An Unlikely Hero (1) Read online

  Copyright © 2013 Tierney James

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 1480276030

  ISBN-13: 9781480276031

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-62347-223-8

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2012921450

  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

  North Charleston, South Carolina

  Dedicated to the men and women who work in the shadows so that we can remain safe from those that would do us harm.

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32: Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Finally I get to thank those who have pushed me to fulfill a dream that begun when I was a little girl discovering the magic of words. First I need to say thank you to Meghan Fanning for making me promise that I would not let another day go by without putting the stories in my head to paper. She became my editor and cheerleader along this bumpy road. Then there’s Susie Knust, an author and a new friend, who I timidly gave a few pages of what I thought were random scribbles. Her encouragement through this process made me believe that dreams can come true. Then there’s that wonderful teacher in elementary school that gave me the tools to think, dream and write. Thank you, Ms. Bonnet.

  Chapter 1

  Sticky from the late summer night air, Jamaal meticulously continued to work on the bomb lying on the workbench. His dark hand slipped only once, causing the Libyan to suck in his breath and step back. For weeks he’d practiced in the desert of his home with others just like him learning how to make these kinds of bombs. A quick student, Jamaal had gotten the attention of one man who decided his skills needed to be put to the ultimate test. A promise of money only slightly overshadowed the reward of hurting the Americans. As his heartbeat returned to normal he once more fingered what he hoped would be a weapon of distraction. Finally Jamaal slowly removed his hands and smiled at the completion of the toy-like monster. It hadn’t taken any more work than a conventional bomb, he decided.

  Dynamite had been ridiculously easy to obtain from a mining company north of Nevada City which was in the process of closing. The difficult part had been securing the radioactive material. But a disgruntled hospital employee willingly provided access for Jamaal’s boss to obtain the final component for the weapon before him. Various online markets sold military toys that were so life-like Jamaal wondered why Homeland Security hadn’t shut them down. The secure radioactive container easily slipped inside the missile. His boss had convinced him it would be enough. Adapting his army green missile with explosives, although tricky, had not been beyond his ability. The connection to the launcher was another matter. Would it adapt to carrying this small attachment now that it was heavier? For the last several hours Jamaal had trouble with the launcher turning on prematurely with the added weight. By accident he discovered if he propped it upright as if it were being held the lights failed to flash a warning of launch.

  No longer would he be the butt of jokes calling him a stupid fool.

  His associates would be pleased.

  His reward and recognition would be great.

  Only one more thing to do. Launch. Tomorrow. The first of many tomorrows.

  It would be simple. Near dawn he would load the readapted toy which had been fitted with his attachment into the trunk of his car. Sacramento was less than an hour away so he wanted to leave early enough to find a good parking spot along the way. He had been monitoring traffic helicopters for weeks. He knew exactly which one would be the target. Bringing it down over a populated area where several highways merged would be child’s play. The authorities would realize later something more heinous had occurred than a helicopter crashing into rush hour traffic. By then what little radioactive poison survived would throw authorities into a panic. His boss could move forward with bigger plans while the country kept eyes on Sacramento.

  Jamaal yawned, realizing he’d been working since early morning without much of a break. After making sure the weapon was secure, he gently let his hands hover over the finished project and smiled once more, knowing his glory would soon be visible to the world. Backing toward the shed door he reached behind him to twist the doorknob. Even now Jamaal struggled to tear his eyes away from his creation. As the door creaked open Jamaal unwittingly paused long enough for the neighbor’s cat to slip quietly into the shadows of the stacked lumber in the corner.

  The light extinguished, Jamaal stepped into the night, closing the door behind him. The smell of the neighbor’s freshly cut grass made him decide that would be what he missed about California. There wasn’t much grass in Libya. A breeze touched his serious face as he tucked his head and made for his back door. Nearby someone had fired up a grill for a late night’s dinner. He paused, hearing a dog bark and the distant laughter of men sharing something he would never understand. This country was too friendly, too trusting. He wondered in that moment if he would be able to sleep? The others had already gone to bed. Softly he called the cat that had been coming around at night. A saucer of milk each visit kept the creature returning.

  The excited cry of the cat inside the shed forced Jamaal’s feet to trip, sprawling him onto the damp grass. Pushing up in desperation he stumbled toward the shed hearing the clatter of obstacles the cat moved as it raced toward what he guessed was a mouse.

  Something close to lightning speed touched the mouse and it was running for its life, but not before the tabby cried out and pounded on the very spot in which the small creature had tried to disappear. A roar, flashing red lights and a hissing sound imploded the room when the cat landed on the man’s machine. With agile reflexes the feline leaped once more onto the floor and escaped into the corner, not noticing that the rodent was right next to him. The workbench began to vibrate and in the next instant the machine expelled a tail of fire and crashed through the windows into the night sky.

  The cries of anguish from the man startled the cat into making a quick escape as the door flung open. Dogs began to bark throughout the neighborhood. Porch lights flickered on and then off as houses began to stir at the wails of a desperate man running into his backyard before collapsing to his knees.

  “A client, Robert! How could you?” Tessa Scott doubled her fists as they landed angrily on her hips, a stance she often took when ready to do battle. She fell wearily onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The day had been one mishap after another. The bleach spilled on her favorite pair of shorts. It took three hours to get the oil changed at Wal-Mart. Her two older sons got into a fistfight in front of Reverend Phillips. When she tried to break them up, her precious little girl had laughed, saying “Oh shit!” The boys had frozen at that point, looking very sheepish and innocent. To the credit of Daniel, the middle child, he switched the attention from his little sister to her. “Mom, Dad told you if you didn’t stop saying that word one of us would pick it up.” The good reverend could hardly contain his smile of embarrassment and graciously left them in
the tire and lube waiting room of Wal-Mart.

  To make matters worse the dryer was acting so sluggish that she ended up hanging their clothes that were to be packed for vacation, outside on a clothesline, only to be called by Mr. Crawley from next door who reminded her that there was a covenant in the subdivision about public displays of laundry. He emphasized a hillbilly could do that in Tennessee where she grew up, but it was unacceptable in northern California. Of course the clothes, although fresh smelling now, all needed to be ironed. She hadn’t even had a shower today or looked in a mirror since 8 a.m. After heading the children off to bathtubs, Tessa had longed to crumple onto the bed to breathe. That’s when Robert had come home, bounded up the stairs and jumped into the room like a twelve year old.

  He held his finger to his lips and gently pulled her up as her body tried to slide back down to the bed. “I know. I know. I should have called first.” Robert kissed her cheek and rubbed her back gently. “It’s just dinner, sweetheart.” Robert tried to disarm her with his boyish charm as he began pushing her toward the bathroom.

  Tessa pushed him at arm’s length. “We’re leaving early tomorrow morning for Tahoe. You should’ve taken him out.”

  “He likes the domestic scene, honey, impresses him when the people around him are into family.”

  Tessa rolled her eyes upward then leveled a hard gaze at her husband. “Since when are you into family? You missed all but two of Sean Patrick’s ballgames, the spring concert at school and Heather’s third birthday party! We haven’t had a night out in six months! Daniel is so glued to the computer he’s beginning to think you’re a virtual reality game show host!”

  Robert chuckled weakly and followed her into the bathroom. “I’ll fire up the grill and take a few steaks out of the cooler already packed for Tahoe. All you have to do is toss a salad, nuke a couple of potatoes and presto!” he said happily.

  “Oh Robert, I’m tired,” she moaned, knowing she’d lost as he pulled her into his arms tenderly.

  Robert wrinkled his brow. “For Heaven sakes why? You’re home all day. You just play with the kids and stuff.” He released her suddenly and fled into the bedroom. “Fix yourself up a bit, will ya? You look like you’ve been on combat maneuvers.” Robert removed his tie and eagerly left the room, whistling You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog.”

  Tessa turned to look at herself in the mirror and was shocked at how old she looked. The day, no, the years were taking their toll on her. She felt used up. Drained of energy and of life, the thirty five year old housewife wondered where her dreams had gone, her beauty, and her drive? Had she sacrificed them all for Robert’s career? Did the well-being of her children crowd out any room for her own desires? The answer was simple. Yes. Tessa had become invisible as a person of distinction.

  Mindlessly, Tessa turned on the shower and stripped off her grimy, bleach spotted clothes. As she stepped into the shower and let the hot water vaporize her sadness, Tessa began to form a decision. Somewhere between the peach smelling shampoo and the quickly shaved legs, Tessa turned a corner into a new life, one she had not exactly expected, but one she embraced nonetheless.

  Robert swung Heather up into his tan arms and hugged her, careful never to take his eyes off Mr. Feldspar, who was rattling on and on about his son that was a quarterback for Texas A & M. He felt Heather’s warm kisses on his cheek and quickly put her down so he could concentrate, regretting that once again he’d put the job first. There was nothing as important as little girl kisses and he could see in Heather’s pouty mouth that she didn’t understand.

  As Heather skipped out of the room in her pink pajamas, Tessa strolled in as if the act had been the height of her day. Robert suddenly found himself not listening to Mr. Feldspar. He marveled at how beautiful his wife looked tonight and vowed to tell her later, if he didn’t fall asleep first. Even though she’d put on a few pounds since Heather was born, Tessa still looked good in a pair of black slacks and that ivory tunic she sometimes wore. He saw the same pouty mouth that she’d given to Heather and forced himself to tear his eyes away as he interrupted the client.

  “Mr. Feldspar, this is Tessa, my better half.” Robert slightly brushed against her elbow as she outstretched her slim fingers to entwine with Mr. Feldspar’s hand. The smell of peaches in her blond hair made Robert feel a little dizzy. They continued to hold hands as Mr. Feldspar remarked on how charming her little girl was and that now he could see why. Tessa laughed lightly followed by a comment about how nice to have him come for dinner. Good old Tessa! She was always there in a pinch. Robert could tell that the client was devouring Tessa’s attention like French chocolate cheesecake.

  “Mom, Daniel hid my binoculars!” Ten-year-old Sean Patrick entered the room in camouflage cotton pajamas. His young body already showed signs of maturing into a rugged teenager that would probably grow into a taller man than his nearly six foot father. His dark brown hair had been streaked by the exposure of the summer sun. There was a way he narrowed his round brown eyes that made everyone sit up and take notice immediately. This child would be a commander someday, Tessa realized with pleasure. Having wanted to enter the army herself after high school, Tessa had always encouraged her son’s interest in military toys, games and movies. Envisioning him at West Point or the Naval Academy was a faraway dream right now. Although her parents had forbidden her to even think about joining, Tessa promised herself if her child chose that direction no one would stand in his way. Her eyes momentarily flicked to her husband. Not even you, Robert, she vowed.

  She smiled patiently at her oldest child. “I packed them for you, sweetheart. I knew you would want to be spying on unsuspecting tourists at the lake. Daniel is just doing another mind game on you.” Gently, Tessa pulled Sean Patrick closer to her side and faced him toward Mr. Feldspar. “Sean, this is a friend of Daddy’s. Mr. Feldspar’s son plays football for Texas A & M.”

  Sean Patrick pulled back his shoulders and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “Back at ya, son.” Mr. Feldspar glanced over at Robert. “Manners. Not much of that these days.”

  “I’ll be going now, sir. Dad. Mom.” Sean Patrick pivoted on his heels like he was marching to war and exited the room in a timely manner.

  Tessa sighed. “Children. They make life wonderful.” She turned back toward the kitchen after refilling Mr. Feldspar’s tea class. After making the salad she placed three baking potatoes in the microwave. By the time she’d carried the sides to the porch where the men sat laughing a commotion broke out upstairs. The sound of a door slamming rushed through the open kitchen window followed by yells and pounding fists against some wooden surface.

  “Tessa, you’d better see to the boys,” Robert said nervously as he waved a hand toward the upstairs’ windows.

  “I think you’re right. Oh, I think the steaks are ready. The grill is smoking.”

  As Robert retrieved the steaks from the patio grill, Tessa headed upstairs to find Sean Patrick sitting cross-legged outside the bathroom door with his arms folded. A scowl on his lips and a clenched jaw told Tessa that Daniel was now either a POW or had been forced into one of Tessa’s old dresses and tied up with a pair of pantyhose.

  “Sean Patrick! Report!”

  “Daniel needs to pay for tricking me. He needs to learn some respect for his elders. I simply tied him up then used some of your makeup on him, then took his picture.” At this he grinned. “Mission accomplished.”

  “Well done, major. Now release the prisoner.” Tessa watched him open the door and bit her lip as her eyes fell upon her middle child. It was all she could do to keep from bursting into gales of laughter at seeing her son all rosy cheeked and ruby lipped. “Sean, untie him.”

  “He’ll attack.”

  “I’ll take my chances. Now move!” Tessa folded her arms as eight year old Daniel was released. Sean Patrick quickly retreated behind his mother as Daniel leveled a murderous look at his brother. “I think you boys should go to bed.”

  �
��Mom!” Daniel wailed in protest. He pointed a finger at his brother. “He…” Daniel grabbed a hand towel hanging lopsided on the sink.

  “Took revenge. I know. What have we learned from this?”

  Sean Patrick might be the military, but Daniel was Commander in Chief. “Always have a way out.”

  “Sean?”

  “Run silent, run deep or you’ll have to listen to your mom’s psychology crap for the millionth time,” he smirked.

  Tessa swatted him hard on his bottom, which caused both boys to laugh and grab her tightly so she couldn’t move. “I give up!” she giggled. “You better go to bed. Your father is not happy with your behavior.”

  “So what’s new?” Sean Patrick frowned.

  “He loves you very much, boys. He works very hard for us.”

  Daniel gave his mother one more hug. “Night, Mom. I love you.”

  Sean Patrick put his hands on his hips and mocked his brother in a girlish voice. “Night, Mommy, I love you.” Daniel stuck out his tongue and disappeared out the door of the bathroom, wiping his face on one of Tessa’s new towels. Down the hall he scampered into the room he shared with his brother.

  Sean Patrick relaxed and looked up at his mother. “You look pretty, Mom.” He then reached up and slipped his hand behind her neck, tugging her gently down to eye level. Whispering he said, “I love you too!” He stole a kiss then ran down the hall to his room.

  Picking a towel up off the floor, Tessa caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Not bad, she thought. Her shoulder length blond hair had curled up enough to give it body and even in this light she could tell it was shiny. Although applied lightly, her makeup was flawless, giving her complexion a healthy glow. Maybe she wasn’t so old after all. Most people didn’t guess she was on the upside of thirty-five. The youthfulness in her appearance kept people imagining that she must have been a young bride and started on a family rather early. Tessa never bothered to tell them otherwise. Forty was beginning to loom on the horizon. Blessed with a cosmetic edge, Tessa wasn’t about to surrender without a fight.