He met for the last time as a group with his lieutenants at 9:00 am. The meeting was scheduled to last until 9:20 am. The delivery was due at 9:25 am. The execution would take place at 9:30 am. Mattie’s appointment was for ten.
“Let’s make this quick, gentlemen,” he said as he came in.
Sniper stood up. “We took care of the one that got away.”
Legion said, “We retrieved the trophy, sir, but left a gift behind fastened to their barn.”
Maverick said, “This last group was just as bad as the one before. They lost track of Stripes.”
“Send a squad to find it. And get those fools out of here.”
“Sent packing at dawn, sir.”
“We did have a good weekend, wouldn’t you all agree?”
Bobby checked the clipboard he held. “There was a high degree of spread at Houston. The driver had no idea what he was delivering. The preliminary estimate is six to eight weeks to complete repairs to the docks. We can expect similar or better results in the future.”
Billy checked the clipboard he held. “Los Angeles made a smaller splash than we’d hoped for, but it confirms that we can infiltrate and achieve our mission objectives. Any more like Chicago are likely to be only diversions unless there are dangerous cargos on board or passengers involved.”
“This country is going to count all of you among its greatest heroes when this is over.” He took his position at the head of the table.
His lieutenants took their seats.
“I assume the second simulations are still on schedule.”
Maverick stood up. “They begin tomorrow, sir. We have increased the delivery yield and our range.”
He nodded his approval and looked to Tulsa for his update on Necrosis.
“It has been moved to our central network. You just need to push the button to start the countdown.”
“Gentlemen, you have done an exemplary job of keeping an operation this big going smoothly. Tomorrow we implement the last phase. This country will never be the same again. It will be much, much better. Dismissed.”
He signaled for Sniper and the twins to come to him as the others left. He said to Sniper. “I think the roof will give you the best sight lines.”
“I agree, sir.” He saluted before leaving.
“And where are we with our newest recruit?”
Billy said, “Legion has his instructions.”
Bobby said, “The booths are at the fairgrounds. We will assemble them on site tomorrow, set the timers with the QR code and get out.”
“We will rendezvous in Santa Fe on Sunday. By then, the operation will be completely up and running. There will be nothing left to do but sit back and enjoy the show.”
“Legion wants the girl,” Bobby said. “He wants to put her on his wall.”
“We only need her brother. He can do what he wants with her.” He checked his watch. “I believe our delivery men should be arriving soon.”
They left the office and joined John Hill to wait for the crew from Los Demonios. The two motorcycles riding escort and the white, five-ton moving van arrived on time as he’d insisted.
Pedro Santiago got out of the cab of the truck and walked past the two men still on their motorcycles. His driver followed him. Neither man came up to Colter’s shoulders.
“It’s all there, Senor,” Santiago said.
Los Demonios was a new group coming up from Mexico. They were making inroads in Arizona, Texas and southern California, and they were eager to expand up the west coast. They brought trouble with them wherever they went. They’d had some sensational public shootouts with rivals in both Mexico City and Los Angeles and were seen as the instigators of the current motorcycle gang war. Aggressive, violent, resourceful, and with enemies everywhere, they were perfect for his needs.
Bobby and Billy went to the back of the van with their clipboards. In just a few minutes, they had finished taking inventory.
Billy brought back a brand new Uzi for him to inspect. “It’s all there,” he said.
“Of course it is, Senor,” Santiago said. “We honor our contracts.”
“I knew that from the first moment we met.” He waved for Hill to come over. “That is why I accepted your recommendation about Tracker here.”
Hill stood at attention. Legion came with him and stood at attention one step back.
Colter glanced at the roof of his house. “Tracker has been a great asset. I thank you for lending him to us.”
“Think nothing of it, Senor. We’re only too happy—”
“However, I don’t believe you did your due diligence on our new recruit’s background.”
Hill looked at him, then at Santiago.
In response to a slight nod from him, Legion stepped up behind Hill and threw a garrotte wire around his neck. Billy ran to the men and held Hill while Legion tightened the wire. It cut into Hill’s neck. Blood seeped then spurted from the wounds. Colter counted down the seconds on his watch. At 9:30 am, he nodded again. Legion yanked on the wire and Hill’s head dropped to the ground. Billy let the body drop beside it.
“You see, Pedro, your Mr. Hill was more than just your man. He had a history of ratting out his colleagues to rivals, even to law enforcement sometimes. I can’t allow someone like him to hinder my plans. I’m sure you understand.”
Pedro and his three men wore the same expression on their faces as was frozen on Hill’s. The expressions didn’t last long, though. In the six seconds it took for Sniper to fire a bullet into each forehead, the men exhibited varying degrees of rage before going down.
The men assigned to disposal moved in the moment the Mexicans hit the ground. The men assigned to unload the merchandise moved in as soon as the Mexicans hit the ground and drove the van over to the designated ordnance building. The men assigned to other duties took a few seconds to watch the Mexicans hit the ground before going back to work. He still had the best unit in the world.
By the time he entered his house, Sniper was off the roof, the truck was unloaded and there was no evidence of five killings anywhere to be seen. He lit up a perfecto and sat in his living room watching his men through the front window.
Bobby and Billy came in.
“We just got word,” Bobby said. “Madsen finally has permission to talk to Wiley. He’s on his way to CCI for a meeting with him this afternoon. There’s concern Wiley’s starting to crack. Madsen and Huard might shift the focus of their investigation if he talks.”
“Remind him not to, and initiate shutdown protocols.” He blew out a long stream of smoke. “And put the rest of that other refuse in the furnace, too.”
Mattie came in the front door just before Billy and Bobby went out. She gave the boys a good looking over. They did the same to her before she closed the door.
One step into the smoky living room, she stopped to take a deep breath. “Who is it this time?” She came over and took the perfecto from him.
“Just you and me and the little lady I have waiting for us upstairs.” He took a moment to watch Mattie puffing on the perfecto. “She’s very obedient and I thought you might be in the mood for some Chinese sweet and sour. I’ll just watch for a bit to see how imaginative you are.”
Flushed, she said, “I’ve had good teachers.”
He pointed to the coffee table. “That’s for you.”
She handed back the cigar, opened the box and pulled out thigh-high leather boots with five-inch heels and zippers along the outsides.
“Those are for tonight. You’re going to be the center of attention.”
“I always like being that.”
“It’s a midnight special. They’re guests from Portland, three couples with something unique in mind. I’ve told them all about you.”
He took a USB flash drive out of his pocket. “Give this to the man in charge.”
“What’s on it?”
“That is none of your business. You only need to make the delivery and keep them happy.” <
br /> “How will I know which one is in charge?”
“That will be obvious.” He got up, handed over the USB and smacked her ass. “Now, get that upstairs and get those off.”
She kissed his cheek, took the perfecto and did as she was told, leaving a trail of clothes as she sashayed up the stairs.