Band of Bachelors: Jake2: Book 4 (SEAL Brotherhood) Read online

  “General,” Coop started. “With all due respect, our team leader is on his way, and the US State Department has been notified.”

  The translation didn’t move Cortez. With his dark glasses, it was hard to tell his mood. But Jake noted he seemed to be in an eternal state of being pissed.

  The young officer shouted out, “If you are carrying weapons, you will disable them and toss them to the ground.”

  “We have none,” said Danny. Everyone else in the group held their hands out to their sides indicating the same.

  Jake heard the sound of their rented van and after first driving past the roadway where they were standing, the van stopped, backed up and turned down the road and parked right behind the group. Kyle was out the driver’s door in a flash, stepping up to the General to shake hands, but he was barred from doing so by the uniformed attachment who stepped in front of the General.

  Kyle turned to Fredo, who had been doing something in the van and now jogged to stand at Kyle’s side. He spoke with the General in Spanish and soon they began to argue.

  The General gave an order and two of his men stepped past Kyle and Fredo and grabbed Jake’s arms, bringing him forward. Fredo continued to argue as the men ordered Jake to step up and sit in the back seat of the Jeep.

  Jake’s heart was racing. He’d never been in a Mexican jail or detention facility, but somehow he imagined it wasn’t a very comfortable place to be. Without his weapons, and with the order they were given about not engaging the military or police, he realized that he would have to cooperate or someone would get nervous and the whole situation could blow up.

  A crowd had started to gather. Armando began speaking to the group, keeping his voice calm, but before long, he, too was being contradicted and ordered to stop.

  Kyle spoke to the officer who spoke English. “I am going to confer with my men. You understand we do not want any problems, and no violence or bloodshed. But we must consult our government since we are all here on official business.”

  The young man motioned for him to carry on.

  Jake couldn’t hear the conversations but knew they were working out a strategy. Fredo translated for Kyle.

  “You may take Jake to the detention facility, but we will follow and we will see where he has been taken and under what authority. We request written confirmation he is in custody, and the reason for his being held, so that we can present it to our representatives in the Department of the Navy.”

  The General blurted something out and the young officer shouted the translation. “And there will be no fake letters from your Mr. Secretary of the Navy.”

  After conferring with his other men, the General nodded and stepped into the front seat of the Jeep. Two of his men sat on either side of Jake, one of whom placed handcuffs on him.

  “No! No! No! This is not necessary!” Kyle protested, as Fredo translated. “He is not to be handcuffed, he is to be treated with respect. We submit to the questioning, but nothing else.”

  The General listened to his officer and then nodded. The handcuffs were removed. He spoke again.

  “You will follow us now. Mr. Jake Green will be left at the detention facility until further notice. You may inform his next of kin.”

  The Jeep sped off, leaving behind a cloud of dust the van had to navigate in. But Jake could see they were not far behind. The Jeep headed for downtown where a fairly modern concrete and granite building loomed before them. They drove around to the back where armed men guarded the large rear doors. Jake was unloaded and escorted up the ramp way, and inside. His last glimpse of freedom was watching Kyle and the other men from his Team forming a small circle, Kyle giving instructions. Several men stayed with the van, while Kyle, Armando, Fredo and Cooper walked toward the door.

  He sighed with relief as they were allowed to enter.

  Chapter 17

  WORD SPREAD FAST in the community that Jake was being held in Puerto Cortes. Sr. Chief Collins was monitoring calls from the Team, annoyed that they’d managed to step in dog poop without a sighting of the person they’d been sent to get.

  He spoke quietly so that the rest of the office didn’t get wind of how out of control the situation really was.

  “Kyle, we’ve got an attorney on retainer there, and he’ll stop by in the morning and meet with Jake. You need to just tell your guy to be cooperative. You know the drill. Everyone stay calm and cool. We don’t get into a firefight, understood?”

  “Yessir,” Kyle answered. “Can this attorney protect him at all?”

  “Hard to say, son. We don’t think General Cortez is necessarily rogue. He does command loyalty amongst his rank and file, but like most of them down there, they look out for themselves first, so he’ll not take any risks. Just don’t give him a reason to get angry with any of you. Don’t make him feel nervous because no telling how he’ll react. We have to find out what the motivation is down there. Working on that. So, just keep it real cool. That includes Jake.”

  “Roger that. I’ll make sure it gets relayed. So, is the mission blown, then? Should I send some of the men home?”

  “I’m thinking you can send home the non-essentials. Definitely keep Fredo and Armando, Coop and T.J. Up to you about Danny. But everyone else I think should come on back. That leaves you two medics, one sharpshooter who better not be shooting anything but ground squirrels, two native speakers and a couple of weapons and explosive guys with backup.”

  “Tay is asking to stay as well.”

  “Nope, you send him and Ollie home. I got some underwater stuff they can do here. He’s probably going to be doing a temporary duty assignment for the Navy elsewhere, but he’ll be back later in the year, I think.”

  “So, I’m assuming you’ll arrange pickup for these guys at the old Naval base tomorrow? We’re to get them over there on our own?”

  “You got that right. Not enough time for me to arrange it. I think you could do a better job. I’m going to get my ass chewed on this one. Already been one of our most expensive ops and we’ve been at it, what, like two days now? Let’s get everyone home safe and without collateral injuries, you reading me loud and clear?”

  “Absolutely, sir.”

  “Next I’ve got to notify the next of kin, and then arrange for your military transport to California.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Oh, Kyle?”

  “Yessir?”

  “I’m looking at Jake’s record, and he’s got his mother listed as the next of kin. Isn’t that kid married? I heard he’d done it like six times or something.”

  “Three, well two really. One he never married.”

  “So who the hell am I supposed to call?”

  “You call the first wife, Ginger Green. And you call his mother, Adele Green.”

  “And his dad? Do they live together?”

  Kyle chuckled. “Hardly, sir. Jake’s father passed away during our last trip down here. You probably didn’t know that.”

  “Ah, that sucks. So, I got both those addresses for Ginger and his mother. Anyone else?”

  “His brother, Gerud, but Adele would know how to locate him.”

  “Okay, I’m updating the file now. You see why this causes so much problem for us when they get so casual with the paperwork?”

  “I do. My squad never expects they’ll need those notifications. They’re Superman, every one of them.”

  GINGER HAD JUST picked up the girls from gymnastics and had served them lunch when she got a knock at the front door. Chelsea Fiona barked up a storm, which scared the girls. Ginger picked the dog up and opened the door. It was their team liaison, Sr. Chief Collins. Her heart jumped to her throat and she couldn’t speak at first. But not seeing a chaplain meant that something had gone wrong, but Jake was still alive.

  “Ma’am. I’d like to come in, please.”

  “Sure.” She stepped aside and let the dog down. “Let her bark. She won’t bite,” Ginger said.

  She let the girls greet their father’s Team liaison. Both
of them were good as gold, and upon Ginger’s instruction, retired to their room with the dog in tow to take a short nap.

  “What is it, Sr. Chief?”

  “Can I have a glass of water?”

  Ginger dutifully got Collins the water and ushered him to the living room to take a seat at the couch. She sat in an easy chair perpendicular to the couch.

  “Jake’s been held by the Mexican authorities for questioning in the operation they did last month. You heard about it last time on the news, which was unfortunate, but I’m sure Jake filled you in. We were able to use some trickery to get him out the first time, but this time, they’re not letting him go.”

  “How long?”

  “Oh, they have civil rights, but nobody down there pays much attention to it. There’s so much crime, bribery is a real problem, so there’s nothing consistent. Of course, we can make it a big international incident, but in this case, we didn’t and don’t want that.”

  “So what does that mean?”

  “Well, I’m afraid it means we’ve got to raise some money, possibly.”

  “Me?”

  “No, not you, but if you had resources somehow, that would help. This is not exactly like negotiating with terrorists. That we never do, officially. But Jake did shoot that woman, and we have lots of detail on it being an accident. As you know, Mexico has been ordered around a bit by the new administration in Washington and perhaps that’s a factor. We’re not going to launch a hostage rescue mission, so as long as he’s not being tortured or beaten—”

  “Tortured or beaten?” Ginger’s senses switched into high alert. For the first time since she’d been with Jake, her fear he would be taken away from her was real.

  “We don’t think they’ll mistreat him. In an odd twist of fate, we don’t think they’re trying to get any information out of him. They’d like something flashy for their television news media. Something to show that Mexico wasn’t going to be bullied any longer by the US. Thumb their noses at the US type of thing. If it were information they wanted, it would be far more dangerous for Jake. However, being in that detention facility in Baja is no cakewalk. He’s well trained, but he doesn’t have a weapon, and that’s a handicap. We’re hoping we can get him removed from the general population to some place safe.”

  “I understand. So, what can I do? You are arranging some money, then?”

  “We have certain protocol we have to follow.”

  “How much are you trying to raise?”

  “No figure yet. We’re not even sure who the players are. No demands have been made. No ransom notes or anything, so it’s a waiting game.”

  “I see. Well, just so you know, we don’t have a lot of money, I’m sorry to say. But I’ll discuss it with the family.”

  “Thanks. Now, I’ve got to go visit his mother, Adele.” He stood and Ginger shook his hand, even though she could see he wanted to give her a hug. She was going to have to start enduring some sleepless nights, and there was no reason she should start out soft.

  “Can I ask you one last question, Sr. Chief?”

  “Go right ahead,” he said as he walked to the front door.

  “What are Jake’s chances of getting home safe?”

  “Well, Kyle and a few of the guys are down there too. If I were the Mexican authority, I’d not bet against the SEALs. They can be pretty resourceful. Just not sure in this case whether their skills are a match for what’s needed. But being calm and looking for opportunity is what it’s all about. Once that little hole appears, we’re pretty good at ripping that thing to shreds.”

  “Thank you.”

  GINGER GOT A call from Adele about forty-five minutes later.

  “Are they going to allow you to see him?” she asked.

  “I didn’t even think about that, Adele. You think it would help?”

  “Well, he said something about looking to raise some cash. What if we made arrangements so we didn’t have to wait so long for the Navy to do it?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I could go to Rob Peterson and ask him.”

  “Gerud’s father?”

  “It wouldn’t hurt to ask. And I have some equity in this house. I could get a short term loan perhaps.”

  “The fact of the matter is, Adele, Jake’s innocent. It was an accident. Shouldn’t we just trust the system?”

  “Honey, there is no system. I think that’s what Collins came to tell us.”

  “I don’t want to interfere with whatever they’re doing.”

  “You need to talk to Jake’s LPO, Kyle. He’s still there, from what I understand.”

  “Yes, I was told as much.”

  “The guys have to be told we might be able to assist in the money arrangements. I don’t think they know that yet.”

  “Okay. I’ll get hold of Collins and see if he can get Kyle to give me a call. And you let me know how things are going on your end.”

  BY NIGHTFALL, GINGER had received several calls from other SEAL wives, which was the custom. Babysitting was offered and meals were set up to be delivered. The community surrounded Ginger so she didn’t have to endure all the worry alone. Kyle’s wife, Christy, agreed to let her know if she heard anything from Kyle, and promised to encourage him to call.

  She’d just gotten out of the shower. The girls were in bed, when she got the call she’d been waiting for from Kyle.

  “How’re you holding up?”

  “Hanging in there. Listen, I need to tell you there is a chance we can raise some cash to help with getting him freed, if you think that will do anything.”

  “We still don’t really know who we’re dealing with. General Cortez might be actually in the employ of someone else. We don’t want to go offering cash, or letting people think there could be a cash payout, because we could be bled dry, or it could create a competition for control over Jake’s fate.”

  “Well, we’re working on it. I wanted you to know. We’ll keep on it, and you just keep it at the back of your head just in case it’s needed. I’ll know more in a couple of days.”

  “Your mother-in-law is all in for Jake. That’s nice she can do that. I hope we don’t have to drain her bank account.”

  “Jake’s brother might have resources we didn’t know about before. Just stay tuned and let me know how it’s going, and give us some idea how much we might need, if you can.”

  “Will do.”

  “So, how does he look?” Ginger wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the truth.

  “Oh, he’s fine. I mean, he’s nervous, but you know how level he is in a stressful situation. It’s the unknown that gets to hostages and prisoners. We’re trying to get that worked out. Until we do, that’s his biggest challenge.”

  “Well any chance I can talk to him? Or, can I come visit?”

  “Oh no, sweetheart. You stay the hell away from him. This is no place for you to be. It’s not a safe or stable environment. And Jake would worry himself sick if he knew you were coming, but I’ll let him know you wanted to.”

  “Yes, please do so. And tell him I’m being positive. I’m shopping for satin and lace.”

  “Ma’am, Jake’s a lucky man.”

  His deep chuckle wasn’t Jake’s voice, but for now, it would have to do. She knew he’d enjoy hearing about a homecoming, if that were possible.

  But then this was Jake. Everything was possible with Jake. This was the life they were supposed to live. It was their turn. She wasn’t going to let anything stop her from fulfilling her dreams of spending the rest of her days with him.

  She forgot to tell Kyle she had another secret. But Ginger decided that would wait until the homecoming. That was something she wanted to do in person, whispered in his ear on a night filled with candles and soft music.

  That vision became her new trajectory.

  Chapter 18

  THE CELL JAKE was placed in also housed two other prisoners. The lack of a window made it impossible for him to see who they were or what condition they were in. He hadn�
�t heard beatings, but he did hear lots of clanging and guessed most the people stored in this facility were chained by hands or feet or both.

  The place smelled like feces and stale urine. He imagined it would be difficult to use the honey bucket he knew to be in the corner of the cell without missing, since there was no benefit of light. He tried to sit back on the itchy mattress he’d been given and soon discovered he was covered with fleas.

  He knew it had to be mind over matter. The fleabites stung and then itched afterward. If he indulged, the itching would get worse, and then there would be the possibility of infection. That was always going to be his biggest problem. That and obtaining enough water to keep his brain functioning in such a stressful situation with little food.

  One of his cellmates had a hacking cough that didn’t sound healthy at all. Someone at the end of the hall was mumbling with fever and the rest of his cell was complaining. He heard Spanish spoken, as well as what sounded like an African dialect. Jake imagined Baja was a magnet for peoples from all over the world to try to gain entry into the US, in a state that was lax on enforcement of immigration laws. With the added juice of a very healthy drug business run by cartels all around Central and South America, the clash of money, cultures and greed made for dangerous bedfellows. Jake didn’t have to compete with all this distraction. He just had to outlast it all. Somehow, he had to remain alive long enough for a rescue, a fair resolution to his legal troubles, or a miracle. He was praying for the latter. He didn’t want anyone risking their life for him today.

  He could hear water dripping down the stone blocks of the cell’s perimeter. The long corridor echoed in mysterious ways, sometimes making him think a voice was whispering in his ear, and other times not. He remembered on the tour of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay that inmates on the rock could sometimes hear partygoers on expensive yachts berthed at the Marina just as if they were standing on the pier. Water and wind would carry the voices so the inmates could hear what they were missing, even if they couldn’t see it.

  He started doing what he always did when he was gripped with fear. He started counting his blessings. First on his list was his family—all of them, but of course mostly Ginger who had come back into his life when he didn’t deserve it. He was grateful for those lush days and nights he’d had with her, and for chance to give her back the joy she’d given him. It was a dream he had no right to expect, but was the thing he would be clawing toward every minute of every day he had to spend in this awful place.