by L. T. Ryan
The men smiled at each other. There was a hint of contempt behind Jack's smile and he felt positive that the sales associate's smile contained the same emotion. Jack turned and exited the store.
He continued in the same direction and stopped in front of the first hotel he saw, the Hotel Azurea. It sat at an angle on the corner of Rue de Belgique and Rue Paganini. The front of the building was only twelve feet wide with two doors in the middle. As the building rose, balconies stretched out from similar doors that stretched up the facade. Two longer sides stretched out along the streets in a window-balcony-balcony-window pattern, repeated twice on each side.
He crossed the street and entered the Hotel Azurea. A young woman stood at the counter. She wore her blond hair in a bun. Her light brown eyebrows framed her light blue eyes perfectly. Her face was thin and narrow. Her nose and lips matched her face. Still, Jack found her attractive enough. She wore a black button up shirt, long-sleeve, and matching black pants. A nameplate pinned to her shirt said Celeste. Jack walked up to the counter.
"How may I help you?" she asked in French.
Jack smiled.
"I'd like a room. Cheapest one you have," he replied in French.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Check in isn't until two-thirty in the afternoon."
Jack looked at his watch. One-thirty.
He nodded. "I'll be back in an hour."
"I'll be here," she said. Her lips parted and curled at the ends in a smile.
He exited through the same door he entered through, turned to the right and walked down Rue Paganini. He stopped at a small cafe, went inside, ordered a double espresso.
He sat at a table and noticed the plug in the center. He looked around and saw that half the patrons of the cafe had their laptops plugged in to the middle of their tables. He pulled out his new computer, plugged it in and hit the power button.
"What the hell is this crap?" he muttered. A splash screen wanted him to enter all kinds of details and personal information. He could find no way to skip the steps.
The barista set his double espresso down out of arm’s reach. "Just select that." She reached across his body and pointed at the screen.
Jack looked back at her. Dark hair, dark eyes, tanned skin. He hadn't noticed her at the counter.
"What?"
She smiled, pulled a chair close and sat down next to him.
"Here," she said. "Let me help you."
Jack lifted his arms as she reached over and grabbed the laptop. She set it in front of herself and Jack could no longer see the screen.
"Name?" she asked.
"Jack," he replied.
"Jack what?"
"Just Jack."
"Ok."
Jack heard a button pressed, held, and then released. Then he counted nine quick strikes on the keyboard.
"There you go, Just Jack, as requested." She smiled at him.
He grinned back. "Cute."
"Thanks." She winked, stood up and walked back to the counter. She turned toward him. "Give it five minutes to finish and then you can use it." She ducked behind the lift-up entrance and disappeared behind a beaded door.
He watched the curtain for a few minutes. She didn't step back out. He sighed and returned to his new piece of technology. A welcome screen greeted him. He reached in his pocket and pulled out the thumb drive. Lifted and turned the laptop until he figured out where the thumb drive was supposed to go. He heard a few snickers. He set the laptop down and looked around. The younger crowd apparently got a kick out of the thirty-six year old Jack trying to figure out what to do with his new computer.
"It don't work like that old man," one of them said.
Jack frowned, closed the lid and unplugged the laptop. He stuffed it in his bag and walked to the counter.
"I'll take another," he said. "To go."
He leaned against the counter, hoping that the woman would step back through. She didn't. The girl at the counter took his money, handed him his drink and said nothing to him. Jack picked it up and took a sip. Last chance. He turned, walked to the entrance, pushed the door open.
"Goodbye, Just Jack," the sexy barista said from behind the beaded door.
He smiled, slipped outside and walked back to the hotel.
Celeste still sat behind the counter. "How can I help you, sir?" she asked in French.
"Me again."
"Oh, yes. It's only two in the afternoon, sir."
"Can't you make an exception? I traveled all night by plane. All morning by train. I'm tired and just want to go to sleep."
She sighed, smiled and said, "For you, I will make an exception."
Jack handed her the credit card with the name Sherman Harrod on it and the matching ID card.
She took the credit card and the ID card, punched some keys on her keyboard and swiped the credit card on her machine. She handed both back along with a receipt for him to sign. He returned the receipt and she unlocked a drawer below her computer and dropped the receipt inside. She pulled out two cards from the same drawer, swiped them through a different machine and punched a few more keys on her keyboard.
"Room 402," she said. "Enjoy."
Jack took the keys from her outstretched hand, picked up his bags and headed for the elevator. He pressed the up button. It took two minutes for the lift to arrive. He stepped in, pressed the button labeled four, rested with his back against the mirrored wall.
The ride didn't take as long as he expected, maybe twenty seconds or so.
He stepped out into the hall and found his room. Plain and simple, just the way he liked it. A bed, dresser, TV, and bathroom. Small table in the corner. Red checkered curtains hanging over the window. He closed the curtains, turned on the TV and laid down on the bed.
He hadn't lied when he told Celeste he just wanted to go to sleep. Within five minutes of his head hitting the pillow Jack was out, despite his second double espresso, which sat half empty on the dresser, under the TV.
2
"Bear?" Mandy asked.
"Yeah, sweetie," Bear said without taking his eyes off the road.
"Is momma dead?"
Bear slowed down. He had prepared himself for this question for a week. He thought he had the perfect answer. Now the words seemed wrong.
"Yeah," he said.
"I thought so."
He looked over at the little blond haired girl. Her blue eyes glassed over with tears. One started down her cheek leaving a deep track in its wake. She sniffed then wiped her nose with her sleeve.
"I miss her," she said.
"I know, Mandy. I know."
The little girl fiddled with her seat until it slipped backward. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She bit at her lip trying to keep from sobbing.
Bear pulled the car over, got out. He walked around and opened Mandy's door.
The little girl unclicked her seat belt and jumped into his arms. She buried her face into his shoulder and sobbed.
Bear held her tight. He released his grip when he felt her pull back. Her eyes were bloodshot, making the blue stand out even more. Tears stained her pale cheeks. Thin strands of blond hair stuck to one of them. Her lips trembled.
"Will they kill me too?" she asked.
"No," Bear said. "Never. Me and Jack won't let that happen."
She wrapped her arms around his thick neck, squeezed tight.
He hugged her back.
"A real life bear hug," he said and then he growled.
Mandy giggled, sniffed, coughed. She let go and climbed back in the car.
Bear shut her door and walked back to the driver's side, stepped in and started the engine.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Montana."
"What's in Montana?"
"Someone who can keep you safe while I go deal with bad guys." He looked over at her before pulling the car back into traffic. She nodded without saying a word. He hoped she wouldn't be scared when he left. He had to get overseas. Things were a mess in France and Jack needed h
is help.
"Who?" Mandy asked.
"His name's Scott Brayton. He's my brother."
"You have a brother?"
"Step-brother. My mom was married to his dad for six months when we were eleven. We didn't live together, but we spent two months in the mountains that summer. Always kept in touch."
"OK," Mandy said.
"I know, too much information."
"Huh?"
Bear laughed. "The important thing is that no one will find you there. No one knows about Scott. Not even Jack."
"But," Mandy paused.
"What if something happens to me?" Bear finished her question.
"Yeah," she said.
"Don't worry. I’ll make sure that Jack will know what to do. Ms. Clarissa, too." He reached over and patted her head. "You will always be safe, Mandy."
They sat in silence the next few minutes. He looked over at the little girl, now asleep, her head resting against the window.
The car crossed the Montana state line and Bear pushed hard on the gas pedal. It was still daytime. Speed limit, reasonable and prudent. In other words, no speed limit. Bear looked at the speedometer. One hundred ten. Seemed reasonable enough.
Three hours passed. The mile posts flew by two per minute. They were close to Scott's cabin. Bear slowed down.
Scott lived north of Billings, outside of a small place called Roundup on Highway 12. Although he hadn't visited in five years, Bear had been there enough times to know the way without a map. He turned onto the cracked paved driveway. Holes had been left by the previous winter and were filled with dirt and gravel. The sedan bounced up and down as he drove too fast on the half-mile long driveway.
Mandy sat up. "Where are we?"
"Here."
"Where's here?"
"Roundup."
"Huh?"
Bear laughed. "Hang on, sweetie." He pointed at the house that appeared as they pulled into a clearing.
A stocky man came through the door with a rifle at his side. His dark hair was sprinkled with grey. He had short sideburns and a matching mustache. Three small children, all blond, pressed their tiny faces against the screen door. A tall blond haired woman stood behind them.
Bear stopped.
The man lifted his rifle.
Bear waved.
"Scott," he yelled.
Scott lowered the rifle, smiled at Bear, and then turned around and motioned his wife and kids out of the house.
Bear walked around the car and scooped Mandy out of the seat. He lifted her to his hip and walked toward the house.
Scott stepped down from the porch. He held out his hands, pointed one at Mandy. "Yours?"
"Guess she is now."
Scott raised an eyebrow but didn't ask anything else. He gave Bear a half hug and turned to Mandy. "What's your name?"
"Mandy," she said.
"How old are you?"
"Nine."
"My daughter Bernie is nine, too."
"Her name is Bernie?" Mandy’s face twisted.
Scott laughed. "Yes, short for Bernice."
Mandy puckered her face. "Can I meet her?"
"Sure." He reached out and took Mandy from Bear's arm and set her down. "She's on the porch."
Bear watched Mandy run up to the porch. He imagined she was quite anxious to play with someone her own age.
"Walk with me?" Scott said.
Bear nodded.
"What's this all about?" Scott asked.
"Girl's in trouble. Mother was killed. Got mixed up in something she shouldn't have been. Jack saved her."
"Noble? Your friend from the Marines?"
"Yeah, we're business partners." He raised an eyebrow.
Scott nodded and frowned. "I wish you would come out here. Go into business with me."
"Love the area, the scenery, but sitting in an office dealing with contractors isn't for me." He put a hand on Scott's shoulder. "You know that."
Scott shrugged. "Yeah, I do." He turned away from Bear. "How long do you need us to look out for her?"
Bear took a few steps and stood next to Scott. He stared at the mountains in the distance. They had to be a hundred miles away, maybe more. It felt like you could reach out and touch them. The sun was setting behind them. The sky above the mountains turned a shade of pink, a reflection from the atmosphere.
"A few weeks at least," Bear said.
"Know anything about her schooling?"
"I assume she went to school. You'd have to ask her that."
"Cathy can home school her with the kids."
Bear nodded. Scott was strict in some ways. This would be a good place for Mandy until the situation with Charles and the old man was cleaned up.
"Let's go inside. Cathy's got dinner ready by now."
Bear followed Scott back to the house. Climbed the wooden steps and went inside. The kids were sitting around the kitchen table. Mandy played with Bernie. They had dolls on the table. Bear wasn't sure about the brand or even who the dolls were. He didn't spend much time around kids. He watched Mandy interact with Bernie and the two younger children. Her face glowed. She didn't look as pale. Definitely not as sullen.
Cathy brought dinner to the table, a hefty pot roast. Scott rubbed his hands together and made some noises. The kids laughed. Bear smiled and nodded. Dinner took over an hour. Eating intermingled with conversation. Afterward Bear led Mandy to the door. Scott stood a few feet behind her.
"Mandy, listen," Bear said. "I'm leaving now."
Mandy's eyes watered. She bit her lip. Sniffed.
"I'll be back. Don't you worry."
She forced a smile. She exhaled deeply. "Bear hug?"
He wrapped her up in his over-sized arms, dwarfing her little body. She sobbed a couple of times and then giggled. She leaned back and grabbed his shirt. "You be careful, mister."
Bear laughed. He stood up and stepped outside. Scott followed him.
"Take good care of her," Bear said.
Scott nodded. "Will do."
Bear walked to the sedan and opened the door. He stood there for a second. Looked up at the sky. It was clear, beautiful and full of stars.
"Where you going?" Scott asked.
"North."
Bear got in the car, started the engine and left without saying another word.
Bear made his way northwest and picked up Interstate 15 in Great Falls. At night the speed limit was reduced from whatever you deem reasonable and prudent to sixty-five miles per hour. He did eighty. Two hours after passing through Great falls he arrived at the Canadian border.
The Mountie approached the car. He was tall and heavy. His cheeks were red. Possibly from the cold, possibly from his high blood pressure. His stood tall and stiff. Kept his pudgy hand on the butt of the gun secured in a holster attached to his belt. He kept a watchful blue eye on Bear. He stepped up to the car. "ID, sir?"
Bear pulled out a Michigan license that had the name Marvin Schlater. Handed it to the Mountie.
"What's your business in Canada, Mr. Schlater?"
"Fishing."
"Tackle in back?"
"No sir, this is a rental. My guide is supposed to supply everything."
"What's your guide's name?"
"Gibson. Only name I got for him."
"Where you fishing, eh?"
"Coastal tributaries. Meeting Gibson up at Tweedsmuir."
"Ah, beautiful park." The Mountie turned and made his way around the car. Walked around it with a mirror attached to a stick. He came back two minutes later and handed Bear his ID. "Have yourself a great trip, Mr. Schlater. Catch lots."
Bear grabbed his ID and nodded. Stepped on the gas and took off onto Canadian highway 501. After that he had a twisting and winding eight hour drive to Vancouver.
The trip to the airport took six and half hours. He arrived at four in the morning. Good time to enter the airport. Two more hours and the place would be a madhouse. He ditched the car in long term parking and made his way into the airport's main building. Found a
young Japanese woman behind a counter labeled EVA Airlines. Her dark hair was pulled up, held in place with pins. She wore a traditional airline outfit. Nothing out of the ordinary here. No direct flights to Tokyo that night. He bought a ticket to Taipei, Taiwan with a connecting flight to Tokyo. The flight left in an hour. Dumb luck, he figured. He would take it, though. He could use some extra luck on this trip.
Bear took his time walking to the international terminal, gate D. He arrived during boarding. Showed his passport and ticket. Followed the nice lady's instructions and made his way down the tunnel. Stepped into the plane and found his first class seat. He couldn't sit in coach. Too large of a man. He slid into his window seat, buckled up and asked the flight attendant for a drink. Two, actually. She returned with a drink in each hand. She was older than the woman at the ticketing counter. A bit heavier. Her hair was pulled up as well. She smiled and handed him his drink without saying a word.
Bear sat back in his seat, checked his phone. No messages. He drank his first drink while the plane taxied. Drank the second when the pilot announced they would take off soon.
By the time the plane reached cruising altitude Bear was asleep. He stayed that way all the entire flight to Taipei.
He had a six hour layover in Taipei. Perfect time to call Jack. He pulled out his global phone and powered it on. One message waiting. He dialed the voicemail access code and listened to the message.
"Bear," said Jack's voice. "Go to Paris. Clarissa is there. I'm not. French spooks are watching her, but I don't fully trust them. I want you there by her side."
The message stopped. Simple enough.
Bear found an Air France counter. "Ticket to Paris, first class."
A thin, shaved head Taiwanese man looked up at him with empty eyes and a dull expression. "When would you like to depart?"
"As soon as possible."
The man frowned as he played around with his computer. "You are in luck. One more seat, first class, leaves in an hour. About twenty hours trip time. Layovers in Xiamen and Amsterdam."
"How long in Amsterdam?"
"Just two hours."
Just was right. Two hours was not enough time to blow off steam in Amsterdam. "I'll take it." He handed the thin man his credit card. Less than five minutes later he had his ticket and was on his way to the gate. Headed for Paris.