Heroes STRIKEs Back 3B Heroes/STRIKE Series'

2

**** Agent Ash Park closed the file with a loud sigh. That was one of the toughest cases he'd worked on, yet one of the most rewarding. He couldn't help but be pleased with the out come. Thirty plus children were back with their families as a result of his time and expertise.

He smiled, "Another trafficking ring shut down, and this time I did it without his help."

Ash locked the filing cabinet and was walking toward the door when he heard someone knock, "Agent Park?" The owner of that voice spoke in Korean.

He let out an exhausted grown, but answered in kind, "Ye?"
(Yes)

The door opened and a young rookie agent popped her head in, "Um, sir... There's a call for you on line one, they say it's urgent."

Ash lifted a brow. "Did the caller say what about?"

"Umm... Y...yes, sir. Something about an old rape case."

Ash tilted his head, "Rape case?"

She swallowed, "Yes, sir. Umm... The caller is from the US and says it's urgent. He said that you'd want to talk to him right away."

Ash thanked her, and immediately turned to pick up the phone. Then switching to English, "Agent Park speaking."

"You're a hard man to reach, Ash. Been a long time, how ya been?" the disembodied voice said.

'Jack.' Ash rolled his eyes, and dropped into his chair, "How may I help you, Detective Mannings?"

He asked in as neutral a voice he could manage.

"Detective Mannings? You haven't called me that in years." Jack Mannings let out a long sigh, "You know what, kid; you haven't changed one bit. You still get straight to the point."

Ash leaned back in his chair and looked up at the clock, "Jack, I just closed one of my hardest cases, and would like to get some rest, so if you don't mind..."

"I bet this was a hard one, because you worked it without that special mercenary friend of yours, right?"

"Jack, I no longer do that kind of thing. I work all my cases over the counter now. Did you call me just to make fun, or is there a legitimate reason?"

"Where are you right now?"

Ash took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, "What kind of question is that? I'm in South Korea. Where else would I be after a case? This is where I live after all."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Then Jack said, "Ash, how soon can you get on a plane to the US?"

Ash sat up straight in surprise, "Why, Jack?"

Mannings coughed slightly before taking the dive, "Ever hear of the 3B Ranch in Montana?"

"Yes. Eomma has an old friend that lives there. Rowdy, I think his name is. What about it?"
(Mom)

"Well, the owner's son-in-law Gabriel Ivanov found the body of a young girl dumped on the outskirts of the property, oh... about a month ago. Since then the bodies of three more girls have been found. All within a week of each other. They had all been beaten then strangled. To top it off kids are going missing all over the state. Women, too."

Ash felt a familiar pain in his chest, "Was there a brand behind the left ear?"

The detective was silent for a long moment. To Ash it felt like an eternity. "Yes, actually. There was. I have a feeling that this is more than just a rash of kidnappings, and murders."

"You're thinking that someone's running a human trafficking ring?"

Jack sighed, "That's what I'm afraid of, yeah. I have a very bad feeling about this one. This guy's smart. STRIKE Team Alpha may be needed for this one, and you're the only person who can contact them. I was hoping that friend of yours could call his team in."

Ash swollowed, "Jack, I'll put out the call. When and if he's needed. He isn't the type of man you want to piss off."

Jack's voice was almost hollow, "I had a feeling you'd say that. Looks like not all your work will be over the counter."

Ash hung up the phone, and pushed a hidden button set under his desk. A panel behind the door unlocked, and he reached inside. Ash pulled out an old beat up suitcase, and set it on the desk. Slowly, he opened it to view the contents.

"Time to put my team on alert, at least. His team also. Though, I truly hope they won't be needed."

***

Taec covered the body of a young boy after Sheriff Blanton, and his team had finished processing the scene. The former pop star closed his eyes for a moment as he said a prayer for the young victim and his family.

Kyle stopped and studied the younger man for a second. He knew all about Taec's history, and understood how the scene must have been affecting him. However, Kyle couldn't help but admire the guy. Taec hadn't shown one ounce of discomfort. Instead, he had helped with everything from taking samples to photos.

The Sheriff had read Taec's service file. Unfortunately, he'd only been able to stay in the Navy for about three years before an injury forced him into an honorable discharge. After that, he'd rejoined his band Lipeo.

Now, since a certain shooting that killed most of his band and some of the fans at the last concert, Taec had withdrawn into himself. To this day, he had yet to pic up another mic or sing a note. No one in the ranch had ever heard him tell a joke or even seen him smile.

Not in all the time Kyle had known him. Not even a smile. Most people had signs, such as a frown line, or crows feet. That showed how often they grinned or cried. Taec was a clean slate, no lines at all. He had trained himself to exhibit no emotion.

Kyle shook his head. 'That's no way to live, kid.'

The Sheriff again shook his head. This time in disgust as his eyes fell on what was left of the victim. The killer had done a real number on him before dumping the body out here for the animals.

***

Taec stood and studied the area. There had to be a clue somewhere. The monster didn't just carry the body out here. He studied the damp ground carefully, and would have missed it had he not known what to look for. In the soft soil was a partial hoof print, and not from one of the 3B horses.

"Sheriff, over here."

Kyle jogged over and knelt next to Taec. "You've got to be kidding me. He wrapped the horse's hooves?!"

Taec nodded, "I've seen this before, while in the SEALs. Not only on animals, but we did it ourselves. But, this time, he forgot wrapping, and the horse's shoe cut right through the fabric."

Kyle shook his head, "That explains why we never found any tracks before now. He packed the bodies out here and just dumped them. He never even dismounted. Sick bastard."