Valiant Savage by Dave Edlund

Author:Dave Edlund [Edlund, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: political thriller;government conspiracy;domestic terrorism;military;action;thriller;suspense;peter savage;fiction;oregon;high desert
Publisher: Light Messages Publishing
Published: 2020-08-04T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

A volley of rifle fire pounded the log and zinged over Peter’s head. Any moment, he expected a charge over the open ground. Or maybe the attacking force would split in two and storm from both flanks. Regardless, he knew the end was rapidly approaching.

His mind conjured up memories from decades past, when he and his best friend were still in high school in Sacramento. The innocence of youth as they cranked up the radio while cruising J Street in Jim’s 1964 Chevy—his mom’s car, actually. His infectious laugh at some unremarkable thing the DJ said. And then Jim was older, a warrior saving Peter’s life and that of his father at a remote hunting cabin in the Aleutian Islands.

Time always seems to be infinite, until it’s running out.

He retrieved the satellite phone and dialed the number that would connect with Lieutenant Ellen Lacey.

“Lacey,” she said.

“It’s real bad. I’ve recovered Jim’s phone, but he’s not with it. I don’t know where they’re holding him.”

“Where are you?”

“Within a mile of the location pinged by his phone. This seems to be a private ranch used by a bunch of lunatics who like to play soldier.”

“I’ll notify the FBI. They can have a—”

Peter cut her off, time was running out. “The FBI already sent an assault team here, and the militia chewed them up.”

Lacey paused for a heartbeat. “Okay. What do you need?”

“How about a miracle?”

“Sorry, I can’t requisition a miracle.”

“Just stay by the phone. Soon I’m going to learn Jim’s location.”

“What? But how?”

“I’m going to surrender to these assholes.”

“Mister Savage, no! You can’t do that. They might just kill you rather than take you prisoner.”

“I’m open to ideas. But you better speak fast. My position is about to be overrun.”

He closed his eyes, and he was in the Sudan, under a blistering sun, low on ammo, and about to be overrun by Janjaweed militia. His son, Ethan, was by his side. When all seemed lost, Jim appeared out of nowhere, leading a squad of SGIT soldiers. Once again, Peter had walked away from certain death.

“But…”

“Look, if they take me prisoner, I’m gambling they’ll hold me at the same place where they have Jim and the governor.”

“That’s nothing more than a guess!”

“Call it what you want. He’s always been there for me, for my family. He’s saved my life more than once. I can’t leave him.”

Lacey gave in, knowing she couldn’t change Peter’s mind. “Assuming you’re right, how will you reach me? They’ll search you and take the sat phone and your cell phone.”

“No, they won’t.”

“No? But—”

“Gotta go. Just stay by the phone.”

Peter disconnected the call and then summoned Diesel closer. As the pit bull stood at attention, he shoved the sat phone deep under the body armor wrapped around the dog’s chest, the phone resting snug between the loins along Diesel’s back and the black vest. Then he removed the palm-sized derringer from his pocket and slipped it into a pouch on the underside of Diesel’s chest.

He cradled the canine’s blocky head.

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