Emma nodded and reached for another piece of paper. With careful concentration, she began drawing what appeared to be a building with loading docks, security cameras, and most importantly, the number “1247” written in large block letters above the entrance.
“They kept saying this number,” Emma said, pointing to her drawing. “1247. The man with gold teeth said that’s where all the problems go away.”
Jake felt pieces of the puzzle clicking into place. The address from the encrypted phone had been in the warehouse district. Emma’s innocent memory had provided the final piece. “You did good, Emma,” Jake said, his voice thick with emotion. “You helped us find your mama.”
The encrypted phone in Jake’s pocket buzzed with an incoming message at exactly 6 a.m. Ghost translated the Spanish text with grim efficiency. “Exchange proposal. The woman for our soldier. One hour to respond.”
Jake stared at the message. The Serpientes wanted their captured operative back, the man they’d zip-tied at the auto shop. In return, they were offering Maria.
“It’s a trap,” Hammer said immediately. “They’re not planning to hand her over alive.”
“Of course it’s a trap,” Jake replied, already formulating a counter-strategy. “But it’s also an opportunity. They have to bring her to the exchange point, which means moving her from their secure location.”
Angel looked up. “You’re not seriously considering this.”
“I’m considering using their trap against them,” Jake clarified. “They expect us to walk into an ambush. What they don’t expect is for us to spring our own trap first.”
The warehouse at 1247 Delancey Street was a fortress of corrugated steel and concrete. Jake studied the building through binoculars from a rooftop three blocks away, noting guard positions, vehicle placements, and potential entry points. “Four men visible on the outside,” he reported to Ghost. “Unknown number inside, but based on the cars, I’d estimate twelve to fifteen total.”
“What about the woman?” Ghost asked.
“No visual confirmation yet, but there’s activity on the second floor. Lights moving, shadows. That’s probably where they’re holding her.”
Jake’s phone rang with a number he didn’t recognize. A heavily accented voice spoke in careful English. “You have something that belongs to us. We have something you want. Let us discuss business.”
“I’m listening,” Jake said, gesturing for Ghost to record.
“The parking lot behind St. Catherine’s Church. One hour. You bring Miguel, we bring the woman. Simple exchange.”
Jake knew St. Catherine’s, an abandoned church in neutral territory, surrounded by open ground. More importantly, it was five miles from the warehouse. They’d have to transport Maria.
“How do I know she’s still alive?” Jake asked.
There was a pause, followed by a woman’s voice, weak but desperate. “Please, if you have my daughter, keep her safe. Don’t let them—” The line went dead.
Jake forced his voice to remain steady when he called back. “One hour,” he confirmed. “But if she’s hurt, I’m going to take Miguel apart piece by piece before I let your people have him back.”
The laugh that came through the phone was cold. “Bring friends, if you want. We will be ready for you.”
After ending the call, Jake spent ten minutes in silence. “Here’s how we do it,” Jake said finally. “The exchange is a diversion. While they’re focused on St. Catherine’s, we hit the warehouse.”
Ghost looked up from his notes. “With how many men?”
“You, me, and Bulldog. Three-man entry team while they’re distracted.”
“Who handles the church?”
“Hammer takes four men and Miguel to the meeting. If things go according to plan, they’ll be dealing with empty cars and confused cartel soldiers who don’t know their prisoner is already rescued.”
It was a complex operation. If Jake’s team failed to extract Maria before the exchange time, Hammer’s group would be walking into a trap. But as Jake looked at the warehouse, he thought about Emma and her mother.
“One more thing,” Jake said. “If this goes wrong, if we don’t make it out, Angel knows what to do. She takes Emma to the FBI and tells them everything.”
Ghost nodded grimly. “And if we do make it out?”
Jake smiled, the expression carrying promises of trouble his enemies would soon understand. “Then the Serpientes learn what happens when they threaten our family.”
The warehouse assault began at 6:47 p.m., thirteen minutes before the scheduled exchange. Jake, Ghost, and Bulldog approached from three different directions, using shipping containers for cover.
Jake’s earpiece crackled with Hammer’s voice from the church location. “In position. Target vehicles arriving now. Count six cars. Approximately twenty personnel.”
“Copy that,” Jake whispered back. “Beginning entry sequence.”
Ghost cut through the fence, while Bulldog disabled the external alarm. The warehouse’s ground floor was a maze of automotive parts and processing equipment. Jake moved through the shadows, his father’s tactical training guiding every step. Two guards patrolled the main floor, focused on external threats.
Jake took the first guard with a sleeper hold, lowering the unconscious man to the floor. Bulldog handled the second guard with equal efficiency.
“Ground floor secure,” Jake whispered. “Moving to second level.”..
