“We’re going to need far more help than just us if we’re going into Colonel territory,” TB said. He looked down the table at God. “Will you give us Mythos?”
Another sucker wrapper joined the others on the table. This time, God simply yanked the candy off with his teeth and threw the stick in with the rest of the trash. “Eventually. I’ll recall them once we know what our plan is. Do we have other resources? We may need them, depending on what information Steel gets from his uncle.”
“Tripoli,” TB offered. “One of the owners of The Library, where I met Flame. He’s a retired Navy medic who was assigned to the Raiders. He’ll have connections. Most of his unit is scattered now that they’re all retired or discharged, but if I called him, I bet they’d come to help.”
God drummed his fingers on the conference room table. “I am not happy, Steel. This is completely unacceptable.” He paused, then sighed. It was as if he had released all his anger and deflated. “Although I understand why you did it. I probably would have made the same decision myself. Now, though, we have to go collect your wife and move her somewhere safe. I don’t suppose Daleyza is likely to go if I send someone else to move her?”
“Unlikely. She wouldn’t have back then, and I doubt she’s gotten better with time. If anything, she’s probably gotten worse.”
“So what should we expect?” Nemo asked. “If she married your ass, she’s gotta be a spitfire.”
He contemplated how to warn them. “She’s strong. Opinionated.When her emotions are at their highest, she screams a lot in Spanish. If you survive that, then her next step is probably to start shooting.”
“She’s armed?”
“She better be,” he grumbled. “I taught her how to protect herself. Beware, though. She’s as dangerous as I am. Her aim is definitely more precise.”
The bubble Nemo had been blowing popped like a gunshot in the room. “Better than you? You’ve never missed.”
“Daleyza is…” He considered his words carefully. “Unique. We didn’t exactly meet under normal circumstances.”
“I can’t wait to hear this story.”
“Well, story time will have to wait until this shit show is finished and under control,” God grumbled. “All of you, out of here. I need to talk with Steel. We’ll meet again in three hours.”
All the men filed out of the room, with Waters at the tail end. “Do you want me?—”
“Out,” God ordered.
Waters flashed a look at Steel, called to the dog, then they left the two men alone in the conference room.
They sat there in silence. What could he possibly say? Nothing at all, so he sat and waited for God to show his hand.
“How freaked out is she going to be when you show up alive?”
That was not what he’d thought his boss’ first question would be.
Shrugging, he replied, “Daleyza was always untrusting. If someone didn’t show her the proof—let her see it, touch it—she tended not to believe what she was told.”
“You mentioned screaming and shooting a minute ago. Why do I get the feeling you’ve experienced both ends of that?”
A memory popped up.
“I swear to God, Fanso, you try my patience! I should shoot you where you stand.”
“All I was trying to do was point out something to improve what you were doing. What you were doing was fine, but this would have made you even better!”
“If it’s fine?—”
Bang!
“Oh my god, Fanso! Fanso! Are you okay?”
Shock. Laughter, born of relief, but also a little humor. “You shot at me!”
A grumpy reply. “I missed. You’re lucky.”
The tiniest of smiles turned up one corner of his mouth. “She’s only shot at me once. I’m pretty sure it was an accident.”
