“Odd selection, but it fits your image,” he said.“Seeing you step out of this versus a pick-up truck would be more on brand for The Cranberry.What's your specialty again?”
“Evidently, being a non-descript suburban housewife,” she said, looking at the vehicle.“I guess I need to get dressed and take it for a spin.You allocated space in the garage for a pick-up truck.This is...well, color me surprised.”
“At least now you won't have to put the miles on your personal vehicles,” he said.
“Hmm,” was all she added as she walked into their home to shower and get dressed.
****
THE FORD HAD A CONSIDERABLEnumber of features which she deeply appreciated.Although the Subaru was new, it didn't have the bells and whistles of the Explorer.Helen checked under the seat to see if, like the F150, there was a place to store weapons, tear gas, and clothing changes.It did not, and she found herself disappointed.
“Helen, we can retrofit it to suit your needs,” he said.“The under the seat action on my former F150, I customized to hold my tracking gear.We all customized the trucks based on our specialties, and we can do the same with yours.”
“I am going to need everything,” she said, sighing.“I need to get with Azrael for a list of re-up field suppliers in Indiana, as well as an introduction to my Seraphim, if that is a thing that happens.Plus, weapons.I need more weapons.”
“Okay, we have a plan, or a shell of one,” he replied, sliding into the passenger seat as she cranked up her new Technician mobile and took it for a drive through Plainfield coming home take a breather.
As she pulled into the gate to bring Mustang home and prepare for the day, her Technician phone rang.It was Azrael calling before nine a.m., which was never a good sign.She would rather have the fax machine go off than deal with her handler before she had breakfast.
“Go for Cranberry,” she spoke softly in the line.
“Someone is looking for you?”Azrael said.
“Do we know who this someone is?”
“We do,” she said, pausing.“This is the third time in a month he's come to the little coffee shop you like to visit.I think he's looking for you.”
“Your instructions, Boss?”Helen asked.
“Do what you do and find out what the hell he wants,” Azrael replied.
“Roger that; rolling as we speak,” she said, ending the call while looking over at her handsome hunk of a husband.She went into the home they shared to collect the latest novel she was readingNo One Is Safe.“I have my knives and my nine; be back soon.”
“Be safe,” he said, climbing out of the vehicle.He watched her roll away, wanting to ask questions but knowing he couldn't.He'd overheard the call and didn't know who was looking for The Cranberry.Funny thing was, she didn't ask.Helen didn't ask, as if she knew who to expect at the coffee house when she arrived.
The alpha male in him wanted to drive to the coffee house and park across the street to silently observe as his wife's silent backup.However, if he started to do that, it would simply open up a series of behaviors which would grow into its own monster.Helen was a Technician.Yes, she still was in training, but if she could handle a one-on-one with the Fer de Lance, Eduardo Delgado, she could handle whatever person this was.
At least, it is what he hoped.
