Jacked Up 7

"I can't believe she's actually doing it," Ballard commented as he put the scope of the gun on Molly. "She's just sitting there like nothings up."

"How would you act if six guns were trailed on your head?" Sam replied checking out the team with his binoculars.

"She was a little more cooperative after you let her go to the bathroom," Ballard comment looking over at Sam. "Mouthwash and toothpaste were always a good motivator when I was in the Marines."

"Ha!" Sam chuckled in agreement. "Who you kidding … there were times in the army when I'd give my left nut to brush my teeth. It's amazing what a lil soap and water will do for a person."

"Yeah, I have no idea how they do it on Survivor," Ballard agreed shuffling his feet. "Of course for a million dollars, I'd do just about anything."

"Yeah," Sam grunted as he looked at the horizon, squinting his eyes to the sun. He knew Jonas and Molly had a code, everyone did. Based on the intel Drake had provided, Sam was sure Jonas and the team were at the safe house. He just found it a little odd that Jonas would answer a call from his wife in the middle of the operation. What'd'ya think she wanted? Honey can you get some milk on your way home from work? Sam rolled his eyes at the ridiculous thought and shoved the binoculars back in his pocket.

"He's here, twelve oh clock," Sam said to Ballard, standing on point with the sniper rifle. Drake had been skeptical that Jonas would show up here, but Sam knew the man a little too well. He purposely used his own cell phone, left it on so RedCap could trace it and put the locator on him. "Black coat, purple shirt."

"Who dressed him?" Ballard asked as he lined him up in his sights.

"You don't have to be a fashion expert to be in the army," Sam replied pulling his phone from his pocket.

"That's why the Marines have a better reputation," Ballard remarked.

"That's coming from the guy who got kicked out?" Whiplash joked as he watched Jonas get settled at the table next to Molly. Okay, here goes nothing Snakedoc, I'm going to throw you a line, and dammit! You better bite cuz I'm only gonna get one chance at this, Sam thought as he counted out the seconds in his head before dialing Jonas's number again. "What are you doing Snakedoc?' Sam asked his boss when he answered the phone.

"Listening to you. What do you want?"

"Do what I say and you both can walk away," Sam said plainly. Here goes my counter mission, he thought as he gave Jonas vital information about the safe house. He knew damn well that none of those guys were going to get out of there alive and frankly he was excited about it. His only objective at this point was to make sure that Molly and Jonas made it out unscathed. "I have five, repeat five men walking out of that safe house. They are not to be harmed or followed. If anything happens to them, you know whats going to happen to you. Once they are safely in the wind, you and Molly can go on your merry way," Sam briefed his team lead as if they were working together on this op. We are in a small way, Sam convinced himself. Jonas just doesn't know it yet.

"You got us in your sights Sam, why would I believe you'll let us go?"

"What happened to trust?" Sam quipped. It's either help you escape or face life in Leavenworth, he told himself silently as he informed Jonas what he wanted him to do next.

It all seemed to be working out nicely. The word from the safe house was that Mack had dropped his weapon. Drake's guys were heading to the car. Sam kept a keen eye on Ballard and his team lead waiting for someone to make a move. Sam was in the best position in the world. He knew what the bad guys were planning and what the good guys response was going to be and himself? Well, he was ready for anything. It wouldn't take much to eliminate Ballard and take Drake out with one shot. He had been to the range with Ballard once and knew the guy could barely hit the broad side of a barn.

So when the bullets start whizzing and everyone start to run, Sam kept his eye on Molly and Jonas while Ballard fumbled to get off a shot. So much for that sniper experience you lied to Drake about, Sam noted as he ducked a near hit from Jonas's weapon. When he heard Jonas yell at Molly to run, Sam could barely hold in the chuckles. Good luck with that, he thought as he told Ballard to drop the rifle and the two chased after Jonas and Molly to cut them off at the pass. Sam figured Jonas would go for the tunnel, because the other escape route was filled with people and too many obstacles for a clean get-away.

"Hold up or we'll shoot Molly. Drop it Jonas," Sam yelled as he and Ballard blocked the exit and put Jonas on the defense with two guns trailed on them . For the first time since he joined the unit, Sam sensed confusion from his boss … not knowing where to point his weapon, unsure of what target was a bigger threat. Sam found it a little ironic because he was sure that Jonas could take them both in the time it would take all four to blink. Sam made the decision for him instead, turning on his heel and putting a double tap into Ballard's chest. Now he's really confused, Whiplash noted locking the safety in place and sliding his gun toward Jonas.

"You took out Ballard and got the drop on me, but I was too fast. Make it look good," Sam said crisply trailing his gaze from Molly to Jonas. The two shared the same expression. Guess what they say about married people acting alike is true, Sam thought as he yelled at Jonas to snap him to action.

"Do it! Hurry!" he yelled as the police sirens closed in on the location. Jonas only hesitated another second before firing a round into Sam's right bicep. "Agh dammit!" he growled as he dropped to his knees. That's going to leave a mark, Sam grumbled as Jonas and Molly ran past him out of the tunnel. Sam struggled to his feet and scrambled off in the other direction.

At least he didn't shoot me in the knee.

TBC