Ramon looked into Ted's eyes. "What about the score?
You got a good plan?"
"It's a pure military operation that we can handle with no problem. The hit is different; like I said, I don't lie. Hitting Mendez is goin' to take pros with balls. In two days you both will have new IDs and a passport. Once it's over you can skate to wherever you wanna go 'cause you don't exist anymore. Now, I'll ask one more time-are you in or out?"
Virgil put his hand on the Cuban's shoulder. "It's goin' to be a ride, Ray. Don't miss this train."
Ramon stared at the trunk a moment before raising his head. "I'm in."
Ted shifted his eyes to Virgil. "And you? You have any second thoughts?"
"Me? I told ya, I'm ridin' this train. I like the benefits.
Hey, Ray, Ted here is puttin' us up in some nice apartments in Atlanta. Isn't that right, Ted?"
"Yeah, they're nice all right. The place has a pool and hot tub, and Glenn says it's crawling with career ladies. Nothin' but the best for my team; we go first class. But enough on that for now. We got work to do. We gotta go and get passport photos made for your new IDs. Then when we get back I've got manuals for you to look over on the newest stuff we got-laser sights and the new lightweight night-vision gear and the individual commo gear you'll have. It's high-speed gear, guys; you gotta know it inside and out. We'll start trainin' on the stuff tomorrow."
Ramon motioned to Virgil. "What about Farmer John, here? You goin' to get him some threads, man? The dude looks like he fell off the turnip truck."
Virgil patted Ramon's back. "Check out Ted, Ray--you think he knows about clothes? Look at that Hi-wiian shirt. Is that an antique or what? Uh-uh, I'm gonna wait and have Glenn square me away on threads. Glenn is definitely a clothes man."
"Glenn? Who is he, man?" Ramon asked.
Ted motioned to the trunk. "You'll meet him tonight at the apartments. He's second in command of this team. Grab that and load it in the back of my Lincoln; we got work to do."
Ramon sighed as he leaned over to grab one end of the trunk. "Guess I'm a buck-ass private again, Virg."
Virgil smiled as he picked up the other end. "Yeah, but you goin' to be one rich-ass private, Ray. This train is takin' us to the promised land."
Chapter 4.
One week later.
Sitting at the trailer kitchen table eating a sandwich, Glenn Henderson heard footsteps behind him and turned.
Ted approached with a quizzical frown. "You're still here? . . . Ahh, man, did you use the last of the mayonnaise?"
"I had some catching up to do," Glenn said around a mouthful of ham sandwich.
"Like what, eat up the rest of my food? Christ'a'mighty, Glenn, it's past seven. Why didn't you go back to Atlanta with the guys?"
Glenn swallowed and shifted around in his chair. "I stuck around so I could talk to you when they weren't around."
Ted smiled as he leaned against the counter. "I know what you want to talk about. . . . They're doin' really good, aren't they? Today they proved to me they knew their gear inside and out-they're ready. I think we can slack off on the training and let 'em relax a little. When you get back to the apartments, you can tell 'em tomorrow is free time-they can go shoppin' or take in a flick or something."
Glenn nodded. "They're getting real tight, Teddy. Looks like just the right chemistry because those two have become really close. Maybe them both being Army grunts is it-you know, done a lot of the same things and seen the same places. Whatever it is, we don't have to worry about them not working together; I can hardly separate them."
"We're a team, Glenn. I knew they'd gel once we got started with the training. Go on home, and tomorrow you take the day off too."
Ted pushed off the counter, heading for the door, but Glenn reached out and touched his friend's arm. "I didn't stick around to talk about the guys, Teddy. I stuck around to talk to you about that woman. You're going up to see her again, aren't you?"
Ted came to a halt in front of the door. "I'm going up to talk to her about the plans of the yacht, Glenn."
Sniffing the air, Glenn said, "You're wearing cologne-- you never wear cologne. Don't bullshit me, Teddy. You've been up to see her every evening for the past week. You're getting hooked on her, aren't you?"
"Look, Glenn, I gotta know everything there is to know about Mendez. It's business, not pleasure. Anyway, a looker like her ain't goin' to mess around with an old ex-squid like me."
"Business, huh? I stayed around last night after you left, Teddy. I was reading the stuff Gee gave you on Mendez and must have dropped off. I woke up around midnight on the couch, and guess what? You weren't back. That tells me she's either a really slow talker or you're up there playing house with the Mendez bimbo."
"She's no bimbo. Don't ever say that again," Ted snarled.
Glenn held up his hands as if surrendering. "Sorry, but as your friend I have to warn you about her. I haven't seen this woman but I know all I need to know about her if she was Mendez's sweetie pie. She's a pro, Teddy. Women like her are like mistletoe--they feed off a host to live . . . they'll say and do anything to keep attached to whatever will keep them alive."
"Christ'a'mighty, Glenn, mistletoe? Why would she attach herself to me?"
"I'm just telling you, don't believe a word she says if she's making eyes and puts moves on you. Mistletoe types don't have feelings; it's only about survival to them."
"What is this all really about, Glenn? You worried I'm goin' to violate operational security? Come on, you know me better than that. I've never said a word to her about you or the guys. She doesn't know anything about the team and never will."
Glenn pinned his friend with a stare. "You said yourself, Gee was using her as the fall guy if the op goes sour. She'll give you up in a heartbeat, Teddy. She's the only one outside of Gee and his people who knows you're in this. Don't get close to her; it could be fatal."
Ted raised his index finger. "One, the op ain't goin' sour.
Two, she hasn't made any eyes or moves on me. And three, it's not what you think. Yeah, I go up there a lot . . . I like being around her. . . . Ahh, now don't give me that look. We talk and watch movies is all . . . it's nothin'. I don't know how to explain it. I feel comfortable around her, ya know?
Yeah, she looks good, but it's not that. It's--It's just nice sittin' and talkin' to her."
Glenn rose from his chair. "Teddy, think a minute. She was Mendez's honey. You think for a second she was forced to stay with him? Come on, she's a pro, Teddy, and pros are all actresses. They make you feel like there's nobody else in the world. And even if that's not enough to make you keep your distance, think about this: If the op gets blown, Gee can't let her live . . . she knows too much. I'm telling you as a friend, keep your distance from her . . . nothing good can happen."
Ted grasped the door handle. "I'll see ya day after tomorrow. You and the guys are off tomorrow. And Glenn, I know she's a pro . . . it's just nice bein' nice, too, for a change."
Ted opened the door and walked out.
Lake Lanier "Hiya, Mr. Teddy," the tiny black woman said as Ted entered the foyer.
"Hello, Halley. Here's that can of Skoal you wanted." Ted took the snuff can from the shopping bag he was holding.
"Ain't ya sweet for rememberin' . . . 'preciate that, Mr.
Teddy. Mrs. Stone waitin' on ya in the great room. Ya had your supper?"
"I stopped off and ate before comin' up, Halley, thanks.
Guess I'd better not keep her waitin'."
"Mr. Teddy, talk to her, will ya? She was out sunnin' herself on the deck today in her birthday suit again. Gets Duwane all flustered when she does that . . . 'sides, it ain't proper. Talk to her please . . . it jus' ain't proper layin' out there naked as a jaybird."
Ted sighed. "I'll try, Halley."
Still holding the bag, Ted strode down the hallway. Once at the steps, he saw the dog coming and leaned over. "Glad to see me, huh? Oh, you wanna know what's in the bag, huh? Some damn lion hunter
you are--lion hunters shouldn't want poodle treats. Okay, okay, here."
"You've spoiled him rotten," Bonita said as she rose from the couch. "He bugs me all day for those damn treats."
Ted walked down into the room, taking two videos from the bag. "I rented some really good flicks for you tonight."
"I hope you didn't get more Arnold Schwarzenegger stuff. I really wanted to see Sleepless in Seattle again."
"Come on, Bonita, you just saw it two days ago and cried all through the ending. Looky here, I got ya Arnold in Predator, and I got the sequel, Predator II."
Bonita winced. Ted grinned as he handed her the two cases. "Just kiddin'. They're both chick flicks. Yeah, and one of 'em is Sleepless."
Bonita kissed his cheek. "You're a pussycat, Teddy Faircloud. Thank you."
The heat already beginning to build inside him, Ted quickly backed away.
"Come and sit beside me, Teddy. I've got popcorn and a beer all ready," Bonita said as she walked toward the couch.
"Bonita, I gotta go."
"What?" Bonita said, turning toward him with a hurt look.
"I can't stay around like I have the past week. I need to finish some work on the plan."
Bonita studied his eyes. "What's going on, Teddy? Have you got a girlfriend you haven't told me about?"
"I have work to do is all," Ted said, forcing himself to keep eye contact.
She held his eyes for a long moment before finally lowering her head. "You've got that X-ray look, Teddy, like you're trying to look through me. What is it? You having second thoughts about me again?"
"Naw, it's not that, Bonita. It's just I've been hangin' around too much. I gotta stay more focused is all."
"Am I distracting you from business, Teddy?"
Backing up a step, Ted stammered, "Uh . . . I . . . well, yeah, sometimes you do."
She moved closer. "What do I do that distracts you, Teddy?"
"You're doin' it now with that look you're givin' me.
Stop it, will ya?"
"This look? What kind of look is it, Teddy?"
"You know."
"No, I don't. Tell me," she said, standing just inches away, looking into his eyes.
Ted backed up another step. "Lonely . . . it's a lonely look," he said, vowing to himself to regain control.
"I am lonely, Teddy. And I was wrong about you . . . you are smooth, very smooth, in your own way. I like it; I like it a lot."
Exhaling, Ted reached out, took hold of her shoulders, spun her around, and began walking her toward the couch.
"Uh-uh, you sit down and watch your movies. I'm leavin'."
She angrily shook off his grip. "What is it with you? I thought we had something going."
"We do, an op."
"That's not what I meant and you know it."
"See ya." Ted was feeling good about taking charge.
As he began walking away, Bonita said, "Don't you want to know about the message I got from the FBI agent?"
Ted stopped and turned around. "What are you talking about?"
"A message. He left it for me. I'm C. Citizen, remember?"
"He can track it back to you?"
"No, he doesn't know my e-mail address. He left the message for me in a closet, a room that only I can get into because I know the password. Anyway, you'd better start watching that bank. His questions tell me they're about to move on the Yona Group. He wants me to meet him in person, and he guarantees my safety."
"It's started? Okay, I'll get my guys watchin' it."
Bonita moved toward him with a questioning stare. "It's not about the money, is it?"
"Huh?"
"We've talked every night for the past week and you've never mentioned the money once. What is it, Ted; why are you doing this?"
Ted turned away from her and walked toward the hallway.
Bonita followed him. "Why, Ted? It's going to get you killed. You know that, don't you?"
Ted stopped when he reached the steps, and faced her again. "Money isn't everything, Bonita. Look at your exboyfriend. He has enough to buy Florida, but he can't live like other people. The asshole needs an army to protect him."
Bonita searched his eyes as she moved closer. "Why, Teddy? Why are you putting your life in danger to try and kill him if it's not for the money?"
Ted avoided her stare for a moment by leaning over and patting Baby's head. "Enjoy the movies, Bonita, and don't forget to rewind them. They charged me a fee last time. I'll see ya tomorrow."
Ted turned, but Bonita was close enough now to grab his arm. "Don't go, Teddy. Please stay awhile. I'm sorry. I won't ask any more questions. Just stay with me awhile."
Ted looked into her pleading eyes.
Bonita suddenly released her grip and narrowed her welling eyes. "Go on, Faircloud. I can see it in your face.
You think all I care about is the money. You're right, damn you. It is all I care about. I'm just what you thought I was, an over-the-hill whore. Wait, take these." Bonita stormed over to the coffee table, picked up the two video cassettes, marched back, and slammed them into his chest. "Take these with you! Don't do anything nice for me again. I'm just a whore; don't waste your time!"
"Ah, come on, Bonita, don't get--"
"To hell with you, Faircloud! Baby, come here! Get away from him. Go on, Faircloud, and don't worry--I'll do my job. You just do yours and don't screw it up. I want my money."
Not knowing what to say or do, Ted turned and walked up the steps, thinking to himself, Uh-oh, I don't think that was acting.
Chapter 5.
11:10 A. M., Apalachicola River, Northern Florida.
Stephen Goodnight, freshman senator from Georgia, patted his eldest son's shoulder as he stepped back to let him take the wheel of the forty-two-foot cruiser. "Keep her speed down, son; no telling what's around the next bend."
Twenty-six-year-old Chad Goodnight struck a stiff pose and elevated his chin. "Aye-aye, Captain Hornblower! Keep her slow as she goes. Ahoy, all hands, French fleet about!
Beat to quarters! Clear the quarterdeck! Open the gun ports and sand the decks. Mr. Mike, fire as the guns bear!"
Mike Goodnight, at twenty-two the youngest son of the senator, rolled his eyes and stepped up beside his father.
"Dad, I think the sun has gotten to Chad; or maybe it's the beer."
Chad glanced over his shoulder at his younger brother with narrowed eyes. "Belay that talk, Mr. Goodnight. Have you never read the Hornblower series? I'll not be havin' insubordination on the captain's ship. Captain, I think the ensign needs a good keelhauling."
The senator grinned. "Aye, and the cat-'o-nine-tails might lick his back as well."
Seated on the leisure deck behind the three men, Chad's wife, Susan, leaned closer to her mother-in-law and asked, "Is this a guy thing?"
Mary Rigney Goodnight, the senator's wife of thirty years, smiled and patted the attractive young woman's bare leg. "They're having a good time, Sue. It's good to see Stephen smiling and laughing again. After a year in Washington I was afraid he had forgotten how."
Janice, Mike's girlfriend, scooted closer to the two women. "I had my doubts about this trip, Mary, but I think they all needed it. Just look at them. They're sunburned and acting like fools-it's wonderful. I'm glad the senator insisted we all come."
Mary held her smile. "I told Stephen we should all go to Disney World if he wanted us to get away for a while, but he was set on this 'expedition,' as he calls it. He said it would be just like the jungle cruise in Disney World but it would last three days instead of thirty minutes. I think he was right. We haven't seen another living soul or any semblance of civilization since we broke camp this morning. I don't know about you girls, but I'm in desperate need of at least the sight of a shopping mall. Heck, I'd settle for a 7-Eleven."
Janice laughed and put her hand to her forehead as she looked toward the banks of the river. "Not even a golden arch."
Drawn by the laughter, the senator turned and stepped down to the deck, where
the women were sunning themselves. Dressed in tennis shorts and a dirty University of Georgia T-shirt, he flopped down by his wife and gave her a gentle hug. "Are we havin' fun or what?"
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