I take the elevator to the garage and throw the go bag in my toolbox. I check to see if my competition rifle and bigger gun are in their compartment, pull my sidearm out, and put it in the box under my seat. I check that I have two bulletproof jackets in the back and check my other gear. The body armor vest Duncan bought me for Christmas is in the back seat. I pull upthe seat and place my SR-25 in its compartment. Of course, I always over pack, but you never know what you're going to run into.
Lack of sleep is seriously making me paranoid. I put one of the Sigs into my calf holster over my other boot, and a couple knives hidden in various areas on my body. I'm ready to kick some ass. I could use the fight.
I jump in my truck and head to Philadelphia. Only Ana would call it what she did, as non-American as she is, but if someone who doesn't know American slang was reading her email maybe they wouldn’t know. Maybe they'd have to look it up, it would give her, and me, more time.
As I get on the freeway, I notice a black sedan a couple cars behind me. Great time for a backup plan. Wish I could have ridden my bike, I could outrun them with that for sure. I pull off the freeway into a truck stop, lock and set the alarm for my truck. I have one of my sidearms under my hoodie in my back holster over my knives. Walking into this truck stop armed is going to cause a few glances, but I couldn’t care less right now. The sedan pulled into the McDonald's across the street. Yep, real obvious, assholes.
Truckers and other drivers look me up and down. I know I have the don't fuck with me look on my face but really, I brushed my hair and all today. When I walk into the back of the truck stop, I head for the coffee first, need some after my lack of sleep, and second, I need a distraction. I find it in the trucker checking me out.
"Hey, mister, can you help me?" I pull my badge and flash it to him. "Can you park your semi in front of that black truck to block the view from McDonald's?"
"Yes, ma’am." He walks out to do as I ask.
I pull out the burner phone and send the text that will get me all the help I need.
Me
911. Rudolph has a red nose.
Duncan
Who's this?
Me
Need your help, heading to Philly for sister. Being tailed. Forgive me. I miss you.
Duncan
I'm in DC, pulling up to your flat. I decided to chase you.
Me
Meet me at Philly airport at 1525 hours.
Duncan
I still love you.
Me
I know. I never stopped loving you. I'll explain later.
I do love him, it's true. I realized it at his flat and about an hour into my flight home. I was just too stubborn and couldn't figure out a way to make it work.
I was going to call Joshua today, but plans have changed, I needed to tell him how it went with my superiors. I hope that Duncan can make it. I hope he remembers my reference to Rudolph from lunch with Joshua. He's coming for me. God, I love that man. My heart lightens, but I need to stay focused. I hated confessing my love through text, but I wanted him to know, just in case.
It's only a two-and-a-half-hour drive but not long enough for me to lose my tail. It’s as if they know where I’m going. My diversion with the semi only helped for about thirty minutes. I can't figure out a way to lose them without showing my hand that I know they're there. I pull into the airport parking lot, take my second gun from my safe in the center console, and put it next to my seat just in case. I pull my backup gun from my ankle and check it. I drop it on the floorboard, as I know I'll notbe able to carry it in the airport. I want to take it but know that will draw too much attention.
I remove my hoodie and Henley, leaving me in my sports bra, and put on my standard issue vest, making sure my knives aren't visible because they'll be the only protection other than myself. I'm glad Abba made me take all those Israeli knife-fighting courses, I'm even happier David has kept me in practice. I know my heavy-duty body armor vest is stronger, but that's for Ana. I place it on the passenger seat.
I put my Henley and hoodie back on and check my appearance and the time. I'm glad I put my hair up, I'm going to need to be able to move without it in my way. I leave the third vest on the back seat. I leave my purse in the truck but pull my badges and place them both in the hoodie pocket. My ID goes in my back pocket.
I run for the British Airways arrival area and begin my wait. It's at this point I figure out a way to get rid of my tail. I pull my Secret Service badge from the pocket and clip it to my jeans,leaving my DC Metro one in the pocket. Federal officers get more attention.
I tucked my Henley in so my vest doesn't show, plus I'm a strong believer in clothing helping with bullets. It's something that the older cops tell the younger ones, but I'll try anything. I know my standard issue vest won't work for point blank shots or even a high caliber sniper bullet.
Security was watching me carefully until they saw my badge. I'm now identified as a law enforcement officer, allowing me to walk around armed with the visible boot knife.
