CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The men thought it was cold at Belle Fleur but it didn’t come close to the ball-freezing winter brewing in D.C. Dressed in the best gear known to man, they weren’t stupid enough to not recognize that they were the lucky ones.
Taking the SUV that was loaded into the cargo hold, they knew it had all the weapons, gear, and protection they would need. It also possessed something they never traveled without. Blankets for the homeless.
It was a long-standing tradition. If they were on an op during the winter months, they always tried to carry blankets and socks for those less fortunate. It was something Mama Irene had insisted upon decades ago.
Today, they knew they would be handing out everything they had in the vehicle.
“We must have missed the arctic plunge notice,” said Leif. “It’s fucking cold here.”
“It is but we’re the lucky ones,” said Moose nodding toward a man on the corner. He was sitting on top of one of the train grates, surrounded by cardboard. Sebastian pulled the vehicle over and U-Jin stepped out, grabbing a blanket and socks.
“Hey man, you okay?” he asked.
“I’ll make it,” said the man. U-Jin handed him the items and he looked up, staring at U-Jin. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said giving a nod.
“Do you need something? Want something in return?” asked the man. U-Jin frowned, tilting his head. “It’s just most folks want something in return. Come to my church. Let me help you but you have to join my cause. What do you want?”
“Nothing,” said U-Jin. “We’re trying to find a shock jock named Leopold. You seen him?”
“Sure,” smirked the man. “He comes by here a few times a month and always drops off food or money for all of us. He’s a good guy.”
“Do you know where he is today?”
“Nope. Wouldn’t tell you even if I knew. Feds are trying to shut him down because he speaks the truth.” U-Jin nodded, giving the man a wave.
“Did he say anything?” asked Leif.
“Just that Leopold helps out the homeless when he’s in the area. He’s a good guy from what I can tell so far.”
“Let’s find out,” said Mike.
It was hours of following signals, pings coming from this broadcast, chasing down radio waves, or at least that’s what the nerds called them.
“Another empty fucking parking lot,” said Moose. “This is getting old fast.”
“We need gas,” said Leif, “and I’m hungry. There’s a station not far from here that serves hot sandwiches. I’m not picky.”
“I am,” frowned U-Jin. “I don’t eat sandwiches from gas stations.”
“Then you’re missing out,” smirked Mike. “Some of the best food on the planet and it works when you’re in a hurry.”
They turned the SUV toward the massive, mega-station down the road.
It was different than most fuel stations in that although it had dozens of gas pumps, big truckers were not allowed.
Inside you could find everything from snacks to hot sandwiches, muffins, cakes, pies, and even housewares and knives.
It was a strange place with amazing smells.
“Damn,” muttered U-Jin, “now I’m hungry.”
“Told you,” smirked Moose.
It took them thirty minutes to fill up and walk around the store, loading up on snacks, sandwiches, hot coffee in newly purchased thermoses, and bottles of water.
While standing at the coffee station, a customer was speaking to a manager.
“You’re sure it’s okay?” asked the customer.
“I told you, it’s fine. I’m the only one here tonight. Just stay parked behind the building and no one will know.”
“I appreciate it, Will. I just need to get this episode out and I can move on.” The two men shook hands and the customer disappeared out a side door.
“Leif? You ready?” asked Moose.
“Yeah. I think we’re all ready.”
Leopold got his script ready, the highlights of what he wanted to point out on the program today. An FBI deputy director was dead, an agent was dead, and one was missing and no one wanted to talk about it. He knew it was a conspiracy and knew that someone knew the answers.
He stood and checked sound on everything, then tested the signal. He was lucky that his old friend allowed him to park the RV behind the station. Usually, no one was allowed to park for any length of time but he owed him a favor.
In Leopold’s mind, everyone was a suspect for something. He believed the POTUS, congress, the House, mayors, any public officials were taking money and gifts illegally. He believed that secrets were hidden from the general population, that they needed to know.
And most importantly, he believed that he was the one who should tell the world about it.
With the locks secured on the passenger and driver doors, he bolted the door to the back of the RV and took his seat. Seven minutes to live. Just as he was about to speak, a crashing through the roof window made him turn, shaking as he saw a man, then another standing in his RV.
“What are you doing? Get out!” he yelled.
“I don’t think so, Leopold,” said U-Jin. Sebastian unlocked the door and the others walked into the small space of the RV.
“Well, this smells, uh, disgusting,” frowned Moose.
“Hey! It’s my home. I shower when I can but thanks to assholes like you, I’m on the run all the time.”
“Assholes like us?” asked Leif.
“You’re feds, right?”
“Not even close,” said Mike. He held up a photo of Priscilla and River and stared at the man. “Why were you watching them?”
Leopold stared at the men, then back at the photo. He seemed confused at first, then complete clarity crossed his face.
“Holy, shit. You’re them. You’re VG or whatever you’re calling yourselves now.”