CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Did you get to see him?” asked Evie.

“Nope,” said Garr, falling onto the overstuffed sofa. “He made an appointment at 0730, but we were warned he might not show up.”

“He won’t,” said Evie.

“What do you mean? How can you be sure?” She pointed to the television, turning up the volume on the news.

“He’s headed to overseas bases for the holidays. He wants to show his genuine support for the troops. I personally don’t buy that bullshit, but that’s what he says,” said Evie.

“When?” growled Leif.

“He will leave sometime in the early morning hours. Sounds to me like you need to make a late-night visit to his home and make him understand a few things.”

“We have an address,” said U-Jin. “It’s in Fairfax, Virginia. It will be dark in less than an hour. I say we find the house and wait for him there.”

“Agreed,” nodded Garr.

“Storm should let up around 0330,” said Evie. “I’ll be waiting at the bird to take us home.”

“You heard the lady,” said Leif. “Let’s go.”

The drive to Brockman’s home took longer than expected due to the weather and traffic in the D.C. and Virginia area. At least it was further out, away from the neighborhoods and any surrounding homes.

In fact, he lived on a large farm, complete with horses, a few outer buildings, and a barn.

“We’ve got a security system and at least two guards,” said Garr, looking at the drone footage. “The wind is wicked. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to keep her up.”

“It’s okay. We know what we have to do,” said Leif. “U-Jin? Do your thing, brother.”

Stepping out of the vehicle on the side of the road, he crossed to the white fence, easily hopping over it. Sebastian hit a few keys, and they saw the spotlights go out, then the gates opening, seemingly of their own free will.

“Security is off,” said Sebastian. He looked up, trying to find U-Jin somewhere in the darkness and falling snow. “Damn, he’s hard to see.”

“Bastard is fast as lightning,” said Garr. “That’s one guard down. That’s two. Heat signatures say there are two inside the house. Seems the Colonel has a lot to worry about.”

“What do you mean?” asked Leif.

“How many colonels do you know that have four guards on their home? He’s not married. There’s no one else here. Why the four guards?”

“Let’s go,” said Leif. “I’m not going to let U-Jin walk into some trap. U-Jin, hold up.”

“ I’m inside. Only two guards. Both down. He’s not here yet.”

“Told you he was fast,” smirked Garr.

Inside the Colonel’s home, they reset all the lights and security systems, taking a seat in the large living room. There was already a fire burning in the fireplace, the smell of whiskey, cigars, and cheap cologne filling the space. U-Jin walked into the room, grinning.

“Everything okay?” asked Garr.

“Good. They will wake in about an hour with a terrible headache but will remember nothing. By then, we will be gone. I’ve placed them inside the gatehouse. I took these pictures,” he said, holding up his phone.

“What the fuck is that?” asked Sebastian.

“Weapons. Stacked against the walls. Again, why does a colonel need his home armed and ready for war?” U-Jin looked at his friends, their faces showing the same concern and panic as his own. Seeing the headlights of the Colonel’s car making its way down the driveway, they prepared to greet him.

“Seems strange he doesn’t mind driving himself,” said Garr.

“Strange or intentional,” said Leif. “No one to hear his conversations.”

They watched as he exited his car, stomping the snow from his shoes beneath the covered drive. He turned, looking for his security, but didn’t see anyone, then shook his head. When the door opened, he called out.

“Stuart? Miller? You here?”

“They’ve taken a nap,” said Garr. The Colonel jumped, dropping the attaché to his feet. U-Jin knelt down, carefully lifting it and handing it back to him.

“Who the fuck are you, and why are you in my home?”

“You refused to see us earlier today,” said Leif. “Considering all our connections, that seemed rude.”

“We don’t have any connections,” said the Colonel, setting his coat on the back of the chair. “I need you to leave, or I’ll call my security team. You won’t like what they do.”

“You really don’t know us, do you?” smirked Garr. “Let me introduce myself. Patrick Garr Slater. These are my former teammates and friends, Leif Frode, Sebastian Vernon, and U-Jin Park. We’re with—”

“Voodoo Guardians,” interrupted Brockman. “My apologies. I didn’t recognize the famous team. Of course, there are so many of you. How could a man keep up with all that talent? Wasted talent.”

“Wasted?” laughed Sebastian. “That’s funny. Although, when we spoke to Buzz, he told us a few things about what you’re wasting.”

Brockman froze mid-pour of a glass of Scotch, then finished. He took a sip, staring at each of the men.

“So, you’re here to kill me?”

“Kill you? Colonel, why in the world would we want to kill you? Is there something you’d like to get off your chest?” asked Garr. He didn’t answer, staring at the men again, trying to decide what his next move might be.

“We’re trying to figure out why you would be so heavily invested in weapons manufacturing, coordinating attacks on U.S. citizens, private, unprotected U.S. citizens, and then selling the same weapons you’re invested in, to our enemies. Can you explain that?” asked Leif.

“I’m afraid Buzz wasn’t himself, obviously. He’s been a bit touched in the head for a while now. How is he, anyway?”

“He’s dead. I’d have to guess by your hand, but he survived long enough to speak with us,” said Sebastian.

That brought a strange look to the Colonel’s face. How was that possible? How could he have survived two shots to the chest?

“Speak to you? And what did he say? As I told you, he hasn’t been himself lately. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were behind the shootings.”

“Oh, he was. He and two others. All dead now. But while we were entering your home, it was unlocked, by the way,” smirked Leif.

“Of course it was. I always leave my home unlocked,” grinned the Colonel.

“While we were entering your home, your security guard was in the gatehouse, and we noticed a considerable stockpile of weapons. Why would a colonel, with access to weapons of any type, have so many weapons at his own home?”

“I’m a collector. I enjoy having protection around me. It’s a fundamental right of every American. Haven’t you heard? A right to bear arms.”

“We both know that’s not what you’re doing, Colonel, and we’re going to prove it. See, we aren’t stupid. You have investments in at least four different weapons manufacturing companies. We are pleased and proud to say you don’t have one with G.R.I.P., nor will you.”

“I was actually in conversation with them recently about how we can help one another,” he smiled.

“If you check your e-mail, you’ll find that your proposal was rejected. We won’t be doing business with you or anyone in the Pentagon,” said Leif. The Colonel’s mouth twisted in a sneer, staring at the men. He didn’t need to check his e-mail. He knew it would be true.

“That’s really a shame,” said the Colonel, taking a seat in his big leather recliner. “We could have been a beautiful partnership, and of course, you know how sought-after your weapons are.”

“We’re well aware,” said Garr, “but we prefer they be used for good, not evil.”

“Not evil?” laughed BB. “You’re delusional. All of you. So determined to help your fellow man and stop the world from imploding. Delusional. This world is tilting as we speak. Tilting further and further toward evil. We hate just to hate because it’s fun and makes us feel superior to whomever we’re hating.

“All over the world, we choose to point at groups of people who don’t meet our idea of perfection or right, just people, and we say, ‘we don’t want you here any longer.’ And with a snap of our fingers, we get rid of them. It’s that easy. You not allowing me access to your weapons won’t change anything.”

“And your bullshit holiday trip overseas?” asked Sebastian.

“What can I say? I like spreading a bit of holiday cheer to our troops. Let them know that someone back here cares for them.”

“While you boys were having a party inside the house, I decided to do some recon on the outer buildings. There were dozens of containers of weapons and explosives. You might want to exit soon. There’s about to be a very large boom. Miller taught me everything I know.”

The men smirked at the sound of Evie’s voice, realizing she was on the property, probably with the bird in stealth.

“Let’s go! Move your asses. It’s cold out here.”

“Enjoy your trip, Colonel. We should be able to wrap things up by the time you return, if you return, that is,” said Garr. “I’m sure the defense committee and the joint chiefs will want to see you, along with the POTUS.”

The men casually walked toward the front door, realizing that U-Jin wasn’t with them. They looked around then saw him coming toward them from upstairs. He was carrying a large pillowcase that seemed overstuffed.

“What the hell are you doing?” growled the Colonel.

“Oh. These items belong to us,” said U-Jin. “You obviously stole the prototypes from the Pentagon when we sent them to be reviewed. Of course, they are not close to what we actually have, but still, it felt wrong to leave them in your hands.”

“You searched my home!”

“No. We have locators on our products. We know where they are and who has them at all times. You should remember that,” smiled U-Jin.

“What are you chewing on?” smirked Garr. U-Jin shrugged, grinning at the Colonel.

“He has an entire glass jar of Belgian chocolates by his bed. They’re my favorite.”

There was literally a cloud of steam coming off Brockman’s head as he watched the men walk across his field. How could they have known so much? He’d killed Buzz. Did he talk to them before that? When they disappeared, he dialed his team.

“We need to get those crates loaded now! Get the trucks moving.”

“But, sir, it’s too early. We need to wait until the traffic dies down some and it’s completely dark. With the storm, I’m worried that someone might see,” said the voice.

“I don’t give a fuck!” The earth rumbled as snow and dirt flew into the air, flames licking the cold sky. Pieces of buildings, timber, steel, and glass went in every direction, the sky literally raining debris. “No. No, this can’t be.”

“Sir? Sir, what happened?” The Colonel just stared at the millions of dollars in weapons that just exploded in his backyard. He’d have to find a way to explain that later.

“Never mind. There’ll be no shipment tonight.”