KC Frantzen - May the K9 Spy 03 - May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino (6 page)

Chapter 13

S
niff-sniff-sniff.
Beans and cornbread, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, country ham and biscuits, sweet tea and coffee. Makes me drool, except for the coffee. That smells better than it tastes.

Odd. There aren’t many vehicles outside, but lots of humans inside. No dogs though. A young lady shows us to a table in the middle of the noisy restaurant. I’m not sure where to be, so I station myself near Agent Michael’s boots to wait for a menu.

Before we can order, the manager stomps to our table. “No dogs inside.”

Agent Michael says, a little loudly I think, “This isn’t a pet. She’s a Contract Working Dog, in town on
official
government business.”

The manager’s expression turns even more sour. “I don’t care if she belongs to the Governor. Get that dog outta here.”

Drat. Maybe they’ll bring a doggie bag.

Agent Michael picks me up with a gentle squeeze.

Righty-o. Focus on the mission. I set my ears for a forlorn effect and watch from under my eyebrows. As we exit, most customers glance and return to their meals but one table… Two men. Beards. Cold-eyes. I
know
they’re our target.

Agent Michael opens the door to the pickup and places me on the seat. “Now to set the hook, Mullet.”

Pardon?

“You’re the bait, remember? They’ve taken interest. Time to reel them in. Sorry to leave you in the vehicle alone but it’s cool enough. I’ll lower the windows a bit. Remember Mullet, we’re right inside and the box truck is over there. Signal when something happens.” He shuts the door and strides towards the lighted entrance.

Thump thump.
I stand, nose marking the window. But… but what if I’m not ready? Do I know how to operate all my equipment? What if I’m dognapped, again? Even worse, by Rukan himself!

Breathe. Stop and think.

What if Ms. Schwind and Edgrr were here? Or Miss Sandy and Sassy? Or General Jim? What would they say?

You practiced scenarios for days. Remember the three day/two night solo? You’re officially a K9 Spy Service Agent. You’re ready. That’s what they’d say.

I take a deep breath and insert my earpiece while pacing, easy as part of my cover. Okay. What are my knowns?

I’m inside a pickup truck working on my first real assignment, my dream assignment, with professionals. I’ve had solid training, equipment at the ready. Surroundings. I scent and hear a large river not far away, the Ohio according to the map. A few dogs howl a cat alert. Other than a few electric lights, there are just some stars high overhead.

Human voices!

A family exits the restaurant and disappears into the dark night. Maybe their vehicle is on the fritz from the EMP blast. Yeah. That would explain the nearly empty parking lot.

Ear flick.

The cold-eyed ruffians approach and peer into my window. I’d better look a little scared, or… nervously excited anyway. My comm unit should transmit what happens. I hope.

The man in the hat says, “Would Rubyanka be interested?”

The man with the scarf like Rukan’s keffiyeh says, “I don’t want to bother our leader, but this might be important. Recall the last crew? Discovered vital information, failed to report it?”

Hat Man nods. “One found downriver, others still missing. We must be thorough. You took photos inside. Take one of these vehicles and send.”

My earpiece blips. A woman’s voice says, “Agent May. Confirmed. Rudolf Rubyanka is a current Rukan identity.”

Idea! I’ll stand on the arm rest so Rukan will see me in the photo.
Whirrrrrrrr…
Yikes! The window glides down. A camera flashes.

Other-way-other-way! I stamp my paw.
Click.
The doors unlock. Oh no!

I dance on the buttons.
Click, whirrrr, click click, whirrrr.

The doors lock, the window closes.
Wshew.

I hear Agent Michael chuckle into my earpiece.

Okay, what else would good bait do? I circle on the seat and act goofy. Better jump again on the arm rest. Note to self: avoid all buttons.

“Stupid dog,” says Hat Man, reaching for the door handle. Suddenly, he gives his partner a look. Maybe he saw the red alarm light. They both squint at the dashboard before walking into the night.

Agent Michael speaks a command into my earpiece. “Drone.”

Righty-o. I lower the window, on purpose, and deploy my mosquito.

“Good work, Mullet. We’ve synchronized to their heat signatures and they’re on camera. You move to the back of the van.”

I softly woof, “Roger that.”

I wait until they disappear then let myself out. As I round the side of the “U-Stash-It” van, the rear door opens. I jump up and the door automatically closes behind me. A thick curtain hangs between me and whatever’s inside. There are pleasant scents of human, canine… and lots of electronics.

I’m not sure what to do, but manners are always important. I yip, “May I enter please?”

A friendly lady’s voice says, “C’mon in Mullet. You made pretty fresh bait tonight.”

I nose the curtain aside to find a pair of huge glittering K9 eyes.
Gulp.
Beyond is a darkened workspace with a startling assortment of blinking lights and screens. It’s a mobile HQ. A lady in an extraordinary motorized chair, Agent Brynn by her nametag, offers me a lively smile.

“You’ve met my service dog, Rylee.”

The Belgian Malinois gives me the once over, then stations herself near her owner’s feet and receives a good scruffling of the ears.

With my bravest confident woof I say, “Greetings to you both, and thanks. So, I made good bait?”

“You certainly did. Come see for yourself.” Agent Brynn invites me to listen and watch through my drone’s infrared camera. The mosquito follows the men to a run-down building, past a doorway and into a small, plain apartment.

While they situate themselves in front of a swanky music system, Agent Brynn adjusts the view and zooms in on each man’s bearded face. Two computers to my left begin to whirr. “We’ll add this information to our database. Facial recognition first, in the off-chance something happens to the drone during the collection of DNA samples. Once accomplished, we’ll direct it to release a ‘bug’ for monitoring this apartment.”

My mosquito lands briefly on each man’s neck, seemingly unnoticed, then Agent Brynn instructs it to circle the apartment for the best vantage point for ‘bug’ placement.

We watch the men activate a remote. A panel slides out with a keyboard Scarf Man uses to tap in commands. Agent Brynn zooms in, but not fast enough to record all the key strokes.

“Would’ve been nice… Still, we have good information for starters.” She signals my drone to hover over a map pinned to the wall. “This looks promising. Okay Agent, where would you place the bug so it won’t be noticed?”

How exciting! I look, then nose a promising spot.
What about here? It’s the nearest large city to where we are.

“Good choice.” She directs my mosquito to deposit the ‘bug.’ “Interesting how it derived its name from the old ‘Society of the Cincinnati.’
Omnia reliquit servare rempublicam.
”

Pardon?

When I tilt my head she says, “It’s Latin. ‘He relinquished everything to save the Republic.’ That was said about the society’s namesake, Cincinnatus, a Roman ruler, and also about the first President of the United States.”

George Washington. Now it’s up to us to preserve freedom and the American Way!

“Exactly right. Okay, bug in position, let’s activate.” Agent Brynn pushes a key and a computer monitor in the van flickers to life. Now two cameras view the space.

Just then Rukan appears on the apartment TV screen, looking perturbed. “You interrupt my work because…”

Now I understand why our instructors test us. You never know who is monitoring.

“That’s him,” I whisper.

Agent Brynn clicks keys and turns dials, muttering, “Keeeeep talking…”

Scarf Man says, “Rubyanka, I send photos of suspicious persons who arrive in town tonight.”

My adversary narrows his brown eyes. “Good, good. What did you discover?”

Hat-less Man replies, “They boast how important they are to have such a task. They check things after the EMP blast then mentioned boomer plans and codes, other sensitive files. These records will be moved since Resolute Mountain is potentially insecure.”

Rukan stands and shouts. “When?”

The men look at each other. Hat-less Man manages to say, “Two days.”

“You must act fast. Describe the team.”

Scarf Man’s face cracks into a rude smirk. “Three men came into the restaurant. They brought in a dog. Of course the manager threw the filthy animal out.”

Rukan moves closer. “What kind of dog?”

“Small. Grey. One inspector talked about how it has survived several attacks. I took a photo of it, along with the vehicles. Everything should be to you, Rubyanka.”

Rukan, or whoever he is calling himself today, views something off-screen, then curses.

The two men tense as he curses again and pounds the desk. I quiver, remembering.

Scarf Man’s voice trembles, “Something we have done?”

“That dog has ruined my plans for the last time. I will have those files. You shall be rewarded should this prove to be true. Prepare for my arrival.”

Chapter 14

T
hough I’ve been left again in the pickup, I monitor our team through my mosquito settled on The Country Cooker wall calendar. They’re enjoying grilled cheese and ham sandwiches, all in character of course, discussing various security breaches, how they’ll be moving many important files… Agent Michael bends in with a reminder that the most super-secret important documents will be placed in my collar.

It makes me laugh! We’re aware that Rukan’s group planted an audio device in the napkin dispenser, so they’re hearing every word. Some of what’s been said
is
true. They just don’t know which parts.

After lunch, while others performed post-EMP blast inspections as part of our cover, they helped refine my surveillance skills and let me take the lead intercepting Rukan’s communication. We heard he’ll arrive this afternoon by private jet, posing as a film producer and potential client of Resolute Mountain. We’ll be at the ready when he does. Bring him to justice.

I shared how Rukan is cruel to animals and humans, that I’m ready to be part of taking him down. When I finished, Agent Brynn said, “So let’s catch this evil brute and put him where he belongs.”

Roger that!
Ear flick.

I look out of the pickup window. Here we go. (I’m a bit nervous, or… yeah. I’m
excited
to face him again.
Shiver.
)

When Agent Michael joins me, my sniffer goes wild. I make my eyes as round as possible. Yum!

He grins, unwraps the foil and shares a couple bites of sandwich.

Thank you, Sir! Dee-licious! What about Agent Brynn and Rylee?

“The big guy on our team ordered extra. He’ll pass it through to them when we get rolling. It’s been tough not to be seen the past couple days, but we couldn’t chance any attention. There is more to this mission than you might think, Mullet. Of course we want Rukan but the bigger plan is to net the organization backing him. He’s a big fish but not the biggest.”

Whoa. Never thought of that. Plans within plans… I have so much to learn.

As we drive to the hotel, he reviews. “We’ll change to a collar without a tracking device, in the remote chance of capture. Don’t want to endanger you further. But don’t be concerned. We will observe you and Rukan through the camera systems inside and out.”

Like Edgrr says, “Trust your team.”

Agent Michael nods. “It’s imperative.”

After locking decoy papers in the hotel safe, we make the short drive escorted by several other vehicles.

There’s the sign for our exit from the main road – Bear Wallow Cutoff. Like my visit to The Agency in DC, you’d never know a secured facility is down this road, which is the point. Sure enough, once we are out of sight of the main highway, I spy a cabin with armed guards.

As we pull up, our vehicle comm unit chimes. “Face recognition technology confirms. Rukan ETA, nineteen minutes.”

Agent Michael checks his watch. “Not much time.”

He lowers the window and offers our credentials. I wag my nub to be friendly, or maybe because I’m nerv– errr… excited. But these guards seem too busy to notice. They wand our entire convoy, one by one, even using a mirror attached to a long pole to inspect underneath each vehicle. Odd.

When he sees my expression, Agent Michael whispers, “Ensuring there are no explosives. Can’t be too careful who you let into underground secured locations. Resolute Mountain has a reputation to maintain as one of the most fortified places in the United States, even when on backup power.”

Humans… So unaware… I yip, “They should have Detection K9’s to help.”

He gives me a look. As we drive away, his comm unit chirps and he takes the call privately. Sounds like HQ.

I watch the surroundings as we drive on, trying not to listen. Something about timing and placement. Better think about something else.

With all this excitement, I really need to go out before we proceed underground. I’m kind of embarrassed to ask. Wonder where…

LOOK OUT!

We veer sharply to miss a herd of creatures running across the road. We hit the curb then
clunck-clunck,
clunck-clunck.

Our driver mumbles, “Flat tire.”

Agent Michael speaks into his comm unit. “Hold on. Technical issue.” Then he tells our driver, “Pull off here. We’ll change vehicles. Quickly. Keep alert.”

I get a better look at the… Hmm. They’re not deer… And some are multi-colored. One leaps onto the hood and stares inside. “Meh-eh-eh!”

There’s a tinge of urgency in Agent Michael’s responses to HQ as the rest of our convoy pulls nearby.

Our doors click open. Now’s my opportunity. “Agent Michael, I’ll be back in a flash,” I woof. Before he can say no, I’m out, sprinting for the bushes.

Behind me, the creature lightly leaps to the grass, then kicks up his heels. Two leaps and he’s caught up with me.

“Would you please excuse me a moment?” I take care of what I came to do, then trot over.

He wags his tail, puts his head down and – yikes – tries to assault me! I reverse and scoot sideways like we practiced in evasion class.

He looks puzzled.

Maybe I was rude. He
was
wagging his tail. “My name’s May. What’s yours?”

“Goatee Sam, that’s what. Meh-eh-eh! Are you coming to work? I’ve not seen you before.” He motions to the herd. “We’re Goat Tribe Six. Meh-eh! I’m the newest member. We are to ‘keep the grounds clear and watch for intruders who haven’t cleared security.’ Today we’re on high alert, but you don’t fit the description.”

“Pleased to meet you.” He’s young, but should be trained not to say all he knows.
Blush.
Guess that could be said of me sometimes. Good reminder.

Watching him leap high, wonder what kind of special device he is wearing on his paws? They’re rigid, with two points at the front. Good for leaping, but not very quiet. Fitting. Neither is he.

He leaps again. “We’ve a simple job to do, and that’s what we do.”

I look past the guard goat and see Agent Michael enter another vehicle while ours is pushed to the side.

I bark, “Excuse me. Maybe we’ll meet again,” and dash for the car.

Goatee Sam leaps past me, springs onto the hood, and bounds across the road.

HHHOOOOONNNNNKKKKKKK.

A giant truck rushes by going the other direction. And another behind it.

When I get four paws onto the seat, the doors click shut and we’re off.

Agent Michael glowers at me and speaks again into the comm. “Sir, I realize that. However, we will adapt and leave several agents to make it credible, as if we’re not expecting any challenges… Yes Sir, goodbye.”
Click.

We slow across a section of road with moveable rails. It beeps as a light turns green, letting us pass to another checkpoint. And here they are, K9’s on patrol… with serious-looking handlers. All business.

Enormous doorways are visible ahead, cutting into the side of the mountain. Grey to match my fur coat. Much action too – cars, trucks, golf carts, going every which way.

As the K9’s sniff our vehicles, broad-shouldered sentries check each of our credentials, then allow us to drive on. As we approach, castle-like gates slowly rise. Once inside, we pass not one, but two more sets of fortified gates, along with cars, carts and huge trucks coming and going. Few are on foot or paw, except around the gates.

When we stop, a man I recognize from The Country Cooker gets in and nods. Agent Michael says the man’s identity is on a need-to-know basis. Guess I’ll call him Agent X. Or hey, in boot camp we learned how to say the alphabet with longer names.

I turn to the back seat.
May I call you Agent X-Ray?

He nods in the affirmative.

At least he speaks critter.

Agent Michael reviews. “We’re not certain how Rukan will strike so we’re splitting up. Our team, Dogcatcher Alpha Three, will enter at section B42.”

Just then our earpieces click on. “Attention. All Dogcatcher Teams, attention. Shark two minutes from premises, repeat. Rukan two minutes.”

“HUA.”

Rukan.

I wouldn’t choose to confront him nose to nose on my own, but no backing out now… Though part of me sure would like to.
Shudder.