Chasing Tomorrow Read online

  Overcome with exhaustion, he finally fell into a deep sleep, so deep he thought the buzzing of his phone three hours later was only a dream. Slowly waking, he realized it was the real thing. He sat up straight in bed and grabbed his phone.

  “Zach…Veritas here. We got a call. I’m sending a car for you. I’ll fill you in when you get here.”

  Zach sprang out of bed, attempted to dress with one hand, while phoning Tony and Juan with the other. “We got a call. Meet me in the lobby in five.”

  The agency driver whisked them through security at the entrance to “The Farm”. They rushed through the door and into the command room where Veritas was waiting.

  “Okay, let’s have it.” Zach pulled up a chair, and everyone joined him at a conference table.

  Veritas cleared his throat and began. “A call came in to the network about an hour ago. There was a ransom demand for four million dollars plus they want the release of a prisoner being held by the US. We tracked the call to Soran, Iraq, territory heavily occupied by Taliban. They didn’t identify themselves, but we have voice prints which we’re analyzing now. Maybe it’s that terrorist, Baz. At any rate, we assess they’re likely holding her somewhere in this area, but it’s only conjecture at this time.

  “Zach, I’ve arranged to get you and your team on a military flight out of here within the hour. Soran is near Irbil, so you can once again link up with Masoud and Commander Haji at our OGA site outside the city. I think they owe you after the good deed you did for them a few months ago. You’re going to need their help in mounting a rescue.”

  “Roger that. When they call again, be sure to demand proof of life,” Zach said, already standing, anxious to get going. “Let them know that if they hurt one hair on her head, there’ll be all hell to pay.”

  “Check. Now, we’ll string these guys along, trying to buy us time to get a fix on where they’re hiding her. Once we do, the ball will be in your court. Be ready.”

  “Oh, we’ll be ready all right. Just get me the location. I’ll do the rest.”

  “Godspeed, my friend.”

  The men left and gathered their equipment which they had stored on site. A car was waiting to take them to the airfield where a C-17 was waiting to take off. As soon as they were wheels up, Zach sat back, put his feet up, and almost relaxed for the first time in days. Sitting around for days spinning his wheels on dead-end searches without a shred of news had been torture. Moving into action mode calmed his nerves. A sense of purpose and resolve washed over him. All he needed was the longitude and latitude of Arianna’s location. Nothing would stop him from setting her free. He just needed to get there in time.

  IRBIL, IRAQ

  FIFTEEN HOURS later, they landed in Irbil and were met by a driver who would take them to the CIA outpost, outside the city. Their driver managed to get them through all the post’s check points without getting shot at this time, and they were met by chief of station, Lauren Mathews, and the Kurdish army liaison, Masoud.

  “Welcome back, gentlemen,” Lauren said. “So sorry it has to be on such terrible circumstances. Please, come inside, and we’ll talk.”

  They entered a Quonset hut where a command center had been established. Seven wide screen TVs circled the front of the room, and two rows of computer terminals along with their operators filled the center of the room.

  Captain Haji greeted the men and offered them some refreshment. “We’ve been expecting you, and as you can see, we’ve turned our full attention to this rescue mission. It’s the least we can do to repay you for what you’ve done for us.”

  “Please, sit.” Masoud pointed to some seats around a conference table. “Let’s talk a minute, and I’ll give you a current sit rep. We know this village…Soran. It’s not far from us. If this is the location of the kidnappers, we could be in luck. We have some informants in the area though no one’s heard anything yet. Bad news is, it’s a Taliban stronghold. They hate Americans.”

  “Any new contact from the kidnappers,” Zach asked. “We’ve been incommunicado during our flight here and the last message was about a day ago.”

  “No contact that we know of. Lauren would know more about that.”

  “Yeah,” Lauren said stepping up, “I’m in direct contact with our people in the US, and there’s been no additional word from the kidnappers. When they contact us again, we hope to triangulate the incoming source and further pinpoint their location. I’m not going to sugarcoat this; the area around Soran is vast. Without specifics, the chance of finding someone is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Even if we can pinpoint where the ransom call comes from, it won’t tell us where they’re holding Arianna.”

  “Understood,” Zach said, “but I trust our people. They do amazing work. I have every confidence they’re going to find her.”

  Everyone around the table nodded.

  MOUNTAINS OF CHEEKHA-DAR: NORTHERN IRAQ

  THE GUARDS escorted Arianna into the dark, dank cave. No natural light existed. The only illumination came from a small oil lamp. Amira shoved her over into a corner and told her to sit.

  “There is no use to try to escape. There are many guards and also, you could never find your way off this mountain,” Amira warned. “You would die trying. Now, we wait and see how much your American friends are willing to pay to get you back. If it were up to me, I would not send you back, but it’s not up to me. My friends want money. Me? I just want to kill Americans…revenge my husband’s death.”

  “Your husband is a killer. He murdered innocent people.”

  Amira reached out and slapped her. “Quiet, American slut. We will kill all you infidels soon.”

  That was twice now Amira had attacked her. Had the circumstances been different, she would have tried to retaliate, but there was no way she could defend herself under these conditions. If she ever got this evil bitch alone, she’d show her what an American slut is made of.

  Amira turned and left. From the darkness of another corner of the cave, someone said in a British accent, “You’re brave to talk back to her, but be careful. These people are ruthless. She seems to be the worst.” A young woman, about Arianna’s age, moved out of the shadows and came to sit beside her.

  “Who are you?” Arianna asked.

  “My name is Glynis Parker. I’m an aid worker who they kidnapped a week ago along with two other workers. I believe they’re holding them in another cave. Don’t know for sure. Not much human contact here.”

  “Oh, sorry to hear that. Arianna Garrett, journalist with CNS news. Looks like kidnapping is a cottage industry around here.”

  “Unfortunately.” Glynis pulled a shawl around her shoulders. “I’m sorry for your circumstances, but happy for the company.”

  “Are your people looking for you? Any indication they’ll pay a ransom?”

  “Oh, I hope someone is looking, but the organization I work for is a charity. They have no money. My country won’t pay ransom, so I’m afraid it all seems dismal.”

  “Maybe they’ll plan a rescue.”

  “Ha! I’m sure you came in the same way I did. Who could find you in this remote location? It’s impossible. Don’t mean to frighten you, but it is what it is. I’m just holding on, hoping for a miracle. And you? Will people pay for you?”

  “Yes, I hope, but I don’t know for sure. My boyfriend is in the military. Hopefully he can find me, but uh….” Her voice trailed off. What was she talking about? Glynis was right. This place was so remote, she wasn’t sure how anyone could find it.

  CHEEKHA DAR MOUNTAINS: IRAQ

  The guard led Arianna by knifepoint out of the cave where they joined up with Amira. “Down,” he snapped, pushing her to her knees. She hit the ground with a thud, almost falling on her face.

  “We have a statement you need to sign,” Amira said. She waved a paper in Arianna’s face.

  Arianna slowly took the paper out of Amira’s hand and began reading it. It was nothing but pure propaganda. Political statements saying she supported the ISIS
cause and also that she was being well-cared for by her captors. She didn’t know where they planned to use this document, but her conscience wouldn’t let her sign it. She handed it back. “These are lies. I can’t sign it.”

  The guard cuffed her upside the head, sending her reeling backwards. “Sign the paper, American slut,” he yelled.

  Arianna righted herself and held her head, fighting off the ringing in her ears. These guys are going to beat the shit out of me if I don’t sign. She was really conflicted but in the end, decided who cares what the stupid paper said. It wasn’t worth suffering bodily injury to save face. She snatched the pen and paper out of Amira’s hand and scribbled her signature at the bottom.

  “Very good,” Amira said. “Your friends want proof of life. We will do a video and you will read this. If your friends hope to see you alive, they will pay the ransom or else we will sell you to ISIS fighters. They will pay good money for an American bride.”

  “My company will pay,” Arianna replied. “Of that I’m sure.”

  “We shall see. It will be bad for you if they don’t.” Amira started to walk away. She looked back at the guard and said, “Take her for a toilet break, then back to the cave.”

  Arianna stared at the guard. Strange. A male escort for this? Reluctantly, she allowed him to lead her to a forested area that served as the restroom facility. Afraid that if she didn’t go now, she’d have to hold it forever, she quickly finished her business and started back toward the encampment. All of a sudden, the guard grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. Before she knew what was happening, he began ripping away at her clothes, “rape” written all over his face.

  “Get off me, you pig,” she screamed, trying to push him off.

  He ignored her pleas to stop. He ripped her blouse open and had her slacks nearly off as she flailed about. She squirmed around, and her hand touched a rock. Snatching it up, she struck the assailant on the side of his head, just in front of his ear. One, two, three times in a row…each time screaming, “You bastard!” with each blow. The man was dazed, but she knew she needed to stay on offense, so as not to give him a chance to recover. Like a mad woman, she smashed the rock right under the bridge of his nose.

  Blood spewed everywhere, and he fell to his knees, momentarily stunned. She saw this as a chance to run. She took one step toward freedom, when he reached out and grabbed her foot, pulling her back. He held her with one hand and slugged her in the rib cage with a solid, debilitating blow. He reared back ready to strike again, when Amira jumped between them.

  “Stop! Stop! Don’t hurt the whore. We need her alive and well or they won’t pay. Stop!” She pushed him back toward the cave. “Go. I will handle this.”

  Arianna lay on the guard, fighting for breath, holding her chest in agony. She thought her ribs must be broken. If not broken, then cracked or severely bruised.

  “Get up,” Amira shouted.

  Arianna shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t move. I’m injured. This is all your fault. You knew what he had planned.”

  Amira kicked her. “I said get up, slut. I saved you from being raped and probably killed. Only because we need you unharmed did I step in. If they don’t pay, I will personally delight in offering you up to all the guards. Now, get up.”

  Arianna rolled to her knees, holding her chest. The pain was so intense she thought she might pass out. She struggled to her feet and stumbled along behind Amira as she led her back into the cave.

  Glynis looked up when she saw Arianna. “Oh, my God. What happened?” She rushed over to her side and tried to pull together the tattered shreds of her blood-covered blouse.

  Arianna reached out and grabbed onto Glynis, trying to steady herself. “He tried to rape me,” she wheezed. “I fought back. He slugged me in the ribs. They might be broken. The pain…” She swayed, almost losing her balance. “I feel faint.”

  “Here. Lean on me.” Glynis led her over to a blanket that served as their bed and braced as Arianna gingerly lowered herself down to her knees. “That’s it. Easy does it,” Glynis said.

  Arianna made it all the way to the ground and leaned back against the wall, perspiration beaded across her forehead. Glynis gave her some water from a jug nearby. “Here, drink this…slowly. Just sip it.”

  Arianna took a small sip, then refused more.

  Glynis pulled a shawl off her shoulders and ripped it into two pieces. “Lean forward. I’ll try to wrap your ribs. It may help ease the pain. You’re going to have to tough this out without any pain medication.”

  Arianna nodded and did her best to lean forward. “Oow! Ow! Not too tight, please.” With the wrapping in place, she leaned back and was able to breathe a bit easier. Not deeply. Slow shallow breaths were all she could manage, but as long as she didn’t move, her pain eased a bit.

  “I hit that guy over and over with a rock. His head was spewing blood. I almost knocked the bastard out. I would have killed him if I could have.” Tears splashed down her cheeks.

  Glynis sat down beside her. “You’re so brave, Arianna.”

  She shook her head back and forth. “I don’t feel brave. I feel lost, miserable, and I’m in terrible pain.” Between sobs, she said, “I don’t know if I can survive this.”

  IRBIL, IRAQ

  MASOUD TAPPED Zach’s shoulder as he lay sleeping on a cot in a storage room. “Wake-up. You need to hear this.”

  Zach sat up, ready to fight until he realized it was Masoud. “What’s up?”

  “Get dressed and meet me in the command center.”

  Tony and Juan, sleeping nearby, were now awake too. “What’s going on?”

  “We need to get over to cent comm.”

  Minutes later, the trio entered headquarters where they found everyone gathered around a monitor in the back of the room.

  “Okay. Fill us in,” Zach said.

  “We hit the jackpot. We got an ‘electronic lock’ on Amira Shahab’s phone. Our tech people have been able to use this data to pinpoint the exact location of where they’re holding Arianna.”

  Excitement raced through his body. He felt hopeful for the first time since she’d gone missing.

  “Come,” Commander Haji said. “Listen to this.”

  They stepped closer. Zach flipped a chair around and sat down to listen to the conversation on speaker phone. Amira and another man were speaking in Arabic, a language Zach spoke and understood.

  “Their people are stalling,” the male kidnapper said. “We need to do something to increase pressure on these infidels to pay the ransom.”

  “Execute one of the British aid workers,” Amira said. “We will video the execution. They will surely comply when they see this and pay for the release of the other two British hostages.”

  The people in the room looked at each other in surprise. No one had any idea there were other hostages.

  “No. No. No,” the man replied. “I need to talk to the village elders. They are the ones to decide. As for the American, her people have asked for ‘proof of life’.”

  There was a pause. “Uh, see that’s a problem,” Amira said, “Getting a video of her could be a problem.”

  Zach sprang out of his chair, causing it to fall backwards and crash to the floor. “What?”

  Masoud put his hand up, indicating Zach should hold up a moment.

  “You can blame Jamal for this complication,” Amira continued. “Stupid man. I’ll figure out something. Maybe we can do a POL without showing her. Her employer has lots of money, and I know they will pay the fee to get her back. If they do not, we will decide what to do about her future.”

  The transmission ended. No one spoke for a moment. They all stood there looking at each other. Finally, Tony said, “Well, all right, then. We have the location. Let’s go to work and get her home. Zach? What’s next?”

  Zach seemed to be frozen in place. “I’m not sure what to make of what I just heard. The woman said there’s a problem producing a POL. That can’t be good. I don’t even want to think wh
at that could mean.”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Juan lied.

  Zach looked at him. “I wish I shared your confidence. Masoud, we need that ‘proof of life’ ASAP. Use whatever influence you have to get that tomorrow. I’m going to assume she’s okay, but I can’t relax until I know for sure. This is priority one.”

  “I’m on it. I’ll pull out all the stops to pressure them to produce the POL by noon tomorrow.”

  “Roger, that,” Zach said, blowing out a ragged breath, an attempt to release anxiety built up within him. “In the meantime, you’ve pinpointed the location. Where is this place, and what do we know about it?”

  A young Kurdish electronic technician waved everyone to the front of the room. He brought up a map on one of the large screen TVs. “Here’s what I found. She’s being held in an area of the Cheekha Dar Mountains, just as we thought.” The area was circled in red on the map.

  “Well, at least we’re in the right country,” Juan said. “I was afraid we’d have to boogie out of here to an entirely different locale.”

  “Yes, sir,” the operator said. “That’s the good news. The bad news is, she’s likely being held in a cave at the top of what is a steep-sided valley, almost eight thousand feet up in the mountains. This location is going to make a rescue attempt extremely difficult to execute.”

  “Difficult or not, we have to find a way to reach her,” Zach said. “We will find a way, so let’s go to work and figure this out. First, we need some eyes on this place.” Zach turned to face the commander. “How soon can you get some eyes in the sky? The sooner we can get a visual on this, the sooner we can finalize a rescue plan.”