PRIMAL Fury (The PRIMAL Series) (37 page)

“We’re through!” Aleks yelled. Through the dust he could see cars in the underground garage as he ducked through the hole.

“OK, let’s go.” Kurtz directed the
oyabun
and his entourage down into the cellar. The old man hobbled along, aided with his stick.

“This is going to take all day.” Kurtz aimed his rifle up the cellar stairs as the Yamaguchi ducked through the hole in the wall. “Aleks, you’ve got about a minute before they realize we’re getting away,” he transmitted over his radio, then fired a burst through one of the barricades toward the sound of voices. The SLAP ammunition punched through the fridge, resulting in panicked Korean cursing.

In the garage, the English-speaking servant ran to the key cabinet and grabbed the keys to the two black Mercedes parked in the garage.

“Start your car, and follow my lead,” Aleks ordered the lieutenants as they emerged from the breach.

The servant translated, handed them a key, and they piled into one of the black saloons. The
oyabun
emerged from the hole in the wall with Kurtz and he bundled him into the other Mercedes with Aleks and the servant.

“Go! Go!” Kurtz had the window down and was covering the breached wall.

“Two seconds.” Aleks tore open the car’s fuse panel and wrenched out a handful of wiring.

“What are you doing idiot, drive!”

A Korean’s head appeared at the hole in the wall and Kurtz fired, slotting the man through the face.

Aleks shrugged as he dropped the car into gear and punched the accelerator to the floor. “Airbag sensors. We will smash out of here,
da
?”

The Mercedes S63 roared up the ramp and onto the pebble driveway. A gunman appeared in front of them. He was too slow in reacting and they smashed into him. His face thudded on the windshield as he was catapulted over the car. Aleks accelerated, holding the steering wheel steady as they slammed into the back gates, smashing them open. He glanced at the mirror, confirming the other car was behind them, then wrenched the steering wheel, sending them sliding onto the streets of Kobe. A few hundred meters up the road he slowed, allowing the other Yamaguchi car to take the lead.

“Good job.” Kurtz slapped his hand against the dashboard. “You got us out of there in one piece.” A beeping noise in his earpiece alerted him to a new message on his iPRIMAL. He pulled it out and inspected the screen.

“What is it?” Aleks asked as he concentrated on keeping up with the other speeding Mercedes.

“It’s Bishop—they’ve got a lead on Karla’s location.”

“And?”

“And we’re going in.”

“When?”

“Tonight.”

Aleks thumped the steering wheel. “This is good.” The adrenaline was still pumping through his body. “See what happens when you bitch about always watching and waiting. Every time you do it something big goes down.”

“Maybe I should bitch more often.”

A cough from the backseat reminded them of the presence of the
oyabun
, forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Aleks looked into his rearview mirror. “
Oyabun
, are you OK?”

“I owe both of you my life. This will not be forgotten,” said the Yamaguchi-gumi leader.

“Just doing our job,” replied Aleks. “We have just one small favor to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Once we have you secure in a new location, can we borrow this car?”

CHAPTER 69

CONSTRUCTION SITE ADJACENT TO THE MORI-KAI APARTMENTS, HIMEJI

“That’s the plan, team. Nice and simple, in and out.” Bishop sat on an upturned crate. It was 1830 hours and around him, in a semicircle, were Saneh, Kenta, Aleks, and Kurtz.

“We sure on the location?” asked Kurtz. Like Aleks he was still wearing his rig from the defense of the
oyabun
’s residence. After dropping off the Yamaguchi boss at a secret location on the outskirts of Kobe, they had driven directly to Himeji to take part in the mission. The rest of the team was wearing the same: heavy-duty pants and lightweight jackets worn over concealable chest plates. Their weapons consisted of suppressed Tavor assault rifles and pistols; Kenta toted his KRISS.

“I’m ninety-nine percent sure we’ve got it right. The tracker Kenta planted on the Lexus lines up with our communications analysis on the Interpol handset. Kenta’s men have also reported a number of similar vehicles coming and going.”

“What about the e-mail address Takeshi used?” Saneh asked. “Did Flash get back to us?”

“Yes, but he’s not sure he’ll be able to hack it. The whole server’s running through a number of ghost IP addresses, very sophisticated setup. Kenta’s tracker is the best we’ve got.”

The location the tracker had revealed was a new block of apartments that overlooked Himeji. Some of Kenta’s most trusted men had been watching it since the morning. Now, Kenta and the PRIMAL team had assembled in the basement of a similar building that was under construction in an adjoining block. It was halfway to completion, a large crane set up beside it with building materials stacked around its base. The work crew had left in the midafternoon, eager to escape early before the weekend.

“So the intel is good, but the plan is hardly simple,” continued Kurtz.

“Your job is critical. If you’ve got any doubts you need to voice them now.”

Kurtz shrugged. “No, it will not be a problem. But I would prefer to be in the assault.”

“Look, you’ve got the most experience with this sort of thing. But we could probably swap you with Aleks if he’s OK with it.”

Kurtz looked across at his partner and shook his head. “It’s fine the way it is.”

“I have a question.” Aleks extended his hand in the air as if he were at school.

Bishop smiled. “Yeah, Aleks, what is it?”

“This plan is a little crazy. I like that, we keep the surprise. But how do we know the place is not crawling with hostiles? Should we not hit it in full assault gear?”

“We’ve had the place under obs since this morning and we’ve seen nothing to suggest they’re using this for anything more than accommodation for the women. The only security is at the front door. That’s why we’re running light. It also gives us more flexibility. If we have to scoot you’re not going to get far looking like Darth Vader.”

“If you’ve had it under observation all day, have you seen the girl?” Kurtz asked.

“Negative. All movement in and out was by vehicle. Windows were tinted but thermal signatures indicated the passengers were mostly female.”

“Do we have a cordon?”

“As I’ve briefed, Kenta’s guys will be out there. They’ll attempt to delay any outside response until we’re ready to extract.”

The team sat in silence for a few seconds.

“No more questions?” Bishop asked. “Saneh?”

She shook her head. “Plan sounds good.”

“Kenta, anything from you?

“Not a question, Bishop. More of a statement.”

“Shoot.”

The stocky gangster rose from the bags of cement he was sitting on. “A statement of thanks. Your people saved the
oyabun
today.” He nodded toward Kurtz and Aleks. “Without their swift action the Yamaguchi-gumi would have been dealt a blow from which we would not have recovered. This is not a debt we will ever forget.”

Bishop nodded in agreement. “Great work, guys.” He stood up, adjusting his equipment. “Now, if there’s no more to add, let’s get this show on the road.”

The sun was setting as Kurtz scaled the narrow ladder that ran up the side of the crane, and by the time he reached the cabin light was fading fast. He picked the lock easily and gained access. A scan of the controls identified a numeric security keypad that locked out the joysticks that controlled the eighty-foot boom and the hook.

“Bunker, this is Kurtz, I need technical advice,” Kurtz communicated through his iPRIMAL.

There was a pause for a few seconds before the watchkeeper replied. “Roger, I’m putting you through now.”

A few more seconds passed.

“Kurtz, let me guess, you need an override code?” one of the geeks asked, expecting the call.

“Yes.”

“OK, send make and model.”

“It’s a Dasion QTZ sixty-three.” Kurtz could hear fingers typing.

“I have a code.”

“Send.”

“Four-four-eight-five.”

Kurtz punched the number into the numeric pad. A hum filled the cabin and the control panel lit up.

“Thanks, Bunker, Kurtz out.”

He moved one of the joysticks. There was a whir and the cabin turned slightly. He nudged the other joystick and the hook in front of him dropped a few feet.

“How are things tracking up there, mate?” Bishop asked over the iPRIMAL.

“The crane is operational. I’m lowering the hook now.”

“No dramas; I’ll guide you on.”

Twenty feet below Kurtz, on the recently laid sixth floor of the apartment, the rest of the team had emptied a metal Dumpster.

Bishop stood in the center of the bin and grabbed the big hook as it was lowered. “Hold it there. Aleks, pass me the cables.”

The bearded Russian climbed in and handed Bishop the first of the four cables attached to each corner. Bishop looped them over the hook as he received them and closed the metal gate once all of them were secure. “Take up the slack, Kurtz.”

The hook rose by a foot, pulling the cables tight. “Hold it there. OK, team, all aboard.”

Kenta and Saneh joined them inside the cramped space.

“Tell me again what was wrong with the front door?” she asked.

“Heavy security and no element of surprise.” Bishop checked the cables once more. “Everyone comfortable?”

No one responded.

“I’ll take that as a yes, then. Kurtz, take us up.”

The Dumpster rose five feet into the air before Kurtz sent it sliding along the boom, out over the hillside in front of the building.

They hung in midair for a moment, then he started to turn the crane.

“I don’t think this is the best way to do this.” Aleks was crouched low, peering over the edge of the bin.

Bishop was standing up watching the target building; exterior floodlights illuminated it in the darkness. “Kurtz, I think you need to raise us a little if we’re going to make the roof.”

The bin rose by a few feet as they gained speed. It swung in an arc toward the adjacent building.

“Up, Kurtz, UP!” Bishop yelled as the building loomed.

“I am.”

“Faster, we’re going to hit.”

“OK, OK!”

“Fuck, too late.” Bishop ducked into the Dumpster just before it smashed through the plate-glass windows of the top floor.

CHAPTER 70

“Everyone all right?” Bishop asked.

“I’m good,” Aleks responded cheerfully.

“As am I,” said Kenta.

“What in god’s name happened?” Saneh asked.

An alarm started wailing as Bishop shook shards of glass from his hair. “Kurtz misjudged the distance.”

“The controls jammed. I’ve got no elevation,” Kurtz transmitted.

They had landed in what looked to be an entertaining area. The Dumpster had smashed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shoving a number of tasteful leather sofas out of the way, and was lodged with a third of it still hanging out over a six-story drop. The impact had severed its front two cables.

“Everybody out, this thing isn’t stable,” said Bishop.

As Kenta jumped out, the Dumpster gave a groan and slid a few inches backward.

“Everybody out, NOW!” Bishop dived over the side as a door burst open. A submachine gun barked and rounds slammed into the Dumpster, the thick steel ringing like a bell.

Kenta let rip with a long burst, punching holes through the wall above the door and showering the shooter with plasterboard. The suppressed weapon was barely audible compared to the enemy’s submachine gun.

Bishop followed up with rapid-fire shots from his Tavor, splintering the doorframe as the gunman took cover. “Go, go, go!” he screamed.

The Dumpster slid again as Aleks dived over the side and rolled for cover.

The Kissaki operative fired another burst, then withdrew back into a corridor. Rounds slammed into the Dumpster, forcing Saneh down behind the heavy steel walls. There was a groan as the bin edged farther backward, scraping along the floor.

“Anyone got a bead on this guy?” Bishop yelled.

The Mori-Kai gunman remained far back in the corridor with a clear line of fire direct to the Dumpster, but none of the PRIMAL team could hit him.

“No,” Aleks responded.

More rounds slammed into the Dumpster as it slid, the heavy chains attached to the crane dragging it through the broken windows.

“Aleks, Kenta, shut this fucker down.”

“I’m on it.” Aleks fired a burst into the doorway as he moved toward it. With his left hand he pulled a stun grenade from his rig and yanked out the pin using the thumb of his master hand. He fired his weapon as he tossed the grenade through the doorway.

The explosion shook the walls; bottles fell from the bar and smashed onto the floor. The gunfire from the Mori-Kai guard stopped.

There was a scraping noise as the heavy bin teetered on the edge of the apartment. Saneh swung a leg out and Bishop grabbed her as the Dumpster slid out from underneath her and flipped downward into the darkness below.

“That was close,” Saneh said as she looked outside. The bin was hanging sideways from the remaining two of its cables.

“What happened?” Kurtz asked over the radio.

“The bin made a rather dramatic exit,” said Saneh. “Everyone’s OK.”

“
Scheisse
. Well, I have a backup extraction plan.”

“What’s that?” asked Bishop.

“Just get to the roof when you’re done and I’ll be ready.”

“Roger.” Bishop was already planning the next move. The room they had landed in had two doors leading off it, and an entrance area where the elevator and fire exit were located. “Aleks, I want you and Kenta to cover the entrance. That’s the most likely approach for reinforcements. Saneh and I are going to clear the doors to the left and right. Keep an eye out for more shooters.”

“Got it.”

Saneh peered into the corridor she was covering. It led into a long hallway lined with doors. The Mori-Kai gunman lay sprawled in a pool of blood. Bishop moved past her, inspecting the doors.

“More holding cells.” He tapped his knuckles against heavy steel. “We’d need some serious bang to crack this. They’ve got breach-resistant hinging and electronic locks.”

“Yeah, it looks a little more upmarket than that last one.” Saneh walked past Bishop and down the corridor. There were three doors on either side, all of them exactly the same.

“A gilded cage is still a cage.” Bishop used his knife to pry the keypad from the wall. Behind it was a power cable, the line running to the locking mechanism, and a network cable. He pulled out the network cable, checked the plug, and fished in his backpack for a mobile data modem. He plugged the network cable into the modem’s port, synced it with his iPRIMAL, then opened a communications line to PRIMAL HQ. “Bunker, this is Bishop, I need a security crack on a data link.”

One of the techs responded immediately. “Got the feed. Give me five minutes to crack it.”

Bishop left the modem in place and led Saneh back into the original room. “It’s going to take a few minutes. We should check out what’s behind door two.”

The door was deadlocked. Bishop aimed his Tavor at it and shot the locking mechanism clean out. The door swung open when he kicked it.

“Wow, ritzy,” he said as he stepped into the luxurious apartment. A quick check of the bedroom, sitting area, and huge bathroom confirmed they were empty. “Clear!”

Saneh inspected the rooms. “King-size bed, plush carpets, massive Jacuzzi in the bathroom, expensive yet somewhat tasteless art, and an amazing view. Someone important lives here.”

“I concur; let’s toss it for intel.” Bishop opened the door of the walk-in wardrobe and started rifling through drawers. “Whoever this guy is, he sure loves a shiny suit.” He checked between all the clothes on the racks.

“Masateru wears bad suits and there’s certainly enough hair product in here to maintain that slick look he favors,” Saneh reported from the bathroom.

“You’re probably right.” Bishop felt around the floor of the closet for a safe. “Find anything interesting?”

“Negative.”

“I’ve got nothing either; these guys are OPSEC tight.” Bishop’s iPRIMAL vibrated and he checked the message. “Let’s go back to the corridor. We just got access to one of those cells.”

As they walked back out, Bishop halted.

“What’s wrong?” Saneh asked.

“Nothing, I just think it would be rude to drop in and not leave a gift.”

“No, that’s a bad idea…you could end up hurting someone innocent.”

“Who in this building is going to be innocent?”

“Emergency services.”

“Good point.” He took a CS gas grenade, pulled out the pin, and wedged it inside a drawer of a beautiful antique Japanese dresser. “That won’t hurt anyone but it will send a pretty clear message when he checks to see if we stole his panties.”

Saneh shook her head.

“Bishop, this is Bunker, I’ve got control of all security systems.” PRIMAL HQ’s transmission came over their earpieces.

“Excellent, can we get a heads-up?” Bishop asked as they moved back into the corridor with the locked rooms.

“I’ve got what looks to be a barracks facility at the rear of the building,” the technician reported. “CCTV coverage is minimal but apart from the first guy you took down it looks like the occupants aren’t home.”

“What about the other floors?”

“All empty, except for a security detail on the third floor. Four heavily armed SF types coming up the stairwell. Looks like they were in the basement—there’s a fleet of vehicles down there, a security office, and a gym.”

“Roger. Aleks, have you and Kenta got that stairwell covered?” Bishop asked.

“Yes, boss.”

“Bunker, what can you tell me about the apartments in this corridor?”

“There are six apartments in total but no cameras inside. The security design indicates they are some sort of detention facility. I don’t think you’ll find hostiles in there,” the PRIMAL HQ technician advised. “You should have full access now.”

“Good work, keep us posted on the hostiles on the stairs.” Bishop nodded to Saneh. “You take the three on the right; I’ll take the three on the left.” He gently pushed open the first door and moved into the room slowly. “Hello, anyone here?”

There was no reply.

The apartment was almost as plush as Masateru’s, although smaller. He moved through the bedroom and heard a faint whimper from the bathroom.

“Hello, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m with the police. I’m here to take you home.” He turned the handle of the bathroom door and pushed it open. He took a deep breath and slowly stuck his head around the door, keeping his weapon out of sight.

A blonde girl was cowering next to the toilet wearing cotton pajamas. Black streaks of makeup had run down her cheeks; her eyes were glazed and her hands shaking. She was every bit as beautiful as he remembered Karla to be, with long hair, a delicate oval face, and crystal-blue eyes.

“Hello, I’m with the police. I’m here to take you home.”

She flinched as gunfire sounded from the rear of the building. An intense firefight followed for a few seconds, then nothing.

“We got the drop: threat neutralized,” Aleks reported.

Bishop focused on the young woman. “That’s nothing to be afraid of; we’re here to help.” It took him a few minutes to coax her out of the bathroom and into the bedroom to get changed. When they stepped out into the corridor Saneh was waiting with two more women. “You done?” she asked.

“No, can you check my last two? I need to call someone.”

“Fine.” Saneh made for the two remaining apartments.

Bishop walked out to the main room with the smashed windows to make a call on his local cell phone.

“Agent Wilson,” said Inspector Baiko. “I am glad you called.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I just received a call from the Hyogo Prefecture police asking me why I had a team of my men and community workers in their backyard.” The police officer had been tipped off by Bishop to be prepared to receive any rescued sex slaves.

“I’ve got the address, at least four Western girls, all without papers.” Bishop gave him the location of the apartment block and Baiko put him on hold for a few seconds.

“They’re on their way. I wouldn’t recommend you being in location when my men arrive. Questions will be asked that you cannot answer.”

“This is from a source in the Yamaguchi. The FBI would never sanction active operations in Japan.”

“Of course, Agent Wilson, of course.” The police investigator hung up and Bishop moved back into the corridor.

“Five girls, no Karla.” Saneh had them all huddled together. “She was here but the girls said she left with Masateru in a helicopter.”

“Where to?”

“They don’t know. Girls have been taken before but they’ve never come back.”

“Fuck, they’re always one step ahead.”

“We’re regaining the initiative. This is going to hurt them.”

“You’re right. Let’s get the girls out of here.”

They led the way to where Kenta and Aleks waited in the stairwell. The dead Mori-Kai had already been dragged into a janitor’s closet, but the smears of blood and shell casings remained as evidence of the earlier gunfight. The girls stared at their deceased captors with wide eyes.

“Karla?” Aleks asked.

Saneh shook her head.

“Bunker, how are we looking?” Bishop asked.

“All clear, no hostiles in the building.”

“Roger, switch to passive monitoring. Thanks for your help.”

“Not a problem.” PRIMAL HQ deactivated the comms link.

“Kenta, can you have your guys come in and babysit the girls until the police arrive?”

“Yes, my men are already outside. I will go down and let them in.”

“Saneh, can you sort that out and meet the rest of us on the roof?”

She nodded.

“Make it quick, the cops are on their way.”

Bishop and Aleks started up the stairs for the roof. “Kurtz, how’s our extraction plan going?”

“Nearly ready. Did you find Karla?”

They burst out of the emergency exit onto the flat roof of the apartment block. “Extraction, Kurtz; focus on your fucking job.”

“Give me a moment.”

Bishop could see the boom of the crane over the building site. In the ambient light being thrown across the hills from the city he could make out a figure climbing the ladder to the control box. Flashing blue and red lights caught his attention and he leaned over the edge of the building. No fewer than four police cars had pulled up outside and officers ran from the vehicles to the building.