Page 56 of SEAL's Patience
“Looks like we’re going mountain climbing.”
They put away their masks and gloves and set off for the mountains five klicks north. All the while, Quinn prayed they’d find everyone alive when they got there.
It didn’t take long to reach the range. Whiskey and Ry took point. The rest of the team held back until Ry gave the signal to approach.
“There are voices up ahead, but I can’t tell where the sound is coming from. There are too many cave openings.”
“Send Whiskey.” Quinn nodded toward the German Shepherd.
Ry gave him the command, and the dog took off for the first ledge to the right.
They silently crept up the steep incline. As they got to the edge of the cave entrance, Quinn heard crying and voices. They were speaking English.
Using hand signals, they came up with the plan. Whiskey would enter first with the video camera around his neck. Ry would display the video on his device so they could determine the number of tangos and innocents inside. They’d used this tactic successfully many times, but there was always the risk they’d detect Whiskey’s presence.
After sending him inside, they gathered around Ry and watched the live feed. The narrow entrance led to a huge open area. The first thing they saw clearly were more dead bodies, all villagers. Whiskey hugged the walls of the cave as he moved further inside.
“There. Finally,” Quinn whispered. The doctors were chained together and sitting on the cave floor against the wall. As Whiskey moved his head, Quinn could identify most of the doctors and nurses from the photos they received in their mission packet.
As far as he could tell, they were almost all there. The only two missing were Patience and Dr. Ronald Christenson. Where the hell were they, and why were they separated from the rest?
“It doesn’t look like they’re injured,” Doc whispered.
“That means using the trucks as exfil should work,” Lucky added.
“Yeah, as long as we take out all the tangos,” Josh said.
They were all correct, but Quinn wouldn’t give the go until Whiskey returned. He hoped he’d find Patience and the missing doctor before he did. Then he got his wish, finally. Tied to a chair, gagged, Patience struggled in her bonds. Thankfully, she didn’t look injured. Then, as Whiskey backed away, his camera picked up three dead tangos, and a very alive Dr. Christenson, pointing a gun at a fourth tango.
“We need to move now. Give Whiskey the attack whistle. Hopefully, he can get the gun away from Christenson. On my call.”
Ry pulled the chain around his neck and lifted the whistle. It was so high-pitched they wouldn’t hear it, but Whiskey would. As soon as Ry nodded, Quinn whispered, “Move, move, move.”
As stealthy as possible, they entered the cave. Checking the bodies as they came upon them, they didn’t find anyone alive. Finally, they reached the doctors and held their fingers to their mouths for quiet. They nodded their understanding as the SEAL team continued into the next area.
Whiskey had knocked the gun from Christenson’s hand and was standing on the tango. They filed in, and Patience’s eyes grew wide at the sight of them, and then they filled with tears.
His poor girl. Quinn wanted to race to her side and free her. But they weren’t out of danger yet.
Ry took his position near Whiskey and put zip ties on the tango.
“Hello, Dr. Christenson. We’re your way out of here. But first, I need you to tell me why you’re the only one not tied up?” Quinn said as he directed his Sig at the irate man.
“I wrestled the gun away from one of our captors as he tried to tie me up with the rest. Then I shot the three of them, would have shot him too, if not for the damn dog.”
“That damn dog probably saved your life, asshole,” Ry said through gritted teeth.
Quinn examined the man—tall, in his mid-forties, and the only one who didn't appear to have been dragged through the mud. He wasn’t buying his story.
“Ry, cuff him until we can verify his story.”
Ry reached for another zip tie from his belt when Patience pitched over in the chair, knocking Christenson to the ground.
“You stupid cunt. What the fuck are you doing? Do you want to die? If I don’t give you the antidote in the next hour, you’ll die the same as the others. A slow, painful death.” Then he pushed her off him and punched her in the face.
Quinn saw black. He raced over and lifted the doctor by his collar. This was his worst nightmare come to life. He fought the urge to pound the man until he took his last breath. Overcoming his blinding rage, he shoved him at Ry to cuff. Then he kneeled on the ground and pulled the gag from Patience’s mouth and untied her.
“Easy, little doc, I’ve got you,” Quinn whispered as he helped her stand.
