The Diamond Chase: A Chase Fulton Novel by Cap Daniels

Author:Cap Daniels [Daniels, Cap]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anchor Watch Publishing, L.L.C.
Published: 2023-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Pick a Number

In spite of the cabbie’s reassurances, my heart rate continued to rise. “There has to be a better way.”

The driver checked the mirrors. “This is best way. Nobody will see you.”

“Why would I care if anybody sees me?”

“Are you afraid, American?”

“Not afraid. Just cautious. Let me out here, and I’ll walk the rest of the way.”

He shrugged. “Okay, but is safe with me. Is not safe with Uzbeks.”

“It’s not the Uzbeks I’m worried about. It’s the thugs hiding in the shadows waiting to take my wallet.”

I pulled the handle and stepped from the taxi. Being on foot felt a lot safer than being stuck inside a taxi that smelled like Turkish cigarettes and incense. As soon as I closed the door, the driver pulled away as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred—like hundred-dollar tips happened every day in the city of Dashoguz.

I drew my pistol and approached the corner where a smaller, darker alley joined the main branch. Carefully cutting the pie around the corner with my pistol extended, just as I’d practiced thousands of times in the shooting house back at Bonaventure, slices of the alley came into view with every tiny lateral movement.

That’s when I heard Kodiak’s grizzly voice. “I’ve got your six, Chase. It’s clear in every direction.”

It sounded as if he were standing only inches behind me, but thanks to the bone conduction receiver glued to my jawbone, he could’ve been anywhere on Earth.

“Say position.”

“I’m on overwatch at six o’clock high.”

I turned and caught a glimpse of my newest teammate nestled in the debris of the mostly demolished second floor of the building behind me. “Nicely done. Can I interest you in a beer?”

He stepped to the edge of the building. “Nah, but I wouldn’t mind a Russian girl if they’ve got enough to go around.”

I holstered my Glock. “I know a beautiful helicopter pilot back in the States who wouldn’t approve of you and a Russian girl.”

He scampered down the wall using the remnants of a downspout and landed a few feet away. “Ah, she and I are separated.”

“Separated? What happened.”

“Nothing. We’re just separated. I’m in whatever country this is, and she’s on a ship somewhere.”

“You’re a funny guy,” I said. “I’ll be sure to let her know that’s how you feel.”

He gave me a wink and changed the subject. “Nice job on the coms.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I wanted you to know where I was.”

“Yeah, I figured. Did the cabbie see me on the drive over here?”

I said, “He did. That’s why I waved you off.”

Kodiak peered around the corner as if looking for the driver. “That guy might come in handy.”

I held up the wrinkled piece of paper. “I got them digits.”

“Of course you did. Now, let’s put eyes on this world-famous beer joint of his.”

We rounded the corner to see a squatty building with bars over blacked-out windows and a massive padlock on a steel hasp on the door.

I checked my watch. “It must not be happy hour yet.

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