by Robert Boren
“Whoa, really?” Brendan asked.
“Really, and it gets better.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “See this app? If you get buzzed, you can use this app to track the attacking phone.”
“You’re kidding,” Richardson said. “How long have we had this?”
“Hours,” Jefferson said. “Keep your mouth shut about this. They’re only being handed out to people we know we can trust. It should help us figure out who the bad guys are.”
“Yeah, until they realize that they can’t rely on their tracking system anymore,” Richardson said.
“Yep,” Jefferson said. “Oh, and here’s the cash.” He slid a brown paper bag over to Richardson. “You can divvy that up however you want. Don’t use plastic anywhere. Got it? And change out of the uniforms before you go looking for a place to stay.”
“It still going to be just a couple of days?” Lita asked.
“Probably three days, given recent developments. Maybe even four days, but then we’ll be moving you to the Houston area.”
“Good,” Richardson said. “We could use a little breather.”
“I’ll bet,” Jefferson said. “Be careful. There still might be enemy operatives around. I’d be shocked if the clerk was the only person here.”
“These are androids,” Hannah said. “Do the new apps work with Apple phones?”
“There are versions of the apps for iOS, but we couldn’t get those as fast,” Jefferson said. “Don’t worry, this is temporary. You can get your own phones soon, but wait a little while, until we’re better set up to apply the applications. Right now we’re doing it by hand, one at a time. We were lucky to get these so fast.”
“These will be fine for now,” Lita said. “Thank you. It’s been a real struggle not having cellphones.”
“Anything else?” Richardson asked. “Anything about the new mission?”
“We won’t discuss details now,” Jefferson said. “We’ll have a lot more concentration of forces. That should make your jobs easier and less dangerous.”
“Hope so,” Lita said.
“All right, I’ll take off. Enjoy the next few days. Remember what I said about the uniforms and the credit cards. You need to be very careful. The enemy still wants you guys.” He got up and closed his briefcase.
“Thanks, Captain,” Brendan said.
“Yeah, thanks,” Lita said, looking at the phone.
The others nodded as Jefferson walked away.
“What now?” Lita asked.
“Let’s go buy clothes,” Richardson said. He looked inside the bag. “Wow, there’s about a thousand bucks here.”
“Well, three to four days for six people, plus some new clothes,” Lita said. “It’ll go fast.”
“It will,” Richardson said, getting up. He put a bill down for the meal and tip. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” Hannah said, following Brendan out of the booth.
“I’m ready,” Lita said.
“You got Juan Carlos’s size?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah,” Richardson said. “Asked when we were on the phone.”
They left the restaurant and drove down 771.
“Not many stores around here,” Lita said.
“Nope,” Richardson said. “This isn’t good.”
“There’s one of those tourist places on the way to the base,” Brendan said. “I’ll bet they have pants and shirts.”
“Low quality for big bucks,” Hannah said.
“Probably, but we just need something for today,” Brendan said. “Doesn’t have to be fancy.”
“He’s right,” Lita said. “This is just a safety thing.”
“There’s probably more stores around Loyola Beach,” Richardson said. “We could get more there.”
“There’s the store,” Brendan said, pointing to a strip mall that was across the street from the coast. “Hope it’s open.”
They parked and walked up. “Yeah, it’s open,” Lita said. She went inside, the others following.
“There they are,” Richardson said, pointing to the back. There was a large assortment of souvenir tee-shirts and board shorts.
Brendan laughed. “I want this one.” He held up the shirt. It had a picture of a wolf on water skis, with a cigar in his mouth and a beer in one hand. It said Baffin Bay Boogie under the picture.
“Oh brother,” Hannah said. “Really?”
“Hell yeah, woman,” he said. “You don’t like it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine, whatever you want. I’ll burn it later.”
Lita giggled. “These are all whacked out. If I needed a shirt I’d get this one.” She held it up. It showed a woman, holding a ball and chain. The caption said Mate wanted, no experience necessary.
Richardson laughed loud. “Yeah, that’s perfect. You want it?”
She looked at the tag. “For thirty bucks? No. I can wear what I have on until we find a good store.”
They puttered around, checking out shirts and shorts, picking out what they needed. They took them to the bored teenager working the register.
“There’s a ten percent service discount,” she said. “You guys are DPS, right?”
“Yep,” Brendan said.
“Excellent, thanks,” Richardson said as she rung up the clothes.
“Mind if we change into these before we go?” Brendan asked.
“Want those uniforms off as soon as possible, eh,” the girl asked. “Sure, help yourself to the changing rooms. It’s not like we’re busy.”
“Thanks,” Brendan said.
“Any regular clothing stores around?” Lita asked.
“Yeah, just this side of Loyola Beach,” the girl said. “Not cheap, but they have a decent selection.”
“Perfect, thanks,” Lita said.
“Okay, let’s head for Loyola Beach,” Richardson said.
“How’s our time?” Hannah asked.
“You’ve got a phone now, remember.” Lita said.
“Oh, yeah,” she said, pulling it out. “Two thirty.”
“We’ve got plenty of time,” Richardson said.
They got in the car and Richardson drove them off the parking lot. “Hey, sweetie, punch Loyola Beach into your GPS.”
“On it,” she said. “This is a little clunky compared to my iPhone.”
“Tell me about it,” Hannah said.
“Make a right on 1152,” Lita said. “It’s coming up fast.”
“See it,” Richardson said, making the turn. “What now?”
“Stay on it,” Lita said. “It turns into 628 and bends towards the northwest after you get past the bridge.”
“Perfect,” he said. “Want to look for places to stay?”
“Already on it,” she said.
“Not much around, is there?” Hannah asked.
“Nope,” Brendan said. “It’ll be nice in Houston. At least there’s some good nightlife there.”
“That’s true,” Richardson said.
Brendan jolted in his seat. “Crap, my phone just buzzed.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Hannah said. “How? These are new phone numbers.”
“Dammit, there’s still somebody dirty on the inside,” Richardson said. “Trace the number.”
“I’m doing that now,” he said, looking at the screen. “Son of a bitch.”
“What?” Richardson asked.
“It’s at the base.”
“I’m not surprised. Text the phone number to Jefferson. He’ll probably know who it is.”
Brendan typed on his phone for a moment. “Okay, sent. This is nice. You know what it tells us?”
“What?” Hannah asked.
“It tells us this guy isn’t following us,” he said.
“Yeah, that’s a game changer,” Richardson said. “And of course they don’t know where we are either.”
“Yep,” Brendan said.
“I’m still scared,” Hannah said.
“Me too,” Lita said. “They got the phone number. Be in
teresting to see if they try the others.”
Just at that moment Lita’s phone buzzed in her hand. “Speak of the devil.”
“Holy crap,” Richardson said. “Where?”
“Just a sec,” she said. “Same place. The base.”
“What’s the number?” Brendan asked. She held her phone up in front of him. “Yep, same number.”
Richardson’s phone rang. He answered.
“Jefferson,” he said. “You get the text?”
“Put it on speaker,” he said.
Richardson pushed the button and handed the phone to Lita. “Hear us?”
“Yeah,” Jefferson said. “Guess who?”
“No idea,” Richardson said.
“Remember the guy who briefed you on the new boats?” Jefferson asked.
“Shelton? Really?”
“Yep,” Jefferson said. “We aren’t letting on that we know. We’ll keep track of who he calls for a while first.”
“He was a contractor, wasn’t he?” Brendan asked.
“Yeah,” Jefferson said. “Let me know if you get any other hits. We’ll be doing a big investigation on Shelton.”
“Good,” Richardson said.
“I gotta go,” Jefferson said. “Be safe. Remember your phones can track. Make sure nobody gets on your tail. For all I know, somebody might have been watching you since the battle.”
“Roger that,” Richardson said. “We’re on a long, flat road. Nobody in sight behind us.”
“Good, let’s hope it stays that way. Talk to you guys later.”
Lita ended the call and put Richardson’s phone on the center console.
“This is a good development,” Richardson said.
“I know,” Lita said, “but it’s still scary.”
“I’ll say,” Hannah said, leaning against Brendan. “I’ll be glad when this damn war is over.”
“You and me both,” Brendan said.
“Yeah, then you can be barefoot and pregnant without having to worry,” Lita quipped.
“Oh, please, don’t start that up again,” Hannah said.
Richardson shook his head. “Here comes the bridge. You see any good possibilities?”
“Oh, yeah, I got sidetracked,” she said, putting her phone back up in front of her face.
“Hope we get a room with an in-house hot tub,” Brendan said.
Hannah rolled her eyes.
“These places are expensive,” Lita said. “Here’s a big bed-and-breakfast called The Baffin. We want to be in the same place?”
“Fine by me,” Richardson said.
“Me too,” Hannah said.
“I’ll call them,” Lita said. She put in the number and had a hushed conversation.
“I hope this place is safe,” Hannah said.
“It’s gonna take you a while to settle down after the trailer park, isn’t it?” Brendan asked, pulling her closer. She rested against him, quietly crying.
Lita ended the call. “They’re empty. Said they have plenty of units to choose from. They’re about three blocks past the big bend that’s coming up.”
“Good,” Richardson said.
“Wonder how Madison is?” Hannah asked.
“Juan Carlos said she was loopy as hell from the pain meds,” Richardson said.
“She’ll need a lot of rest,” Lita said. “It won’t be party time.”
“That it?” Richardson asked, pointing at the sign ahead.
“Yep, that’s it,” Lita said.
Richardson slowed down and made a right turn into the parking lot, driving to a secluded section near the front office. He parked and got ready to go.
“I’m going with you,” Lita said.
“You mind hanging around and watching our stuff?” Richardson asked Brendan.
“No problem,” he said. “Not a good idea to leave these guns in the car.”
“Hope we can sneak them into the rooms without being seen,” Hannah said.
“Shouldn’t be bad,” Lita said. “Nobody else is here. All this excitement really screwed their business.”
“Ready?” Richardson asked, holding his hand out to Lita. She took it and they walked to the office.
“I hope this works out,” Hannah said. She watched them enter the office.
“It will,” Brendan said. “Don’t worry. We have at least three days.”
“And then we make a long, dangerous drive to Houston,” she said. “Without you guys.” She turned to him, getting closer, eyes teary. “I’m so scared.”
“I’m so sorry, honey,” Brendan said.
“I just want to climb into bed with you and sleep for a couple days.”
“Look, here they come already,” Brendan said.
“Hope that doesn’t mean we’ve got to find someplace else,” Hannah said.
“I doubt that,” Brendan said. “Those look like card keys in Lita’s hands.”
Hannah looked out the window. “Oh, I see them. Good.”
Richardson opened the door. “We got the three back units. Nice and secluded.” Lita got in the passenger side as Richardson got behind the wheel. He drove to the back part of the lot and went around the maintenance building.
“This place has a private dock,” Brendan said.
“Yeah,” Richardson said.
“There’s a good place to park,” Lita said.
Richardson nodded and pulled into the space, under a canopy of trees. “Here we are.”
They got out. Lita rushed to the closest unit and opened the door with the key card. Richardson followed her in, turning to Brendan. “Watch the vehicle for a sec.”
He nodded, Hannah coming next to him, her arm slipping around his waist.
Richardson came back out. “Looks good. C’mon, Brendan, let’s grab the weapons and stash them inside.”
“They all going in the same unit?” Brendan asked as they walked. “I wouldn’t mind having a gun with us.”
“We’ll distribute them when we get settled,” Richardson said. “Think we can get this stuff in one trip?”
“Yeah, no problem,” Brendan said. They loaded up and rushed the weapons and ammo into the unit, setting them down in front of the bedroom closet.
“You ought to like this,” Hannah said, smiling at Brendan. She pointed towards the living room. There was a hot tub in the floor, near the sliding glass door.
“Nice!” Brendan said.
“The other units the same?” Hannah asked.
“Yep,” Lita said. “You want the one on the right side or the left?”
“How about left?” Hannah asked.
“Here you go,” Lita said, handing her the card key, in a paper envelop with room 212 written on it.
“Let’s go, okay?” Hannah asked. “I’m beat. Maybe we can nap for a little while before we go get Madison.”
“Sounds good,” Brendan said. They left, heading for the small building to the left.
Hannah opened the door and they went inside. She turned towards Brendan just steps in. “Shut the door and hold me a minute, okay?”
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said, kicking the door shut.
“Lock it,” she said.
He nodded and locked the deadbolt, then turned back to her, pulling her into his arms. They stood for several minutes, hugging tight, Hannah crying again.
“I was so scared,” she said, resting her head on his chest. “And then I couldn’t be alone with you for so long. I just want to climb into bed and cuddle against you.”
“We can do that,” Brendan said. “We have almost three hours.”
They walked into the bedroom, their clothes dropping on the floor as they went. They were asleep in seconds.
Chapter 14 – Night Drop
Curt, Jason, Kelly, Junior, Nate, and Kyle watched the dark skies over the RV park.
“It’s almost nine,” Kelly said. “Hope they’re on time.”
“You and me both,” Curt said. “Glad we have lots of people to help. Some of this stuff
is heavy.”
“Yeah, it’s gonna be a long night,” Junior said. “We got enough trucks, at least.”
“Sorry you guys had to move,” Curt said to Kelly.
“Hey, it’s no problem at all,” Kelly said. “Junior, Nate, Fritz, and I got set up already. I’ve got a view of I-10 out the window of my trailer. I like it better than where we were, to tell you the truth.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fine,” Junior said.
“Well thanks, man,” Curt said. “Makes it a lot easier to produce our weapons sets.”
“You’ll have to train some of us on that stuff too,” Junior said.
“I know,” Curt said. “We need some non-combatant types trained, so if we’re off on a hunt the production will keep going.”
“That’s essential,” Jason said. “You already got a start with Amanda.”
“She’s sharp as a tack,” Curt said. “I was impressed with her moonshine still. It’s better than mine. A lot better.”
Junior laughed. “Yep, that’s a good woman to have.”
Curt shook his head. “I don’t have her.”
“You will,” Jason said. “I’ve seen how she looks at you.”
“I always drive women away,” Curt said. “Only a matter of time.”
“We’ll see,” Kyle said. “Hear that?”
“Plane,” Junior said. “Look. You can just make it out, over there. Man, that’s a big sucker.”
“C-130,” Nate said. “Worked on those. Quite a machine.”
“It’s coming in low and fast,” Kelly said. “I hope they know what they’re doing.”
“Look, packages coming out,” Curt said.
They watched as four square boxes floated down to the ground on quad parachutes. The plane got louder as it climbed away.
“There we go,” Junior said. “Nicely done.”
“Hope nothing broke,” Curt said. “Somebody call the others, and bring trucks around. I’m gonna run over and check for damage.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jason said.
“Me too,” Kyle said.
“I’ll go get the others,” Junior said. “Most of them are hanging out at the clubhouse.”
Curt got to the first container. He pushed it so the opening end was up, and then un-did the latches. Kyle got there and helped him flip it back as Jason came up behind them.
“Perfect,” Curt said, looking inside. “This was the most fragile package, and it came out fine.”