“I need you to stay focused, O’Hanlon.”
“He is focused, Sir. Don’t worry about Andy and me. We get the job done. And what we do otherwise is absolutely none of your business.”
“When you work for me young lady, everything is my business.”
“Then you’d better wrap your mind around me and Andy being together, period.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“However, you want to look at it.”
“Well, in that case, carry on.” Carter caught Andy’s eye on his way out the door and winked.”
Judy hissed, “Oh, that man irritates the fire out of me.” She looked at Andy, “What’s so funny.”
“You, tiger. Now give me a kiss. I love you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The next morning Jake, Carter, Andy, Angelo and Danny Mac sat behind closed doors developing their surveillance plans. Mrs. Gage drove Blade home to get ready for school and then took him there, followed by their security detail. Blade loved riding in Mrs. Gage’s sports car. Judy went to work despite Carter’s objections and put in her notice. She refused to just walk away. She told her supervisor she had a situation come up that was going to require that she leave town. She apologized for the short notice (she could only give them a week) but they were understanding and assured her they would give her a good reference. She then called her parents. She told them she had taken an exciting new job that would allow her to travel. They didn’t care what she did now that she was happy again. They had never learned of the sexual assault she had endured during that summer mission trip. They only knew she changed for several years but now they had her back. That is all that would ever matter to them.
The office rumor mill ran fast through the medical complex. Interested parties who wondered where she was going wasted no time sending the information to their control.
Kenann went to her office as well – an office she had spent no more than a few weeks in since she was hired. She met with Mr. Kesselring, who had hired and mentored her during her short tenure. She gave him her resignation letter and he motioned for her to take a seat.
“Kenann, are you okay?”
“Yes, I am, Mr. Kesselring. I feel badly that I have not given a better performance for you. You have been very kind.”
“Well, first of all, you never needed to perform for me, Kenann. I wish you could have been a part of our office. I think you would have been a great asset.”
“Circumstances have dictated my life recently. I do not want to keep you hanging, so I am going to resign my position so you can get someone in to do the job. I am going to miss my little office, though.” She smiled at him.
“Kenann, don’t give up on us. You have a place here anytime you want it.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Kesselring, I really do.”
“I am not sure what your situation is, but I wish you the best. You are sure you are fine?”
“Yes. Did you know I recently got married?”
“No.” He smiled at her. “Congratulations.”
“So, you see, I am fine. Happy. And if my situation changes, I will give you a call.”
“Please do that.”
Before leaving the office, Kenann visited the office’s public restroom. She no longer felt comfortable using the one for the staff. She came out of the stall and began washing her hands. When she glanced up at the mirror, she gasped in terror and her heart seized.
Standing behind her was Pierre in a Monk’s hood. She stood frozen in place unable to move. She forced herself to turn around in time to see the exit door closing. She ran out from behind the privacy wall of the restroom. Breath heaving, she stood looking at the people sitting in the waiting area. Suddenly, they all looked suspicious. Her palms began to sweat. There was no sign of Pierre but who could say that one of his people were not now watching out of the corner of their eye or perhaps ready to grab her. She sat down in the nearest chair and called Danny Mac.
“What’s up, kid?”
“Danny Mac,” her voiced cracked slightly. She willed herself to buck up.
“What’s wrong? Where are you? Where is the man assigned to you?” Danny Mac was frantic.
“I’m okay, Danny. I am sitting in a public place near people I trust. My man is waiting on me out front. But I want you to come get me. I saw Pierre. He was in a Monk’s hood.”
“Are you sure?”
“Do you think I am seeing things?” Her voice was sharp.
The listening man rejoiced at the distress in her voice.
“No, baby. I’m just rattled. Where are you? I am on my way.”
She gave him the necessary information and continued watching the people around her. Who was being called for appointments and who was lingering too long? They could be waiting on a family member and were not clients at all. The person in the monk’s habit could very well have left the building as soon as they pulled off the disguise behind the privacy wall. It wasn’t Pierre. Too tall. It had been a cleverly crafted mask. Danny Mac was right. They were mocking them. Showing off their reach and power.
Danny Mac flew into the room and knelt down in front of her. She smiled at him.
“I’m fine. It just shook me up a little. It will take more than a goon in a mask to get me.”
The maniacal howl on the other side of the world unnerved those standing by.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Kenann paced back and forth in front of Mrs. Gage and Mrs. James as they sat on the couch in the parlor. Judy had not yet returned from work.
“Now, they are just starting to tick me off.” Kenann growled.
The other ladies exchanged smiles when she turned from them smacking her fist into her palm.
“If they think some boso in a mask is going to make me run scared, they have another thing coming.” She stopped and pointed her finger at no one in particular. “I will kick their butts and hand them their heads.” She turned and looked at the ladies.
“What?”
Mrs. Gage spoke, “I appreciate your energy, dear. And you’re cute.”
Kenann blew out a breath and rolled her shoulders. “I don’t feel cute. I feel mean. And ready to roll.”
The other women burst out laughing. Kenann turned to glare at them, then succumbed to their humor. “Oh, you guys!” she laughed.
Judy blew into the room. “Andy just gave me the scoop. Whoa, this is jacked up!”
Kenann spread her arms palms up and nodded with emphasis, “I know!”
Judy flopped on the couch beside Granny James. “Mrs. Gage, what is the plan? The guys have been cooped up all day in that room upstairs. I can’t believe you don’t have it bugged or something.”
Mrs. Gage’s enigmatic smile made them all pause. Granny James laughed, “Gabrielle, tell me you are not doing that!”
“My dears, I am far too busy to sit in on boring meetings. I have a program that analyzes key words and provides me a summary report of salient facts after each of their sessions. And if you give me away, I shall claim complete deniability.”
The female laughter charmed the men who were coming down the main stairway. They entered the room on a scene of tranquility, having no notion of the energy and subterfuge among their ranks.
Carter asked Judy, “When is your last day of employment?”
“This Friday. I don’t like it, but they were really good about it, so it made it easier.”
Kenann asked, “What are our arrangements?”
Carter raised his hand and said, “We will take care of the details. Don’t worry about them.”
Kenann gave him a cheeky smile belying her intent, “You forgot to call me honey.”
“Excuse me?”
“Did you or did you not offer me a job?”
“I did.”
“And I’m sure you have some sense of the strength of the women in this room.”
“I have never doubted that.”
“Well, then I suggest you stop shutting us out of the information loop. I
get that we don’t need to know every detail, but you had better wake up to what is going on around you. We are a very tight group. If you want to be a part of our team, you’d better plan on bringing all of us to the table.”
Carter did not respond immediately. Kenann did not flinch or waver. She was fired up and itching for a good fight.
“Point taken. We will endeavor to do just that.”
“Good. Don’t forget it.”
Carter gave her a look that said, ‘Don’t push it.’ Kenann returned one that said, ‘Bite me.’
Andy leaned in and whispered to Danny Mac, “I’m started to feel a little sorry for Carter.”
Danny Mac knew better than to laugh.
* * *
“Are you okay?” Danny Mac rubbed Kenann’s back as she lay in his arms.
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, you looked ready to rip Carter’s head off tonight.”
“Or other body parts.”
“Are you sure you aren’t part sailor?”
“Well, you must remember I have been in almost every port in the world. I tend to be a little salty.”
“And by the way, how did you learn to handle an assault rifle the way you did back at the cabin?”
“Remember my Dad’s pilot? The one who taught me martial arts? He was great. He spent more time and took more of an interest in me than either of my parents. He taught me how to ride, shoot, fight and spit like a man.” She laughed.
“Remind me to thank him someday.”
Kenann sobered. “He was flying the plane that went down with my parents.”
“I’m sorry, Kennan.”
“Yeah, sometimes I feel guilty because I miss him more than I do mom and dad.”
“But about tonight, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I guess. I am mad. I hate being played. And this stupid group is playing us and that just – oohhh,” she growled, “it really ticks me off.”
“And Carter?”
“Oh, he is insufferable, but I guess I vented my spleen on him.”
“It did my heart good.”
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
The entire group including Blade, came together on Friday night. Andy and Judy had been given their instructions earlier. They would be checking flight manifests for names of anyone who may be following them to Istanbul and those to watch in the future. They had decided to fly commercially on this first leg to draw their enemy out Carter had pulled some strings to get a running list of any missing persons who were reported in the next week or so. Andy had an enormous data base at his disposal to use for cross reference. This would give them an idea of anyone who simply walked away from their lives to follow the team. They knew it was a long shot, but they were willing to try anything to get a bead on this group.
Mrs. Gage had heard from CJ Baer that he was scheduled to pick up some people in New York and smuggle them into Canada. Mrs. Gage made sure he had numbers for her team of lawyers in case he was caught. She informed Carter of this plan that evening. He simply stared at her. She had a fleeting curiosity regarding what he might be thinking, but a wiser mind prevailed. She did not ask.
Blade was given an assignment too. He was to watch Mrs. Gage’s estate and Danny Mac and Kenann’s place for any suspicious activity and to contact Carter directly if he spotted anything. He was beyond thrilled with this responsibility and was obviously going to take it very seriously. Carter would continue Blade’s security detail as a precaution.
Kenann found time during the evening to pull Judy aside. “How you are doing, Jude?”
“Good. I’m good.”
“How are you and the G-Man doing?”
Judy smiled, “Excellent.”
Kenann returned her smile. “This romance thing is pretty sweet, huh? Are you going to marry him?”
“Oh Kenann, I can’t think about that. Not right now.”
“Why not, for pity sake?”
“Too much to think about – to do.”
“Bull Malarky.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Believe me, if there is one thing I know, it’s scared. And you are scared.”
“So, what if I am.”
“Listen, I was too for very different reasons. But don’t let that stop you from a wonderful thing.”
“What if I am too screwed up to be a proper wife to him?”
Kenann stopped in the middle of firing back an answer. She knew this was a very real concern for Judy. She prayed quickly and decided.
“So, sleep with him and see.”
“What?”
“You heard me. You love him right – he is the one?”
“Well yes but . . . “
“No yes, but. If that is the only thing keeping you apart. Find out. If you can’t go through with it, then you can maybe get therapy or something but if you can get past the trauma of your past, then there is no reason not to marry Andy.”
“Do you really think I should?”
“Well, I can’t guarantee it is the right thing to do, but it makes sense to me. I mean you guys are kind of married in your hearts now. You can have the legal ceremony later. But to be on the safe side, don’t tell Andy or Danny Mac this was my idea, okay?”
* * *
Mrs. Gage made arrangements for them to be taken to the airport by a limousine van service that Saturday morning. Good byes were said in the parking area in front of the mansion. Judy and Andy were to be staying at the mansion on their surveillance detail before joining the others. The house and the grounds had a top-drawer security system and the manpower that Carter was using could stay there as well. Their current detail had been scrutinized further but Carter told Andy to take no undue chances with them in the event any of them were dirty. Judy now had her own concealable handgun and a quick course in how to use it.
Blade was there to see the group off as well. He looked sad. Danny Mac sat beside him on the front steps.
“Hey buddy, it will be okay. You have to take care of stuff here.”
“Yeah, big deal.” Blade was pouting.
“It is a big deal, dude. You have been in on everything from the beginning. You know what to look for. We are counting on you for intel while we are away. You have Carter’s private number, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you know that the President and a very few other people in the world are the only ones who have that.”
“He made me memorize it and promise never to write it down.”
“See? You are a big deal.”
Blade beamed.
Danny Mac continued. “I checked with your mom first to make sure it was okay. You will be in charge of working with Rough while we are gone.”
Rough took that moment to come stand by Blade and thump him with his tail in approval. Blade draped his arm across Rough’s shoulder. He squared his shoulders and said, “I won’t let you down, Danny Mac.”
“I know, kid.”
* * *
Granny James took Judy’s face in her hands, “Follow your heart.”
Judy’s eyes widened. “Wait . . . what?! Have you talked to Kenann?”
“No, why?” Granny James asked.
“Well, what do you mean?”
“I just mean that even though we have to save the world from bad guys doesn’t mean we cannot carve out a little bit of this world for our own happiness. For the life of me, I don’t know what’s wrong with you young folks. When I met Kenann’s grandfather I went for it. None of this pussy footing around.”
Judy laughed. “You are right, Granny. I’m going for it.”
“Now that’s my girl. Knock his socks off.”
“Granny!”
Granny chortled and patted her cheek again. “See you soon love. I want a ring on that finger,” and walked away.
Judy stood staring after her.
* * *
All good byes were said. Blade and Rough stood between Andy and Judy, waving until they were out of sight.
Andy rubbed his hand
s together and winked at Judy. “Well, let’s get busy, shall we? I shall now show you two how to be international spies.”
Blade beamed. “Cool.”
* * *
The flight to Istanbul routed them through Frankfort for a layover. Everyone gathered their carry-on luggage for the trek to their connecting flight. All were alert to subtle nuances of behavior in the passengers around them. Who was being overly friendly and inquisitive? Who was quiet but watchful?
Danny Mac leaned into Carter. “Dark haired woman in red dress.”
Carter did not look her way. “Got it.”
Kenann surreptitiously took a photo of the woman with her smart phone on silent. Sure enough, she joined them in the waiting area of the flight to Istanbul. One down, thousands more to go, Kenann thought.
She showed Carter the picture. He told her to send it to his phone and then delete it. He would then transmit it to Andy via his secure line.
Mrs. Gage had had her nose glued to her computer throughout the flight. She was back at it in the waiting lounge. Danny Mac approached her.
“What’s up Mrs. Gage?”
“Fascinating reading.” Mrs. Gage replied.
“Must be. You’ve barely surfaced.”
“Remember when it was suggested that we might find some clues by looking back?” She refrained from referencing the Order.
“Yes.” Danny Mac responded.
“Well, I have been doing some research online and have come up with some interesting things. I am going to assign each of you some research homework and we shall have a council of war in Istanbul.” Mrs. Gage returned her gaze to the laptop screen.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Andy received the text about the woman from the plane and ran photo recognition on her, checking it against the flight manifest. She was a Process Analyst for a chemical plant and had originally boarded in Oklahoma. He did a further background check and found absolutely no red flags on her record. These people were good. He didn’t question how Danny Mac picked her out or that she was truly part of the Order. He had learned a long time ago not to bet against Danny Mac.
Blade and Rough had gone home. He said he would be back after school Monday evening if his mom let him. He would continue to ride his bike by Danny Mac’s house on his way home from school to keep an eye on things. His security detail would be following Blade everywhere until their return. He could only hope they were solid. But, realized there was only so much of this he could control and decided to take a page from Danny Mac’s book and send a prayer up to the Big Guy to protect Blade. But he was not going to let anyone know he did that. They may recruit him for their ‘club’.
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