Chapter Fifty
Saturday, April 14th
The rear hatch opened on the moonless night. Tripp Drake went first. Wearing black fatigues, he dodged through the hedges and into a grassy yard belonging to the home on the other block. Wes went next. He helped Eleanor, who was now dressed in full Belinda fashion of black skintight jeans and a form-fitting black sweater, her hair buried in a black beret. Her father, also in black fatigues, followed and locked the entrance.
Wes dropped a piece of chewed gum before they edged through the hedges. And another piece after they made it to the other side. He knew they were being watched, but he wanted to make sure their trail was followable.
Malachi and Tripp stopped in front of a black Econoline van. Malachi slid open the door and beckoned Wes and Eleanor inside. As Eleanor stepped up, she slipped, giving Wes perfect cover to place a clear tracker under the van step. Eleanor squeezed his hand, seeking reassurance.
“You okay, baby?” he asked.
Tripp turned over the ignition, and they took off.
“She’s fine. Though she’s not as good a soldier as her sister was. Elora had mettle. That’s what got her killed. Always had a strong set of convictions, even if they were wrong-minded, right, Lindy?” Malachi asked.
“Yes, sir,” Eleanor said.
“But my Lindy, she has something her sister never had, and that’s loyalty. She knows what’s right. And, more important, what’s valuable. She’s my good girl. Right, Lindy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Speaking of valuable, Wes, you’re a medic?” Malachi asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Deliver any babies?”
“A few.”
Eleanor would never understand how cool Wes seemed under pressure. “Daddy, why all the questions?”
“Lindy, I can train a box of rocks to follow my orders. A man like Wes, he has smarts. We can put him to work. He might be able to help us mitigate some of our losses. Nurse Frey is exhausted, especially after you being gone for so long. And, now, Lindy, don’t throw one of your tantrums, but take a look at Wes. He could go a long way in fueling the gene pool for those couples when both the man and woman have issues,” her father said.
“Daddeeee,” Eleanor screeched. “The only one making babies with Wes is me.” She continued to shriek and kick her father’s seat.
“Shh. Shh, baby.” Wes pulled her to him. “I’ll make it all better,” he murmured.
“Hell, Dad, if he can chill her out, that’s the most valuable part,” Tripp said.
Malachi laughed. “Well, Wes, you’re a keeper.” The evil man laughed some more.
* * *
TJ flew out the door to the main building as Zach and Kip were returning from a walk. “Troy sent me to find you. We are tacking up. They’re on the move.”
Ian and Kieran, both dressed in Chase Security black operator’s uniforms, greeted them. Once everyone was together, Ian said, “Troy’s our best logistics man. Ready to run this, Greece?”
“Yes, sir.” Troy stood tall.
They climbed into the Navigator. TJ and Ken, fresh from Bravo Team, drove and rode shotgun. Ian, Kieran, Kip, Zach, Troy, Kyle and Josh rode in the back.
As they drove, Troy set up a portable operations center. “Tail Vehicle, I have you one half click behind the target vehicle. Roll back and let Tail Vehicle 2 move ahead. We don’t want to spook them.”
“Roger, Command. This is Tango Team XO. Advise, Acrobat, search of the home after egress found trip wires and C-4. Lieutenant Hartung notified. Leesburg town police notified. Fire Rescue and bomb squad notified. Area evacuated due to,” Gwen spoke.
The entire group in the Navigator said, “gas leak,” at the same time.
“Roger, XO. Once scene is secure, we will have better coordinates for you,” Troy said.
