by R. A. Lamb
“This is D-1 Compound,” the sentry replied, “a holding area for high level detainees.”
“Detainees?”
“I don’t mean you. Think of it as a secure place to take it easy for a while. It’s quite comfortable inside, pool table, library, CD player all the comforts of home.”
“And a big screen TV?” I tried to make light of the situation.
“Sorry sir, no TV or radio but there is an x-box.”
Kat tried to sound calm, “What do we do for food, clothes?”
“You’ll find the refrigerator well stocked, ma’am, and fresh clothes are in the closets.”
“I guess you knew our sizes.”
The sentry ignored Kat’s comment. “I’ll need your cell phones and there are a couple of things you can’t do.”
“Like?” I handed him my phone.
Just then a marine with two large German shepherds straining at their leashes came around the corner of the house. Their controller issued a command and they immediately sat.
“Like come outside. Guard dogs will patrol inside the perimeter, that is, between the fence and your quarters, 24/7. Also the fence is locked and electrified. Another sentry is on duty in the rear. It’s our job to see no one gets in.”
“Thank you sir, that makes us feel better,” but my voice didn’t sound all that sincere.
I closed the door and watched the sentry exit the gate and touch the key pad. Only after the gate snapped closed did the controller release the dogs. One immediately came to the front door and sniffed. He looked up at me looking down at him. I stepped back and thought, I get the message.
Chapter 24
The sentry was right about the inside of the house. The living room was paneled with knotty pine and had a beamed ceiling. Book shelves lined one wall and a state of the art Bose stereo CD system was in the corner. I dropped down on the leather sofa while Kat walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
She also opened the pantry door, “He’s right. It’s well stocked.”
I got up and we walked into the recreation room. As promised was a pool table, several overstuffed chairs, a game table and a wet bar.
Decks of playing cards, poker chips and a stack of game cartridges for the x-box were neatly arranged on a shelf by the pool cues.
The rest of the house consisted of three bedrooms each with a king size bed and its own bath. Two had showers, the third had a Jacuzzi and a shower.
“I’ll flip you to see who gets this one, Cowboy.”
“What do you mean? Its share and share alike. Right?”
For the first time in a couple of days there was that grin. It gave me a warm feeling.
“Hungry?” I smiled.
Kat nodded and we went back to the kitchen. She pulled two steaks and a bag of salad out of the fridge. “There are bake potatoes in the pantry.”
Dinner was great. Afterward we cleaned up and started the dishwasher. Kat browsed the book shelves. I checked out the CD’s, put a mix of country and western and rhythm and blues disks in the changer and routed the speakers to the rec room.
“How about some 8-ball,” I looked at Kat.
“Okay, but I never played much pool.”
I racked up the balls and handed Kat a cue. She chalked it and leaned over the table like a pro. Kat made a clean break and the five ball fell in the corner pocket.
“Never played much pool, huh?”
She leaned over to make another shot. I had to admit I enjoyed the view. We played four games and quit with two wins each.
“My bedtime,” Kat set the cue on the table, “anyway I’m anxious to try out the Jacuzzi.”
“Sounds like fun,” I snickered.
Kat dropped her head and looked at the floor, “I’ll let you know when I’m finished.”
“Oh, okay, then I’ll take a turn. Let me know.” I was a little surprised at her response. Just goes to prove how little I know about women.
I went into my bedroom and looked through the closet. There were military green fatigues, kakis pants, a couple of tan short sleeve shirts, nicely pressed, and an olive drab bathrobe. The bureau drawers contained everything I needed, toiletries white T- shirts, pairs of black socks and marine green boxers. I pulled out a T- shirt, pair of boxers, undressed and slipped into the robe while I waited for Kat.
I heard her bathroom door open, “Todd, your turn.”
“Okay,” I pulled the belt of the robe tighter and walked through the door. I heard the Jacuzzi bubbling and felt the warm moist air. The rippling surface partially covered Kat’s shoulders.
“A girl can change her mind. There’s room for two, Cowboy.”
I didn’t need to be asked twice and hoped the night wouldn’t end.
The sunlight woke us. We dressed, Kat in fatigues and I put on Kakis and a tan shirt.
“Kat smiled, “Do you think we look like marines?”
There was a knock on the door. It was the sentry. The dogs were nowhere in sight, the yard was clear. Two additional guards holding automatic rifles stood at the open gate and a jeep was parked just outside the fence with its motor running.
“We’ve been ordered to escort you to HQ. Please follow me.”
Kat turned, “But my things.”
“Leave them here,” his tone was not a request. “They will be taken care of. Follow me. Now.”
We were taken to a large wood-frame building surrounded by others just like it. The sentry led us down a hallway of closed office doors, each with a name plaque on the wall beside them. The sentry opened one called Meeting Room Four. No windows, light green walls with a door to an adjoining office. The room was sparsely furnished. A long metal table with a brown Formica top was surrounded by eight metal chairs. Kat and I sat down.
The sentry said, “The Base Commander will be here in a few minutes.” He briskly turned and closed the door behind him.
Kat and I sat in silence and gave each other that what’s going on look. I got up and opened the door to the hallway. A marine standing at parade rest with a 45 strapped to his hip snapped to attention.
“Please stay inside and close the door,” his tone was cold.
I did and turned as the door to the adjoining office opened. An officer in a crisp tan uniform with two stars on his shoulders entered followed by Hank and a lady marine a few years older than Kat. I breathed a sigh of relief when Hank spoke. It was good to hear a familiar voice.
Hank introduced us and said, “Todd, Kathy, this is Base Commander O’Connor. You are his guests and this is his aide Marine Corporal Alice Renner.”
We sat down and the Commander asked, “Were your accommodations satisfactory?”
I felt tension in the air, “Yes sir, thank you.”
“Good, I understand you met some really hostile operatives.” The Commander continued to talk for a few minutes and turned to Hank then back to Kat and me. “Mr. Holland has a few things to discuss with you and I have some matters to attend to.” The Commander slid back his chair and got up to leave.
“Actually, Commander O’Conner,” Hank cleared his throat, “there are a few things I would like to discuss with Todd privately.”
“Very well. Corporal Renner, would you show Miss Ferguson where the ladies room is and then get her some coffee?”
“As you wish sir. This way Miss Ferguson.”
I looked at Hank then at Kat. What is going on? Is this just the military way? I was more than a little confused but gave Kat a smile and winked.
Her lips were pressed tightly together. There was fear in her eyes. It was the same look I’d seen in the surveillance trailer when the terrorists burst in and started shooting. She smiled back, an artificial smile, and followed behind Corporal Renner.
“What’s all this secrecy, Hank?”
I had never seen that look in Hank’s eyes before. He began, “I’ve been directed to tell you …you are being placed in witness protection and will be relocated.”
“What do you mean? For how long?”
<
br /> “I mean you and Kathy are in imminent danger as long as Alkobar is alive. You will leave on a military transport this afternoon to a location in the United States known to only your handler. You will be given a new identity. The details are included in this envelope along with papers and records.
Hank slid it across the table.
“You can open it once you’re onboard the plane.”
“What about my parents?” My heart began to pound.
“I know this is hard Todd, but no one can know where you are. Not your parents, not me, not Kathy. Maybe someday but…”
I wasn’t prepared for this. My shirt was suddenly wet with perspiration and I felt light headed. Not Kat?
I choked, “What about Kat? We --”
“She has a package too. I’m sorry I can’t tell you.”
“What do you mean you can’t tell me?”
Suddenly, I could no longer hear Hank. Hank’s mouth moved but my brain ceased to understand. I stared at Hank across the table.
My mind screamed, Kat has a package too?
Then I realized. I was stepping into a new world.
Alone.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R. A. Lamb grew up in Dayton, Ohio, obtained his BS degree at the University of Dayton and his MA degree from Brown University.
R.A. writes thrillers as well as action adventure stories for middle grade through adult genres.
He strives to supply sufficient description to let the reader feel they are in the midst of the adventure as it unfolds, but beware, not all paths are predictable. What’s the fun of living in the story if everything leads to the obvious?
He and his wife live in the Woodlands, Texas near Houston.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many people have helped me reach this point in my writing career. I didn’t realize how difficult a task it was or how many obstacles there were to overcome. Also I was surprised how glacially slow the process could be.
I am grateful to those who offered the encouragement to persevere and the criticism which drove me to improve. I am a better writer for it. So thank you.
Sadly there is not enough room to mention all of you who have helped but I would like to mention a few who directly impacted this book.
First, a young man who triggered this story. He was a summer intern for Congressman Kevin Brady and led my family on a tour of the Capitol. A high school grad from Spring, Texas, knowledgeable, bright and friendly, he took us from the congressman’s office through the tunnel system under the Hill, to the barred gate leading to the Capitol. Sound familiar?
Next my SCBWI critique partners and bulwark and all published authors in their own right: Joy Preble, Suzanne Bazemore, Dede Fox and Kim O’Brian. Tough taskmasters who also provided generous amounts of encouragement.
And my wife Ann and sons Doug and Rob for their love, patience and support.
RIGHTS
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
OTHER BOOKS
BY
THE AUTHOR
______________________
EXCITING ALASKAN ADVENTURES
IN
THE IVORY BEAR SERIES
BOOK ONE MYSTIC POWER OF THE IVORY BEAR
BOOK TWO: BODY OF THE GREAT BEAR
BOOK THREE: MARK OF THE BEAR
_______________________________________
COMING SOON
WITNESS PROTECTION
THE SECOND BOOK
IN
THE TODD BOLING SERIES
LOOK FOR IT
IN THE SUMMER OF 2015
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