Inside the Wire
INSIDE THE WIRE
A DELTA FORCE UNLEASHED THRILLER
J. ROBERT KENNEDY
BOOKS BY J. ROBERT KENNEDY
* Also available in audio
The Templar Detective Thrillers
The Templar Detective
The Templar Detective and the Parisian Adulteress
The Templar Detective and the Sergeant's Secret
The Templar Detective and the Unholy Exorcist
The Templar Detective and the Code Breaker
The Templar Detective and the Black Scourge
The Templar Detective and the Lost Children
The James Acton Thrillers
The Protocol *
Brass Monkey *
Broken Dove
The Templar’s Relic
Flags of Sin
The Arab Fall
The Circle of Eight
The Venice Code
Pompeii’s Ghosts
Amazon Burning
The Riddle
Blood Relics
Sins of the Titanic
Saint Peter’s Soldiers
The Thirteenth Legion
Raging Sun
Wages of Sin
Wrath of the Gods
The Templar’s Revenge
The Nazi’s Engineer
Atlantis Lost
The Cylon Curse
The Viking Deception
Keepers of the Lost Ark
The Tomb of Genghis Khan
The Manila Deception
The Fourth Bible
Embassy of the Empire
Armageddon
No Good Deed
The Last Soviet
Lake of Bones
The Special Agent Dylan Kane Thrillers
Rogue Operator *
Containment Failure *
Cold Warriors *
Death to America
Black Widow
The Agenda
Retribution
State Sanctioned
Extraordinary Rendition
Red Eagle
The Messenger
The Delta Force Unleashed Thrillers
Payback
Infidels
The Lazarus Moment
Kill Chain
Forgotten
The Cuban Incident
Rampage
Inside the Wire
The Detective Shakespeare Mysteries
Depraved Difference
Tick Tock
The Redeemer
The Kriminalinspektor Wolfgang Vogel Mysteries
The Colonel’s Wife
Sins of the Child
Zander Varga, Vampire Detective Series
The Turned
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
The Novel
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Acknowledgments
Don't Miss Out!
Thank You!
About the Author
Also by the Author
For the girls still missing.
“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”
George Orwell
“Allah said: ‘The rulers of the infidels, their leaders, must be killed. They must be killed because they doubt your religion.’ If you kill the leaders, they will subside. Among those who doubt your religion, you must find the highest leaders and cut their throats because they don’t keep their word. Find the leaders and kill them because they doubt your religion. Allah said: ‘That’s how they will stop doubting your religion.’”
Mohammed Yusuf, Founder of Boko Haram
PREFACE
Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād is one of the most brutal terrorist groups in the world. Translated, their name is Group of the People of Sunnah for Preaching and Jihad. It is a name known to few outside the intelligence community. Instead, the world knows them by a far simpler name.
Boko Haram.
The name is a combination of Hausa and Arabic. Many will recognize the Arabic ‘Haram’ as meaning ‘forbidden,’ but Boko is a little more difficult. It literally means ‘fake.’ Culturally, however, it takes on a different meaning. In the region, for decades, ‘ilimin boko’ means ‘fake education’ and referred to Western education. Over the years, it was shortened to simply ‘boko’ and has now been coopted by these lunatics.
For they are lunatics.
Founded in 2002, they are directly responsible for over 35,000 deaths, and the strife they have caused in the region has resulted in the death of over 300,000 children and the displacement of over 2.3 million people. In the 2010s, they were declared the world’s deadliest terror group according to the Global Terrorism Index.
Their most notorious attack took place over two days, starting April 14, 2014. Boko Haram kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, and announced they intended to sell them all into slavery. It would not be the last time they kidnapped large numbers of young girls to be sold into the sex trade, married off to their members, or exchanged for large ransoms.
With as many as 20,000 members, this vicious organization is opposed by multiple nations in the region, with the assistance of the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Yet as always, politics gets in the way.
And today, it just might cost the lives of hundreds of innocents, including Bravo Team.
1 |
North of FOB Ugurun, Nigeria Two days from now
Sergeant Carl “Niner” Sung grinned as he guided Sergeant Zach “Wings” Hauser in for a landing using two glowsticks in the dim light, the ancient Bell Huey helicopter beating at the air, the sound no doubt carrying for miles. It was the entire poin
t of this secondary LZ he had set up, away from any prying eyes that might be watching the vulnerable Forward Operating Base they were trapped at with hundreds of defenseless civilians.
They needed manpower, supplies, and most importantly, time. Boko Haram was gathering hundreds to throw against their barely two dozen. The arrival of this chopper meant another eleven were entering the fight, and if they could successfully begin ferrying soldiers and supplies in, and the civilians out, it could be a game-changer.
“Get those wounded ready!” he ordered, three of the Nigerians shot earlier the first to be evacuated. No one wanted to risk the civilians, especially the children, until they had proven this lifeline safe.
The chopper landed with a bounce and idled down slightly. There was no time to waste. The doors were thrown open and the rest of Bravo Team along with six Nigerians poured out, lugging three large crates of ammo for the unavoidable fight ahead. The team’s second-in-command, Master Sergeant Mike “Red” Belme and Wings had a brief conversation inside the cockpit as the wounded were loaded aboard before Red stepped out.
“Clear the LZ!” ordered Niner, then once he had confirmed everyone was safely out of the way, he indicated Wings was clear to depart. The chopper rose then banked away, quickly lost in the dark, though the hammering of the rotors could still be heard. Niner tossed the glowsticks on the ground then used his boot to cover them with dirt—there was no point giving their enemy a juicy illuminated target.
Wings’ voice squawked in his ear as his friend contacted Control. “Control, One-Two. I’d appreciate it if you’d thread this needle, over.”
“Copy that, One-Two. Proceed west, bearing two-seven-zero. The Reaper is overhead and we’re showing no heat signatures in your direct path, over.”
Niner pointed at two troop transports nearby. “Your chariots await, Sergeant.”
Red turned to the others. “Everyone load up. I want to be inside the wire ASAP.”
A round of “Yes, Sergeant!” responded as Red and Niner peered into the distance, attempting to pick the chopper out in the night sky. With each passing second, Niner rested a little easier, then something flashed and he grabbed Red’s arm.
“Oh shit!”
His comms squawked. “One-Two, RPG coming in from your six o’clock. Take evasive action immediately. Repeat, RPG coming in from your six o’clock. Take evasive action immediately.”
Niner spotted a point of light racing skyward, the rocket propellant carrying the unguided but deadly Rocket Propelled Grenade into the air. Everyone turned to face the action, every breath held as they waited to hear the all-clear.
But it wasn’t to be.
“Control, tell my family—”
Niner’s stomach churned and his heart pounded at the brilliant flash on the horizon as the RPG’s warhead found its mark.
Killing one of his best friends.
And any hope of making it out of their situation alive.
2 |
Behind 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta HQ Fort Bragg, North Carolina A.k.a. “The Unit” Today
“It only hurts when I breathe.”
Sergeant Leon “Atlas” James regarded his best friend with concern. “I tried to warn you, but instead you decided to be an idiot.”
Niner wiped the tears from his eyes. “You didn’t warn me, you merely baited her trap.”
Atlas’ girlfriend, Vanessa Moore, rushed up with a small carton of milk pilfered from the children’s table. She handed it to Niner. “I’m so sorry. I must have overdone it with the hot peppers.” Niner took a large swig of the milk, swishing it around his mouth in a desperate attempt to neutralize the ungodly hot chili he had just sampled.
Command Sergeant Major Burt “Big Dog” Dawson shook his head. “You know, one of these days somebody’s going to get hurt.”
“Somebody did get hurt,” protested Niner. “And tomorrow it’s going to be worse.”
“How’s that?”
“Because my colon’s going to get to taste that again on the way out.”
Several better halves groaned in disgust, including Niner’s girlfriend, Angela Henwood. “Carl, be polite!”
He gave her a look. “I thought I was. You don’t want to know what I was going to say.”
“I probably don’t.” Angela took another spoonful of her chili, labeled prominently as ‘mild.’ Vanessa, an aspiring chef, was experimenting on Bravo Team, an elite group of warriors, members of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta, commonly known to the public as the Delta Force. The families were gathered behind the Unit on a beautiful Saturday, everyone here except for Sergeant Will “Spock” Lightman, who had recently lost his wife. He had bowed out. It was just too soon to have fun, and his daughter wasn’t ready. Apparently, she was taking things extremely hard, which was understandable at her age. Dawson didn’t press him, and was pleased when Vanessa said she would drop off a care package so Spock wouldn’t miss out.
And while Spock’s loss was in the back of everyone’s mind, today was a day to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and forget their troubles. When Vanessa had asked if she could test out some chili recipes, everyone was eager to accept. The woman was a phenomenal cook, and the last chili Dawson had eaten was from a can. In fact, he could not remember the last time he had had homemade chili.
He took a bite of cornbread, one of his absolute favorite foods in the world. He moaned. His fiancée, Maggie Harris, smiled at him. “I didn’t realize you liked cornbread.”
“Love it, but I rarely see it anywhere.”
“I’ll get the recipe from Vanessa.”
He tapped what remained of his piece. “If you learn how to make this, I’ll figure out some way to love you even more.”
Red, Dawson’s second-in-command and best friend, groaned. “Would you two love birds knock it off. You’re making us old married men look bad.”
Dawson leaned forward in his lawn chair so he could catch Red’s wife Shirley’s eye. “Learn to make this, and you might just get that romance back in your life.”
Shirley patted Red’s hand. “Oh, he still knows how to romance me.”
Red gave Dawson a toothy grin. “Thank you, dear.”
“Besides, he doesn’t like cornbread.”
Dawson eyed his friend. “Since when do you not like cornbread?”
Red shrugged. “Never have, never will.”
“Really?”
“Have you ever seen me eat cornbread?”
“Can’t say that I have. Huh. I’m not sure we can be friends anymore.”
Red shrugged and extended a hand. “Well, it’s been a good run.”
Dawson shook it. “It had its ups and downs. In fact, now that I think about it, we’ve got nothing in common but the job. How we’ve been friends for so many years, I have no idea.”
“That’s what happens when you’re forced to work together. You overlook all the things that annoy you.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Will you two stop it? You two have so much in common, both on and off the job, that I swear if Shirley and I weren’t in the picture, you’d be dating.”
Red tilted his head forward, looking up at Dawson. “He could do worse.”
Dawson reached out and clasped Red’s hand. “But I could never do better.”
They both roared with laughter, Shirley and Maggie joining in, Maggie’s laugh cut short with a gasp. Dawson spun toward her, immediately concerned. “Are you all right?”
She rubbed her jaw. “I guess I’m not fully recovered.”
Dawson ran his hand through her hair with a sympathetic smile. She had been brutally beaten not even two months ago. She was recovering, her physical reminders mostly gone, but it was the emotional scars that had him concerned. She was tormented by nightmares and would flinch at the slightest, unexpected sound. What had happened to her should never have happened, but at least she was alive.
Unlike Spock’s wife, Joanne, who had lost her life that day.
“C
an I get you anything?”
She shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. Just take it easy on the jokes. Apparently laughing too hard still hurts.”
He chuckled. “Well then, we’ll leave the jokes to Niner. Those usually fall flat with the ladies.”
Niner’s head spun toward them. “I heard my name. You better have been saying nice things about me.”
Red grunted. “Why start now?”
Niner and Atlas continued to shovel chili into their mouths. Sergeant Eugene “Jagger” Thomas pointed at one of the large pots. “This is my favorite. It’s got that perfect blend of meatiness and heat. Satisfying, but not too overpowering.”
Vanessa smiled at him. “Thanks, Jagger, that’s helpful.”
Jagger jutted his large lips toward the two competing friends. “I don’t know how you’re going to get any useful feedback out of those two. They’re going to lose their taste buds if they keep scarfing down that hot batch.”
Sergeant Trip “Mickey” McDonald frowned. “If you two don’t slow down, when we get on that tin can of a Herc tomorrow, it’s going to be a recreation of Blazing Saddles.”
Niner giggled, as did Atlas, and even Dawson had to join in. One of the all-time classic scenes in the history of movies was the farting around the campfire chili scene. “I can hold it in,” said Niner, noticeably slowing his spoon, apparently not so confident.
“You better,” said Dawson. “Save it for when you two zip your sleeping bags together tomorrow night.”
Vanessa’s eyes shot wide. “You two zip your sleeping bags together?”
Wings snickered. “We established that fact in India when they refused to deny it.”
Atlas held up a massive hand, a lone finger held up in defense. “That’s BS, and you know it. We just didn’t get a chance to deny it, what with the Chinese missiles that were inbound.”
Angela leaned in and gave Niner a kiss on the cheek. “I think it’s sweet.”