by Mel LeBrun
“I feel like crap and I'd love a coffee.” She dragged herself to a chair and sat down. “Just cream, no sugar.”
Josh slid out of his seat and got a mug from the cabinet. She smiled as Josh handed her the cup of coffee. She took a sip and closed her eyes. Her head still throbbing; she wondered how long it would last. She never drank that much in such a short amount of time before and this was her first hangover.
Josh was watching her. “You need some pain killers? Your head must be killing you.”
“Yes, please.”
He retrieved a bottle of aspirin from a cabinet and gave her two. She swallowed them and they sat there in silence nursing their coffees.
“How long have you known Michael?” Jessica broke the silence.
“Uhhh ... hmm ... Well we served together as Navy Seals for three years and then we got recruited to black ops together. I only lasted four years in black ops.”
“What happened?”
“It got to me. It's not easy work. You see terrible things.”
“So what do you do now?”
“Private security,” he said taking another sip. “Basically I'm a bodyguard for hire.”
“You guarding anyone now?”
“Besides you, no.” He smiled. “I'm in between jobs.”
Michael appeared in the archway. “You guys started without me.” He shuffled into the kitchen and sat next to Jessica.
Josh got Michael a cup of coffee. “I was just telling Jessica we worked together.”
“You weren't telling her stories were you?” He sipped his coffee.
“I want to hear stories.” Jessica perked up.
“No stories,” Michael said.
Josh grew a wicked grin as Michael glowered at him.
“I got a story.” Josh leaned back in his chair, grinning from ear to ear.
“Tell me.” Jessica sat up and leaned forward.
“No stories,” Michael said again, louder this time.
“We were trailing this guy in Mexico,” Josh started.
“Josh, don't do it.” Michael had a nervous smile on his face. Jessica was even more intrigued.
“We knew this guy was going to be making contact with a terrorist we were hunting, but we didn't know when. So we had to keep a tail on him.”
Michael shook his head. He was smiling but he looked embarrassed. “Josh, I'm warning you. Stop now.”
Josh just grinned and kept going. “So this guy we were tailing, he loved to go to this nude beach.” Michael put his head down. Josh kept going, “We had to keep an eye on him so when he went, we went. It was clothing optional, so we opted for clothing. Not many others did. You might think going to a nude beach would be like going to the Playboy mansion, but it's not. Most of the time, you're wishing they had clothes on. Remember that fat, hairy guy?” he looked at Michael.
Michael just sat looking down and shaking his head. Jessica was eager to hear the rest of the story.
“Anyway,” he continued. “One day we were there at the nude beach watching the guy work on his tan. These six gorgeous women decide to set up right in front of us.” Michael buried his face in his hands. He thought about killing Josh to prevent him from telling the rest of the story. “They were wearing string bikinis and they were hot! You should have seen the look on Michael's face,” he laughed. “But it was nothing compared to the look on his face when they took them off.”
“Why are you telling it like I was the only one looking at them?” Michael butted in, thoroughly embarrassed.
“You know why,” Josh laughed.
Michael put his arms on the table and buried his face. Jessica was wide awake now with a huge grin on her face.
“It was then that the guy we were trailing decided he had enough sun. I stood up, but Michael kept sitting. I told him we had to go, the guy was leaving. He just sat there holding his towel and told me he couldn't leave. The guy was walking away and I said to Michael we have to go. He kept refusing to get up. It finally dawned on me why.”
Jessica was utterly amused. “Someone a little excited?” She turned to Michael, trying not to laugh.
Michael sat up and took a deep breath looking mortified. He looked at Josh. “Are you happy now?”
Jessica giggled mercilessly. “So what did you do?” she asked.
“I had to tail the guy alone. Michael wouldn't leave,” Josh laughed.
“It didn't take two of us to follow him anyway,” Michael tried to defend himself. They kept laughing. Michael just shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Josh.”
“Anytime, bro.”
After the laughter died down Michael asked Jessica to go in the other room so he could talk to Josh privately. She wasn't pleased that he didn't want to talk in front of her, but she did as requested.
“You can watch TV if you want,” Josh called out to her. “What's up?” he asked quietly.
“I want to thank you for helping me out last night.”
“Don't worry about it Michael. Anything you need, just ask.”
“I need a place to crash for a few days. Jessica isn't safe at the motel and I think I need to clear out of my hideout. I've been there too long.”
“Sure thing. I'd love to have you guys stay with me.”
“I don't really want to get you involved in all this. I feel bad enough that we're here.”
“To be honest Michael, my life is kind of boring. I could use a little excitement,” he grinned.
Michael shot back a grin. “Just like old times?”
Josh nodded.
“Just like old times.”
Chapter 24
After retrieving their stuff from the motel and dropping it at Josh's, Michael headed to the hideout. The drive was long, giving him plenty of time with his thoughts. What he kept thinking about was Jessica. Josh was right, he was in trouble. He couldn't think straight when it came to her. She influenced him too easily, even without her knowing it.
Exiting the highway, he drove the back roads to the old warehouse. He was nearly there when his phone rang. It was Brook's number. Trying to decide whether or not he had the patience to talk to her, he looked up and realized he had strayed and was about to go off the road. He quickly jerked the wheel to compensate as something flew through the windshield and into his upper chest near his left shoulder. It was a bullet. In an instant, he knew what was happening. He was in the cross hairs of a sniper.
If he hadn't jerked the wheel when he did the bullet would have gone straight through his heart. He was about to turn around when another bullet shattered his back window, flew past his head and through the windshield. Another sniper covered his only way of retreat.
He accelerated quickly, trying not to drive in a straight line. More shots rang out and one of the bullets grazed his left arm. Things looked bad.
With the pedal to the floor, he was fast approaching the old warehouse. When he got close he didn't slow down. The back side window shattered. Someone popped out from behind the warehouse with an assault rifle and started firing at the truck. Michael aimed for the water and ducked down as the bullets destroyed what was left of the windshield. The man kept firing on the truck as it flew off the edge of the dock and crashed into the water.
Michael quickly unbuckled his seat belt and grabbed his phone from off the passenger side floor as the truck filled with water. He couldn't let them get that phone.
The truck turned sideways as it filled with water. Michael was trying to keep his bearings. Since he wouldn't be able to emerge from the water if he wanted to live, he took quick deep breaths of air while he still had some. The truck was completely submerged within minutes. Swimming out the shattered passenger window, he headed toward the dock. The saltwater intensified the agonizing pain in his chest and arm.
He reached the dock, quickly finding the rope that held his diving equipment. He grabbed his regulator while turning on his air tanks. Soon, he was getting some much-needed oxygen. Putting on his goggles, he cut the rope that held the rest
of his equipment. He put the tanks on his back despite the excruciating pain they caused. The strap crossed right over his bullet wound, but it would be easier to swim and he needed his hands free. He swam towards the stash of watertight suitcases he kept under water. This would be his only chance to retrieve them. They were sure to search the channel to confirm his death.
Soon he was at a large net filled with six watertight containers of varying sizes. The net was tied to an anchor so as not to get swept away with the current. He cut the rope and grabbed the net.
He began swimming down the channel. Once he was far enough away to not be spotted he surfaced. No one was around. He was in torturous pain from the bullet in his shoulder and his left arm stung where the bullet grazed him. He felt cold and didn't know if it was from blood loss or the water. He needed to find shelter quickly.
He swam further down to a dock he had scoped out months before. It was deserted and should be safe for him to get on dry land there. By the time he got to the dock, he felt like he could just collapse. He threw his diving equipment on the dock and then hoisted himself up. He pulled the net out of the water with the last of his strength and then collapsed. After resting for a few minutes, he dug into the net, grabbing one of the boxes with a red cross on it. He gave himself a shot of morphine. Just enough to take the edge off. He needed to stay alert.
He dragged his equipment and containers off the dock and into an old dilapidated storage shed nearby. Inside an old rusted toolbox in the corner sat a prepaid cell phone he had placed there months earlier. He put the battery in and prayed it still had life. It did. He just needed to make one call, if it could last that long.
“Josh ... It's me. I got a problem.”
Josh could tell something was terribly wrong. Michael gave him a rundown of what just occurred and where he was.
“Don't bring your car. Steal one. Park far away and come on foot. I can walk. I'm gonna need help with the bullet. And for God's sake, don't bring Jessica.” His voice was weak and he had to take frequent breaks to catch his breath.
“Alright, buddy. I'll be there in a bit.” He acted chipper so Jessica wouldn't catch wind that something was wrong. He turned to her sitting on the couch looking at him. “A friend of mine is in a bind and needs my help. I'll be back in a bit. Stay inside and don't answer the door.”
“You're leaving me?” She stood looking worried.
“Don't worry. This is a nice neighborhood, no one is going to bother you.” He handed her a handgun. “Just in case.”
She watched in surprise and disbelief as he walked out the door, leaving her alone.
JOSH MANAGED to jack a car with a radar detector. He made it to Michael in record time, just over an hour. Following Michael's directions, he parked and went the rest of the way on foot. A dirt road led to the dock, but was so badly neglected you almost couldn't even tell it was there. Josh stayed in the woods just off the road making his way to the storage shed.
When the shed came in view, he pulled his gun out and cocked it. There wasn't a soul in sight. He crept up to the shed and pressed his body along the wall by the door. He raised his gun and slowly opened the door. He was greeted by Michael pointing a gun at him.
“Hey buddy,” Josh greeted him.
Michael dropped his weapon and rested his head against the side of the shed. Josh stowed his gun and stepped in. The light coming in the open door was enough to see Michael was in bad shape. Tired and weak, he was holding a bandage on his chest next to his shoulder and his left arm was still bleeding.
Josh knelt in front of him. “Let me see.” He peeled the bandage away. The bullet went in on an angle and was lodged deep in the muscle tissue. “You sure you want to do this here?”
Michael nodded his head.
Josh picked through the med kit, pulling out morphine, pliers, a scalpel, saline rinse and alcohol.
“I'm gonna dope you up so it won't be so bad.”
“Not too much, I still need to walk out of here.”
Josh gave Michael some more morphine and then used the alcohol to clean off the scalpel and pliers. Pulling his knife from his pocket, he cut off Michael's shirt. Michael was trying to prepare himself for what was going to happen next. His eyes closed, he tried to think of something else. He pictured Jessica smiling and laughing as Josh rinsed the wound with the saline. He imagined seeing her again and feeling her in his arms as Josh made a small incision to make the hole bigger. He was trying to hear her laugh as Josh dug in with the pliers to retrieve the bullet. He groaned as the pain became unbearable.
“Almost got it, Michael.”
Just when he thought he would pass out from the pain, Josh pulled the bullet out. Michael breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Josh rinsed the wound again then grabbed the suture kit. Michael dreaded the next part almost as much as the last. Josh endured Michael's cursing and yelling as he stitched up his wounds. He finished, applying antiseptic and bandages. They sat for a minute so Michael could recover.
“I knew I should have pulled everything when we left,” Michael lamented. “I went back to her apartment too many times. I should have ditched the truck.”
“Well the thing about the past Michael, is while you can't change it, you can learn from it.”
Michael smirked. “You always were the deep thinker.”
“So what are we going to tell Jessica?” Josh asked.
“Do we have to tell her?”
“Nah, we'll just tell her that hole has always been there.”
Michael laughed even though it hurt. He knew Jessica was going to have a fit, but there was no way he could hide it from her.
Josh helped him up and then grabbed his equipment. Michael grabbed the lighter items and they headed to the stolen car. Josh pulled a jacket from the back seat and handed it to Michael. They loaded the car and started on the drive back.
“We should ditch the car,” said Michael. “There's a movie theater nearby. They don't have any cameras in the parking lot. We can swap with someone who's going in to see a movie. We'll be done with it and ditch it before it's even reported stolen.”
“Sounds good to me.”
They snatched a Jetta from a young guy who just entered the theater. They transferred all the stuff over and Josh wiped down the car they were leaving so there wouldn't be any prints. They took off in the Jetta, headed back to Boston.
Chapter 25
Jessica was beside herself. Josh had left her and Michael wasn't back yet. He was late and she was sick with worry. She had no way of reaching either of them. She felt helpless as she paced Josh's apartment.
She heard keys rattling at the door and it swung open. There was Michael.
“Oh, thank God. Where have you been?” She ran towards him. As she got closer she saw Josh behind him and then noticed he was wearing a jacket but no shirt. His pants were wet. “What happened?”
“I'm fine.” He stepped aside so Josh could come in with the equipment. Josh set the stuff down by the door and then went back for the rest.
“I asked you what happened,” she said, not accepting his brush off.
“They found the hideout. They were waiting for me.”
Josh dropped the rest of the stuff by the door then left to take care of the stolen car.
Jessica stood there in shock and horror. “Are you hurt?” She reached out and touched his arm right where the bullet grazed him. He winced and quickly pulled away. “I'm fine,” he said again. “It's nothing.”
“How bad is it?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“Come here.” He gestured for her. “Just stay away from my left side,” he said as he wrapped his right arm around her.
She slid her arms around him and placed her head against his chest. She was glad he was alive, but worried that they had found the hideout and that they would find them here too.
“Let's get you out of these wet clothes,” she suggested. He just grunted and headed off to the bedroom as Jessica dug through the bags by the door for some dry clothes
.
Michael sat on the edge of the bed and fell backwards. He closed his eyes and rested. The bed felt good. Jessica came in with some dry clothes and placed them on the bed next to him. She knelt to remove his boots and wet socks. When she stood, it looked like Michael had passed out. She unbuckled his pants and unzipped them. He didn't move. She leaned over his face and touched his cheek.
“Michael,” she whispered.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.
“You have to stand up. I'm not that strong,” she smiled.
He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths before slowly dragging himself off the bed. Jessica helped him remove his pants and boxers and get into some dry sweatpants. He sat back down on the edge of the bed and unzipped the jacket he was still wearing. She helped him get it off and tried not to cry when she saw the bloody bandages. She had picked out a t-shirt, but Michael said he didn't need it. It would hurt too much to put it on and it would be in the way of changing the bandages. Moving to the side of the bed, he lay down and closed his eyes. Even with the morphine, he was still in pain and exhausted from his ordeal.
Jessica left the room and walked to the kitchen where she tried to quietly break down. She didn't want Michael to hear her. She wanted to be strong for him so he wouldn't have to worry about her. Josh came back from ditching the stolen car and heard Jessica's quiet sobs from the kitchen.
“He's going to be okay.”
She looked up and saw Josh standing in the archway. She nodded and fought back the tears.
“Why don't you go lie down with him,” he suggested.
“I don't want to cry around him.”
He smiled. “I think he's used to it by now.”
She laughed and nodded her head. Josh squeezed her shoulder as she walked past him. She quietly opened the door to the bedroom. Michael looked asleep. She climbed on the bed and snuggled up beside him. She put her hand on his chest and kissed his shoulder as she lay her head on the pillow next to him.
“Mmm,” he let out a soft moan. “Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes still closed.