Fight for Freedom

By Ken Luckett

Sean Thayer is a police officer. He is also part of an elite anti-terrorist team. Family tragedy causes his friends to step up and send him on a vacation that is, to say the least, adventurous. During his vacation, he makes some good friends who almost lose their lives due to terrorist activities. Sean and his team attempt to find and eliminate these threats. Threats that may cost many lives, including those of Sean's new found friends. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Pellegrene
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224882670

Book preview

Prologue

The Persian Gulf

Son of a... hissed Sean Thayer.  Jonathan, give me the snips.

Jonathan Gresham quickly pulled a pair of wire cutters from his back pocket and tossed them; Sean caught them and continued to work.

Just don’t blow us to kingdom come, said Jonathan. 

Sean grunted and held his breath as he snipped a wire.  He let his breath out slowly as he looked up.

Well that’s it...and with two minutes to spare.

Jonathan smiled and said, Never had a doubt. He grimaced as Sean threw a detonator into the water and put the explosives pack into a satchel.  Sean looked at him.

You have too much faith at times.

Jonathan laughed and said, Having someone who is quite insane for a friend can be advantageous.

Sean and Jonathan began climbing down the railings toward the white-capping waves of the Persian Gulf.  Jonathan leaned down toward the water and pulled the inflatable dinghy snug against the platform supports and climbed in.  He held the craft steady as Sean rolled on board.

Hold the hell on!

They looked down at the head that had just appeared in the water; Walt Jenkins swam up to the dinghy and threw his scuba gear on board.  Sean and Jonathan leaned back in the inflatable as Walt threw one arm over the side and flung himself in.

Anything? asked Jonathan.

Walt shrugged and said, Just your standard C-4 with a timer.

"You disarmed it?" asked Sean with an alarmed expression.

Are you out of your blasted mind? said Walt.  Detached it and took it about...

Suddenly they heard a hollow boom; the water boiled slightly just north of the oil platform.

...a hundred yards out.

Jonathan slowly shook his head as Walt said, You know how I feel about booby traps.  He leered at Jonathan. 

What does your wife think of you meandering around the world...especially since you have a little boy to think about, asked Walt as Sean cranked the outboard.  You don’t let on...do you?

Angela is a wonderful woman, said Jonathan as he helped Walt out of the wetsuit.  And no, I don’t take the job home...and she doesn’t ask.  As for Danny...that one is special.  Nine years old and he can kick a football through the goal posts like a pro.

Nine? said Walt.  Damn...I’m getting old.

It’s a shame we can’t meet your family, said Sean.

Jonathan nodded and said, Too right it is.  But Ops One Command has a point...too risky.

Sean pointed the craft toward shore; he looked back at the oil platform and shook his head.

That was close.

Just when are we gonna solve this problem? asked Walt.

Good question, said Sean.  Whoever set those charges damn well knew what they were doing.

Jonathan opened a canteen of water and took a drink.  He passed the canteen to Sean and said, The only thing we know is that it’s a low-level terrorist organization...don’t even know where they are based...damn it all.  They call themselves El-Tan.

Walt snorted and said, Well, I’m for South Carolina; I think a much needed rest is past due.  He looked at Jonathan.  What about you?

Home to London, said Jonathan.  There is a very inquisitive boy there; it seems he’s ready for a fishing trip.

Sean laughed as he ran the inflatable up on the beach. Walt rolled out of the craft onto the sand as Sean and Jonathan started tossing their gear out of the dinghy.  Sean paused and said, This is gonna get a lot worse before it’s over.

Jonathan threw the last of the equipment out of the dinghy and nodded.

We had bloody well better find out more about El-Tan, he said as Sean threw a lifejacket at Walt, causing him to mutter and get to his feet.  The Home Office has been engaged in a fair few secret discussions with your government.

Sounds disturbing, said Walt.  For us I mean.

Jonathan grunted and said, Quite.  I think it safe to say that this bit of unpleasantness has just begun.  He looked at Sean.  How is that lovely wife of yours?

Sean smiled and said, Kimberly is great.

That photo was amazing, said Jonathan.  Angela hates to have her picture taken.  Jonathan paused momentarily and added, I take it she thinks you’re doing something for your police department.

Sean shrugged as Walt started clearing the camouflage off of a battered jeep and said, We all work under the same restrictions.  Besides, she would go nuclear if she had even a glimmer of the truth.

They tossed their equipment into the jeep; Walt started the engine as Sean and Jonathan climbed in.  Jonathan looked back at the oil platform that had come so close to becoming one gigantic fireball.  He turned to Sean and said, So much to lose; I wonder...

What? asked Walt.

What if we lose control?  I shudder to think, really.

I have faith in you my friend, said Sean.

So do I, said Walt as he threw the jeep in gear.  Now, let’s get the hell out of here.  I’m starving. 

Chapter One

Six Years Later

Sean Thayer was a patient man; he had to be.  In the years since his father’s death he had been dealing with his formidable mother, and it was not easy.  She was, well, to put it mildly...quite the handful.  In fact, some of Sean’s best friends wondered how he could stand to be anywhere near her.  Madeline Thayer had never shown the slightest bit of emotion where her son was concerned.  Sean had decided to just let her rave on.  His time in the service had taught him that there were some things that had to work themselves out. 

Sean had been married to a wonderful woman for twelve years; her name was Kimberly.  She was the perfect cop’s wife.  Of course, Madeline barely had anything to do with her and constantly badgered Sean about his taste in women.  Sean’s father, William, had attempted to keep Madeline’s spiteful manner in check...with little success.  In fact, the only thing that kept Madeline from ruining Sean and Kimberly’s wedding day was a direct threat from William.

I don’t want you throwing one of your famous fits today, William had told her.

What does he see in that girl anyway? asked Madeline.

He loves her, said William.  That’s enough.

Well, I’ll have my say, snorted Madeline.  She’s no good.

You shoot your mouth off and I’ll kick you out the door, roared William.  You’d better start concerning yourself with your son’s happiness.  If you don’t, you will find yourself all alone one of these days.

You’re talking crap, spat Madeline.  I need a drink.

William walked up and stared Madeline in the eye.

"Not one drop.  You’ll keep a clear head this day or I’ll damn sure cut you off without a penny.  I don’t expect you to suddenly start caring about anyone except yourself, not after twenty-five years, but you are going to put on a good act today."

Madeline stared back into William’s eyes and knew he wasn’t playing around.  The chances of him making good on his threat were high; he and Sean had always been close.  In fact, Sean had helped his father when William had been gravely ill; saved the business from bankruptcy. William Thayer wasn’t about to forget that.  Unfortunately, he hadn’t forgotten the bills that Madeline had run up during that time either.

Now, said William.  We will meet Kimberly’s parents for lunch at Wynn’s by the Sea.  Kindly finish getting ready.  After lunch we will go to church.

The wedding had been a magnificent affair.  William Thayer had seen to that.  The look on his son’s face as Kimberly Raines had walked down the aisle had made him forget all the hell he had endured over the years.  It also helped to stiffen his resolve, for he had recently informed his lawyers that Sean would have total control of his business after he had died...which he knew wasn’t too far in the future.  This bit of news he deliberately kept from Madeline.  Life with her was hard enough, although Lord knows she should have been the happiest woman alive.  In spite of the fact that she acted as if the devil was her best friend, William had given her a good life.  He never could figure out why she was the way she was.  He had finally decided that there would be no changing her.

One year later William Thayer died of a massive heart attack.  Sean, Kimberly, and Madeline had met at the office of William’s attorney.  Madeline had not shown the slightest bit of emotion until...

Well Sean, said Harvey Whitnel.  It seems that William has given you total control of Thayer Construction.

Sean had been stunned.  His father had not even hinted at this bit of information.  He looked at his wife, who shared his disbelief.  Then he looked at Madeline.

Now Sean had his own views where marriage was concerned.  He definitely believed that a man was not really complete without a wonderful woman at his side.  His success or failure...and happiness, depended upon it.  But when he saw the look on his mother’s face he realized that his father had just sent him a message from the grave.

Madeline was livid.  Although she had not said anything – yet - her jaws were clamped tight and her face had turned deep red. She jerked her gaze away from Harvey Whitnel and looked at Sean.  The look was filled with, well, it had to be hatred.  It was a look that Sean had seen before. 

You knew about this, didn’t you, said Madeline.

No I didn’t, said Sean.

Liar.

Harvey Whitnel tapped on his desk and said, William gave me strict instructions about this matter Mrs. Thayer.  I was to keep this information to myself.  Sean knew nothing of it.

Oh, bullshit, snapped Madeline.  Men are all alike.  They’d lie when the truth would suit them better.

My husband is not a liar, said Kimberly.  I’ll thank you for keeping a civil tongue in your head.

You do not want to face off with me girl, said Madeline. 

I’ll go toe to toe with you whenever you want, said Kimberly.  "Sean is a good man.  How he managed that with you around is something I wish I had asked William a long time ago."

How dare you! shouted Madeline. 

Mom, just be quiet, said Sean.  This is not the time or the place.

I agree, said Harvey.  Well, in reference to Madeline...she has the house and living expenses for life.  But, the property cannot be sold until Madeline’s death.  An allowance of three thousand a month will be allotted.

Listen to that, spat Madeline.  Like a common whore."

Then, one year later, Sean was refinishing a bookcase in the entrance hall of their home when Kimberly burst through the front door and flung herself into his arms.  She was crying to the point of hysteria.

Hey! he said as he embraced Kimberly.  What’s wrong?

Wrong? she gasped.  Oh, you fool.  Nothing’s wrong.

You have a strange way of showing it, babe.

Well, you sure were wrong about something.

What? asked Sean.

You haven’t been spitting out blanks, said Kimberly.  I’m pregnant.

Eight months later Sean was sitting, standing, and pacing in Charleston Hospital’s maternity ward.  Other visitors, including a grinning older lady, observed as he constantly ran his fingers through his hair.

Is this your first, young man? asked the older lady.

Sean glanced over at her and smiled.

Yes ma’am, it is.

You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor, she said.  The first is always hard.  I believe it’s harder on the daddy.

I believe you may be right, said Sean as a nurse poked her head into the room.

Mr. Thayer?

Sean nearly came out of his shoes as he rushed up to the startled nurse.

Yes? he blurted.

Whoa, papa, she laughed.  Everything is fine.  You have a bouncing baby boy.

Sean relaxed so much that it appeared he was going to  melt into the floor.  The nurse made a grab for him as the little old lady rushed up behind Sean and grabbed his arm.

Hold on, son, said the older lady.  You need a chair...and something cool to drink I think.  She nodded at the nurse.

She sat Sean down in a chair as the nurse brought a large cup of water.  Sean took a sip and looked up.

A boy, he said with a grin.  Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out two cigars.  Here, he said as he poked the stogies into the women’s mouths. On me.

Sean and Kimberly brought their son, Caleb William, home three days later.  When they walked into the door they were met by at least fifty friends who had crammed themselves into the Thayer’s spacious living room along with a long table loaded with gifts.  A gang of burly guys who worked alongside Sean at Charleston’s police investigators unit carried a huge cake and placed it on the end of the table.  One of the guys, Walt Jenkins, uncorked a bottle of Champagne and poured it over Sean’s head.

About time, said Walt.  I was beginning to worry.

Then the doorbell rang.  Sean, grinning, and attempting to shake the booze out of his hair, opened the door.

Mom?

Madeline stood at the doorstep.  It was the first time he had seen her in months.  He had personally gone to her house to tell her that she was going to be a grandmother.  Upon hearing the news she had turned and walked upstairs, slamming her bedroom door.  She hadn’t attempted to contact him since.

I’ve been told that you have a new son, said Madeline.

Come in, said Sean, standing back and motioning.  We named him Caleb.

Caleb, said Madeline as she walked into the front hall.  That will do, I guess.

Let me take your coat, said Sean, who was a bit surprised at the effort Madeline appeared to be making.

That won’t be necessary, said Madeline.  Where’s the boy?

As they walked into the living room Madeline paused momentarily as she saw the crowd.  Kimberly was sitting on the sofa; Caleb was in her arms.  She glanced up and, startled, looked at Sean who winked at her.

Madeline walked up to Kimberly and peered at Caleb.  She took no notice of the crowd around her.  She looked up at Sean and said, A picture would be appropriate, I think.

Sean looked around and said, Walt!  You have a camera?

Sure.

Snap a couple of pictures with mom and Caleb.

After Walt had taken the pictures Madeline stood up and said, Send a copy to the house Sean.

And she left.

One week later Kimberly was thumbing through the newspaper when she gave a startled yelp.  Sean, who was about to leave for work, paused as he was putting on his shoulder holster and said, What?

Your mom put that picture in the paper.

Well, that was nice of her.

I guess, in a manner of speaking, said Kimberly in a somber tone as she passed him the paper.

Madeline had indeed had the picture put in the paper.  Under the photo, the caption listed Madeline as the grandmother of Caleb Thayer.  Kimberly and Sean were not mentioned.

Mom always was a high-society woman, said Sean.  It’s a pity.  I had the crazy idea that she was finally starting to melt.

Look at it this way, said Kimberly.  She seems to have accepted Caleb.

The years seemed to fly by.  Caleb grew at a normal rate, and it was apparent that he was going to look a lot like his father.  His eyes were a vivid blue and his hair was so blond it was almost white...and he caused many sleepless nights.  But that was fine with Sean and Kimberly.  Sadly, the doctors informed them that Caleb would most likely be their only child.  Kimberly’s slight frame forced the doctors to caution against having additional children.  Kimberly was concerned about how Sean felt about this bit of news.  She knew that he dearly loved children.  Nevertheless, Sean took the news as well as could be expected and focused his energy on his wife and son. 

Madeline made periodic appearances.  She was still rather cold toward Kimberly, but she did seem to have a slight soft spot when it came to Caleb...although she took pains to hide this fact from the boy’s parents.  She would leave gifts for Caleb, never mentioning them to Sean or Kimberly. Kimberly would constantly find new clothes, toys, or other knick-knacks in her son’s room after one of Madeline’s visits.

On Caleb’s tenth birthday, Sean was stuffing paperwork into a file cabinet when Walt Jenkins stuck his head into his office.

You’d better hurry, he said.  Don’t want to be late for the party.

Last minute report, said Sean.  I’m just about sick of this garbage.  Makes me really think about giving this job up.

Well, why don’t you? asked Walt.  You don’t need it.  Take more of an interest in your father’s business.  If I had that kind of money, I’d be out of here like a shot.

Sean scratched his head as he slammed a desk drawer shut.

I just always wanted to do this, said Sean.  Dad knew that.  I don’t really think he expected me to give it up.

At least you have an option, said Walt.  Not like the rest of us old farts.

As Sean grabbed his jacket his phone rang.