Page 65

“Well, we’ve got a problem, because I’m looking at thousands of barrels filled with nitric acid. There’s enough precursors in here to make tons of high explosives.”

“I’ll call Deb,” said TJ. “This is going to make her agency colleagues very happy.”

Mike reached down and patted Axe. “You’ve still got it, haven’t you, old boy?” Hatchet was sitting alongside his father. He’d been watching every move the older dog made.

Chapter Twenty-Four

There was a significant reception party at the Navy base when the Blackhawk touched down. Ali, Jenny, Maria, and Deb were all there to help unload the puppies, along with a fuel tanker that began refueling the bird.

Ali had enlisted the services of a local vet, and the dogs were secured in individual travel cages. She and the vet would check each pup in detail to ensure they hadn’t suffered any ill effects from their kidnapping or captivity.

“Mike, do you have any pictures of the hold?” asked Deb. Axe was still by his side.

“Yeah, I’ll flick them across. TJ said once the bird is fueled, I’m to escort you back over.”

“Yep, that’s the plan. The deputy director is flying up from D.C. with a tactical team. They’re going to take over the ship. That will let you guys cut away.”

“Clearly, this find is a big deal then,” replied Mike.

“Sure is. We think the nitric acid is destined for Russia. They’ve had acute shortages due to the war, and they’re trying to get it from anywhere they can.”

“Does the deputy director know anything about the dognapping?”

Deb smiled. “No, he thinks we had a rock-solid tip-off, and I just happened to have a contracted tactical team and a few boys on secondment from the teams.”

“So, we’d better get the dogs out of here before he rocks up?”

“The girls are going to prep them and get them to the airport. The deputy director’s jet will touch down in a little over two hours. Once he and his people are here, we’re going to load you all on the bird and fly you down to San Diego.”

“Wait, how does that work?”

Deb shrugged. “It’s an Agency asset, not his personal taxi. I’ve got to get my team home, and he’s going to be in town for a few days. Now, I think your wife probably wants a word before we head out.”

Mike found Ali and the others attending to the pups. Maria and Jenny were both cradling the two females while Hatchet and one of his brothers were in their cages, protesting loudly. Ali had the smallest male up on a crate that she was using as a table. Axe made a beeline for Saber, who was carefully watching over her pups.

“How are they, babe?” asked Mike.

“No visible effects, and the stress doesn’t seem to have impacted them. I’m more worried about the flight back. The boys do not like their cages.”

“Yeah, I can see that.”

“How was the job?” she asked tentatively as she checked the pup’s teeth.

“Pretty uneventful thanks to Bianca. That girl’s one hell of an operator. Thanks to her, we rolled them up quickly.”

“Were TJ and Rick impressed too?” asked Jenny.

“Hell yeah, we all were.” Mike glanced over his shoulder and saw that the aircrew had finished refueling the chopper. “Did Deb tell you we’ve got to stay onboard a little longer?”

“Yeah, she said you found some contraband and that her people are super excited about it.”

“Well, it was Axe that found it.”

Ali glanced across at the Malinois, who were sitting with Saber. “That dog is beyond amazing.”

“I’m going to leave him with you. We’re going to meet you at the airport once we sort out the vehicles.”

“Don’t worry about the cars, house, or the luggage,” said Ali. “Deb’s people are going to sort it out when they get here.”