Free Hard Case VII - Red Waves (John Harding Series Book 7) by Bernard Lee DeLeo Page A

though, we’ll concentrate on our targets. We’ll test our com units on the way.” I switched to Arabic to make a point. “It’s time for you to call your friends, Gordon. Take a deep breath, steady your voice, because you will be in for a lot of pain otherwise. Remember this too. As you can hear we speak your language.”
    Denny called the Stage Coach Lodge, asking if his two friends had arrived safely after giving the hotel attendant the names and room number Gilani mentioned they checked in under. The Lodge operator confirmed their arrival. Denny disconnected and called the number Gilani gave him for the couple’s throwaway cell-phone. He held the phone so Gilani could speak into it. Emir answered the phone, confirmed his orders to remain at the Lodge, but asked if their boat escape was in place. Gilani assured him it was. Denny disconnected.
    Clint and Lynn followed me toward the Stage Coach Lodge. Lynn had grabbed a clipboard. She stripped down to her blouse which looked great after buttoning and straightening. Lynn then tied her hair back tightly into place. With clipboard in hand she looked very professional. Clint made ready a nice banger surprise for when Emir or Bibi opened the door. We separated, allowing Lynn to approach the cottage alone while Clint and I slipped to the sides, out of sight from their windows. Lynn knocked.
    “Hello? Motel management. I need you to sign a reference form for me, please.”
    The door opened with security chain in place. I hit the door with a shoulder, popping the chain. Clint threw in the banger and pulled Lynn to the side. I at first opened the door into the face of Emir before slamming it shut. The resulting small explosion was most satisfying. We were all inside in seconds. It appeared Bibi suffered the worst of our surprise stunner. Blood exited all the passages in her face, including from her eyes. Emir twisted to confront us, but he was in no shape for further resistance. I threw him on his face and made him immobile with our quick connect plastic restraints. Lynn did the same for the injured Bibi. Clint gathered all their belongings while I called for Gus. It was a tight squeeze getting the action van in there, but Gus managed. We were again loaded and ready to leave within minutes. Nick handled a frightened manager approaching us with his FBI badge. He assured the man we would make good on any damages during the apprehension of the fugitives.
    Gus eased us to the street, proceeding directly toward Carmel Valley. Lynn wiped off Bibi’s face, giving her oxygen and finally an adrenaline shot. Nothing worked. I hooked up our paddles while Lynn continued pressuring her chest. Denny warned ‘Clear’ and charged Bibi’s chest while I held the paddles in place. We brought her back from the dead on the third voltage upswing. Emir watched us with sullen eyes, gasping and shaking his head to clear the effects of our flash-bang. He saved a few glares for Gilani, but he was wasting his time. They would all soon be dead. Emir would have to seek retribution in the great beyond. Maybe he could put a claim in for half of Gilani’s virgins.
    “Where are you taking us?” Emir appeared the type to annoy us unless instructed properly. Lynn lit him up for a nice fifteen second stun-gun charge.
    “We’ll get to the question and answer phase later,” Lynn informed him with a pat on the cheek. “I like to call it my version of ‘Truth or Consequences’. If you’re smart you’ll be thinking of all the wondrous facts you can share with us to avoid my ‘Consequences’ part of the game.”
    “I will tell you nothing!” Emir got ready to spit on the floor, but Lucas popped him right between the eyes with the butt of his Colt .45.
    “You spit on my van floor asshole and I’ll have Lynn peel your face off for a napkin to clean it with!” Lucas didn’t have to do anything else. Emir no longer cared to express his outrage. His eyes didn’t uncross for about five