Page 96 of Lucky Charm

“I’ll remember that.”

He glanced back at the door. “Should I sneak out of here?”

“No, you should walk out of here like you’re my friend. We’ve done nothing but compare notes on something. Let’s not get all spy level silly on this.”

“I bet Hunt sneaks in and out.” He grinned at her.

“He does. More at stake there with his command.”

“I hear you.” He kept his cup in hand and went to the door. “I’m off tomorrow for an operational seminar. I guess occasionally the Air Force and the Army have to compare notes. I’ll see you the next day.”

“How come you get the operational seminars? I get Health Center duties.”

“Rank.” Duncan grinned and opened the door. “Later, then.”

“Later.” She waited a few minutes, then locked the door.

She should have talked with Hunt about telling Duncan, but Doogie knew, so she’d go with that argument. Assuming there was one. After all, life was too short for all this secrecy.

∞∞∞∞∞

Exiting a helicopter into thick darkness felt like coming home. The light, chilled breeze barely made the dust stir. A man in local garb waited by a black SUV. He handed the keys to Hernandez without speaking and walked away.

The six men piled into the vehicle: Hernandez driving, Tommy in the back, and Doogie on shotgun. Hunt shared the back seat with Carter and K-Rock and provided communication with Homeplate. The address was six minutes from the drop. Satellite pictures showed a corner unit in a small apartment complex with only eight units.

The quiet and the shadows left an ominous presence like the ghost town of Haquiri’s compound. They drove the final mile with no lights, not wanting to alert any neighbors or their target. They pulled into an alley across the street. The air smelled of dust, animals, and waste, normal for this town.

Tommy and K-Rock did a quick reconnoiter of the neighborhood and returned. “All the apartments are dark, LT. Neighborhood is all quiet.”

“Any heat signature, Hernandez?” Hunt stepped from the vehicle, shifting his weapon into position.

Hernandez lifted the equipment and did a scan. “In the other apartments, yes. Mostly prone, sleeping. Corner is a negative.” A bit early for nighty night, but much of the daytime activity happened during sunrise hours.

“Gone?” Doogie secured his weapon. “That would be our luck.”

Hunt studied the surrounding roofs, lights, and activity. “I’ve been here before. Seen this place. Not on the inside, though. I think we raided a place a couple of houses over. Let’s be thorough. Carter, Hernandez, Doogie with me. Let’s hit the front. Search, confirm, detain. K-Rock, Tommy, watch the back. Nobody squirts.”

Hunt spoke softly into his mic. “Homeplate, no contact. We’re going in for a look. How copy?”

“Good copy. Proceed.” Scott’s voice came through deep and hushed.

“Go.” Hunt stepped out first. The other men fell into line. K-Rock and Tommy headed across the street and down another alley to the back. Doogie quietly popped the building lock. A tight hallway greeted them. Threadbare brown carpet quieted their movements.

Doogie went first. Passing two other doors on their way to the corner unit, Hunt listened for movement, talking, any type of noise. “This is the quietest building I’ve ever been in,” he whispered to Doogie.

“Agreed. Spooky.” He bent with his tools and popped the bottom lock. Turning the knob, he looked at Hunt. “No top lock. It’s loose. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, go.”

Doogie pushed the door open to a dark apartment. The smell hit them first. Flashlight ready, he spanned the room. “Fuck.”

Hunt behind him, added his own light into the mix. “Well, hell.”

“Hold,” he spoke into his mic. “We have bodies.”

“Somebody beat us to them,” Hernandez muttered, stopping behind Hunt.

Carter slipped farther into the room and shut the door. “Light on. Eyes.” He flicked the switch.