final say, Jafar. Speak up kid. You’re either on board with this or we scrap it under Islamic law.”

  The last remark drew laughs, but it got quiet quick waiting for Jafar to speak. I could tell the kid was deciding to do just exactly what Samira has been fighting against – limit her passion, and her commitment. I know the ins and outs of that type of consideration. It’s a hell of a decision to make, when it affects the person you love most.

  “I have learned from Clint and Lynn. I know this. If I stand in the way of my wife’s decisions, I am no better than the honor killing assholes who piss on Islam every day. You have put me with Samira as she does this. That is all I need. She and I will face what happens together. I know with my friends assigned on our team it will be a cold day in hell when any harm comes to her.”

  Lynn reached out her hand and covered Jafar’s. “Before anything happens to my little Sis, I will be dead. You’re handling this with the long range view of what it takes to be a man who can be counted on, but doesn’t smother the one he loves. Believe me, it will pay dividends in your life far down the road.”

  “It is a difficult life. John has shown me that. I will not limit Samira’s will to do what she thinks is right. I believe as she does. I will not be a fool who says one thing, but lives something else. Let us not dwell any longer on my part in Samira’s decision. I am just glad John will not have to be undercover as anyone… or anything.”

  Ha, ha. Prick. Of course everyone else enjoyed his lighter ending. “I don’t want to dampen the mood here, but how is intel on Voltaire being at her estate during the speech?”

  Laredo got that oh hell yeah expression on his face. “That’s the best part, amigo. She’ll have guests, including the heads of her East Coast affiliates. Neato… huh?”

  “You three involved in this despicable thwarting of my authority h
ave crossed the line!” Denny held up his glass. “And here’s to you. Thanks.”

  After the quick toast, Denny followed up with details. “I’ll make sure I have back up teams for taking the illegal alien jihadists into custody under Homeland Security for possible rendition to a special place I’ve been working on in Egypt. This could get wild in there. I’d like the rest of Murderer’s Row done with their gig, and in back up mode at the Palms. The assault on Voltaire’s place will be a tactical nightmare. I don’t see us avoiding a very bad casualty list from among the bad guys we’ll have to lay off on a drug war. Voltaire is going home with us for a boat ride. Lynn’s wonderful adlib may keep the body count down, but there can be no witnesses at the estate when Voltaire gets taken.”

  “I have our plane ready to launch at a moment’s notice, chief,” Laredo said. “Want me available for extraction and transfer if the deed gets done on schedule over at the estate?”

  “Yes.” Denny jotted down a number on his small notebook, tore it out, and gave it to Laredo. “These folks will give you an untraceable van to do it with. Tommy, can you handle taking Samira away right after the speech or all hell breaks loose? It’s up to you, but it would free up both Dev and Jess for our play.”

  Tommy nodded. “I can handle that. I’m sorry I’m not into anything more, but this stuff you all do is out of my comfort zone. I confess when John and I handled that serial killer on our way to LA, it was righteous! This is too, and taking a small part fits well with me.”

  “Good enough, T,” Denny acknowledged. “Once I look over all of Laredo’s material, I’ll send the specific info for each one of you at our usual drop, so keep your pads or whatever handy. This will be one fine op, both for the future and now. Our backing’s solid, but it’s a what have you done for me lately type world. If our timing works out with the estate, I don’t want the jihad idiots fronted until our whole crew is in place. I still can’t believe how stupid they are. If they’re meant to set up cells within Voltaire’s network, it’s insane to even think about confronting Samira at the Palms. Good Lord… why in hell do we keep enabling these assholes?”

  We quieted down, and I spoke. “Denny… I think you’ve chugged one too many. Your mind works a few pegs into the future beyond ours, but sometimes it just is what it is. We know this isn’t an exact science. If things start going south, we’ll simply kill everyone until things start going north. I’ve trained Jafar in spotting sniper’s nests. Lucas trained me, and he’ll be with him. If they can ambush Clint, Casey, and me, we may as well surrender.”

  That got a chuckle.

  “Hamburger Face is right, Spawn,” Lucas said. “What the hell? You’re in love, and suddenly all risk is too great? Even Maria has a part in this by choice. You better man up before she starts looking for a gringo with a better attitude… pussy.”

  Oh boy, did Lucas hit a high spot with that one. Denny pointed at him.

  “I’m busting you down to Seaman Apprentice for that remark, and taking away command of The Sea Wolf.”

  Everyone around Denny shuffled away from him, even if they had to stand up.

  “Dead man talkin’,” Casey announced with a toast.

  Denny grinned, while standing up. “Thanks for everything, especially that ace you came up with Lynn. I’m going down to enjoy a little time with the soon to be Mrs. Strobert.”

  Lucas was the first to jump him. “You did it? You finally got close to someone and they haven’t run for their lives, so now it’s right to the altar, huh? Good on you, Spawn.”

  “I want you to be my best man, Lucas. I know you did the duty with Case too, but I’ve known you the longest. Will you do it?”

  We could tell that startled Lucas. He shook hands solemnly with Denny. “I’d be honored.”

  “Outstanding, brother,” Denny replied. “I’m going to get the details of all this together. Enjoy your evening. Your input has made it a winner for me already. Great fight, John. Please don’t let them hang meat around your neck when they force you back into the Bay.”

  “Yeah, that’ll happen. Congratulations, Denny. I liked the demoting of Captain Ahab. Nice touch making him best man to save your life.”

  “Indeed, John, indeed. Goodnight… you pirates.”

  After we called out our goodbyes, Lynn took over the celebration/meeting. “I like Denny’s idea for the Voltaire assault guys to get their asses over to the Palms. I confess I didn’t anticipate that many of the jihad bunnies to show up ready to be corralled. That was so cool you roused them into it, Laredo! I bet you really had them panting, huh?”

  Laredo leaned forward. “I’m telling you… just a few phrases in the drop box and these idiots were ready to go to war. They wouldn’t let up. I had to finally fake being disconnected. You hatched it, Lynn, and baby it is coming to term far better than I ever thought it could. The only reason these idiots are able to control the way we travel and live is because we haven’t stomped them into oblivion.”

  “Laredo is exactly right,” Jafar said with conviction. “They know only force of arms. Anything else simply enables them. We are far too complicit in their plans when we try this stupid understanding of their rage bullshit! Fuck understanding it! They act like subhuman zombies. Let us treat them as such.”

  I put an arm around Jafar as he elicited a universal ‘hell yeah’ response. “Remember, little brother. We’re already with you on every item. Stay focused when we move on this, and we will take a big bite out of yet another enabler. When Voltaire goes down, it will be yet another avenue of money cut off from these zombies as you call them.”

  Jafar nodded. “You are right, John. I am sorry, my friends. Perhaps I have imbibed one too many.” He smiled, looking all around. “It is a soothing balm after watching my big brother get his ass kicked.”

  I shrugged. “Yeah… I did. Here’s to knowing how to enjoy the losses as well.”

  A quiet, yet energetic toast ensued.

  * * *

  “How’s it look, John?”

  “A few more minutes, Case,” I whispered, dragging the broken necked gate guard off into the wooded perimeter. “The gate is secure, but of course there won’t be any check in, so we have one hour. Is it still good to go on our three pronged approach, Clint?”

  “Two down here with no alarm. What the hell is this three pronged approach shit? Case is sitting in the catbird seat with the gun, while we scramble around like gerbils on a pecan pie.”

  “We drew straws, Clint, fair and square,” I reminded him.

  “You shouldn’t have even drawn a straw, Hamburger Face. You can’t even see past those swelled tight eyelids of yours. All you did was cut down my chance at the catbird seat. How is it looking from that great seat of yours, Case?”

  “Mighty fine, partner. Gee, John, aren’t we blessed Lynn allowed her little whiney playmate to join us on this assault? I sure hope he can do something besides complain.”

  Yeah we were dishing while watching the Voltaire contingent shift around. Luckily, she hated dogs, the one defense we would have had no defense for other than killing them. We would have been in cover our asses mode in seconds. We had brought our dog. Tonto was with Clint, and when we start moving on the estate, Tonto would do what he does best – cover our asses. The damn dog knows when to go into stealth mode, and when to rip someone’s throat out without missing a beat. He has a slight head shake directed to his human sidekick, Clint when something’s wrong. I know he hovered low to the ground next to Clint when we still had the heavy duty part to do.

  The estate, being in Las Vegas, had some unenthusiastic guards. They were all hard core thugs with Columbian cartel violence expertise. No one on the planet would miss these illegal ass-wipes. Because Voltaire at this time dealt with a Mexican cartel for her main supply, she had wisely or unwisely chosen a handpicked Columbian crew for estate security. They were deadly, and unfortunately bored. We would take care of that for them.

  I glanced at my watch. “Okay, Case, do your thing.”

>   This was the tricky part. Casey had to take out six roving patrol guys, who haphazardly roamed the grounds. Clint and I needed to run in and grab the downed guy when we could, and drag the body out of sight. The one walking toward the gate received the first double tap to his head. I ran to him as Casey fired. Seconds later, I had him planted in the bushes. We had a limited time arena to work in. Casey chose one moving toward Clint’s area. He went down in a bloody heap within fifty feet of Clint, who snatched him up and carted the body out of sight. We were down to two when all hell broke loose. They had picked up something on the outside cameras.

  A mustachioed guy with wavy long black hair rushed out with an AK47, firing toward Casey’s catbird seat in a harness up in the estate tree line. Clint put two in his head before he came close with his bursts. Casey quickly executed the last two roving guards while I moved to a position at the front. I caught two more jetting outside, firing at nothing, and put them each down with two to the head. The good news was we only had two remaining alive. The bad news is they were forewarned and probably calling for help. Even Columbian drug cartel soldiers are not above calling the cops for help. That would cut our assault time down drastically.

  “I’m down and heading to you, John,” Casey said.

  Clint and Tonto met me at the front entrance. When Casey got to us on a dead run, Clint smiled over at me, and tweeted a short two tone whistle, Tonto streaked through the front door to the right, slunk low to the floor. A minute later a blood curdling scream died out in gargling death rasps. We used Tonto’s excellent distraction to move into the house in prearranged conditions. Only then did we hear Laredo’s voice.

  “Lone survivors’ heat signature is on your right down the hallway, John. We caught Voltaire in the hot tub out in the courtyard with her two guests. They ain’t moving. They’re huddled up together waiting for a chance to get to her safe room over by you Clint.”

  An explosion rocked the house slightly. “That room is no longer an option, amigos.”