Thursday, December 21
Kabul, Afghanistan
Creed watched out the plane’s window as they descended through the dense clouds. The world below came into view, and he felt the knot in his stomach. There was snow in the mountains. The sight should have helped tamp down his memory of the dust. Dust so thick he could still taste it.
A tap on his shoulder, and he turned to find Maggie offering a bottle of water. She had been plying him with water the entire trip, making sure they both stayed hydrated. They’d be spending a ton of hours in the air. He appreciated her effort, but after the tenth hour, it only made him need to pee. He took the bottle anyway and thanked her.
It was hard to take his eyes off the landscape below. This godforsaken country had chewed him up and spit him out, along with so many others sent here to fight. Too many of them returned home like Jason without limbs, others with brain trauma and PTSD. All that they had sacrificed, only to watch the country be turned back over to the madmen they had fought against.
The last four and a half hours from Dubai had been quiet. So quiet it felt like they were all holding their breaths as they got closer. Before that, Dr. Avelyn’s team of veterinarians had kept busy. Creed and Maggie worked alongside them, assembling kennels and attaching them to the floor of the large cargo space. They were expecting to take back with them sixty-six to seventy dogs. And this time, they were told, they would not be disappointed.
This jetliner had been converted during the pandemic in an effort to avoid bankruptcy. When passengers declined flying, the company decided to remove seats and make room for freight that still needed to move from country to country.
About two dozen seats had been left intact as well as the lavatories and the galley, which allowed them to refrigerate and prepare meals. And have a cup of hot coffee. The entire area was still climate controlled, though the vast space made it a bit chilly. Lights could also be turned up or dimmed for reclining passengers to sleep. Electrical capabilities allowed the veterinarians to set up and plug in equipment. They had even arranged an area for triage, if necessary.
They had no idea what shape the dogs were in, and it would be a grueling long flight back with a brief stop in Paris to refuel. But Dr. Avelyn and her team looked prepared. Several were military trained and had served in Afghanistan and Iraq. They had experience working with and treating K9s in the field.
From their attitudes and the way they prepared, Creed was impressed with the whole group. This was a mission they had dedicated themselves to since the fall of Afghanistan. Ever since the very first rumors began of military and working dogs being abandoned. Let out of cages at the airport. Destined to run the dangerous streets and fend for themselves. Dogs that were highly trained, but still dependent on their handlers.
Lately, memories flooded back to Creed. Just when he thought he’d stuffed them safely away where they couldn’t hurt him anymore. Marine K9 units move from one platoon to another where they were needed. The men understood the K9 unit’s importance, but Creed and Rufus were never anywhere long enough for them to get attached. They were the outsiders, respected for their magic, but kept at a distance because the K9 unit was the first out and first to die.
He remembered the exact minute he realized Rufus was alerting to an Afghan boy named Jabar. The boy was someone the platoon trusted and granted access to their camp. As soon as Jabar had reached under his shirt that day, Creed dived on top of Rufus, saving the dog but sending Creed to a military hospital and then home. Later, he didn’t stop until he was able to bring Rufus home, too.
Now the knots twisted in Creed’s stomach as they got closer. As usual, his jaw clenched. His fingers balled up into fists. He realized he desperately needed a distraction. He shifted in his seat, so he could keep his eyes out the window but glance at Maggie.
“You never mentioned what it was you did for this senator,” he said. She’d only told him that Senator Ellie Delanor owed her a favor. This was a whopper of a payback.
She leaned in to look out the window with him. Took her time in answering. “I saved her children’s lives.” She paused, then added, “And sent her ex-husband to prison.”
He glanced at her, expecting more, but she shrugged.
The Dubai businessman who provided this jetliner and assured their safe passage had also brokered a remarkable deal for the release of the dogs. Not just the ones being cared for by the rescue organization, but others the Taliban had been holding.
They learned that the Taliban had kept almost a dozen dogs caged or chained with their soldiers or at the airport, thinking it made them look tough. But they had no clue how to use the dogs for scent detection or security. All Creed knew was that the Dubai businessman was so well regarded the Taliban had scavenged the streets for any remaining dogs to please him and sweeten their deal.
“And what about the guy who owns this plane?” he asked Maggie. “Why is he doing this?”
Another shrug and a swipe at a strand of hair. He knew she was beyond exhausted. Finally, she said, “I suspect he owed the senator a favor.”
“That’s another big favor. Just because she’s a senator?”
“I think she has lots of other connections. Her ex-husband used to be the head of a Mexican cartel.”
“Choque Azul.”
She nodded. “Unfortunately, you know them well.”
The cartel had targeted Creed a couple of years ago when he and Grace found a payload of their drugs on a commercial fishing boat, buried under tons of tuna.
“When I told Senator Delanor what I wanted, all she asked was how soon. I got the impression they’ve already done this before, at least once.”
He felt the release of the landing gear underneath them and tried to ignore the tightness in his chest. He reached for Maggie’s hand, not bothering to hide his anxiety. She had seen it from the beginning. Knew what this would cost him. But also knew what it meant to him.
“I’m lucky to have you,” he told her.
“Yes, you are,” she smiled.
He brought her hand to his lips and added, “This is the best Christmas gift ever.”