Shot at Redemption by Ken W. Smith

Author:Ken W. Smith [Ken W. Smith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kenneth Smith
Published: 2021-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Mansion Island

Jay slipped off the rigid hull inflatable into the waist-deep water. Gia, CJ, and Madman followed him as he waded ashore. He flipped down his night vision goggles and scanned the island. The door to the kitchen was two hundred feet away. A wall surrounded the back of the abandoned mansion, leaving a small service gate as the only barrier to entry.

Jay and his team sprinted towards the gate and slid up against the granite wall. First, CJ cut the rusty chain securing the gate. Then Jay pulled the gate open wide enough for them to slip through.

In between the wall and the back door was a field of overgrown grass. They worked their way through the waist-high weeds looking for potential booby traps. When they reached the house, CJ stopped to check the backdoor. It was locked. He sprinted to the corner of the main house and looked around the corner. When Jay and the rest of the team caught up to him, CJ said, “There’s a black tarp covering the opening where the tree fell into the mansion.”

“CJ, lift the corner of the tarp to let us in,” Jay said. “Madman, follow CJ. Be careful. They could be waiting for us.”

After a few tense moments, Madman reported in, “Chief, the first room is clear. It looks like a library.”

Jay and Gia followed Madman through the smashed window into a wood-paneled room with empty mahogany bookshelves lining three walls. Jay walked across the room, opened the door, and peered around the corner into a vast, empty corridor. There were three doors on the opposite side of the hallway. The main house was straight ahead.

Jay and Gia turned the corner and moved along the hall’s right side while CJ and Madman sprinted across, taking up positions on the opposite side.

The team checked each door, clearing any open rooms.

When they reached the end of the hallway, they entered the large, three-story parlor. It looked exactly like the room Brendan showed him from the microbot video. To his left was a wide staircase leading down from the second floor. To his right was a massive fireplace. Interesting, Jay thought, no cots or personal gear. Was the assault team still here?

A loud crack answered his question.

The bullet blew wood splinters flew from the wall inches above Jay’s head. He dropped to the floor, and used his night scope to scan the room for the shooter. Even though the rules of engagement were now satisfied, Jay didn’t fire back. He didn’t know where the shot came from.

“CJ, can you see the shooter through your scope?” Jay asked.

“Negative, Chief.”

“I want to get into the kitchen on the right. There are two swinging doors on each side of the fireplace. CJ, see if you can move up behind one of those large columns. When we’re ready to move, Madman lay down a quick burst of cover fire towards the staircase. Gia will stay with me.”

“Roger.”

“Three, two, one… now.”

Jay and Gia sprinted towards the fireplace as CJ took up his position behind the closest column.

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