Badass

Badass - A Hannah Todd Story

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This work is copyrighted by the author. All characters involved in sexual activity are eighteen years of age or older at the time of portrayal.

This is the continuing adventures of Hannah Todd. I would strongly recommend you stop reading this and go back and read at least some of "The Bridge" which provides the back story for most of the characters in this story. I know... it's 30 chapters and lots and lots of pages, but I and a small handful of folks think it's pretty good. I have tried to provide some of the history of the characters so that you can feel like you are getting the full story just by reading Badass. So, proceed as you wish. And, bad or good, your feedback is always welcome.

Badass - Part Eleven

After the debacle with Agents Russo and Herbert, we didn't hear from them. But Linnie, my attorney, did. Like a battering ram, they tried to knock down her defenses but fell defeated. There was no substantial evidence that we participated in any way on the security breach at Peacock's home. She made it very clear that if I were disturbed in any way, shape or form, there would be hell to pay. I could just see Carlotta Russo's head rolling down the center hall of my house.

Notwithstanding that, I was feeling pretty full of myself and asked Duane if we could please make a conjugal visit to his place. He had no objections at all. He even came home from the office early. With flowers in hand.Flowers. Who says romance is dead?

After a rousing session of lovemaking, we settled our sweaty bodies down and had our pillow talk. It started with a question.

"Duane. What are we going to do about Peacock's place? There is still unfinished business, as far as I'm concerned, and I want to try to close the book on this chapter of our lives."

"What do you want me to do, blow the place up?"

"Sounds good to me. You SEALs are supposed to be good at that kind of stuff. That's what Herman always said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. When I asked him why he became a SEAL he said, 'To blow shit up.'

"That doesn't surprise me one bit. Out on the line nobody was crazier than Herman."

"Herman? Our Herman? Peggy's Herman?"

"Why do you think she's so perfect for him? She's just another bomb he is looking to defuse. I don't know why this surprises you."

"Yeah, I guess. What can you say about two people so much in love that they get their kicks getting into a boxing ring and beating the shit out of each other? Then topping that off with a good solid fuck. At least according to Peggy."

"Oh?"

"Girls talk."

"See, you get it. Can you imagine us doing that? You and me in a boxing ring."

"I would call that abuse, and neither of us would survive it."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I don't see the team letting you live through that. Especially big Domingo. Can you imagine presenting myself to him with a black eye?"

"The thought never occurred to me."

"Nor should it. There's only one way I want you to lay hands on me."

"Only one? Let me show you what I've got, you lusty wench."

And he took me in hand, I took him in mouth, then we had a pound fest that just rubbed me the right way. Very much so.

After a warm, relaxing shower together, we dressed and headed home. Hand in hand, we drove back to Romansville. On the way, however, we continued our discussion about Peacock's place.

"Duane. I have concerns that the feds are going to find something at Peacock's place that incriminates us. What about Anthony and Ali? I'm worried that they may be exposed if their hiring records are found."

"But they went in with false I.D.s."

"Oh yeah? How about facial recognition? Since they started doing facial rec and DNA on just about everyone from birth to death, nobody can escape the eyes of justice."

"You're certainly right, but what do you want me to do, blow the whole thing up?"

"Can you think of a better solution? Send in the SEALs. Job one, job done!"

"I love you, blondie. Will you marry me?"

"Don't go getting a ring just yet and getting down on one knee. I have a wife after all."

"Yeah, but she can't do to you what I just did. Can she?"

"Not even close. Every day I spend with you I feel more and more... heterosexual."

"And every day I spend with you, I fall deeper in love with you. Marry me, Hannah. Let me be your man."

"You'll always be my man. I just know and feel it in my heart. We'll get there. I just need time."

"Then time you shall have. After all, I know the secret to making a woman happy."

"And what would that be?"

"Easy. Give her everything she wants. The hard part is knowing what that is."

"Good, now that we've come to an agreement, we have a mission to plan. Can you get us enough explosives to blow the house down?"

"We could take a city block down with the shit I can get. And nobody need ever know."

"I want all our SEALs in the Greenhouse tomorrow. We can't plan this thing without them."

"Perfect. We need to move faster than the feds on this. If we can get ahead of them, we'll be Scott free."

As we drove home, Duane called out - "Call Herman."

"Krass. What's up boss?"

"Herm, I need all the SEALs at the Greenhouse tomorrow. Make it the afternoon. See that they have relief from any prior assigned duty."

"Aye, aye, sir. Sounds big?"

"Boom!"

"Now you've got my attention. I'll start with the A's."

"Add Avi to that list. He's great at blowing shit up."

"Ooh, I like the sound of that. No, I'm not talking to a girl. It's Duane. Peggy says hi."

"Oh, trouble in paradise?"

"Not even close. Just the usual green-eyed monster I live with."

"Yeah, mine has green eyes too."

"Yeah, but yours don't beat the shit out of you on a regular basis."

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Friday, the twenty-eighth was a miserable day. It rained overnight and all into the day. Certainly a lousy day to have to run out to the greenhouse and not a great day for a mission. But we did anyway. This would be an eyes-only meeting. The only non-SEALs in attendance were Avi, our ex-Mossad agent, and Domingo. He, because these days, wherever I go, he goes.

Because everyone had late notification of the meeting, we started it at two in the afternoon. It poured throughout. Duane started things off. Briefly.

"Alright, fellows, just pipe it down. Before things get rolling, the Queen has some thoughts."

All the men applauded me, as they are wont to do.

Red faced I stood there in front of some of the toughest guys on the planet. It is a true honor to have each and every one of them on my team.

"I'm going to start by thanking each and every one of you for dropping everything and coming here today. Today we will discuss the kind of mission that gets you guys wet. In a very S-E-A-L way. We're gonna blow shit up!"

"HOORAH!" came the call from the crew. I'm sure Bertha heard that at the house.

"If all hands are available, tonight we're gonna blow up the Peacock house. My gut tells me there's too much left that the feds haven't found and I want to do this before they find any more. Are we on board?"

Everyone said, "HOORAH!" No exceptions and no abstentions. Now all we need is the explosives.

"I'm handing this back to our team leader, Duane. He's not coming with you, but Herman is, and he will be directing action on the ground. Ronnie and Juicy will be flying the chopper."

"That reminds me, Hannah, we have to get them on board. Herm, can you handle that?"

"No problem, boss. Who's getting the explosives?"

"That would be me. I know just who to call with fast service and the utmost secrecy." Duane said. Then he surveyed the room and looked at each and every team member present.

"This is a simple mission. Get in, set the charges and get out. The weather is shit tonight, but it will provide good cover. The chopper will land and then take off to refuel and complete its flight plan. There will also be a car present. That will be Avi. Just in case things go south with the chopper. We'll set two-hour timers and I expect if we leave here at midnight the charges should be set by two thirty and blow at about four-thirty. Best case scenario, our agent with the car will stick close by and monitor to make sure it goes off. Anthony knows the property better than anyone. He will take lead navigating the inside. Questions?"

Nobody had any, except Avi.

"Why me on this mission? I'm no SEAL. But I do know how to blow things up."

"I want you in the vehicle backing the team up from the ground. Peacock is pretty beat up and some of us are going to visit him today to see if we can rattle his cage."

"I guess you'll want me there."

"Count on it." Duane said. "Your big brain at the interrogation will come inveryhandy. The rest of you rest up and meet at our shack at the airfield at nine. Bring black fatigues and we'll change at the airfield. And don't forget your Kevlar vests. I'll bring the toys. This is a small-arms only mission. So just pack the usual."

"Herman took exception. "Can I at least bring a shotgun?"

"Only you, Herman. But sure." Duane said.

---------------------------------------------------

On the way to the safe house, Duane, Domingo, Avi and I talked about the upcoming mission and what I expected to get out of Peacock, and maybe his young lieutenant, Winger. We brought a bottle of half-decent Scotch, figuring that old Deacon was pretty worn down by now, and a good stiff drink would perk him up and loosen his tongue.

Avi said that rather than his interrogating the guy, I should, as it would be more demeaning to a guy like Peacock if a woman was pulling the strings. He would be the devil on my shoulder and step in only in the instance I was going too soft on the man. So far, I hadn't.

For days, Deacon Peacock had been locked naked in a room, chained to a chair. We fed him sparingly and deprived him of sleep. When we fed him at all, it was oatmeal or peanut butter sandwiches. For today, I brought one of Bertha's Shitake steak sandwiches with grilled onions. The smell of which alone will capture the attention of a hungry man.

One of our newer guys, Juan, was guarding Peacock when we barged into the room, me with a bottle of Scotch and an old robe of Duane's.

"Juan, unlock this guy. Peacock, throw this robe on. It will be a bit big on you, but it will allow us to conduct our business with some dignity. Care for a drink?"

"Hmmm. It's not my brand, but I'd love to imbibe."

I poured about two fingers out for both Mr. Peacock and I, and I sipped on mine, making no toast of any sort. Not even lifting my glass in acknowledgement. He took his down in two gulps, and I offered two more fingers, which he accepted.

"If you can be cooperative today, I have a special treat for you. But only if I get the answers I want."

The man was ashen and appeared to have lost several pounds during his incarceration. But it didn't stop him from banging down that Scotch. I poured a third and sat back.

"Deacon, let's talk about the state of your estate. Things there are an awful mess and about to get worse. But before they do, there are some things I want. Records, employment documents, records of transit and the like. And I'm counting on you to tell me where those things are kept. They'll be of no use to you now, and I may find them very interesting. Tell me, Deacon. What will it take to get your cooperation?"

"You can give me a vehicle and let me go. I can find my own way."

"You're still breathing, so the possibility still exists that I will do just that. We did it with old Charlie Tendler and, as far as I know, he's still out there. But now is not the time for tender mercies. Now is the time for confession. It's good for the soul, and if you give me what I want, good for the stomach. I brought one of my cook's specialties, and it is a true gastronomic feat."

"What is it you want to know, Miss Todd? Let's get on an even playing field for now."

That's when Avi took over. He just couldn't hold back.

"First, we're looking for employment records, especially new hires. Then, letters of transit or purchase orders regarding your ill-gotten booty. Last, but not least, we are looking for whomever is taking your loot off your hands once it is processed through New Jersey. I'd consider that a good start."

"Who are you, and why is this of interest to you? The police must have that property locked down six ways to Sunday by now."

"You let us worry about that. Give it up and the next drink and a fine lunch is on Miss Todd."

Then I poured him another drink. Three fingers this time. He wasn't sloshed, but he was getting there. He was sloppy and slurred a bit, so I backed off with the bottle for now and held onto the glass.

"I will answer the first two questions, but not the third until you bring me the documents I direct you to. Only they will hold the key to your answer."

"I think I can live with that. Where?" I said.

"My staff offices are in the basement of the main house. When you blew up the drone shed you wiped out a lot of historical items that could have been of use to the authorities. But HR records and invoices and such are in the administrative offices there. Tom Gacey, who ran the house and was in charge of acquisitions, is probably your best source in that regard."

"One more thing, Deacon. The girls. Where do you keep the records of the girls you have trafficked?"

"They are in the vault. Basement. 45-28-56. In there is where your answers lie."

"Sounds like a big girl."

"It's always helped me to remember."

"Juan, can you get Mr. Peacock's reward, please?"

"Yes, ma'am." And he left the room.

Duane smiled at me and flashed me his notes. The combo was written in big numbers. It didn't matter as I had recorded the entire conversation on my GoPro device.

"Make sure you eat slowly, Deacon. Savor this meal; it may be the last of its kind for you. Don't wolf it down or it's gonna wind up in that trash can over there."

As we left, Dom was chaining Peacock's legs to the chair, but left him the big burgundy robe, and two more fingers of Scotch. The next stop, Winger's room.

Winger didn't look any better than Peacock when we got to his room. But he was happy to see that Scotch and shot the first two fingers right down.

"What's this gonna cost me?"

"Direct. I like that. Information and confirmation. We just had a brief chat with your boss, and he filled me in on what I am looking for. That would be employment records, invoices and the combination to the vault."

"You know about the vault? You are good. A true badass. I admire that."

"Then give it up, Winger. And maybe there's another two fingers and a hot lunch waiting for you."

"Well, the guy you really need to talk to is Gacey. He knows where everything is."

"So I understand. Indulge me. The combo?"

"45-28-56"

"Winger, do you know Charlie Tendler?"

"Everyone knew The Chicken before he disappeared. He was one of Rose's top guys."

"Well, he was my guest for a time, but now he is free range. He's out in the wind making the most of what is left of his pitiful life. With a little cooperation, maybe I can arrange a similar fate for you."

"I gave you the combination. What more can you want?"

"We're going in, Winger. Back to the Alpine Estate. What should we be looking for and where is it?"

"Whatareyou looking for?"

"Where things went after they left your hands. Especially the girls. Always a big concern of mine. I don't get the girls, you get nothing."

Dom gave him a look that could melt the average man. But Winger wasn't average. He was a soldier, and he was trying to hold back. No matter the possibilities I presented to him.

"The vault is the key to everything you want. You empty that and you will have more than you could imagine."

"Anything else?"

"Well, old records were kept in the drone shack, but you know what happened to that."

"Yeah. The whole East Coast knows. I'll bet that shook you up."

"Really. When those drones came falling down from the sky, everyone was freaking out."

Drones. I've got to reach Rhee, ASAP.

I poured another shot into the glass and ordered up lunch for him. Another mushroom steak.

When we got back into the car, I immediately called Rhee Spanner.

"Hannah Todd, to what do I owe this honor."

"Don't get flip with me, lady. I need Tripper. Special assignment tonight."

"Let me get him on the other line. He's in the shop."

After about three minutes, they both came on the line.

"Okay, Hannah, Trip's on the line. What do you need?"

"We're doing a follow-up mission in Alpine tonight. I need Tripper to capture the two aerial drones guarding the property and run a loop to their cameras so that we can sneak past them. Can you do that?"

"We did something similar in the Chester job." Tripper said. "I'm gonna have to get up there though. I'll need to be in visual range so I can spot 'em and mark 'em. Running the loop is cake. But I'm gonna need an hour or so, and I'd better get on the road."

"Good. Ronnie will be flying my people up there for a two-thirty start and out of there by three - three-thirty."

"Excellent. I'll stick around till it blows. Then I'll re-institute the original programming of the drones."

"Can you do that between the time my guys leave the venue and when it blows. I'd like them to see the explosion. Consider it a greeting card of sorts. A thank you card from Hannah Todd."

"I love your style, Hannah," Rhee said.

Tripper said, "I love the challenges. This is gonna be a gas. I love fireworks."

"See ya tonight. Be in touch when you're on sight, Tripper."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Okay, Rhee. This thing won't wrap up until the early morning hours. I'll talk to you tomorrow about outcomes."

"Alright, Hannah. Give that team of yours a Hoorah for me."

"Will do, my friend. Have a good one."

*CLICK*

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It was a quick ride to the airfield from my place, and we met with my team at nine-thirty at night. My SEALs, Herman, Alec and Anthony were standing around getting suited up in the empty airfield and Ronnie and Juicy were going over last flight checks on the old Bell 407. Juicy would act as another set of hands, to help my SEALs get documentation out of Peacock's place and into the chopper. Avi was already on the road.

"Don't forget your Kevlars, people." I said. "I know this isn't necessarily a combat mission but we have to treat it as such. One never knows."

My eyes on the ground in Alpine, have seen no signs of human bodyguards on the property after the crime scene people leave for the day. As well as Avi, he is the one who will be hanging back to watch the big bang as my SEAL team flies south to home. He was one of my operators who we kept lodged local to Paramus since the big dust up there. Just in case.

At around midnight I kissed everyone of my crew and wished them good luck. And they took off and so did Duane and I. We headed home, to the videoconference room, where we lit up the screens that would connect to the body cams carried by each of the operators.

Duane would direct the action tonight, but make no mistake, this was Herman's show on the ground. He was almost salivating. He confessed to me that it's been a long time since he'd blown something up, but was grateful for this opportunity to set that straight.

Things were pretty quiet on the comm-link, save the droning of the engines and the whup-whup-whup of the helicopter blades. We did, however get check-ins from both Tripper and Avi, and my other agent on the ground. Tripper had accomplished his mission and although the two aerial guardian drones followed their prescribed pattern of flight, all that the person monitoring it could see was an endless half hour loop. Nothing would appear out of place. Thank you, Tripper.

Badass Ch. 11

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