“Make sure you two have your FBI ID’s handy so we can calm any hikers along the trail.”
“Will do,” Gus replied. “I hope you can wound them too. Otherwise, this will get tricky. You don’t have a contact in the Monterey Police Department. Neil doesn’t have the authority to request federal aid for another city’s police situation. They have their own S.W.A.T. guys, don’t they?”
“Yep, but they only shoot when given an order in the rules of engagement. I’m thinking Neil thinks I can pull this off and vanish like the Lone Ranger. I hope he’s right. If we don’t get a lot of foot traffic, I know a spot where we can drop down under a small cliff near Breakwater but out of sight.”
“There’s Johnny. He has Cala with him.”
“Good. Another set of eyes watching foot traffic will be welcome.”
Nick drove alongside the couple, who carried the equipment bag fitted for the M107 .50 caliber sniper rifle and their digital spotting scopes. The two entered the rear of Nick’s SUV with a wave and smile. “There is never a dull moment with you, Muerto. Do you mind that I brought Cala with me?”
“No, we can use the extra cover. I see you brought along our HD camera, my dear Cleaner. Good idea. We’ll need a close wide angle video of everything we can see on the pier.”
“I will get it, Muerto.”
Nick found a loop for emergency stops along the winding part of Lighthouse Avenue, near the spot he had in mind for his sniper’s nest. He parked, leading the way left to a spot where the Monterey Peninsula Trail fronted an embankment with a huge tree at its crest. The four maneuvered over the embankment to the spot Nick remembered under the tree topped cliff. The four spread out slightly with Gus next to where Nick readied the M107 with Cala and Johnny on the sides. Nick allowed Deke to go along too. The canine companion instantly went into all out ecstasy while nosing around the rocks for small critters and new smells.
“You are right, Muerto.” Cala used the range finders before shifting to her video camera. “This is perfect. We are nearly out of sight from the trail above. I see the Wharf clearly. I see the men! My video will be excellent.”
“They’re hanging out right where you thought,” Gus added. “They have the big door to the side storage area open to block line of sight, but take turns checking their hostages down on the pavement in front of the restaurant. Those look like AK47’s.”
“Yep. That’s what they are.” Nick crouched behind the M107 mount where he had built a rock platform. Both men wore black hoodie windbreakers. “You see what I see?”
“They are high on some speed,” Johnny answered. “Their whole bodies are vibrating slightly from it. I do not see the wife or children. They must be inside the storage room.”
“They will blow a gasket soon,” Gus added. He gave Nick wind speed, humidity content, and exact temperature. “Every third time they both come out at once from beyond the shielding door to check in both directions.”
“Good call. The shorter one must be talking to the negotiator,” Nick remarked. “His face is twisted in frustration. He also only has one hand on the strapped AK47 over his shoulder. The guy firing the warning bursts keeps both hands on. Okay… next time the weasels both pop out, I’m ready.”
“I’ll get Neil on the line.”
Nick’s index finger first pad touched the trigger gently as he settled his breathing to a whisper softness of calm. The temptation to kill them both ripped through him. He took another deep breath, smiling slightly. Next time. Both men emerged from the cover of the door, the shorter one shouting into the cell-phone he carried. Nick squeezed the trigger. The muffled sound of the muted M107 round caused a much louder chaotic shock on the pier as the .50 caliber hollow point slug tore through the man’s wrist and shattered the AK47 stock he held. The force of the shot spun him screaming to the pier, pieces of weapon clattering around him. The companion dropped his phone, gripping the AK47 stock. A split second later, the same fate leaving his partner screaming on the walkway, pulped his hand and weapon.
“Neil!” Gus barked into the phone. “Both men are down and their weapons disabled. Tell the PD to move in if you can. I see the woman and her two kids running for the main pier. The hostages are realizing what happened and they are moving too. Nick has the two men in his sights still, but I doubt they’ll be able to stand let alone do anything.”
“Understood. Tell Nick thanks.” Neil disconnected.
Nick waited until black clad helmeted police arrived on scene before he began disassembling his nest. “That went well. It’s another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Should we send flowers to the hospital?”