Page 116 of Wrecked
“I work special assignments,” she replied.
Hawk had a time frame to manage, a team to ready, and a group of ruthless fugitives to eliminate. This wasn’t the time or the place for Tommy’s puppy-dog eyes and flushed cheeks. No doubt, his cousin had it bad for Addison.
“Alright, team,” Hawk began. “Let’s run through the specs. Over the past four years, there have been prison breaks at three max-security correctional facilities in Colorado, Texas, and New York. These guys staged riots, killed multiple guards and civilians, and all vanished once they escaped.
“They made their way to a lake house in Mississippi,” Hawk continued. “A few got jobs under assumed names, but most of them were selling drugs or breaking into homes and stealing laptops, TV’s, and jewelry. The FBI sent in a SWAT team, but the fugitives has been tipped off. They ambushed the agents, wounding all of them and killing two.
“The criminals fled, the trail went cold, until last week,” Hawk added. “A woman from North Carolina hadn’t heard from her aunt and uncle in a few months. They live in a remote location on Maryland’s Eastern shore where the homes are spread out and hidden by trees.” Hawk dimmed the lights, then sat back down.
He projected the picture of the property on the screen.
“When the woman’s relatives didn’t return her texts or calls, she drove up to check on them. She found cars parked out front and on the gravel driveway. Two men were talking outside. She didn’t recognize them or the vehicles. Since she was afraid to get out of her car, she didn’t stop. Instead, she called the FBI.”
Hawk projected aerial shots of the home. “These FBI drone shots confirmed this is their hideout.” Pausing, he glanced at the team. “Hit me with your questions.”
There were none, so he tapped the laptop and mugshots of the men appeared on screen. “Our mission is to eliminate the twelve men pictured here. The FBI was holding out hope that the aunt and uncle are still alive.” Hawk flashed a different picture on the screen. “These mounds in the woods behind the house look like freshly dug graves. We have reason to think the homeowners are buried there.”
“These men are ruthless,” Stryker said.
“Yeah,” Hawk continued. “Which is why we’re taking ‘em out.”
“Any women or children there?” Barry asked.
“Unconfirmed,” Hawk replied. “None were visible from the drone pics.” He flashed the pictures of the fugitives on the screen again. “We only take out these men.”
The next portion of the meeting covered any challenges they could encounter. It was more like a brainstorming session where all possibilities were discussed. Everyone was encouraged to participate, and Hawk was relieved when Addison started offering ideas. The tightness around her eyes disappeared as she moved into mission mode.
They studied the layout of the home from pictures the niece had provided the FBI.
“As of Friday, the property was occupied, but it might be vacant, with explosives set to detonate if someone enters the building,” Hawk explained.
“Gotcha,” Stryker said.
“Stryker and Emerson, you’ll take the lower level,” Hawk said.
“Copy,” Emerson said.
“I’ll work with Addison,” Tommy said.
Addison slid her gaze to Hawk. “I partner with Hawk,” Addison said.
Good sign.
“I’m putting you with Barry, Tommy,” Hawk explained.
“That’ll work,” Barry replied.
“Nothing like baptism by fire, Tommy,” Stryker commented.
“Tommy and I went to the shooting range,” Barry added. “He’s gonna do great.”
“Barry and Tommy, you’ll take the first floor,” Hawk said. “Addison and I will handle the top floor.”
“Got it,” Addison said.
“If someone gets out, let ‘em go,” Hawk said. “Do not separate from the team and go after them in the woods. Is that clear?”
They each acknowledged that it was.
