Retribution: Major Jake Fox Pursues... One Man One Team One Goal

By John L. Braidwood

Jake poured himself a glass of wine and started to ponder his family life. Here I am in my early fifties, pretty much missed the upbringing of my three girls, separated at 40, and subsequently divorced from a beautiful lady, not only in looks but in every respect. All my own fault. To be fair Teresa did say to me that she was tired of worrying when I was out on tour or on a special assignment, and I did say I would retire from the army when I was 40 (which I did) but I then moved to special operations working for the British government and the CIA.....

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665586719

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

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Jake was seated behind the wheel of his hired top of the range Winnebago RV (recreation vehicle) - camper to us in the UK. Jake called it their five-star mobile hotel; huge and luxurious. It had been his holiday home for the past two weeks, together with Sarah (Jake’s eldest daughter) and his very grown up eight-year-old granddaughter, Amy. The three of them were on their way home from holidaying in the south of France.

Jake started to reminisce, listening to the girls playing Guess Who whilst seated at a table just behind him. He was thinking of the great time he’d just spent with the two girls and how glad he was that he’d let Sarah talk him into it.

Jake slowly closed on a GB plated caravan, checked his mirror, moved out and accelerated past the Range Rover pulling the caravan. What a great combination! He thought how his parents would have liked it, but sadly they’re gone now. This was particularly saddening as he’s now financially in a position to have bought them such an outfit. After passing, he moved back to the nearside lane and removed his foot from the accelerator, allowing the cruise control to take over.

Suddenly Amy called out, ‘That’s cheating. Granddad tell her not to cheat.’

‘What has your mother done now?’ replied Jake adopting a discerning tone with an element of gruffness yet grinning to himself.

‘She said she had no beards when her man had a beard.’

‘OK,’ Jake replied. ‘First you mean your mother, not she.’

Amy interrupted saying, ‘In that case mum should act like a mother and not cheat.’

Good point Jake thought. ‘Quite right’ Jake said. ‘Sarah, you only cheat yourself by not playing fair.’

‘You see mum,’ said Amy.

Sarah replied with, ‘OK boss,’ as she giggled and smiled.

‘Another game?’ asked Sarah, adopting a questioning tone.

‘No cheating then,’ replied Amy.

‘I promise, no cheating.’ With that they settled down to a new game.

Jake checked the time and thought time is getting on and it will start to get dark in an hour or so.

‘Hey girls, I’ve been thinking we should stop soon. How about stopping in a picnic area for the night to get a good start in the morning. Only thing is what food do we have?’

Sarah replied, ‘Fine by me. I can muster beans on toast, and we have wine.’

Amy piped up, ‘I like beans on toast Granddad, but you and mum can have the wine.’

‘That’s it then, next suitable area we’ll stop for the night,’ confirmed Jake. ‘Shouldn’t be long now.’

Half an hour passed as Jake pulled into a rural picnic area, with purpose built in tables and benches, and a nice clean looking toilet block; not that they needed it as they had their own facilities. Jake came to a standstill alongside a picnic table but remaining on the parking area even though the RV took up three parking spaces. Fortunately, there were no other cars around, so it was not a problem.

Daylight was fading as Jake fired up the generator. The light from the RV spilled out over a couple of the picnic tables. Sarah started to cook.

‘Well this is not going to test my culinary expertise,’ she muttered to herself.

‘What did you say Mum?’ Amy called from her bedroom.

‘I was talking to myself,’ Sarah replied.

‘First sign of madness you know Mum!’ replied Amy.

‘You just get on with getting yourself ready for bed and don’t be cheeky.’ They both went about finishing what they had been doing.

Whilst the short exchange had been going on, Jake picked up a nice bottle of red, pulled the cork, removed the cork from the corkscrew and threw the cork in the bin. He picked up two glasses and smiled at Sarah as he left the RV saying, ‘See you outside,’

Sarah smiled back and said, ‘Do you want some beans on toast?’

‘No thanks,’ replied Jake. ‘I have all I want for the moment, maybe later.’ Jake walked to the bench put the wine and glasses on the table and sat down facing the RV. He poured himself a glass of wine and started to ponder his family life.

Here I am in my early fifties, pretty much missed the upbringing of my three girls, separated at 40, and subsequently divorced from a beautiful lady, not only in looks but in every respect. All my own fault. To be fair Teresa did say to me that she was tired of worrying when I was out on a tour or on a special assignment, and I did say I would retire from the army when I was 40 (which I did) but I then moved to special operations working for the British government and the CIA.

Sarah came to the door of the RV and called out to Jake, breaking his train of thought. ‘Story time!’

Jake stood up and walked to the RV and turned to Sarah with a look on his face as if he had just sucked on a lemon.

‘Stop it,’ she said, ‘You know you love reading Amy her bedtime story.’

Jake broke into a smile and said, ‘Do you know you’re right.’ Jake walked into the RV with heavy footsteps. ‘I hope she’s asleep,’ he said in a hushed voice. ‘Otherwise there will be trouble,’ accentuating the word trouble. Jake looked into Amy’s bedroom and could see the covers bouncing, as she pretended to be asleep, but she couldn’t help giggling. ‘Oh! Amy’s asleep, I had better be quiet,’ said Jake in a hushed voice.

With that Amy sat up and broke into laughter, saying ‘Fooled you Granddad.’

‘You sure did,’ replied Jake, ‘Now, would you like a story.’

‘Yes please,’ replied Amy. Amy paused for a couple of seconds and then continued. ‘Tell me about you and Nanny, you know, when you met, and the things mummy used to do when she was my age.’ Jake took a deep swallow. Now he knew he was in trouble. He’d faced all sorts of danger; joined the parachute regiment and saw action during the Falklands conflict at 18; seen 22 years of military service and completed so many special assignments. But this stumped him.

Sarah was sitting on the bench with her glass of wine. She looked around when a pair of headlights became evident as a car drove into the picnic area. Sarah watched the car drive to the far end of the area and disappear behind a hedge row. The car lights went off, then all went dark. Sarah thought, ‘Probably a couple of lovers.’

Sarah continued sipping her wine and started to think, ‘How can I get my mum and dad back together. Mum has never seen anyone else and as far as I know, dad hasn’t either.’

Just then she was grabbed from behind and a hand went over her mouth. Whilst she was being held, a stocky built man, holding a knife, stood in front of her. He asked her in broken English, ‘Who is inside?’ as he nodded towards the RV, the grip on Sarah’s mouth was eased,

‘Just my dad,’ she replied.

‘OK stand up,’ said the man holding her as he dragged her to her feet. The intruder with the knife took over the threatening behaviour by holding the knife at Sarah’s throat. The second, a tall slim man, led the way into the RV. As they walked through the entrance the slim intruder, who also spoke in broken English, stubbed his toe on the step and cursed in his native tongue. This alerted Jake, who put his forefinger to his lips, requesting Amy to be quiet. Jake peeked through the hinge section of the door and saw the situation. He walked calmly from the bedroom until he was in sight of the intruders and put on a terrified act. He stooped forward, hunching up, rounding his shoulders and holding up his hands in a defensive manner.

‘Please don’t hurt us,’ whimpered Jake, still adopting his pose.

‘We have a little money, please take it and go,’ said Sarah, who still had a knife at her throat. Jake had moved closer to Lanky; Jake liked to give people labels.

Lanky turned his head to respond to Sarah, ‘Oh! We will want more than that pretty lady.’

‘Well I think you’re out of luck,’ she replied as Jake struck. Jake stood up and swung his left arm around the back of Lanky’s neck, grabbed a handful of Lanky’s long greasy hair and pulled hard: at the same time hooked the intruders leg causing him to go off balance and in an instant the intruder found himself facing his accomplice.

Jake then stamped at the back of Lanky’s knees, causing one knee to push outwards with a crack and a scream from Lanky. He then gave out another yell as he hit the floor, falling into a kneeling position: he gave out another yell as Jake came down heavily on his calves.

Jake glared at Tubby who was shaking but still holding his knife. Jake pulled Lanky’s hair back and down at the same time slamming his knee into Lanky’s back to more moans and groans: Jake put his right hand under Lanky’s chin forcing his head back. Jake then put his fore finger and middle finger of his left hand, firmly up Lanky’s nostrils causing his neck to be exposed. Jake continued to glare at Tubby who was still looking extremely nervous.

‘Put the knife down and release the girl,’ said Jake. There was no reaction. Tubby was frozen, clearly not knowing what to do. Jake put his hand out and grabbed the corkscrew. Its last job was to open a bottle of Fleury but was now an offensive weapon. Jake pushed it against Lanky’s neck, causing it to break the skin. Jake looked again at Tubby who was almost in tears with fear and concern for himself and his mate, but he still held the knife. Jake increased the pressure on the corkscrew causing blood to trickle down Lanky’s neck then mixing with his sweaty, white tee shirt turning it a pinkie colour.

‘Clearly you’re unsure of what to do so I am going to give you a chance. I am going to count to ten; Lanky here will not hear ten because he will be with his maker, he won’t know when, but it will be before ten; whilst you my friend will also die but will hear ten before you go. In fact, it will be a long and painful way to go. So, the best thing you can do is put down the knife, release the girl, collect matey here and take him to hospital.’ Lanky yelled out, not so much in pain this time but to his mate. ‘I will allow you to go,’ continued Jake. ‘And I will not follow you.’

Lanky yelled out again to his mate. This time Tubby released his grip on Sarah.

Sarah, showing calm, walked past Jake and went to the bedroom to check on Amy. Amy had wrapped herself in her bed covers leaving enough space to peer over the top. Sarah smiled at Amy as she entered the tiny bedroom. ‘Is everything alright?’ enquired Amy.

‘Yes, everything is fine,’ Sarah replied whilst wearing a smile.

‘I heard some loud voices I didn’t recognise and got a bit scared, but I knew Granddad was there, so I knew we’d be alright. What did they want?’ continued Amy.

‘They wanted our money, but Granddad sent them away,’ replied Sarah.

‘Oh! that’s OK then,’ replied Amy and then paused for a couple of seconds, looked at her mum with a broad smile and in a hushed voice said, ‘Did Granddad beat them up?’

‘Amy!’ exclaimed Sarah, ‘Where did you get that expression from?’

‘It’s what the boys at school say when they’re arguing,’ replied Amy.

‘Now put down the knife,’ continued Jake, as he released Lanky, causing him to slump to the floor. Tubby put down the knife and gingerly walked towards Jake. He lifted Lanky from the floor who threw his arms around Tubby’s shoulders, and hobbled to the door of the RV. Jake watched them leave the camper before putting the headlights on. Jake also went outside the RV and watched them stumble to their car. Jake watched the car as it reversed from behind the hedge row. Satisfied there were only two occupants, he continued watching the car clear the area in a cloud of smoke. Sarah and Amy had joined Jake outside.

‘A bit smoky dad,’ commented Sarah. ‘That’s bad for their health!’ Sarah looked at Jake and smiled.

‘They’ll need more than a new engine if ever I see them again. Now that will be bad for their health!’ Jake replied with a grin.

‘Now they’ve gone, I’ve got to make a call,’ continued Jake. Jake put his arms around the two girls and whilst looking at Sarah, smiled and said, ‘Now where were we. Oh yeah! Let’s finish our wine, and what about you young lady?’ Jake looked at Amy with a big smile on his face and gave her a big squeeze. ‘How about some ice cream? That’s if it’s OK with mum.’

‘Can I mum?’ said Amy excitedly, Sarah nodded,

‘Just this once, but don’t make a habit of it at bedtime.’

‘Thanks mum,’ Amy hugged Jake and said, ‘I love you granddad’ then ran into the RV to get her ice cream.

The three of them sat on the bench outside the RV; Sarah, at last enjoying her wine, Amy with her ice cream, and Jake on the phone speaking in perfect French. ‘What was that all about?’ Sarah asked.

‘Just speaking to an old acquaintance; he’s a French policeman. I explained, in basic detail, our recent encounter.’

‘And,’ interrupted Sarah,

‘He’s going to send a couple of officers to take a statement,’ replied Jake. ‘They should be with us in about an hour.’

As Amy went for second helpings of ice cream Sarah broke the short silence that had fallen upon the small group. ‘Well Dad I have to admit I was incredibly nervous when that guy held the knife at my throat. They could have seriously hurt me.’

Jake looked at Sarah, ‘If I had thought for one moment, they would have hurt you I would have taken a different approach.’

‘Like what?’ said Sarah.

‘I would have thanked them for being pleasant guests and asked them to leave,’ Jake said with a smile. As he got to his feet, he held up the empty bottle of Fleury.

‘Any one for another?’ he said questioningly.

‘Not for me thank you Granddad’ said Amy with a grin.

Sarah nodded, ‘Why not, I think we need it, at least I do.’

Jake went into the RV and soon reappeared with another bottle of red, just as a car pulled up alongside the RV. Two men got out of the car and looked at Jake.

‘Bonsoir Monsieur, Fox?’ was expressed questioningly by one of the men.

‘Oui,’ replied Jake.

‘Comment allez vous?’ asked the second officer.

‘Ca va bien, merci,’ replied Jake. The conversation continued in French

‘Asseyez vous avec ma famille, s-il vous plait. ‘Jake said, offering a seat to the officers,

‘Merci Monsieur Fox,’ continued the officer.

Jake asked, ‘Parlez-vous Anglaise? Ma fille ne parle pas Francais.’

‘Yes, we both do,’ the younger officer replied. He then turned to Sarah with a broad beaming smile across his handsome face. ‘My name is Albert, and yours pretty lady?’

‘Sarah,’ she replied, returning the smile.

‘My name is Claude,’ the second older officer said interrupting the smiling exchange.

‘If anyone’s interested that is?’

Amy looked up and said, ‘I’m interested.’

‘This is Amy, my daughter,’ Sarah said. ‘Would you gentlemen like a glass of wine?’ she continued.

‘Oui merci,’ the officers replied in unison. Sarah turned and walked towards the RV.

‘I’ll get some glasses,’ she said as she looked back over her shoulder.

Jake looked at the two officers as he spoke, ‘Could I see some ID?’

‘Oui monsieur Jake,’ said Albert as he showed Jake his ID as did Claude.

Claude glanced towards Amy as he took back his ID. Then as he looked back at Jake he said,

‘Is this a convenient time to take a statement?’ trying to be discreet as he nodded towards Amy.

‘Don’t worry about me, I’m interested, I was shut in my room while it was all going on.’

‘Well I guess that sorts that out then,’ continued Claude with a grin. ‘If that’s OK with you Jake?’ Jake nodded, who was also wearing a grin.

Sarah returned with two fresh glasses and added a measure of Fleury, then passed a glass to each of their guests. Jake was looking directly at Sarah as he started his version of events.

‘Well,’ he said. ‘Sarah was in Amy’s bedroom when the intruders entered the RV, one was about my height 6’1, the other about 5’8 and a bit Tubby. The taller of the two had shoulder length greasy looking black hair, the other was balding, almost shaven. They both wore grubby, white t-shirts and jeans with trainers. Tubby had a scar on his left cheek, could have been done with a glass. Lanky was slim with a bit of a belly and looked as if he hadn’t shaved for a couple of days.’ As Jake continued with his statement, Albert took his mobile from his pocket and speed dialled his office. He relayed the perpetrators description to his colleague, hung up and turned his attention back to Jake.

Jake gestured to the knife on the table, and then continued his story with, ‘Oh, and Tubby carried that carving knife. I haven’t touched it,’ he added. ‘Have either of you girls touched it?’ They both shook their heads. Jake continued with his partially truthful story. ‘As they entered the RV, they demanded money. I told them we didn’t have any because we were on our way home, so had spent all our euros. Then a scuffle started. I disarmed Tubby and they ran off. That’s about it, isn’t it Sarah?’

‘I don’t know. I was in Amy’s bedroom wasn’t I dad?’

‘Of course, you were my dear,’ answered Jake.

Albert’s mobile rang; he listened for a few minutes and smiled while he listened. He looked at Jake and continued to smile, ‘That was a colleague back at the station,’ continued Albert. ‘He was saying two eastern European men have just checked into a hospital in Lyon, reporting they had been mugged. They answered the description of the two men in your statement; the taller of the two men