Fernando bowed his head as he leaned against the wall and clasped his hands. “Understood, Sir.”
Nick waited as he heard the battle outside, enjoying each and every comment on the network. The acolytes of Al-Kadi began their approach shortly after, moving to follow orders from Al-Kadi directly or becoming nervous because of the outside sounds. Nick scooted Fernando to the side, his MP5 at the ready. The interior darkness leant itself to Nick’s remaining undetected. None of the approaching men incorporated night-vision capabilities. They moved carefully toward Al-Kadi’s room. Nick shot the one in the rear position of the approach with his smilingly delivered silenced MP5 hollow point round.
The man’s startled last grunt of death as he pitched backward to the floor attracted his companions’ attention. Nick stood as they glanced back at their fallen comrade, delivering short deadly bursts they were too late to do anything about. Nick changed clips, moving in on the dead and dying with finishing fire, whispering ‘say hello to my little friend’ the whole time. Eight dead soldiers lie at his feet before he swiveled away to the side, waiting and listening for any further approach.
“We’re right outside the front door, Nick,” Lucas said. “Say something, kid.”
Nick collected the grenade and a small leather envelope from Senta’s belt pouch. “I’m in the hallway of Al-Kadi’s quarters. All are dead in the hallway. I’ll stay here if you wish to bring Tonto in for final check. I have not moved on Al-Kadi’s room yet.”
“I’m on my way with Tonto now,” Lynn said. “Everyone else is combing the woods for survivors, but I think Laredo took care of that.”
“Understood. I have cross view of the hallway passing through the front entranceway. No movement so far. I have no eyes on the rear of the house. A large party came after me here so I’m not sure if there’s anyone left.”
“Hang tight. We’ll make our entry in five minutes,” Lucas said.
“No rush. This hallway is the only way out. I remember from the pictures of the house outside that he had bars put in over the windows. Just in case he has a tunnel, can you keep surveillance of the surrounding area with the heat screen, Laredo?”
“Will do,” Laredo agreed.
“The call’s been made to steer clear of the area no matter what,” Denny said. “The locals have not made any calls into the cops, despite the noise. Oh shit! Jesus, Lord in heaven… the satellite photos are streaming now. The damn woods across from the house looks like a World War I no-man’s land. Did anyone leave even a bush or dandelion standing?”
“It was combat, you turd! We weren’t harvesting corn, moron,” Lucas barked onto the network. “We have an armored vehicle blown over on its side by a rocket launcher. We just killed over thirty of the enemy outside with another near a dozen inside by Muerto’s hand. It was a trap! Muerto sniffed it out. What happened in there, Nick?”
“Senta and the guard gave it away. I couldn’t take chances. She must have found a way to warn Al-Kadi when our backs were turned. We’re lucky Al-Kadi figured we were easy pickings. On the other hand, by the sound of it, you combat troops had your hands full.”
“It was outstanding,” Sal said. “We blew the shit out of that bunch in the woods.”
“What Sal said,” Chuck added. “How’s Achmed? He was stuck on the front grounds.”
“I am well, Chuck. I kept my head down. Lucas and Casey killed everything living in front of the house. Lynn is here now with Tonto.”
“We’re coming in, Nick,” Lucas said.
Nick had moved to a point where he could cover their entry. “I have sight on all threats. Come in.”
Tonto rushed in first, low to the floor, sweeping from one side to the other. He stopped near Nick, sniffed, and moved on. The squad of deadly killers fanned out behind with John Harding in the lead. He grinned over at Nick’s small salute. The team with Tonto sniffing for threats cleared the lower floor. Each room, searched in order, produced nothing of an informational or human presence. They moved on to the stairs and the upper floor. It took only ten minutes to rejoin Nick. Tonto sniffed out the dead bodies and blood. He approached Al-Kadi’s entranceway, growled, and returned to Lynn. She and her companions moved to the hallway sides.
Nick knocked on the door. “Hello. Come on out, Saran. We’re ready to talk. Your army’s dead. If we have to come in and get you, it will cost you in pain.”
“You will kill me anyway!”
“There are so many ways to die, Saran. If you make this hard, your dying will be bad.”
Silence.