Traces of Grey: Book Four of The Alexis Stanton Chronicles

by Phelps, J. C.

  “Good.” He went down the list of preparations with me and discovered the only thing I hadn’t covered was the weapon. “You’ve got it all under control, I guess.”

  “I’m ready to get back out there and yet, I’m ready to get back here as soon as possible.”

  “You might not be too happy with me, then.” He sighed.

  “Why?”

  “I’m going to send you off for EOD and flight training when you get back.”

  “Red already told me. He said several months.”

  “EOD is a four month course.” White said.

  “Four months?” For some reason, the full implication of several hadn’t connected in my brain to mean more than two.

  “I know. It’s something you should do and it’d be best to get it done. Besides, this will help alleviate some of Red’s suspicions about us.”

  “He came right out and asked me if we were a couple.” I said.

  “What did you say?” White’s question came quick.

  “I told him it wasn’t any of his business who I was sleeping with and then you walked in. That was good timing, by the way.”

  “I suppose.” He sounded a little disappointed before he switched the conversation back to my training. “Brown will be taking over the EOD while you’re there and I’m setting it up so Will can be your flight instructor.”

  “Will?” My stomach churned. I’d found myself extremely attracted to White’s little brother and I didn’t know how to handle this.

  “Is that a problem?” White asked.

  “No. It might be nice to get to know your brother a little better.”

  “He’s a good instructor and I know you’ll be trained right if he does it.”

  I nodded and remembered he couldn’t see me through the phone. “Okay,” I said.

  “It doesn’t look like we’re going to get any time together before you leave. I’m sorry.” He let out a long breath.

  “It can’t be helped.”

  “I’ll call Helix first thing in the morning. Maybe we can get all of it set up before you take off, so be sure to check in with me before you leave if I haven’t called you already.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We continued to talk and, before I was ready to hang up, Black knocked at my door for his morning coffee.

  “You might have to do something about Black in the mornings,” I said before I answered the door.

  “Why?”

  “He’s here for his morning coffee and if I’m not here for a while, he’ll know about it, unless you keep him busy in the mornings.”

  “Noted. I’ll see what I can do.”

  I’d poured a cup of coffee and carried it to the door with me. “I better let him in. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Black and I enjoyed a couple cups in silence. As soon as he left I packed and gave White a call right after I called for a cab to take me to the airport.

  “Did you get in touch with Helix?” I asked after we’d done the customary greetings.

  “It’s all set.” He gave me all the details. I was to go to a small gun shop and firing range and ask for Maria.

  “Thanks. Hopefully, I’ll be home in a couple days. Keep Black away from my apartment or make sure I know what you told him before I see him when I get back.”

  “Be safe.”

  “I will. Talk soon.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The flight was uneventful but the humidity hit me hard in the face when I stepped out of the airport to pick up my car. It was early evening when I got checked in, so I decided to order room service. While I waited for my food I readied my duffle bag for a long day. I included several bottles of water, a camera, iPad, and all of my cash.

  The next morning I found the gun shop and firing range without any trouble. The main part of the building was filled with hunting gear but all of the weapons were locked up behind the counter and a man stood behind thick glass with a metal mesh imbedded inside. Signs directed my attention toward the firing range behind some solid metal doors. I didn’t look around long before I asked the clerk for Maria.

  “One moment, please.” He turned and went into a room behind him.

  The store was in good shape and, other than the ominous glass that separated me from the clerk, it was quite inviting. I had expected a dive since they were dealing in black market weapons. So much for presumptions, I thought as a slender woman with long black hair stepped out of the room.

  “Can I help you?” Her eyes narrowed at me.

  “Helix sent me to pick up something for a client,” I answered.

  Maria made her way to a steel door at the end of the counter and opened it wide for me. I followed her to the room she had just come from. Maria locked the door behind us and led me to the far corner of the room. Here she slid aside a copy machine and opened a trap door.

  We descended into darkness but it didn’t last long. She reached up and yanked on a pull string and the room was filled with a dim yellow light from a single bulb.

  “Feel free to browse.” She stepped aside, allowing me a full view of the room. It wasn’t all that large and neither was her selection.

  I went directly to the rifles and inspected them.

  “What are you looking for?” Maria’s voice cut the silence.

  “My client just wants a rifle.”

  I picked one of them up. It came with a scope and that was a plus.

  “That’s a .308. Made in Brazil.”

  “How do they handle?” I brought it to my shoulder.

  “Not bad. It’s what the Brazilian military and law enforcement use. Want to give it a go?”

  “I’d love to.”

  She led the way out, but did a check of the store before she allowed me to walk from the back room with the rifle. Then we made our way to the shooting range.

  It only took me a few minutes to site it in. I was pleased with the way it felt in my hands and it was a nice change to have the kick jolting my shoulder after shooting the laser guns for a month. The one thing I hadn’t missed was the loud pop that came with shooting. Even with the ear protection my ears were ringing a bit.

  “Do you have a suppressor?”

  “Of course. Is this rifle going to be acceptable?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  She added a suppressor to the transaction and I picked out a set of binoculars and hunting knife before I paid her in cash.

  On the drive toward Flores’ office building I went over my plans in my mind several times. It was possible I could complete this today and be on my way back home in just a few short hours.

  I found a parking garage a couple blocks away and paid to park for the entire day. It didn’t take me long to locate Flores’ car and I parked a few spaces away. Across the street from the office building was a large park in which I took up residence. A bench afforded me a view directly into Flores’ office if I peered through a tree.

  The location was perfect. It provided me the excuse of bird and squirrel watching as well as picture taking. The only thing I wished was that the shade from the tree would reach my bench. Within minutes I felt like I was boiling in the sun with sweat dripping into my eyes and off my nose.

  Several times I swiveled around on my bench, trying to find a place to set up and take him in his office. Only a couple of the surrounding buildings had a good line of sight but all of them were bustling with people. My presence would be noticed. I didn’t think I’d have much trouble getting away before the authorities showed up, but it might be cutting it close, not to mention I’d have to dispose of the rifle somewhere and hope no one could describe me. That wasn’t an option for Penumbra.

  I wiped the sweat from my face and continued to watch and wait. The park was full of lush vegetation with gorgeous flowers. I decided to take advantage of my waiting time and get some pictures of the flora and fauna as well as the surrounding cityscape. It was certainly a beautiful area.

  Though I was playing tourist, I kept an eye on Flores in his office
and eventually he left. I didn’t know where he’d gone and this worried me some. He could be using the restroom or could be flying off to the wilds. All I could do was wait for him to return or night to fall.

  Before long I watched him walk through the main doors of the building. His current path had him coming directly toward me. I went back to my camera and fiddled with it instead of watching him. When I looked up again, Flores had taken a seat at a nearby picnic table and was eating lunch.

  The picnic table was slightly behind me off my right shoulder, so it was hard to watch him without turning my head. Using my camera helped immensely. It gave me an excuse to turn in my seat from time to time to keep tabs on Flores. Eventually, he made his way back to the office building. The rest of his day seemed to be as boring as my own, but finally I saw him walking down the sidewalk toward the garage.

  The sun was threatening to set and then I’d have to leave my perch. He certainly kept long hours, longer hours than the rest of employees of the same building. People had been leaving the office building in an almost steady stream for the past couple hours. The stream had finally stopped more than half an hour before Flores made his appearance. I kept my distance as I made my way to the same destination.

  The garage was fully automated so all I had to do was insert my ticket and go through the turn-style to get to my car. Flores was nowhere to be seen when I got to my vehicle, but his car was still in its spot. I had no idea where he could have gone, so I walked straight to my vehicle. I’d wait for a few minutes and if he didn’t retrieve his car I’d go to my designated area near his apartment and wait. It seemed as if his apartment was going to be the final solution.

  As I put the key in my door lock an arm slipped around my neck and wrenched me backward. I dropped my bag and brought my hands up to my assailants arm.

  “Who are you?” The hot breath carried a hint of fear.

  “What?” I could barely speak. It felt like he was crushing my windpipe.

  “You’ve been sitting in the park all day, watching me. Who are you?”

  “Just a tourist,” I squeaked.

  I could have gotten away easily, but chose to go with the ruse until I was sure of my next move.

  I heard a gun cock as it pushed into my right side. I kicked myself for allowing this to go further. This was a game changer and put Flores more in charge than he had been before.

  “I’m going to let go and take a look in that bag. Don’t make a move or I’ll shoot you.”

  It all seemed to happen at once. He loosened his grip on my neck and pushed at the same time. I felt myself falling forward and wasn’t able to regain my balance before I hit the ground. I skinned my knee.

  “Ow. You didn’t have to push me.”

  He leveled his gun at my head.

  “Open it wide.” He nodded toward the bag.

  I followed his instructions and watched as his eyes widened at the sight of the rifle.

  “Who the hell are you?” He shook his own gun at me.

  I gave him a wide, innocent look. “I’ve got my papers in the bag. Can I get them?”

  “Don’t touch that gun.” His hands were shaking.

  I held the bag open wide so he could watch me pluck out the smallish manila envelope I’d been carrying with me. I tried to give it to him.

  “Open it!” He ordered. I complied and pulled the Penumbra calling card from the envelope and handed it to him.

  “What is this? Is this a joke?” The color had drained from his face as he held the card.

  “No, Senor Flores. Not a joke.”

  I lunged at him.

  My intention was to disarm him and finish the job. I didn’t want to use his gun because it would draw too much attention and who knew how many more people would be coming in to retrieve their cars. I managed the disarming in quick order, but he fought back and he fought well. There was a decided difference between sparring with a partner and fighting with a man who knew he was fighting for his life. The hair pulling was the worst part until he hit me with a nice punch to the face.

  This stunned me a bit and he tried to take his gun back as I shook it off. I grabbed the wrist of his hand that held the gun and snapped it. He screamed and I pushed out and up with my hand, shoving the cartilage from his nose up into his brain. His scream was cut short and his body stiffened. Flores fell backward, legs and arms straight. Almost as soon as he hit the ground I grabbed him under his arms and drug him to his own car. I didn’t want any of his blood to pool near my parking spot. I double and triple checked for a pulse before I went back to my own vehicle, and grabbed up the small envelope. I brought it back to Flores’ side and shook the contents out onto his still body. Breathing in deeply I inspected my clothes and hands for traces of blood. Somehow I’d managed to keep clean. I reclaimed my bag, shoved it into my car and drove away.

  As I drove I reflected on how this turned out. I’d have to be more careful. Though I finished the job, it could have been much worse. It hadn’t been perfect and that gnawed at me. There was no excuse for anything other than perfection, especially on a Penumbra job.

  I slowed my car enough to chuck the rifle and knife over some bridge and continued to the airport. I wondered if I should have gone back and checked out of the hotel. At least I hadn’t left anything in the room, I thought as I finally boarded my flight home.

  Close to four in the morning I neared the offices of White and Associates. It was good to get back, but I knew I’d have to lay low for at least a week. I’d gotten myself sunburned as well as a nice black eye. I didn’t have any idea how I’d explain any of it to anyone.

  I assumed I’d walk into a quiet building but I called White anyway, just to be certain.

  “Hello?” His voice was tired as he answered his phone.

  “Hey. I’m almost home.”

  “That was quick.” His voice had lost all signs of drowsiness.

  “It wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped. Can you meet me in the lobby? I have to make sure no one sees me come in.”

  “Absolutely. I’ll be right down.” I heard him struggling and pictured him trying to pull on his pants while he held the phone with his chin to his shoulder.

  “I’m still probably ten minutes out.”

  “See you then.” He hung up.

  The cab dropped me off outside the building and I walked into the lobby with my head down. I glanced up to see White talking with the guard. As soon as he saw me he hurried to my side.

  “What the hell happened?” He put his hand to my chin and lifted my head. He grimaced as he took in my face.

  “Let’s get to your apartment. Black could be coming down any time now.” I put my head back down.

  “No.” White took my bag for me. “He and Blue are out of town. I sent them back to Wyoming to do another class. They left yesterday afternoon.”

  “I’d still be more comfortable in your apartment or mine.”

  “Okay.” He took my hand and led me to the elevator. “Yours or mine?” His finger hovered over the buttons.

  “Mine, please.”

  He pushed the button for the twelfth floor. After the doors closed he leaned in toward me and lightly moved my hair away from my black eye.

  We rode up to my apartment in silence. White held the doors as I exited the elevators. Once we were at my door he pulled out my key and put it in the lock.

  “You okay?” He asked.

  “Yes.” I nodded for emphasis.

  Once we stepped into my apartment he set my bag down and did another inspection of my face and neck.

  “I guess I better learn how to put makeup on,” I said.

  “What happened?” He went to my kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

  I went into debriefing mode and gave him all the details.

  “Slick.” He said when I finished.

  “Slick? I completely screwed up.”

  “No. You did just fine. You got the job done and got out of there.”

  I pointed to my face. “But ho
w do I explain this? And, I’m sunburned.” I whined.

  “And you’ve got a nice bruise on your neck,” he added.

  “I do?” I walked to my bathroom and inspected my neck.

  Sure enough, he’d bruised me there, too. I started rounding up all of my makeup. While I dabbed on the foundation White came up behind me and kissed the back of my neck.

  “You’re going to make me smear it,” I berated him half-heartedly.

  “I’m glad you’re home.” He’d stopped kissing and ran his soft lips from my collarbone to my ear. His hot breath on my neck made my knees want to buckle. Instead I held onto the glass makeup jar hard enough I thought I might break it.

  A picture of broken glass embedded in my hand entered my mind, so I reflexively let go of the jar. It clattered into the sink. I was more worried about it killing the mood than whether or not I’d need stitches.

  White’s soft movements didn’t slow with the harsh sound and I turned to face him. He pulled me in close and our lips connected in a hard kiss. It was awkward, but we managed to stay in an embrace all the way to my bedroom where we fell together onto the bed.

  I woke later that morning stiff and sore. Flores had given me more than a bruise to my face and neck. He’d bruised my ribs, scraped up my knee, and my shoulder ached fiercely.

  White wasn’t lying next to me, as expected. I grunted as I rolled out of bed and hobbled into the kitchen. A full pot of coffee called to me and I found a note on the counter under my cup. White had written he was sorry to leave, but he had to get to work and he’d call me later.

  I sighed, tossed the note into the trash, and poured my coffee. The heat and aroma were soothing and I considered relaxing at my kitchen bar for at least one full cup. The sting from the sunburn changed my mind.

  After I slathered on the lotion I’d gotten from Scott for sunburns I went back to my coffee pot and refreshed my cup. Again the call of the barstool was strong, but my computer chair was more comfortable. I went to my bag, pulled out my camera, and spent the morning playing around with the photos I’d taken in Lima.