A Price Too High, page 1
A PRICE TOO HIGH
A DELTA FORCE UNLEASHED THRILLER
J. ROBERT KENNEDY
BOOKS BY J. ROBERT KENNEDY
Please click here for the intended reading order.
* Also available in audio
The Templar Detective Thrillers
The Templar Detective
The Templar Detective and the Parisian Adulteress
The Templar Detective and the Sergeant's Secret
The Templar Detective and the Unholy Exorcist
The Templar Detective and the Code Breaker
The Templar Detective and the Black Scourge
The Templar Detective and the Lost Children
The Templar Detective and the Satanic Whisper
The Just Jack Thrillers
You Don't Know Jack
Jack Be Nimble
The James Acton Thrillers
The Protocol *
Brass Monkey *
Broken Dove
The Templar’s Relic
Flags of Sin
The Arab Fall
The Circle of Eight
The Venice Code
Pompeii’s Ghosts
Amazon Burning
The Riddle
Blood Relics
Sins of the Titanic
Saint Peter’s Soldiers
The Thirteenth Legion
Raging Sun
Wages of Sin
Wrath of the Gods
The Templar’s Revenge
The Nazi’s Engineer
Atlantis Lost
The Cylon Curse
The Viking Deception
Keepers of the Lost Ark
The Tomb of Genghis Khan
The Manila Deception
The Fourth Bible
Embassy of the Empire
Armageddon
No Good Deed
The Last Soviet
Lake of Bones
Fatal Reunion
The Resurrection Tablet
The Antarctica Incident
The Ghosts of Paris
No More Secrets
The Curse of Imhotep
The Sword of Doom
The Heretics Bible
The Dylan Kane Thrillers
Rogue Operator *
Containment Failure *
Cold Warriors *
Death to America
Black Widow
The Agenda
Retribution
State Sanctioned
Extraordinary Rendition
Red Eagle
The Messenger
The Defector
The Mole
The Arsenal
The Delta Force Unleashed Thrillers
Payback
Infidels
The Lazarus Moment
Kill Chain
Forgotten
The Cuban Incident
Rampage
Inside the Wire
Charlie Foxtrot
A Price Too High
Righteous Hell
The Detective Shakespeare Mysteries
Depraved Difference
Tick Tock
The Redeemer
The Kriminalinspektor Wolfgang Vogel Mysteries
The Colonel’s Wife
Sins of the Child
Zander Varga, Vampire Detective Series
The Turned
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
The Novel
Preface
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
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Acknowledgments
Don't Miss Out!
Thank You!
About the Author
Also by the Author
For those members of the thin blue line that have lost their lives in the war against drugs, and the millions of innocent lives lost or destroyed because of the unchecked power of the cartels.
“We cannot continue doing the same thing and expect different results.”
Otto Perez Molina
“The war on drugs has gone on for about forty-five, fifty years - and it’s been a complete failure. If you had a business that was failing so badly, you would change course. And it’s just incredible that governments continue along the same course.”
Richard Branson
PREFACE
The war on drugs, now decades old, has been an abject failure according to most analysts, and it is hard to disagree. However, what is the solution?
Hundreds of thousands have died in Mexico, murdered by the cartels, the profits from the sale of narcotics simply too high to give up. This was true during the time of Al Capone and Prohibition, as it is now. Some advocate decriminalizing drug possession, others go further and demand complete legalization of all narcotics.
And still others demand an even harsher response.
Declare the drug cartels terrorist organizations, send our military to actively pursue them, and bring justice to the masses.
It is an interesting concept.
And one wonders how the well-armed and financed cartels, estimated to directly employ over 450,000 people in Mexico, would react.
Thousands died in the gang wars during Prohibition.
Imagine the price with modern weaponry.
1 |
Mexico City, Mexico One week from now
Sergeant Leon “Atlas” James gripped the handhold on the roof of the up-armored SUV, his M4 still smoking from the scores of 5.56x45 millimeter rounds he had delivered toward the enemy. Things were almost quiet on the streets of Mexico City now, the past hour having been brutal, but as the foot soldiers of the cartels were left behind, a sense of calm set in, the idea that they might actually make it out of this gauntlet alive taking hold.
And it was a dangerous idea. It meant complacency if he weren’t careful. And he was in command at the front of the motorcade, with two world leaders relying upon him to get them to safety. His country was in disarray, reeling from an incomprehensible massacre. Thousands of innocents were dead across America, millions mourned, and if today were any indication, this new war his country found itself embroiled in would cost the lives of countless more, leaving an entire nation to grieve for what had been lost.
“RPG!” shouted one of the Canadian JTF 2 operators riding on the running board behind him.
Atlas turned slightly to his right and cursed as rocket fuel propelled the explosive warhead toward them. He glanced over to the other side of the vehicle at Niner, the best friend he had ever had, and said a silent apology for having led them directly into a trap as another RPG streaked toward them.
They had been waiting for them all along.
2 |
Belme Residence, West Luzon Drive Fort Liberty, formerly Fort Bragg North Carolina Present Day
“I can’t say I’m looking forward to the test, but I am looking forward to getting the results.”
Maggie Dawson reached out and squeezed Sh irley Belme’s hand. “I’m sure everything will turn out fine. Even if it is cancer, you’ve caught it early.”
Vanessa Moore put her cooler on a Moosehead Beer coaster. “How did you find the lump in the first place?”
Shirley grinned. “I didn’t find it.”
“Oh?”
“Red did.”
Maggie snickered. “That’s how I know I have nothing to worry about. BD gives the girls a good working over on a regular basis.”
Vanessa laughed. “I hope you return the favor.”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed, puzzled, and Vanessa grabbed her crotch as if adjusting a hefty set. All three erupted in laughter, eliciting a response from the men clustered around the barbecue.
Sergeant Carl “Niner” Sung sauntered over. “Okay, who’s cracking jokes? Everyone knows that’s my job.”
Maggie eyed Bravo Team’s resident comedian. “We were talking about testicular cancer.”
Atlas’ eyes shot wide. “You laugh about something like that? That’s kind of cold. It’s like every man’s nightmare.”
Vanessa reached over and patted his boys. “Don’t worry, dear. I checked you out thoroughly last night. You’re okay.”
He grinned. “So that’s what that was all about.”
Angela Henwood, Niner’s girlfriend, walked up and waved. “Hey, everybody. Sorry I’m late. My replacement at the Exchange didn’t show up. Apparently, she felt giving birth was more important than relieving me.”
“The nerve!” cried Vanessa.
Niner agreed. “I thought these things were scheduled nine months in advance.”
Maggie gave him a look then her head lolled toward Angela as she kissed her boyfriend. “You’ve got a lot to teach this boy.”
“Evidently.” Angela patted Niner’s cheek. “I’ll explain the birds and the bees to you later.”
Niner smirked. “I hope it’s a visual presentation with audience participation.”
“Absolutely.”
Niner flashed a toothy smile at Atlas. “I hope she checks for cancer.”
Angela eyed him. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Niner waved a hand at the women. “I don’t know. Ask them what they were laughing about.”
Angela’s hand darted to her chest. “Oh, Shirley, have you had your test yet?”
Shirley shook her head. “No, the mammogram is scheduled for tomorrow.”
Angela shuddered. “Ugh. I had one of those once. So uncomfortable.”
Niner regarded her. “Really? Isn’t it just like an ultrasound or something of your tatas?”
Angela gave him the stink eye. “Classy. How about I put your sausage and meatballs in a panini press and see what you think.”
Niner cooed. “Sounds fun!”
Atlas’ eyes rolled. “You’re forgetting, I shower with him. He wouldn’t feel a thing.”
Niner struck a pose, a single finger daintily placed on his chin as his eyes roamed Atlas’ chiseled body. “So, you were looking?”
Atlas groaned. “I can’t win.” He threw up his hands and turned away, returning to the barbecue. “I just can’t win with that guy.”
Niner fired his finger guns after the big man then holstered them. “Like I said, making jokes is my job.” He held up a finger, cocking an ear.
“What?” asked Maggie.
He pointed at the radio sitting nearby. “The president’s giving a speech.” He stepped over and turned the volume up as other members of Bravo Team, all part of what the public commonly thought of as the Delta Force, officially 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta, stopped what they were doing and clustered around the radio.
“—and due to this ongoing crisis and the Mexican authorities’ inability to deal with the situation, I have been forced to take action. Effective immediately, all Mexican drug cartels have been reclassified as terrorist groups. This reclassification opens up new avenues—”
Niner’s phone beeped, as did half a dozen others, and Maggie’s chest tightened. He held it up. “Recalled.”
Maggie rose. “What do you think it is?”
“Can’t say for sure”—he gestured toward the radio—“but you just heard what the commander-in-chief said. Looks like we’re going to war with the cartels.”
3 |
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta HQ Fort Liberty, North Carolina A.k.a. “The Unit”
Command Sergeant Major Burt “Big Dog” Dawson stared at the latest satellite imagery displayed on a smart table. His commanding officer, Colonel Thomas Clancy, stood on the other side.
“What do you think? Can you do it?”
Dawson nodded. He had been planning the mission for a week. While America was just finding out what was about to happen, he had been in the know for some time. America had finally had enough and was reclassifying drug cartels as terrorists. It made sense. The cartels did far more damage daily to America than any terror group had, with the only exception 9/11, and the country had tried everything else and failed. Aside from giving up, escalation was the only other option. He just questioned whether it would be effective. “We can do it. It’s risky, especially now that they know we’re coming.”
Clancy frowned. “Unfortunately, the president had no choice. The Mexicans are pissed about this.”
“I wouldn’t have bothered consulting them.”
Clancy chuckled. “Which is why you’re a soldier and not a diplomat.”
“True. If a soldier were in charge, the risks would be a lot lower.”
“If a soldier were in charge, we’d be living in a dictatorship.”
Dawson raised a hand. “I meant a vet.”
“I know what you meant, Sergeant Major, and you might be right. But in this case, we need to think of the long-term implications. My last briefing indicates the Mexicans are going to publicly endorse our actions, and thank us for our assistance. The Mexican president is scheduled to give a speech immediately after ours.”
“Well, let’s hope neither one announces when and where we’re going in.”
“I think we’re safe there. And we’re going to let them stew for a couple of days, wondering what’s going on.” Clancy sighed, folding his arms. “Unfortunately, even if we were going in without the president’s announcement, they would have known we were coming anyway.”
Dawson agreed. “The cartels have eyes everywhere.” He indicated the satellite image of their target’s compound. “We don’t think he’s going to go to ground?”
“Not this one. He’s the most vocal and brazen of them all. Local police won’t go near the area, and the military doesn’t even do any flyovers. This group is extremely violent. I highly recommend if things go south, you don’t allow yourself to be taken prisoner.”
Dawson said nothing, his thoughts of Maggie. They were newlyweds with their entire lives ahead of them, and a mission like this with an enemy more vicious than the jihadists could swiftly put an end to all those plans.
Clancy leaned forward, lowering his voice. “I’m serious about this, BD. They will skin you alive.”
Dawson was well aware of the risks. The cartels were notorious for being barbarians. “I’ll keep it in mind, but if we have proper air cover, we should be able to get out of any situation we find ourselves in.”
“You’ll have air cover as discussed, but the intel indicates they might have Stingers. The key is going to be getting in and out as fast as you can, and staying undetected for as long as you can. Once they’re able to mobilize a response, this thing gets a whole lot more difficult. If at any point you believe the mission can’t be accomplished, you abort. I don’t want good men dying when a sniper’s bullet could do the job.”
“It would make things a lot easier. Why aren’t we just killing these people?”
“Because the president is pushing this as part of his law-and-order agenda. He wants trials. He wants these people who are worshiped by the men and women that work for them, and admired by too much of the Mexican population, to be humiliated.”
“I have a feeling that if this operation goes bad, we’ll be sending in hit squads to get the job done.”
“It’s highly unlikely we’ll get out of this unscathed, and the American public will quickly grow tired of our brave men and women dying doing the job the Mexicans should be doing, and we both know that there’s always someone to fill any vacant position.”
_preview.jpg)
_preview.jpg)
_preview.jpg)
