Page 135 of Unexpected Redemption

“Bravo team is in recon position,” Shep announces.

They’re stationed approximately eighty feet west of the target destination. No wooded patch for them to hide in, so they’re taking cover on the far side of a dollar store, which is also closed for the night. A few trees on the side of the parking lot and a dumpster behind the building will provide some measure of cover for them. Once in place, they should have an unobstructed view of the alley behind the strip mall. Especially if Jonesy finds a spot to assume overwatch. Most likely, he’ll get on the roof with his rifle.

Since the architect said our contact would meet us on the rear west of the structure, bravo team was supposed to be in backup position while alpha team approached from the east. With the contact’s car parking on the east side near the dumpster, bravo team is farther away, and my team has less room to stage our approach.

Should still be fine, though. I don’t see a reason to alter the strategy at this juncture.

Big Al gives us the okay to continue the mission. “Teams, so far, I see no reason to call for backup. We’re Charlie Mike. Alpha, proceed to your secondary.”

Off we go, moving closer to the alley to prepare for contact.

Lionheart takes the lead, his big strides eating up a path that Sawyer and I follow.“Alpha team on the move.”

Low to the ground, we move swiftly past the trees and bushes, keeping our eyes peeled and heads on a swivel.I’m in the middle, and Sawyer has our six.

“Found my perch on the roof for overwatch. I’m in position,” Jonesy announces, sending a wave of relief cascading over me.

Nothing better than knowing we’ve got a sharpshooter in a bird’s nest.

“Second drone is ready for deployment,” Aaron announces.

Big Al will be piloting that for us. His tone holds a measure of excitement when he says,“And we have liftoff. I’ve got eyes on the front of the building.”

With Boss watching via the drone in the front, Klein controlling the one flying over the alley where the meetup will be, Henderson looping the nearby intersections, and the ground teams approaching from both sides toward the target location, we should be covered.

Leo holds his closed fist over his shoulder, takes a knee, and points his gun at the ten o’clock position.

Sawyer and I freeze instantly, our weapons extended and eyes on our respective sectors for coverage. We each take a third of the 360 degrees surrounding our cluster. Sawyer spins to face the rear to cover the sector anchored in the six o’clock position. Dropping down, I face two o’clock to cover my sector.

“Clear,” I whisper.

Sawyer does the same.

Lionheart doesn’t respond yet, and I lock in on the sound of his breathing. I’m tempted to look over my shoulder to see what he sees, but that’s not protocol, and I don’t want to fucking die tonight.

“Leo, are you clear?” Mia asks.

“Clear,” he finally responds.

A single layer of tension melts from my shoulders. “What the fuck was that, Leo?”

“Heard something. Felt it too.”

Fuck.

“Boss, how’s the gut?” Sawyer asks, his thoughts likely mirroring mine.

“Still good. Proceed.”

We resume, creeping along slower this time. With Lionheart setting the pace, I’m at the mercy of his gut.

About ten steps from our secondary location, Klein alerts, “Movement in the vehicle.”

Simultaneously, Leo’s steps stall, and I bend the fucking knee again, watching my sector.

“We’re fucking exposed out here, buddy,” Sawyer cautions.

“Two more steps, and we’re in the direct line of sight with the driver of that car,” he responds in a clipped tone.“I heard something a-fucking-gain.”

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