Bourne to Love Emma (RED-Stone Operatives Book 1) Read Free Page B

garage.  I’m usually on my own for recon like this but,
tonight, I had two guys who would be staking out secondary views of the same
target.  One of our sources leaked the location and time of a new shipment
across town.  If I hurry, I can get set up before full dark which will make it
easier to pick my own position.
    I circled around the manufacturing
plant, checking out the buildings on all sides.  Even though one of the techs
at the office made a recommendation on where to set up, I always do my own
quick recon whenever possible.  Not that our techs aren’t good at their jobs,
just that I know I’m better.
    After I picked my spot on the roof to
the East of the building we’re watching – which did happen to be the same one
the tech recommended – I found an out of the way place to park my SUV and
shouldered my duffle for the hike in.  Sticking to the alleys and shadows along
the buildings, I reached the alley I’m looking for.  Once I shoved a dumpster a
little closer – a little too loud for my taste – I’m able to climb on top of it
and jump to grab the bottom of the fire escape ladder – also louder than I
would like – and haul myself up.  I stayed crouched and still for several minutes,
making sure I haven’t attracted attention.
    Once I’m sure I’m clear, I silently
made my way to the rooftop.  Even though it wasn’t especially hot today, this
bitch is scorching up here.  I felt sweat start to bead on my back and slide
down my spine.  I gave myself one brief moment to curse this damn mission and
the asshole we’re hunting – and he is an asshole of the first order.
    Anderson Patzkowsky:  known drug
trafficker associated with several of the deadliest cartels in South America
and Russia.  More than a few agencies had him flagged as a likely trafficker of
other things – weapons, women, children….  He’s been on the radar for Interpol
and the FBI for several years now – but he finally pissed off someone in our
neck of the woods who could care less about how he’s taken down, just that it
happens ASAP.  RED-Stone functions just outside the boundaries of the law –
close enough to save our own ass for the most part, but far enough outside that
we tend to ask forgiveness once a job is done rather than permission from the
agencies who would give a damn.
    RED-Stone was founded by Steven
Stone, a legendary former member of Delta Force.  During his time in the Army,
he regularly witnessed the instances where hostage and kidnapping victims
weren’t rescued because the government couldn’t do it without risking massive
political upset with whichever country was harboring the criminals.  More than
a few times, the risk was only warranted and green-lighted when the victim had
relatives in positions of power or wealthy families who made political
donations in an effort to recover their spouse or child.
    Once Stone left the Army – due to a
medical retirement that left him with a permanent limp – he used his contacts
in special forces to make contact with families who couldn’t get the government
to act on their behalf.  He recruited men and women who left the military with
exceptional skills and abilities and hired them to continue doing what they did
best – but for better pay and without the requirement that they perform every
mission without asking questions.  Missions were run with input from all
parties.  If someone was uncomfortable with an aspect of the existing strategy,
it was discussed and reviewed or revised. 
    One of Stone’s first recruits was
John Winters, my boss and a former Marine sniper.  When John recruited me, I
asked what RED-Stone stood for:  Recon, Exploit, Destroy.  Recon the target,
exploit that intel in every way possible, destroy the threat.
    So.  Here I am, doing the recon in
hopes that we actually get to move forward to steps two and three sooner rather
than later.  We’ve been chasing this bastard for almost a month now and none of
us are