The police car sped down the country road, leaving behind the distant lights of the city. Shrouded in the moon’s glow, the dense forest replaced cultivated fields. Irena snuggled in Dario’s arms, and he tried hard not to think these could be their last moments together. Ante occupied the passenger’s seat, clutched the handle above the window with each sway of the car, racing along the twisting road.
What waited for them at the old military airport? Would they make it in time to save his daughter and little niece? The girls faced horrible futures if they failed.
After several kilometers of heavy silence, a rusty signpost flashed in the headlight warned they were approaching what was once a military installation. The outlines of the abandoned barracks appeared in the distance. From his vantage point, Dario couldn’t detect any activity.
The car slowed down and Joe pulled to the curb. “Why are we stopping here?” Dario clenched and
unclenched his fist, releasing the stiffness from the long grip on the door handle.
Joe turned to face him. “We’re meeting someone. He’s undercover cop and poses as one of Fred’s thugs. Do as he says or his cover could get blown and we get killed.”
Dario swallowed a lump in his throat. He let go of Irena’s hand and the cold claimed his skin at the loss of contact. Her face was unreadable as she exchanged a hard glance with him, then stepped out of the car.
No sounds came from the clump of trees across the ditch, but winter still held its grip over nature. Joe turned on the small flashlight in his hand and pressed the button twice, the light blinked into the darkness. The same signal replied from behind the pines. A few seconds later a dark figure sidled into the clearing, his broad shoulders suggested a large man, a deep hood covering his face. He stopped several paces from them.
“Buddy.” Joe gave the newcomer an acknowledging nod. “These people are in need of help.” “Buddy?” Dario directed his question at Joe. Could
he put his hopes in someone who went by an alias and not very smart one?
“That’s all you need to know about me.” Buddy’s deep yet quiet voice iced Dario’s blood. The man was about to reveal something sinister.
“Your girls are fine…for now.” Buddy shoved his large hands inside his hoodie pockets.
“You didn’t even try to save them?” Ante’s loathing look was directed at Buddy.
“No, I bide my time until Fred slips.”
“You let them get away with kidnapping our kids.” Ante tightened his fists, his breathing heavy. “How could you?”
“Just hear me out first.” Buddy put his hands up in stop-right-there gesture. “For months we’ve been working alongside Europol on cases involving the disappearance of teens. All leads pointed to Mr. Penne, but all we had was mere speculations. We needed hard
evidence or the case would get overthrown on circumstantial claims.”
“I’m gonna kill you.” Ante lunged at Buddy, threw a punch, but Dario grabbed his brother’s other elbow and held him back.
Ante wrenched his arm free and jabbed at Buddy. He jumped back. Ante’s fist punched the air again. His reddened face stood out even in the darkness.
“Dammit man! He’s here to help us.” Dario tightened his grip on Ante’s arm, his nerves raw. “He risked his life to meet us here. Cool it now and do what you’re told.”
Irena stepped into the circle, yanking down the sleeves of her jacket. Dario glimpsed a brace on her right forearm. She grabbed Ante’s wrist as he was about to lunge at Buddy again. “Stop it, Ante. Dario is right. We need to work together. It’s hard to stay calm when our girls are taken, but if we want to get them back safe and sound, we cannot let emotions control us.”
Ante dropped his arms, letting them dangle by his sides. “How can I? They got my baby.”
“They took mine too.” Irena’s face mellowed. She hugged him, then stepped back. “It’s hard, I know. But this is our chance to get hard evidence against Fred and stop him for good. So he can’t do this to another child ever again.”
Ante drew in a long breath. His shoulders rose and fell with his hard exhale. He nodded and turned to Buddy. “Sorry man. I lost it there.”
“No need to apologize, I understand. Come, I’ll take you to Tom where he’s waiting with his men. Then I have to return before someone suspects I’m taking a too long piss.”
Hope kindled in Dario’s mind. “Tom’s there? How do you know him?”
“We’re war buddies. I got him a job after the war…he couldn’t deal with the chain of command, as always. Guess he learned nothing in combat.” Buddy nodded. “But enough of going down the memory line. Tom’s kennels are there. Fred’s men killed two of Tom’s best dogs. He’s furious.”
Ante jerked his head toward the road. “What are we waiting for? Let’s move. I want Fred’s head before Tom gets to him.”
“The lineup to Fred’s head is this way.” Buddy extended his arm toward the woods. The direction he’d emerged from.
Ante harrumphed but said nothing. By his pursed lips, he was still fuming. One by one, the men entered the wooded area, the dry grass and pine needles crunched under their feet.
Irena slid her gloved hand in Dario’s. “Can we trust these men?”
He squeezed her hand. “I trust them more than I’d trust the police. By the way, why are you wearing an arm brace?”
“The vambrace is for protection, and for hiding a blade.”
Blood froze at her casual tone. He couldn’t find the right words. She was a brave woman, still, he couldn’t comprehend she must carry such weapon. “Not to kill I hope.”
“If I have to in self-defense, though I rather incapacitate. “
Buddy halted in front of them and raised his hand then signaled to crouch. Tall grass and shrubbery in the
ditch prevented Dario from seeing what was happening on the gravel path above them.
Whoever was approaching with slow steps hummed off-key. Footfalls ceased in front of Dario. Close enough to make out camouflage pants tucked inside the black army boots through the blades of grass. In a slow and quiet motion, he slid the foliage apart enough to see the figure a few feet in front of them.
The man stopped humming and a flicked the lighter in his hand. A small flame drew Dario’s gaze to the guard’s face. Those long tufts of the man’s hair anyone could confuse for a woman’s. Before he could light the cigarette dangling from his lips, the night breeze smote the flame out.
“Shit,” The man shook the Zippo in his hand and snapped the flame to life again. He took a deep drag and the tip of his cigarette turned bright orange. The illumination revealed his long face. Then he exhaled, and wisps of white smoke curled around his hand.
Ante gripped Dario’s arm and whispered, “It’s him.”
“Who?” Dario mouthed.
“Justin.” Ante hissed, but Dario shook his head. “Justin Trudich, the one who came asking for a job.”
Dario’s jaw dropped. That guard had come looking for employment the night Irena returned. Two days later their restaurant had burned and now the guy surfaced in Fred’s employ. The dots started to connect. However, if their high school classmate had set fire to Mezzaluna, squeezing him for money would prove useless. Like most on Fred’s payroll, the guy was flat broke.
The smell of cheap tobacco filled the brisk night
air. The guard blew out another long breath of white smoke, dug in his pant pocket and pulled out a familiar looking amulet.
With the cigarette in his mouth, he examined the rock, plucked the cig out and blew the smoke over the pebble, then kissed it. “Irena, I’ll make you scream my name.”
Dario exchanged a glance with Irena. Her upturned lips and protruding tongue confirmed he’d heard the dolt correctly. Guys had lusted after her in high school, the fact she wasn’t a flirty girl and faithful to him, made the boys’ fantasies hotter. But they all outgrew their teen days, matured and moved on. Proved how wrong he’d been.
Buddy jerked his head toward the guard, indicating he’d distract him while the group crawled to their destined spot.
Irena placed her hand on Buddy’s shoulder, stopping him. “He’s got something of mine.”
Buddy nodded. “That amulet in his hand? I’ll get it back.” He motioned to Joe to continue on and Dario nudged Irena forward, following the lead in a single file. Buddy joined him after a few seconds, handing him the amulet. “The guards’ rifle didn’t have any bullets. What good is a fire weapon without ammo?”
“A scare tactic. Wonder if all of the guards are armed or if the guns are just for show,” Dario said, placing the amulet in Irena’s hand. He pointed at the long ground story building that still bore scars of the fighting from the bloody civil war over twenty years ago.
A small group waited hidden in the ticket a few feet away from the back entrance. A man approached
them as soon as Dario led Irena closer. In his protective gear, Dario had a hard time recognizing Tom.
Tom’s gaze shifted to Irena and a grin stretched his lips. “Irena Novak. Every guy from Tesla High’s wet dream. Never thought I’d see you again. And you look mighty fine.”
Dario seethed inside. Tom had admitted he too lusted after Irena, but respected the fact she was with Dario. Had their friend forgotten his vows?
“I never thought I’d see you either, Viper. Each time you and your sidekicks showed up at the school we knew someone was going to get their ass kicked and girls would be teased. Only the custodian wasn’t afraid of you.”
“It’s been a while since anyone called me that.” Tom’s pout turned into a grin. “I’m on the good side now.”
“Sorry to hear about your war injury.” Irena gave him the once over as if to find out if he was disabled.
Tom patted his left leg. “Thanks to my lucky stars, the blast from the mine sent me flying backward. The explosion ripped the heel of my foot, but reconstructive surgery does wonders nowadays.” He dismissed the reminiscing with a wave of his hand. “We have to make our move now. Fred’s desperate to leave. Though I know he’s not going anywhere.” Tom pulled a long cylindrical object out of his vest pocket.
At Irena’s and Dario’s stunned look, he continued, “Came here two days ago, my dogs were quite timid. Did some snooping around and found a plane hidden in that hangar.” He pointed at the depilated aluminum structure behind them. “Someone’s using my property without my permission or knowledge. Today my guy
calls me all panicky. He found two of my breeders shot dead. This won’t go down easy. I had him move the animals to another location. When I found out it was Fred, I wanted to rip his guts out. If it wasn’t for Buddy here who promised I’ll get the first chance if I work with him, I’d have Fred’s head by now. But the twat is holding hostages.” Tom shook the object in his hand. “And I’m holding the starter from his plane engine.”
“Please Vip…um sorry, Tom. We have to move now.” Irena took his hand, desperation in her eyes and voice.
“First, you two need bulletproof vests.” Tom waved his hand over his shoulder and one of his men rushed to him, two blue vests dangling in his hands.
Dario fastened the clasps of the vest, not believing he was wearing one of these close-fitting, protective garments. Would things heat up to such dangerous levels?
“Let’s move,” Buddy called over the group. “Dario, Irena, you are with me. Joe and Ante with Tom.”
“It’s about time,” Tom grumbled, waving his rifle above his head. Three of his men piled into a single file in front of him.
Irena grabbed Tom’s elbow, gaining his attention. “The guards’ weapons may not be loaded. Please, I don’t want anyone killed. These men are not trained soldiers, and most likely not aware of what they got themselves into. Order your guys to only shoot if they have to and not to slay.”
Tom pointed at the two bound and unconscious guards. “Already figured as much.”
Tom and three of his men split to take the other
doors. Ante nodded to Dario and jogged to catch up with Tom. Buddy cast her a weary look then entered the building first. Dario took Irena’s hand and entered.
A dark and long corridor stretched before them. Light fixtures without bulbs hung from the crumbling ceiling. Debris of all kind scattered along the cement floor. Dario tried to avoid stepping on anything that would crunch or snap under his foot.
Buddy patted the gun tucked inside the shoulder holster and flattened his back against the dirty wall. “Fred and his main guards are in there. Kids are with them too. I’ll go in and assess the situation.”
Dario nodded but his throat lumped, his breathing erratic. He tried to catch a glimpse of anything as Buddy slipped through the double swivel doors, but saw nothing other than an upturned table.
Fred’s voice boomed in the abandoned warehouse. “You stand to lose a heck of more than your pilot’s license if you don’t fly us out of here. I don’t care that you’re not a mechanic, fix it.”
Muffled voices followed and Buddy burst out of the room, a tall man in tow. “Fred’s expecting you. I must help the pilot get the plane ready.” He leaned closer to Dario and whispered, “Joining Tom after I take care of the aviator.”
Dario exchanged another uneasy look with Irena, but Buddy’s winked ensured them he had the situation under control. Shoving her behind him, Dario led her inside the large room that at one point might’ve served as a canteen for the soldiers. Broken and upturned tables and chairs pushed under the windows indicated the objects had served as a barricade during the war.
Fred sat in the dark corner, Jasmin on his lap. She
was dressed in a lacy, red dress clearly made for an older girl, her lips painted in a red lipstick and her hair was pulled back into a messy bun. Earrings dangled from her ears, white beads encircled her neck. In her hands, she loosely held a fancy doll, but her shoulders jerked with spasms. Tears streaked her dirty cheeks and her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
“Who says I don’t like girls?” Fred slid his hand down Jasmin’s bare arm and kissed her hair. “See, I love them at this age. While they’re still androgynous.”
Dario’s heart broke. If they did something horrid to his niece and daughter, Fred would beg for an easy death. “Jasmin, honey, it’s okay. That man won’t hurt you. Just come to me.”
Fred lowered his head to Jasmin’s ear. “Tell your uncle what will happen if you obey him.”
Jasmin shook her head. Her whimper dug the knife deeper into Dario’s heart.
“Come on, love, we talked about it, didn’t we?” Fred brushed his knuckles down Jasmin’s cheek, making her shiver. “I’ll get you another toy when we get in our castle. What would you like? A pony? I know every girl would love a real pony. Now, tell your uncle what will happen if you’re disobedient.”
“The bad men will kill you.” Her voice quivered as she spoke without making eye contact with Dario. “They are everywhere.”
“Do they have bullets like the guards outside?” Dario glanced around the dark room, trying to catch a glimpse of hidden men who had their weapons trained on him and Irena. Instead, his heart stopped when he spotted Ella’s lifeless body inside the dog’s crate. Andy lay next to her, holding her hand.
“I see you found Ella and her friend. The boy protected her and took some beating. Still, the little cunt of yours broke two of my men’s noses.” Fred’s smirked. Despite rage brewing inside Dario, he managed to stay calm.
“They stuck needles in her. Lots of needles.” Jasmin blurted before Fred could stop her. “She fought them. They made her stop or they’d hurt me.”
“Your daughter is still alive, for how long, I don’t know.” Fred set Jasmin on the dirty floor and got up. He strode to Irena. “It was fun watching you enjoy your happy life. I bet you started believing you could have it all. Now it’s my pleasure to take it away from you.”
Dario wanted to yell for Jasmin to run, but where would she go? Shots fired outside. She could get killed in crossfire or by an overzealous guard. No, she was safer here where Dario could keep an eye on her. He caught the glimpse of her feet as she pulled them behind the crate where Ella laid.
The fighting outside was subsiding, but sporadic shouts and confusion seemed to continue.
Fred snapped his fingers. Two men in black martial arts uniforms emerged from the side door. By their smooth faces and slim builds, Dario concluded the boys could still be in their teens. Their belts displayed ribbons they won at tournaments. They were about to find out street fighting was nothing like controlled competition sparring.
“Guys, here’s your opponent. She prepared for this all her life. Don’t be fooled by her appearance. She can kick your butt.” Fred pointed to Dario. “You are to sit this one out.”
“At least make the fight fair.” Dario rolled up his
sleeves, ready to blow out some pent-up steam. And when Fred least expected, he’d turn on him.
“Don’t say I didn’t try to spare you.” Fred took the seat at the end of the table.
“I could’ve taken these boys all by myself. Now I’ll have to watch out for you. Try to stay out of their reach.” She nodded to the guys and they took their fighting stances, feet apart, fists protecting their faces. “Jiyu Kumite!” At her command, the opponents bowed deeply.
One of them had a look of uncertainty on his face.
He turned to his buddy. “A freestyle sparring?”
Dario crouched. Yep he assumed correctly, the two boys hadn’t seen any fighting outside the dojo. Well, they were about to find out there was no referee to stop him from beating them to a pulp.
Irena stood still, her uncompromising glare at the man in front of her. What was she waiting for? He moved with slow motions, then threw a punch so fast the air snapped. She blocked his thrusting arm and grabbed his wrist, but he yanked his arm back. Dario’s opponent roared and charged at him. The youngster’s earlier uncertain expression replaced with cocky confidence. The boy took a timid lunge forward. Dario gripped his arm and pulled him forward. He wrapped his leg around the boy’s and dropped him flat on his back. In a swift thrust of his legs, his opponent was back on his feet. In his low crouch stance, Dario waited for the guy to charge again.
Behind him, Irena battled the other. She parried each thrust by ducking down, swaying to the side or jumping out of the way. Her foe grunted in frustration, but so far had not cried out in pain.
Dario’s rival kicked his foot high, connecting with his forehead. Pain ripped through his head, and a warm trickle reached his eyebrow. The karate kid should know the high kicks only looked good in action movies. Yet, he tried the same move again, giving Dario a good chance to throw his opponent off balance. By seizing his ankle, Dario twisted the assailant’s leg. The boy’s bones crunched under Dario’s hands before he dropped him on his side. The youngster howled and clutched his limb close to his chest. He crawled backward on his behind and retreated from the match, tears streaking his face. If this was the top of Fred’s crop, then Dario would love to see the rest.
“Coward,” Fred roared, jumping to his feet. “Get back here and fight.”
Dario snatched the chance and charged on Fred. To hell with his armed men waiting in shadows. There was no one there, or they would fill him with bullets.
He seized Fred by his bony shoulders and forced him to the floor. One hand curled into a fist, ready to pound on the skinny man’s back. Damn it. He dropped the arm by his side. His parents had taught him never to beat a weakling, no matter how much they deserved it.
“No, Daddy, don’t.” Fred pleaded with the childlike voice. “Please Daddy, don’t pull my pants down, I’m a good boy. Mommy says so.”
Dario backed off. He just unlocked the secret of Fred’s perversion and as much as he wanted to rip his guts out, he couldn’t bring himself to do so. The lack of fighting sounds from Irena’s direction had him pivoting to face the front of the room. She stood there. Her mouth agape, her eyes big and round.
Fred miraculously got over his childhood trauma
and rose to his feet. “You fell for that, didn’t cha?” He shook his fist at the remaining boy. “Stop dicking around.” He screamed at Irena’s opponent. “Finish her.”
The young man’s eyes narrowed to thin slits. Before Irena could assume her fighting stance, he grabbed her arm and twisted. A piercing cry of pain ripped from her. Fred cackled and clapped his hands. “Now we’re talking.”
Dario rushed to help her, but she flicked the wrist of her free arm, releasing the blade. “I’ve got this. Help the kids.”
Blood from the cut on his forehead dripped into his eye. He swiped at the crimson droplets and ran to the dog crate. The lock on the cage door stopped him from reaching inside. He slid his hand through the bars and touched Ella’s forehead. Heat emanated from her skin. God, she was burning up with a fever. Andy placed his hand on his, showing he had comforted Ella.
In a fit of rage, Irena slashed the boy’s wrist and he released his grip on her. Her arm bent at an impossible angle. Clutching his bleeding wound, he took a step back with each blow she administered, until he cowered in the corner. Irena hacked wherever she reached. The boy cradled his head in his arms, pleading for her to stop. Blood smeared his crisp uniform.
Tom and his men burst into the room, their weapons trained on Fred. Tom spoke. “Hard as it was, we didn’t kill anyone but had to wound a few. Fred’s men had loaded guns.”
Fred’s grin slowly turned into frenzied laughter. “You think this is the end? My lawyers will make a couple of phone calls and I’ll be free.”
“Not so fast.” Irena grabbed the pistol from Buddy and pointed the gun at Fred.
Fred’s smirk dropped from his face. He glared at Buddy. “I had a feeling you were a cop.” Fred returned his mocking face to Irena. “Oh, please, whatcha gonna do with that? You’re so fatuous. You’d end up shooting yourself. Besides, didn’t cha know that I’m the Koschei the Immortal?” He sent another hate-filled glare at Dario. “That’s right. I find out who you’d named me for, and to my delightful surprise, the name fits me.”
“I doubt that.” Buddy crossed his arms over his massive chest. “All of us who graduated under communist rule had weapons training in high school.”
The sharp sound of metal pierced the heavy air as Irena cocked the gun. “You’re not immortal. We’re holding the egg, Koschei.”
Fred paled and swallowed, then slowly raised his arms, but his glare stayed on Irena.
She lowered her arm. The sheer gloss of sweat on her face showed her pain. How much longer before she’d need medical attention? “You’re not worth the jail time, or having you on my conscience.”
The gun slipped from her hand and she stumbled, falling to her knees. Tom grabbed her before she collapsed to the dirty floor. “I’d kill you with my bare hands. First, you molest my kid, humiliate my woman, then slay two of my dogs.”
“Your woman is a gold-digger, your kid is a weakling and running a puppy mill is illegal.” Fred ran his fingers through his thin, messy hair, then straightened his suit jacket.
Tom glared at Fred. “You dumb idiot,” he roared. “I run legit kennels here and my dogs are prized.” He
took a threatening step toward Fred. “Insult my kid and my wife again and you’ll be picking your teeth off the floor.”
Fred snorted, taking a long step back, away from Tom’s fist. “Well, it doesn’t look like you’re about to carry out your threat. If there’s no one else who wants to kill me, I’ll be off.” Fred was about to step away from his pedestal, but Dario tripped him.
A skinny man in raggedy clothes pushed through the line of armed men. Days’ growth of beard covered most of his face. He grabbed the gun from the floor and pointed the weapon at Fred. “Irena can’t have you on her conscience, but I can.”
“Put that gun down, Diego. We both know you won’t shoot anyone.” Fred pushed on the barrel, his tone, gentle as if addressing a little boy.
So this was Father Diego. The man’s appearance didn’t portray a priest, but a desperate man grasping the frail ends of his rope.
“From this distance, I can’t miss.” Diego’s hand shook. “Yes, I gave the files from the school to the FBI. Your child prostitution ring is busted. You’re, we’re done…and so am I.”
The flash and thunder of the gun, coupled by Jasmin’s scream came so sudden. Horror filled Fred’s expression as he watched blood soak into his white, neatly ironed shirt. He tried stopping the flow by pressing his hands over the wound. Crimson trickles rushed between his fingers. His legs buckled and his body dropped to the floor, the red stain spread over the broken tiles.
Diego took a step back then slowly raised the gun to his temple, tears soaking his face. Buddy’s mouth
moved, Dario couldn’t hear, though the man thundered. In one stride, Buddy grabbed Diego’s wrist and pulled his hand away just as the click of the trigger sounded. The gun shifted upward and the bullet wedged in the crumbling ceiling, sending the dry stucco into the air. Diego dropped the pistol on the floor and collapsed.
The next several moments passed in a blur. Dario wanted to carry Irena to Ella’s side, but given her broken arm, he thought against moving her before her limb was immobilized. Divided between helping his daughter and Irena, he rushed from one end of the room to the next, stopping only to pat his jacket sleeve on his brow. The ambulance arrived and the attendant urged him to stay with Irena until they got Ella stabilized for transfer to the hospital. Then slapped gauze on his forehead and told him to hold the pressure. Jasmin rushed to Ante and cradled in his arms.
Ante glared at Fred’s body on the ground. “So the priest got to him first. If it wasn’t for our upbringing, I’d kick Fred’s dead body until he’s unrecognizable mush.”
“Let it go, bro.” Dario tapped Ante’s back. “It’s over.”
He stepped outside. The sound of blaring sirens grew louder, the headlights flickering through the trees. Seated next to Joe, they followed the ambulance down the same winding road. The vehicle carried his heavily drugged daughter and his Irena with a badly broken arm and a dislocated shoulder. His world was still black.