Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (22 page)

“Lt. Colonel Graison?” Colonel Roberts called. “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a good plan,” Jake said. “But I also think that we shouldn’t be devoting so much time right now strictly to desert warfare.”

The major spoke, “That’s where warfare is right now.”

“Yes, true. But … you never know,” Jake said. “I think the group of specialists should be trained just as strong in jungle warfare, tropical you name it.”

A single knock on the door, was precluded by the presence of a soldier. “Sirs,” he said. “Sorry to interrupt. But there’s been some news.”

The soldier walked to the television.

“What’s going on, son?” Colonel Roberts asked.

“Terror attack.” He turned on the set.

“By ground …” The newscaster spoke. “Seems as though they have stormed each location in some sort of wide sweep hostage situation. So far, all that we know is that six locations on the east coast have been invaded. Authorities have heard nothing from the kidnappers at this time or what their demands are.”

The map of the east coast came on, and the locations were highlighted.

“North Carolina,” The major whispered. “Close to home.”

“Jake?” Colonel Roberts saw it. And by Jake’s face, he knew Jake did as well. “They’re saying an island off our coast is that …”

“One way to find out, sir,” Jake pulled out his phone. As soon as he turned it on, he saw that he had two messages. He debated for a moment. Listen to the messages or call Cal. He literally stared at his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Colonel Roberts asked.

“Two messages. Odd.”

“Call your wife, son.”

Jake dialed. He cringed. “Directly to the voice mail, her phone is off.” He then called into his phone. He listened to the automotive operated spout the number from the message caller. “Cal left a message,” he announced, and then listened. He listened to both messages. After saving them, sliding the phone from his ear to his mouth, Jake’s head lowered.

***

Rickie growled. It was a soft growl that emanated from him. Billy heard it, and snapped a view to him.

He saw it in Rickie’s eyes, the color started to change.

“Calm,” Billy implored it. “We don’t need the monster now.”

“Silence!” a man shouted out.

Billy swallowed. He watched the men as they had everyone in the dining room. Fifteen gunmen held them at bay, while others, he knew from seeing, were out searching for more people in the clinic.

He heard that, he heard the leader giving instructions. Billy was in therapy when two gunmen poured in. Which was unnecessary since he was alone with one tech.

They threatened, and then led them.

The women were crying, which was probably why Rickie was so angry. Rickie didn’t get angry much, and when he did, Billy knew the little green monster emerged … literally.

There were only a few men, the dining room was packed. Billy was certain that not everyone was present.

He was certain because he didn’t see one person in particular

Cal.

Where was she?

He worried that something happened to her during the takeover, but his gut instincts told him that Jake had taught her well. Cal had to be safe, or found a way to get help. If they had her, she would be there.

But what was really going on? What did the men want? It was definitely a hostage situation, and Billy hadn’t a clue if it was geared toward one person or to Caldwell.

All he knew was he wanted Cal to remain out of the way and safe and for Rickie to stop growling.

Jake was far from the fashion expert, but on one particular issue, Cal should have listened to him. While packing for the study, he watched her place a pair of plastic ‘flip flops’ in her bag.

“What are those for?”

Cal snickered, “Um, the beach, it is an island.”

“I’m looking here Cal; I’m not seeing your sensible running shoes.”

That made Cal laughed. “Why would I need running shoes, Jake?”

“You never know.”

“I’ll be on the beach and in the clinic.”

“You should take them for the beach.”

“Ok, fine, I’ll take them but I won’t wear them on the beach.”

“Why?” Jake asked.

“Well for starters they’d be hot, and flip flops are easier to put on and take off.”

“Running shoes can be easy.”

She scoffed a ‘please’ at him and with the flip flops she did pack her sneakers. But like she told Jake, she didn’t wear them.

How she wished she had.

Flip flops were fine for a short casual stroll across the beach at a slow tempo; they were not designed for rougher terrain or a quick pace.

Once she had darted out of sight, and watched as the men took over the clinic, Cal knew she had to get further from sight and try to find some help. Unlike Rickie she never explored the island, but listened to him when he said there was a town on the other side.

Cal had to make it there, even though she hadn’t a clue where it was.

The island wasn’t that big, how hard would it be to find the town?

Probably not as hard as it was to get through the woods.

She had to carry all of her belongings; she didn’t want to take a chance of leaving anything behind to be found. Her towel and bag weren’t much, neither were her clothing. Cal wore a thin shirt-style dress over her bathing suit along with those damn flip flops.

She would have loved to pretend she wasn’t pregnant, but that was impossible. Her low crouch strained her legs, and they cramped often. About a half mile into her wooded area journey, her left flip flop started to crack. Just about the point where she formed a blister between her big toe and first toe, the flip flop broke.

She had travelled, she guessed about three miles. Which wasn’t a lot, but difficult to do with no shoes.

After spotting the road, Cal inched her way to the edge of the trees and followed the road, believing it would lead somewhere. Town? Help. Some sort of authority had to be present on the island.

Soon she caught the scent of it and it filled her with hope. McDonald’s. Rickie said there was one in town.

Feet blistering, aching, and burning, Cal rejuvenated and picked up the pace. She could hear a buzz of life, and that told her she was close and safe.

But she wasn’t.

Emerging from the woods and nearly making it to the road, Cal had to backtrack and do it fast.

Yes, there was a buzz about town. Multitudes of men wearing black, carrying guns, and escorting people into the street.

It was a takeover.

But why?

What the hell was going on?

***

They had set up headquarters at the tiny local sheriff’s office. After the initial storming of the beach, the boats came in with back up.

Jimenez, a tall man in his late thirties, walked with authority around his men who were crammed into the small office.

“United States Navy is positioned now, sir.” Luma, a fellow soldier said to him. “They are visible on the horizon.”

“We expected as much,” Jimenez nodded. “We need to coordinate, so we can put in the demands. The island residents? All taken care of?”

“They are all gathered in one location.”

Another man spoke up, drawing both of their attention. He was seated before a computer. “Not quite.” He said.

Jimenez turned. “What is going on?”

“Here.” he pointed to the screen. “We’re getting a cellular signal. Someone in the wooded area dialing the phone. It is closer to the beach and that clinic.”

Jimenez gave a motion nod of his head to Luma.” Take three men and find that person.”

“Yes, sir.” Luma responded.

After Luma had left in response to his dictate, Jimenez watched the screen and as another call was placed.

***

Jake thought it was ridiculous. A bunch of grown men waiting around a television to hear what the president had to say. Waiting for top military officials from the pentagon to inform him if his special ops troops would be needed.

He sat on pins and needles feeling helpless. He wanted badly to call Cal but feared by doing so, if she were hiding, the ring would send a signal to find her.

“We will not negotiate with terrorist.” The president said.

Jake wholeheartedly agreed, but he disagreed on the tactics that were being used. He knew by the position of the navy at Caldwell Island that it wasn’t going to be long before a coordinated attack against all hostage sights would be underway.

Jake also knew that storming the situation, no matter how calculated and well planned, meant death to the hostages.

It had to be done exactly right, no room for error.

“There has to be some sort of influence we can give,” Jake said. “Sending in troops at a coordinated time is not the answer and you know this.”

General Sturgeons was the commanding officer there. “We didn’t come in here gentlemen to get arguments, we came to get suggestions.”

“And I gave it.”

The general chuckled. “You’re talking one, two three, four men teams at each location?” (one two three four? – doesn’t make sense)

“You, sir, should know that four well trained men can strategically take out a large group of men.”

“The president feels that we can not take chances with the lives of the hostages.”

“Sending in teams. Teams mind you is taking chances.”

“Son, do you think that you are tainted by the fact that your wife is at one of these locations?”

“Oh, absolutely, I am,” Jake said, “Without …”

He paused. He felt the vibration on his hip, and mid-sentence he glanced down, and saw the name. He shot a silencing hand to the General as he lifted the phone like a cowboy with his gun.

“Cal,” Jake said with exasperation. “Oh my God.”

“Jake something is happening, did you get my message?”

“Cal, yes, we’re aware. It’s not just there. A few other locations too. How are you?”

“I’m fine. A little scared.”

“Are you in their custody?” Jake asked.

“No.”

Jake clenched  fist in excitement. “Hiding?”

“Trying.”

“Ok, listen to me. We’re gonna head up. Stay low. Wait five minutes call me back. I’m gonna see about pulling you, getting a one man rescue. I can’t promise. But I’ll try.”

“I love you, Jake.”

Jake smiled. “I love you, too. Now you know what to do?”

“Yes, I  ... shit.”

“What?” Jake stood.

“Someone’s coming.”

“Hang up and get moving.”

“There’s more than one.”

“Cal, hang up and go.”

“I am I’ll…”

Beep.

Jake looked at the phone.

Silence engulfed the room.

Colonel Roberts called to him, “Jake?”

Jake’s nostril’s flared, his face felt tense, hot and red. He shut his phone, stuck it on his hip and without saying anything walked to the door.

“Jake.” Colonel Roberts said. “Where are you going?”

“To get my wife.” Jake walked out.

***

Billy could have sworn he was sitting next to the family pet. The breathing alone that Rickie did was very animal like. He actually told Rickie to keep his head down, allow his hair to dangle; because the men who had them would surely know something was up if they took a good look at Rickie.

During the course of an hour, Rickie’s eyes had turned that ‘monster’ green, their shape diamonding out. His brow had started to extended, lips thickening, and Billy could only guess those fangs of death were about to emerge. He could sense he had very little reasoning over Rickie.

It was the quick, hard double sniff that caught Billy’s attention and drew it away from watching the fifteen men in the room. Men he watched constantly.

He turned his head as Rickie raised his. Billy feared what the men in the room would see.

Stan, on the other side of Rickie, nudged him. “Put your head down.”

Billy asked, “What is it?” Then when he looked he saw Rickie’s face had returned to normal. “Something’s going on. What is it?”

“Cal-Babe.” Rickie said.

“Cal?” Billy asked.

“They got her.”

“Are you sure?”

“I smell her.”

Stan was curious. “You smell her?”

“Dude, she’s my mom. I can catch her scent anywhere.” Rickie’s head cocked when Cal’s voice carried in.

“Can I at least get shoes?” she asked. “You can come up and watch me get them.”