Witness Protection: Moving Target

by Jet MacLeod

  “What are you doing?”

  “Letting the computer decide where we are going to go,” Del told her with a smile.

  Angie left her to the computer for a few minutes. She went back to her room and finished packing up her things. She even made the bed. She didn’t want it to look like they had left in a rush. She brought her bags out and set them by the door.

  “You ready?”

  “Yup,” Del answered.

  “Do you ever unpack?”

  “Only what I need to, and that isn’t much,” Del stated carrying her two bags out of her room.

  They made their way outside and to the car. Del put the cooler in first, and sideways. She then put their bags in, making sure that her rifle case was still fitted all the way in the back. She kept her day pack and laptop case out. Then somehow, to Angie’s amazement, she packed the small box of goods in the trunk, too.

  Del looked over at Angie with a strange look. It didn’t look like she was in pain, but whatever Del was thinking, it was troubling her. She walked up to Angie and invaded her personal space. She was so close that Angie could see the veins in her forehead pulse and feel her breath on her face.

  Del reached out and took Angie’s hand. Her breath caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to do. And, then she felt something drop into her hand that was cold and metallic.

  “You drive for a while. I’ll tell you where to turn and when to stop. I need to make arrangements and plan a route. I can’t do that efficiently on the phone with Cole. Can you do this for me?” Del asked her.

  She was surprised at the amount of control that Del was giving her, but she saw the need for it in Del’s eyes. She closed her hand around the keys and felt Del’s fingers over her own. She wanted to say so much in that moment, but couldn’t. She didn’t know what to say, actually.

  “Sure,” she finally managed.

  “Good, then let’s go,” Del answered as she got in the passenger seat.

  Angie stood there for a minute before she noticed that Del had put her day pack behind the driver’s seat. On the console were two sandwiches and two bottles of water were in the cup holders. Her laptop case lay on the back seat, but the laptop was in the front seat, waiting.

  “This is going to be a long drive,” Angie muttered to herself.

  Chapter 16

  “Where are we going?”

  Del looked at her. She hadn’t really plotted a route yet. That was what she was supposed to be doing. They were going to go west, way west, but they needed at route and one that didn’t look like they were heading directly anywhere.

  “Hold on,” Del told her as she pulled out a GPS.

  She set it up on the dash for Angie to follow it. She quickly put in where they were and Napa Valley in the computer to see a possible route. She would deviate from it, but it would give her a general idea. She saw the interstate routes. It would take a few days to get there. She didn’t want to be the on road straight for the predicted thirty-six hours.

  She saw that it headed straight to Saint Louis. That was about a three to four drive. It would give her enough time to plan further and make the necessary adjustments to the “suggested” route. It would also give her enough time to call Cole and make preparations for other items that she wanted to procure. Plus, she could make arrangements for somewhere to stay for the night, and even maybe for a few a days.

  “Just head towards Saint Louis,” Del told her as she programmed the GPS. “Stay on the main roads and Interstate. It should be Interstate most of the way. We’ll change over there and then I’ll find us somewhere to stay for the night. Okay?”

  “Sounds good. Do whatever it is that you need to do. I think I can handle a few hours of driving.”

  Del smiled at her. She had to admit that it was nice that Angie wasn’t fighting her, but she wondered how long that would last. She was a lawyer and they were known to be difficult. Angie was no exception. She wanted reasoning and Del could understand that, but sometimes, she knew that Angie just really didn’t need to know. It was for her own good.

  She typed quickly on her laptop. She didn’t want the connection that she was using to be found. She knew that Cole had given her the USB connection with encryption, but she didn’t trust technology that much. It could lie because it was given false information. It was better to find out through investigations, but Del didn’t have that opportunity. She needed to find a route and plot it quickly.

  She would lay it out once they stopped for the night and she could focus more on the screen. She would check, double check, and triple check the route. She didn’t like surprises. She would even put in stops and other destinations. She knew that Angie would want to stay somewhere and not travel straight through. She also needed a place to stay once they got to Napa.

  She needed to call Cole. She wasn’t sure that she wanted to, but he was the only one that could help her now. He wouldn’t lead anyone to them. He knew how to cover his tracks so well that even Del had a hard time finding him if he didn’t want to be found.

  She was still angry with him, but he was the best at what he did. She needed him right now. It wasn’t a fact that she liked, but he had been the best damn supply sergeant she’d ever had in the Army. He was a getter and that was a good thing in their profession. He taught her how to get what she needed, too. He was still accessible, so she would use him.

  She pulled out a new burner cell. She didn’t like using the same one more than once if she didn’t have to in a weeks’ time. It made it harder to pinpoint her by the GPS tags that pinged the cell towers. It didn’t matter that they all had several numbers programmed in them as their listed number. It was amazing what she could do with a government encrypted SIM card. Her fingers hovered over the keypad. She hesitated over Cole’s ID. Finally, her finger dropped and it dialed his number.

  “Calling again so soon?” he asked answering his phone.

  “You know me, Sarge. I can’t leave you alone for too long. You might get into trouble,” Del joked.

  “What happened?” he asked with concern.

  “I saved someone,” Del told him.

  “You saved someone?”

  “Just tell him what happened,” Angie told her, but continued to focus on the road.

  “We went boating on the lake. We needed to relax. It started out as a pleasant adventure.”

  “You went to relax? Del, you don’t relax. Ever. You don’t know how,” he stated.

  “I know, but that isn’t the point.”

  “So, what is?”

  “Angie was coming back aboard for lunch when I noticed a young boy drowning.”

  “And, you plucked him from the water?” he questioned.

  “I did.”

  “You need me to make it go away?”

  “No, nothing like that. We left town. We are half way to Saint Louis right now.”

  “And, you are telling me this, because?” he asked.

  “I need some things.”

  “Like?”‘

  “I would love to get my SUV back.”

  “Where?”

  “I was thinking Saint Joseph. I’ve found a hotel right off the Interstate. Could you get it there?”

  “I don’t know. When did you want it? I’ll have to call in some favors.”

  “Tonight?” Del asked hopefully.

  “Not gonna happen, Kid. I need more time. The way you drive, you’ll be there tonight. If I could get in on a cargo plane, maybe, but the closet airport is over an hour away. I don’t think that would help you tonight. I am sure that you will need to rest and will be plotting the rest of journey to a new destination, won’t you?” he probed.

  “Yeah, I will.”

  “Then, we need to find somewhere else.”

  “Like?” she asked him.

  “Going more west or north this time?”

  “North for now,” she told him.

  “It isn’t too cold, yet. Head towards Sioux Falls up in South Dakota. It is north of you and they have a
decent airport for us to use. I, also, have some friends there that will help. I can get it there by tomorrow night, no problem. Do you need me to load anything into it?”

  “New cells,” she answered quickly.

  “Already? What happened to the ten you took? Del, you have got to calm down about your paranoia with the government. You work for them...still…at least for the moment. How does that make Angie feel to hear you talk about it that way? Look, I know that we can’t trust everyone, especially in our line of work. You really need to calm down, though. Think about how your anxiety is affecting her. You have to keep her safe and calm. You can’t do that when you are freaking out all the time. Besides, have you called in lately?”

  “Yesterday, before I talked with you.”

  “And?” he probed.

  “They aren’t happy with me and my gallivanting, but they aren’t coming after us, either. Gregor seems to be keeping them calm when it comes to me. He knows how I operate.”

  “That isn’t necessarily a good thing. Gregor wants power and while he has you, he has it. Have you talked to him personally?” Cole asked her.

  “No, I try to avoid him at all costs.”

  “Does he have your new cells numbers?” he inquired.

  “No, I didn’t give them anyway to contact me. I am keeping quiet with them. It is better for Angie,” she told him, and stole a glance at the blonde. “This less they know about what we are doing, the better it is for our safety and the less information that they could give the cartels if there is a leak.”

  Angie smiled. She knew that Del was protecting her, but she didn’t realize the extent she was going. She didn’t know that Del was actually disobeying protocol and her superiors for her safety. She stole a glance at Del without her seeing it. She realized in that moment that Del was jeopardizing her career and her retirement for her, to keep her alive, to keep her safe. Her smile faded. Del was giving up so much for her and she was being a spoiled ass about it. She decided that she would have to make Del understand how much she really appreciated what she was doing for her.

  Del turned quickly and caught Angie’s fading smile. She wondered what the blonde was thinking about while she was driving. She made a mental note to ask her when they stopped in Saint Louis.

  “I know you think that is for the best, but how long do you think that will last?” Cole asked her.

  “It doesn’t matter. They wanted me to do this job and I am going to do it my way. If they didn’t want me to do it, they shouldn’t have given it to me. Gregor will take care of it. He owes me.”

  “Yeah, but for how long?” Cole questioned.

  “Until we get back to New York for the trial. This is my last job, Cole. He knows that. He gave me all the leeway I wanted. As long as I get her to courthouse on time, it doesn’t matter what I do.”

  “I am not going to argue with you, Del. You know what you need to do. I am just happy that you are still talking to me. What else do you need help with?” Cole asked her.

  “Some new clothes, something maybe a little more professional looking. I am sure that she would like to wear something besides jeans and t-shirts. We may eventually be going to make it to the West coast. So, outfits that would fit in there and not look too out of place. Casual clothes and some nice dress clothes, too. We might go out and do something. I am her body guard, Cole, not her jailer.”

  “You’ve relaxed with her, I see.”

  “We came to an understanding.”

  “You like her,” he teased.

  “It doesn’t matter. I can’t act on that and you know that. There is job to do, Cole and I plan on doing it. I don’t have time to be worrying about other things while I am worried about her well-being,” Del said.

  “Way to cover that one up. Wait, is she driving? You are letting her drive? You don’t let anyone drive. You must really like her. So, you gonna tell her? … Talk to her, Del. You might be surprised by what she will tell you. There is no sense in being alone for the rest of your life because Yulia fucked up. She is there and I am sure she is able. If I was there, I make a pass at her.”

  “Please don’t. Not right now. I don’t want to deal with that. I have other things to think about.”

  “Just admit that you like her and I’ll drop it, Girlie.”

  “Really?” Del asked unconvinced.

  “Promise...well at least for now.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Just say it.”

  “I will not.”

  “Say it.”

  “Are you a child?”

  “I’ve been called worse,” he replied.

  “I am sure that you have.”

  “Just say it.”

  “Fine, yes, there could be a possibility… “

  “But?”

  “You promised.”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “I am not going to act on it. It wouldn’t be right. Now, are you going to help me or not?”

  “I’ll get you what you asked for. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure that I have the SUV and your supplies waiting for you at the Sioux Falls airport. I’ll email your old account the details. If you need anything else, call me before ten tonight. I should have everything lined up by then. And, promise to leave the car in good condition for me this time,” he told Del all serious.

  “I will do my best. Besides, when have I ever given you back a vehicle in worse shape than when I got it? And, no, Colombia doesn’t count,” Del told him.

  “And, why doesn’t it count?”

  “Because you were right beside me the entire time as we were fighting our way to the extraction point. You were returning fire as fast as I and Sanchez were. So, no, Colombia doesn’t count. I can’t help that they pulled out a RPG and shot the truck just as we were trying to cross the border.”

  He laughed. “Alright, Del, I’ll give you that one.”

  “You’d better,” she stated before chuckling with him.

  Angie looked over at her, finally seeing her relax and let her guard down more today that they were “on the run” then when they were safely tucked in at the cabin or at Cole’s. She wondered if they were truly adrenaline junkies and this was what they thrived on. It might have been a normal situation for Del, but the seriousness of the incident and the aftermath was actually starting to get to her. She would need Del to take over soon. She wasn’t made to process things like this. Del was.

  “Just get me what I need, Cole. I’ll pay you back through our normal channels as soon as I get somewhere more permanent. Can you run me some numbers on Napa, too? I am feeling like a little wine tasting in the future. Is that relaxing enough for you?” Del asked him.

  “Sounds good. I’ll see what I can find out for you. Looking for something a little more permanent, I’m gathering. Condo or house?” Cole asked her.

  “Home would be good. I am glad that we understand each other. Just something that would be nice and not necessarily too much. We need to blend in, you know? I’ll send the new covers as soon as I think them up. Thanks again, old friend,” she told him.

  “Don’t worry about it, Girlie. I don’t mind taking care of you sometimes. Just remember to take care of yourself and Angie. Give her a big ol’ kiss for me,” he teased her as he hung up.

  “So?” Angie asked as she watched Del put the phone away.

  “So what?”

  “We’re going to Napa?” Angie questioned.

  “Depends on the information that Cole gels me. Right now, we are going to get off at the next exit. We’ll take a break, get some snacks, stretch, and then I’ll book us a motel room in Saint Joseph. We’ll stay there for the night. Tomorrow, we are going to head to Sioux Falls to get some supplies. From there, I have no idea. I’ll plan the rest of the route tonight.”

  “We’re going to Iowa?”

  “Not Sioux City, Angie, Sioux Falls, as in South Dakota,” Del told her.

  “South Dakota? Are you kidding? You’re taking me to South Dakota. Wow, this really is a
road trip adventure, isn’t it?” Angie asked as she pulled off the Interstate at the exit Del pointed out.

  Chapter 17

  It was around eight when they made it to Saint Joseph. Where Angie had been driving at a reasonable pace, Del was always in a hurry and speeding. Del drove them to the hotel immediately. She knew that Angie must be hungry but she wanted to check in. There were things that needed to be done and they needed to be done quickly and with an efficiency.

  She had gotten them a room at the Holiday Inn Riverside. It was a nice enough hotel for a day or so stay. She had Angie come into the lobby with her as she checked in. Angie was walking around looking at all the brochures offering the local attractions, but always kept Del in sight and Del did the same. The clerk handed her the key cards and told her how to get to the room and the best place to park. Del smiled at the woman and took the cards.

  Angie caught herself picking up a few. There were some interesting places that she would want to visit, if they could. She hoped that Del would relax enough to let it happen.

  “The Pony Express Museum is here,” Angie told her as they headed clown the hall to their room.

  “Is it?” Del asked half amused at Angie’s glee over such information.

  “Yeah, we should go,” Angie suggested.

  “You don’t leave New York often, do you?”

  “No, I didn’t. I was too hell bent on work. If I did leave, I went to my family’s house at the Cape. It was the only place that I could find myself when I lost myself to the City.”

  “Sounds nice enough.”

  “I guess it was. I just never realized what I was missing with the rest of the country at my disposal. I never tried to venture far because I was always worried that I might find something I liked more than being a lawyer,” Angie confessed.

  “Would that be so bad?”

  “In my family, yes, but I love history and art as much I love the law and being a lawyer. I like going to museums, but you can only go to the Natural History Museum so many times before you become a tour guide. Can we go?” Angie asked her handing her the pamphlet.