by D. K. Hood
“Safer than out here alone.” Dave rubbed his chin and looked at her. “I have contacts in the next town. We’ll be able to get some rest and hopefully find you some warm clothes to wear under the dress. We’re still Americans and worth money to anyone handing us over to the militants. I might get away with the disguise and I speak the language, but you don’t and your skin hasn’t seen a lick of sun. You’ll need to keep your head down. I mean right down. Your blue eyes will stick out so keep your attention fixed on the ground. Follow my feet, don’t speak, or look at anyone we meet. That’s normal around these parts, especially when I’ll tell them you’re my wife and heavily pregnant. They should ignore you completely. The weight of my backpack will add to the deception.” He waved to a dense bush. “That’s the best I can do for a bathroom. I’ll break out some supplies and then we’ll have to go. I’ll need to check in again soon. I’ll have more info then.”
The numbness that had surrounded her when she’d realized that Dave had killed nine men without hesitation to protect her just got another coating. She headed for the bushes. She’d be in mortal danger in a crowd of hostiles and it terrified her. Her mind was already having problems making sense of the carnage she’d witnessed. She’d been sure the militants had killed Dave, and seeing his flowing robes appear as he walked around the truck had brought tears of relief to her eyes. He’d moved the bodies, jumped into the truck and driven to collect her as if nothing had happened. He hadn’t said a word about the incident until she’d asked him. He’d been so matter of fact, as if he’d just taken out the garbage. In truth, Dave had been incredibly brave or completely crazy. He’d laid down in the ditch with the dead bodies and when the three men from the other truck had checked on their comrades, he’d just rolled over and killed them. Just like that. She swallowed hard. Heck, he must have nerves of steel.
She returned to where he was sitting on a rock, fiddling with his backpack. She sat down beside him. “Thanks for looking after me. I know this isn’t what you do. I’ve heard my dad talking about snipers being dropped behind enemy lines and having to find their way back to an evac point. Nothing specific, just how much he admires them. I’m guessing that’s what you do. Look, I know you can’t tell me anything about yourself, and that’s okay, but when this is all over and you return to the States, come by and we’ll go for a real coffee. I’m sure you know where I live.” She pulled off her burka and smiled at him. “My treat.”
“I’ll hold you to that, ma’am. Once this mission is over, I’m planning on staying stateside for a time. I’d really like to see you again.” Dave searched her face. “You know that few women would want to spend time with someone like me. I’m a mass murderer with no conscience. If I wasn’t in the military. I’d be on death row somewhere by now.”
What’s with the ma’am? Annie took in the man beside her. Handsome was an adjective that didn’t come close. She shook her head. “I don’t see you that way. You don’t kill unless you have to and out here it’s kill or be killed. I can see that. I’m not stupid. I see a brave, loyal, and fearless man.”
“Uh-huh. All that and we’ve only known each other for a few days.” He gave her a slow smile that lit up his eyes. “You’re a pain in the ass but you’re growing on me.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Let’s hope we survive the next few days. Once we make it to the border we’ll be evacuated. And then I’ll hold you to that coffee.”
Chapter Thirteen
With his sidearm hidden by his flowing robes and head covered, Dave headed into the town. Its size was substantial, which was good and made it easier to hide. He had his orders and a rough idea of where to go. They’d head for an area hit by a series of car bombs and dump the truck. The place would be deserted and Terabyte had organized a meet with a friendly. Not that he trusted anyone, but with Annie along he had no choice. She needed sleep and a decent meal. They had a long way to go before they’d be safe. He pulled the truck into the curb. They’d walk from here. He could see the bombed-out shells of the storefronts Terabyte had described about fifty yards away.
He glanced at her. He liked Annie and that was a problem because he’d made up his mind long ago not to form any permanent relationships. He’d had girlfriends from all over the world, but the moment he’d explained his career came first, they never returned his calls. He shrugged. Maybe Annie would be different?
“Is there a problem?” Annie was staring at him through the slit in her burka. “You’ve gone all serious and now you’re shaking your head.”
Dave glanced at her. “Please don’t ask me what I’m thinking. I hate it when people ask that.”
Annie’s eyes flashed in annoyance. “Sorry, I thought you’d seen something; you know, like a band of militia with their rifles trained on us.”
“I’d tell you if I did.” Dave slid on his sunglasses and adjusted his headgear. “This looks like the right place. Wait here, I’ll grab the bags and come round and lift you down.”
“I’ll be fine.” Annie’s hand went to the door.
Dave rolled his eyes. “No, you won’t, and if you fall over, you might damage my rifle. That could mean life or death to us right now. Wait here.”
He heard her exasperated sigh as he climbed out, grabbed the bags, and headed around the hood. After dropping the bags on the ground, he opened the door, lifted her down, and set her on her feet. She swayed slightly under the weight of his backpack but straightened, holding her back. He smiled, she sure looked pregnant. He gathered the bags and they moved not so swiftly to the gutted store on one corner. “We’ll wait here. They’ll be along soon, I hope.”
He scanned the area, keeping his body between her and the street. He heard the vehicle before it came into view. An old battered sedan covered in dust pulled up beside them. A man leaned out the window and spoke to him in Arabic.
“Hurry, get in before anyone sees you.” He gestured with his arms. “We have a safe place but it’s ten minutes from here.”
Dave helped Annie into the car, dropped in his bags beside her and climbed into the front passenger seat. He nodded at the man. “What do I call you?”
Terabyte had given him a name. If the man didn’t respond with the correct reply, he’d end up collateral damage just like the others. He waited, his hand slipping beneath his robes to his sidearm.
“They call me Farid.” The man smiled at him. “Don’t worry, there are many here who do not agree with the militants.” He waved a hand to encompass the ruins. “This was a thriving town and now we live in fear. How long will it last? I’m not sure anyone will survive.”
Dave nodded and relaxed a little. “Did you find the supplies I asked for, particularly clothes for my wife?”
“We have most of what you need and will find more before you leave. We didn’t have much time. I’m sure you understand things aren’t easy to come by at the moment.”
“I understand.” Dave cleared his throat. “We need a safe place to rest. My wife is exhausted.”
“It’s not far now.” Farid smiled at him. “I think this place will please you.”
Farid drove at a fast pace along damaged roads, until they came to side streets with people milling around. It was as if civilization had just been switched back on. As they drove, slower now, Dave scanned the streets, familiarizing himself with the area. If they wanted to leave in a hurry, he’d need to have some idea of which way to go. Surprised to see so many people out on a Sunday, he turned to Farid. “Is it usual to have so many people out and about on a Sunday?”
“They get out when they can and stores open when the militia has left the town. The militants have no thought for anyone’s property. All believe they are entitled to take what they want without payment.” Farid shook his head. “We have rocks and they have guns, so we survive any way we can.”
Dave frowned. “Perhaps, I can help. Do you have a resistance?”
“We do indeed.” Farid’s expression became animated. He pulled to the curb and turned to him. “There will be a small patrol lef
t to guard the militia’s supplies, usually ten men. Some stay in the storeroom and others drive around killing people who get in their way.”
Watching all around, Dave thought for a beat. It would be to his advantage to gain these people’s trust. He sighed. “If I cleared the area, how would you get rid of the bodies and the trucks?”
“Leave that to us.” Farid smiled broadly, his eyes dancing with excitement. “We’re expert at hiding things. It would take no time at all to dig a pit. We have an excavator at the landfill. Removing garbage has been a problem here and digging a pit would be a normal thing to do. We’ll bury the men and the trucks if necessary and then cover them with garbage. There is no shortage of that here.”
“You should take their weapons as well and protect yourselves.” Dave moved his attention back to Farid. “And ammo?” He gave the details of a variety of bullets he’d require in the hope they could source some for his rifle.
“I will find what you need. They are on the list of requirements we received.” Farid clasped his hands together. “I already have people searching for items on your list.” He looked all around. “It’s safe to drive on, no one is around.” He pulled back onto the dusty road.
The deal would be off without ammo. Dave had no intention of disposing targets with his bare hands, although he could without a problem, but the chances of being discovered would be greater, and he had Annie to think about now. “Okay, we’ll help each other but I must leave here as soon as the militia have cleared out. My wife has little time left and we must get home.”
“We have a deal, my friend.” Farid stopped outside a store that displayed rolls of material and dressmaker’s dummies draped in various garments. “This is the place. It is over the store and very safe. Bars on the doors and windows. No one can get inside.”
Dave frowned. “How do we get out?”
“By the roof.” Farid grinned. “The buildings are close together. You can easily step from one to another across the rooftops but no one will expect to find you here. Come inside. People seeing you coming and going will think you are here to buy clothes. Just the right place for your wife to visit. Everything she needs is here. You as well. Go inside. They are expecting you. I must go but I’ll be back very soon.”
Dave collected the bags and led Annie into the store. It was like going back in time. He waited for a man to come out from the back, with one hand on his sidearm and Annie safely behind him. He peered at the small man. “We are friends of Farid.”
“Yes, come this way. The rooms upstairs belonged to my son and his wife but they were killed last year in an explosion. We live on the other side. It’s small but has everything you need.” He glanced at Annie and then back at Dave. “There is food and hot water. Clothes for your wife as ordered.” The man paused for a few seconds as if waiting for something. “I’m sure you’ll be comfortable.”
Dave had wads of cash in his pockets, just in case he’d have to leave his bag behind. All the US bills he’d stashed in his backpack. They’d need cash to get out of trouble if the evac went to hell. He slid his hand inside his pocket and pulled out folded bills. He handed them to the man and his eyes widened. Dave smiled at him. “More than enough for your trouble don’t you agree?”
“You are very generous.” The man held the wad of bills as if it were precious jewels.
Dave hadn’t been born yesterday. He understood loyalty was a commodity easily bought and betrayal rampant in this neck of the woods. He removed his sunglasses and eyeballed him. “I’m no fool. I can make you rich or dead. It’s your decision. Are we clear?”
“Most certainly.” The man tucked the money away and waved a hand toward the back of the shop. “Through the curtain and up the stairs, the door on the left. You are most welcome in my humble home.”
Moving to the steps, Dave motioned Annie to wait. He leaned into her and dropped his voice to just above a whisper. “Watch him. If he goes for his phone, tell me. If he does anything suspicious, tell me. I’ll clear the room. Don’t move until I come get you.” When she nodded, he turned away and checked every step, looking for tripwires and found none. He moved into the room and searched the small space with a bathroom, noting the pull-down steps leading to the roof. Heat from a fireplace brushed his face and a savory smelling concoction came from a pot bubbling over the flames. A double bed and a small table and two wooden chairs took up the rest of the space. He went back to the stairs and waved Annie toward him.
The shop owner had supplied many of the things he’d requested. A set of warm clothes sat folded on one end of the bed. He looked through them, finding three changes of women’s undergarments and a clean dress and burka. He didn’t need anything. He carried extra clothes in his backpack. Food included dates, cheese, and bread. He checked through a box of supplies and found a jar of instant coffee. Ambrosia. When Annie came into the room puffing like a train, he locked the door and helped her out of her dress in order to remove the backpack. His gaze moved over the purple bruises coming out over her lower back and elbows. She’d been hurt in the fall and hadn’t said a word. He ground his teeth. “Why didn’t you tell me you were injured?”
“I didn’t want to slow us down.” Annie picked up the clothes and examined them. She seemed oblivious to the fact she was in her underwear.
Dave averted his eyes and waved to his backpack. “I have a med kit. Morphine and other meds.”
“I don’t need morphine just yet. Tylenol maybe?”
Dave kept his eyes on the floor. “Sure. I’ll find you some and then check on the food.” He waved her toward the bathroom. “I’m guessing you’ll want to wash up first? Maybe take the clean clothes in with you?”
“You can look at me, Dave. I wear less than this on the beach.” Annie held the clothes to her chest. “Do you have a comb?”
“Sure.” Dave pulled off his robe and took a comb from a pocket and handed it to her. “Don’t use all the hot water. It’s a luxury here.” He cleared his throat. “If you need to rinse out your underwear, I’ll rig up a line in front of the fire. I’ll be doing mine.”
“Copy that.” Annie grinned at him and hurried into the bathroom.
Chapter Fourteen
The tiny bathroom had no shower but a tin hip bath with a plug in the bottom sat under the taps beside a toilet. The rust-stained hand basin had a small cabinet above, containing a few toiletries. They’d supplied the essentials, soap, shampoo, and towels. Annie examined the sponge on the sink. It appeared clean enough and after soaping it up in the hand basin and washing it thoroughly, she added a small amount of hot water to the hip bath and bathed. She couldn’t imagine how Dave could possibly use the hip bath as she’d had enough trouble getting cleaned up, and washing her hair under the tap had been a nightmare. She’d dried off as best she could and then rinsed her underwear in the sink. After dressing in the thick undergarments they’d kindly supplied, which covered her from neck to ankles, she combed her hair and, teeth chattering, returned to the other room.
She hung her underwear on the makeshift washing line above the mantel and took the blanket Dave offered her and draped it around herself. She smiled at him. “Thanks.” She peered into the pot he’d been stirring on the fire. “What do you think that is?”
“I’ve no idea.” He covered the pot and looked up at her. “Best we don’t ask and just eat it. It’s been simmering for some time and smells okay. I’d say this is breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The dates and cheese are staples around this area. Fresh bread is a bonus.” He gave her a long look. “When I’m in the bathroom, don’t go near the window or open the door if anyone knocks. They wouldn’t expect you to speak to anyone, so just tell me if anyone shows.” He stood and removed his flowing robes. “Do you mind, if I strip down? I won’t be able to turn around in the bathroom.”
Shaking her head, Annie averted her gaze. “Go right ahead. You can’t do anything to embarrass me.”
He said nothing but gave a little snort.
Annie dragged one of t
he chairs over to the fire and sat down. As she combed her wet hair over the heat, she snuck a peek at him. He looked so different in his fatigues, and when he undressed and stood there in brown skivvies, she had to force her attention back to the fire. She’d been surrounded by Marines all her life and the size of him didn’t intimidate her at all, but his raw masculinity made her toes curl in a good way. She relaxed when he closed the bathroom door and got up to search around for plates. Hunger gnawed at her belly and whatever it was in the pot cooking, she didn’t care anymore.
It took Dave less than ten minutes to wash up and return in fresh skivvies, his hair wet and glossy like a seal. He’d washed his clothes as well and hung them to dry. When he’d dressed, she handed him a plate and he scooped out food for both of them. Annie tasted the meal with apprehension, but the savory meat dish was okay, very oily and the meat tough but it filled her belly along with some of the bread. Dave had offered her half the loaf but she’d pulled a little off and handed it back to him. She’d heard his stomach growling since they’d met but he’d always offered her the food and eaten just enough to survive. “You need to eat. I’ve never eaten much and we need you to be strong. I’ll tell you if I’m hungry, so please eat your fill.”
“I’ve money to buy more food now we’re in the city.” Dave dipped the bread into the gravy. “We’ll be sick of cheese and dates by the time we leave but they’re plentiful here. They’re good enough to survive on for some time. I’ll make sure to take some with us when we leave here.”
Annie took the kettle from the fire and filled two cups, adding the instant coffee. She handed him one. “No sugar or cream but it’s better than nothing.”
“Ambrosia.” Dave sniffed the brew. “You’d better go get some sleep when you’re done. I’ll fix the dishes and take the first watch.”
As Annie had slept in the truck, she shook her head. “Nope, I’m wide awake. I insist you get a few hours shut-eye. How long has it been since you’ve slept?”