Chapter 27 #3
“You seem to come and go as you please. IDs,” he said. Leo and Hollywood passed them along. The guard took them and went back to his post.
“He’s snapping photos,” Hollywood said, leaning back in his seat.
“He’ll find our credentials in order,” Leo said confidently.
Passing back their IDs, he motioned for the gate to open. Leaning into the vehicle, he said, “I’d be careful out there if I were you. Rumor has it, the rebels have increased their activity in the area.”
Leo smirked. “We’ve heard. You can’t trust anyone these days.”
He drove through security and parked the truck. They walked back to the barracks.
“It’s time you head toward Sparky. I’ll have Taco shadow you in case you run into any of our friends again.”
Liam circled around the building, letting Apollo sniff as if he were taking the dog for a walk.
“All clear,” Knight said.
“All right, Sparky. It’s time to come out. If you’ll stand, I’ll lift you out.”
“Shadow will never get a steak again,” she muttered as he pulled a sopping wet Sparky from her hiding spot. “I have to shower. Do you know how disgusting these people are? They come out here to smoke. They’re fucking each other like rabbits.”
“Wait until we return,” Hollywood said to Sparky.
Sparky moved close and walked beside him. He removed his hat and held it, masking her light touch as she trusted him to get her back.
When they returned, Ice went nuts as he greeted her.
“Leo wants to go over the plans for tomorrow. Then, I’ll take you to the showers,” he offered.
“I appreciate it. Give me a moment. If I go in there now, I’ll stink up the room,” she said as she took Ice’s harness. “Thanks, Hollywood. You make a good guide dog.”
Hollywood glanced into their war room, finding no one there yet. He pulled out his phone and texted Addy.
Good morning, beautiful. You can’t talk about your panties anymore. My boss asked if I kept a banana in my pocket.
Good morning. LOL. Zeus says hello. We’re taking a morning walk before I get dressed. Can I tell you how much fun showers seem when you’re in there with me?
Grinning, he texted back. Grrrr.
Saint, Knight, Patch, and Taco entered the room.
“Leo will be a minute. He’s trying to reach Catherine,” Shadow explained as he placed several boxes on their makeshift table. “I brought dinner. We’ll need to come up with a plan before tomorrow morning.”
Everyone grabbed a box as Hollywood fed Apollo, and Sparky returned with her hair piled on her head and fresh clothes.
“You left me in a garbage can,” she seethed at Shadow. “You’re lucky if you get the pretty onion ring Ty places on top of the steaks. You’re getting a pile of Ice’s poo.”
“You know, I didn’t have any choice,” Shadow defended himself. “I warned you about it getting hot.”
“Whatever,” she muttered.
“All right, kids, settle down,” Leo said. “Let’s get to work.”
After Saint checked for any bugs, Cole placed the schedule images on the wall. The map of the terrain, where Sparky guessed the attack lay across the table.
Leo circled the area. “We can’t make it appear suspicious.
Sparky, stay on coms while we check things out.
I don’t like the veiled threats against Ice.
I need all my men. Can you watch the place?
Will Ice be all right if we leave you inside for up to eight hours?
I don’t want you walking without one of us there.
It has nothing to do with you as a female. ”
“You don’t need to explain yourself. I get it and appreciate your thoughtfulness. I’ll take Ice out before you leave with Apollo. We’ll lock down here until I hear otherwise and will be your ears.”
“Thanks, Sparky,” Leo said. “Hollywood, I want you in the front vehicle with Apollo. Saint will argue two dogs will be better than one and if they refuse to allow you to lead, you follow. At the first sign of attack, I want you to spread out. Shadow and I will leave out and come from behind the rebels. Take note of who’s leaving the team.
We’ll need to find out whether our friends end up on this supply run.
We suit up with full gear, stay vigilant. ”
“Don’t you want us to spread out more?” Saint asked.
“No. We have to cover our brothers. They have no idea about what’s happening. Most of all, cover your asses. It’s getting late. We need to get some shut-eye. Make any calls you need to make. Once shit hits the fan, we don’t know when we’ll get to speak with them again.”
“Did you reach Catherine?” Saint asked Leo.
“No. I’m calling PITA and asking her to check. Hollywood, make your call from your room. We don’t need any more bananas walking around here.” Leo winked at him.
“I’m taking Sparky for a shower with Apollo and Ice. What will you do with Sergeant Taylor?”
Leo scratched his jaw. “In two hours, Saint and I will take her to our plane. I requested an equipment replacement. She’ll be in one of the boxes.
I’m flying her out to Serenity Mountain.
I will use one of our military contacts to give someone higher up a heads-up.
I don’t know this guy taking Rutherford’s place. ”
A sound at the doorway made everyone turn as Sergeant Taylor shuffled into the room, holding her side. Saint rushed to get her a chair.
“You need to rest,” Leo said firmly.
“They know you’re not here to replace equipment. Maybe Colonial Rutherford spilled the beans before he died. You’ll need to stay on your toes. They made it clear they didn’t expect me to live. I’m not leaving. I’ll stay here with Sparky.”
“You have a concussion,” Leo said.
“I can still see straight, and I can still shoot,” she insisted. “Plus, you can’t tell my command. They won’t know me as Sergeant Taylor. Colonial Rutherford picked me because the men in my unit made fun of my name. When we arrived, he suggested I go by Sergeant Taylor.”
“What’s your real name?” Leo asked.
Pausing for a moment, she glanced at the men. “I’m Kerrigan Taylor Loser.”
Knight leaned over the table. “Wait a minute. It’s French. You spell it L.O.S.E.R.”
“It’s German. My unit pronounced it as spelled, but it sounds like E.A. at the end. When I proved more than my name, Colonial Rutherford said he liked my grit.”
Shaking his head, Leo said, “I can see why. Rebecca and Julio will love you.”
“I can’t report to work because they believe I’m dead, but I won’t leave my post for the next two days,” she replied. “Then you can send me to this mountain place.”
“Then, I’ll have you help Sparky. She didn’t expect you. Which means if you tire out, rest,” Leo said. “I’ll take first watch with Saint and Shadow. Second watch, Sparky, Knight, Taco. Third watch, Patch, and Hollywood. Cole and Hollywood, I want you to stay with your dogs at all times.”
“Where did Shadow go?” Knight asked.
“I have him watching our new friends,” Leo explained. “He’ll be back shortly. “Sergeant Taylor, I’m assuming you’ll stick to the name until you return home. You can sleep in my bed. I’ll stay out here.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No, sir. You have an important mission to carry out. I want those assholes to pay. They killed Colonial Rutherford. I’m sure of it. I’ll sleep out here. With my concussion, I have to wake every hour anyway.”
“Fine,” Leo agreed. “Let’s get settled. Tomorrow can be a turning point for us.”
The team dispersed. Hollywood escorted Sparky to the showers, and they took the dogs for a break.
“I know I can’t see,” she said, grabbing Ice’s harness. “Why do I feel like we’re being watched?”
“Because two of our new friends have followed us,” he informed her. “They’re staying a good distance away. I’m still on coms if we run into issues.”
“How do you think it’ll go tomorrow?” she asked softly.
“Leo knows what he’s doing,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Keep your head down and out of sight until we return.”
“We will,” she agreed.
* * *
Leo dialed Kit Kat’s number again. “Hi, you’ve reached Catherine Armstrong. I’m unable to take your call. Please leave a message at the beep, and I’ll get back to you.”
Leo pressed his head against his hand. “Kit Kat, it’s me.
Damn it. It seems like all I do is apologize to you.
I don’t know when I’ll talk to you next, but when I get home…
” Leo paused. “I want things to change. We’re a team, and I’ve let you carry the load too long.
I love you more than anything, and I don’t think I’ve shown you enough lately.
Tell the kids I love them and I’m counting the days down until I’m with all of you again. ”