much on his mind.
Once he’d dressed, he paced the length of the motorhome, wondering if the guys on the night shift were having difficulty staying awake while Dash was having trouble sleeping. He was about to go out and check on them when a knock sounded on the door.
He pushed aside the curtain and looked down at his buddy, Rucker. Relieved to see a familiar face, he opened the door and stepped out into the night.
“I didn’t expect you to answer the door so fast,” Rucker said. “I was afraid I’d wake you from sleeping.”
“I was awake. What’s up?” Dash asked.
“Got word from the CO. Through their interviews with the women and children who’d been captured for resell, the intelligence community has learned a little more about the man who is orchestrating these deals.”
“Yeah? Who is he?”
Rucker drew in a deep breath and let it out. “They don’t actually have a name, just a description.”
“That’s better than nothing. As long as he doesn’t have the same description as Joe Smith Afghan with dark hair and dark eyes.”
“You’re in luck. Most of the women said he was tall and had light blue or gray eyes. They couldn’t see his hair because he always wore a hat pulled down over it. He spoke English with an American accent.”
“So all we have now is that he’s got gray or blue eyes.”
“Yeah. I know it’s not much to go on. The other thing is we got a cleanup team out to the sight where your convoy was attacked. They found one of the motorcycles they used. It was allegedly stolen from a job site run by a US-based contractor.”
“Did they track down the contractor?”
“By phone. He said, those motorcycles had been stolen over a month ago, along with a delivery truck. The truck was the one in which they were transporting that group of women and children.”
“It probably is the same group responsible for the attack and the kidnapped women.”
“That’s what the Intel guys are saying. I agree.”
Dash frowned. “I just wonder how they got away with six motorcycles and a truck, without getting caught.”
“Yeah. Sounds suspicious to me.”
“Isn’t there a network of contractors here in Afghanistan?” Dash asked.
“I would assume so. They probably know who’s out here and call on each other when they need help.”
“Did you talk to the contractor, Desmond Housman, here at this FOB? Maybe he knows something about the thefts.”
Rucker nodded. “We looked for him, but he was only on the base for the day. As soon as the concert was over, he bugged out.” Dash’s team lead grinned. “He probably only came to watch Miss Daye sing.”
“Can’t blame him.” Dash said. The woman has talent.”
“Yes, she does.” Rucker tipped his head toward the motorhome door. “How’s she holding up?”
“As well as can be expected for someone who has gone through what she’s experienced and given a two-hour concert.” As well as making love like a wildcat. Dash didn’t add that, but the laundry list of what Sunny had endured was enough to make a weaker woman cry.
“I’ve had the team out safeguarding the perimeter during the concert. They’re still out there looking for trouble. I hope they don’t find it. You might want to wear your radio communications device through the rest of the night. I’ve got a hinky feeling.”
“Hinky?” Dash grinned. “Since when do you say hinky?”
“I picked it up from Nora,” Rucker said. “Fine. I have a gut feeling that all is not well. I’ve been all over this base and can’t put my finger on one single thing.”
“I don’t know about you being hinky,” Dash’s grin broadened, “but your gut is rarely wrong.”
“Keep your eyes and ears open.” He nodded to each end of the motorhome. “Your bodyguards are one man short. Paul is filling in for Marcus since he’s out due to his injury. He’ll pull an all-nighter with Stewy and Ron, switching out in an hour. I’ll have our guys come provide backup at that time in case Paul gets too sleepy to be effective.”
“Thanks,” Dash said. “I feel better with our own team providing security.”
“I can get them here in a few minutes.”
“I’d like that.”
“Consider it done.” Rucker turned. “Keep safe. I’ll be back in an hour to check on things.”
After Rucker left, Dash waved at Paul at one end of the coach and turned to wave at Stewy. Then he went back inside to make a cup of coffee. It was going to be a long night.
He had a mug of