Chapter 11
Sparky walked beside Shadow wearing the traditional garb of Afghan women. “This chadari gets freaking hotter by the minute,” she whispered furiously. “Have you seen anything? I swear I wish I got my eyesight back so I can beat the tar out of the person who considered wearing this a great idea.”
“Easy, Sparky,” Shadow replied. “You don’t want Cole overhearing you. He put the robes on without complaining.”
“Excuse me? He drew the shortest straw. I didn’t even get a choice,” she muttered softly.
“If it makes you feel better, you’re much prettier,” Shadow chuckled. “We got most of his beard off, but he still resembles a hairy woman.”
Sparky giggled. “It does. Concentrate, do you see people all going in the same direction?”
“No,” he said, sighing. “They’re feeding goats, a couple of chickens, and sheep. I’m walking you over to the market area. Maybe you can overhear what they’re saying.”
Following the actions of the other men, Shadow stacked wood. Sparky listened to the conversations around her, confident in the fact her team kept her safe.
A foul-smelling man drew closer and started yelling at her to move. Stepping back, she lowered her head and felt Shadow’s grip on her arm.
The man continued his assault, claiming she disrespected him. Shadow growled at the man, making him step back.
“Reprimand me,” she whispered.
“What?” he asked, shocked.
“Do it,” she gritted out.
Shadow yelled at her in the man’s language, and she cowered. He grabbed her arm and dragged her away. The man yelled and followed them a short distance before finally stopping.
“What the hell got his panties in a twist?” Shadow hissed. “Did I hurt you when I grabbed your arm?”
“Stop acting like a ninny. I’m fine. He said I disrespected him. I never moved from my spot,” she informed him.
“Did you hear anything?”
“No. They’re upset with the village to the east of them. They think they’re stealing their livestock at night,” she said. “Can I take the robe off now?”
“In a minute. We don’t know who’s watching,” he said, approaching the hidden vehicle. He opened the door and helped her inside before getting into the driver’s seat.
“Oh, how I miss driving,” Sparky lamented. “Rolling down the windows, letting my hair down, and listening to the radio as I drove for miles.”
Shadow drove away from the village a good distance and pulled over.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, sitting up, alert.
“If this has taught me one thing, life is too short for regrets. I may be crazy, but I’m letting you drive. The radio’s busted. You’ll either have to listen to me sing or yell when to turn.”
“You’re letting me drive?” she asked, astonished.
“Come on, before I change my mind. We’re not far from the mountain. There’s nothing between here and there. I’ll tell you which way to turn,” Shadow laughed.
“Oh my gosh,” she gushed. “You’re serious?”
“I’m giving you to the count of three,” Shadow said, getting out of the truck. It’s not like she could hurt the old beater anyway.
Sparky jumped out and felt her way around the truck until Shadow grabbed her hand and helped her into the driver’s seat.
“You do recall which pedal does what, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, yes, get in,” she said excitedly.
“We have no seatbelts. Take it slow to start,” he advised.
“This thing can only do fifty miles per hour on a good day,” she squealed, wiggling in the seat.
“All right, let’s go,” he said, hitting the dashboard.
Sparky put her foot on the gas, and they took off.
“Wooo hoo,” she cried into the wind.
“Turn a little to the left,” he directed.
Biting her lip, she moved the steering wheel as he gave directions.
“You’re moving off the road. Turn the wheel a little to your right,” he directed.
Shadow watched as Sparky’s face lit up. He regretted not having a phone on him to take a picture for Ty. When they returned home, he’d pull Sparky’s husband aside and suggest he do the same in one of his fields.
“We’re getting close to Knight and Ragu’s position. Wave your hand in the air.” Giggling, she raised her arm and grinned. Shadow laughed. Sometimes life gave some unpredictable memories.
* * *
Ragu pulled the binoculars from his face, wiped them, and scanned the area again.
“I’ll be damned. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it for myself,” he muttered.
“What has you befuddled?” Saint asked, rising from his spot.
“Sparky’s driving the truck like a pro,” he explained.
“Did you hit your fucking head?” Saint accused him. “Give me those,” he said, taking the binoculars from him.
Saint moved them until the vehicle came in sight. It slowed down to a stop, and his two dim-witted employees got out. He watched Sparky dance and jump up and down. As Shadow rounded the truck, they high-fived like two teenagers.
Groaning, Saint pinched his nose, relating to Leo when his employees did stupid things. What the hell were they thinking? Shadow handed Sparky off to Knight while he hid the truck. Then, the trio made their way back to base.
Saint placed his hands on his hips as he waited for his mischievous team members to make an appearance.
When they finally entered the cave, he tore into them. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing? You’re supposed to scout out the village. Not joyride through the desert,” he reprimanded them.
Shadow’s expression turned sheepish while Sparky grinned.
“Did you see me? I forgot what it felt like,” she said, glowing.
“If I could see you, did you forget others might see you, too?” he growled.
Sparky’s smile faded, and she pulled the topi from her head. “It’s my fault. I told Shadow how much I missed driving. He felt sorry for me and gave me one last opportunity.”
Saint glared at Shadow, arching a brow and frowning.
“I know, I know. There’s nobody around here for miles. I figured it wouldn’t hurt anything,” Shadow said, giving his lame excuse.
“What about the truck? It’s not easy getting vehicles,” Saint lit into him. “What if she wrapped it around a tree? Did you see a car lot as you whizzed past?”
“Uh, boss, I didn’t see any trees. I swear,” Sparky held up her right hand.
Shadow and Knight covered their mouths to contain their laughter, and Saint fought to keep a straight face.
“You’re lucky Leo wasn’t here to see your little stunt. When we get back home, you and Shadow will report to my office. You two know better than to horse around the desert,” Saint said sternly.
“Yes, sir,” Sparky said, accepting the reprimand. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll take Shadow’s punishment, too. He gave me a rare gift, and I enjoyed the hell out of it.”
“Then I’ll assign you double the punishment, and he’ll get latrine duty for sheer stupidity,” Saint barked. “Did you learn anything else?”
“They’re having a market day next month. The neighboring villages will call a cease fire to share and barter their goods. It seems they’re concerned about the east village. A few of them brushed it off, saying they’re protected and not to worry,” Sparky informed them.
Knight frowned. “What do they mean by protected?”
Shrugging, Shadow said, “We don’t know. Their weapons appear outdated, and the huts seem as if they’ll fly away at the first major windstorm.”
“What about protection from others?” Sparky suggested. “What if the military watches over them? Since they’re close to the base, and close to the attack, could they be part of it?”
“It’s a possibility,” Saint mused. “Where the hell did Cole and Hollywood go? I expected them to arrive around the same time as you.”
“We left to keep from garnering attention. The small market allowed us to drift into the village today, but they must know most of them by now,” Shadow offered.
“Maybe they’re having better luck than us,” Sparky said, taking the canteen from Saint and getting a drink.
“They’re coming,” Ragu announced. “Cole doesn’t seem happy.”
“I don’t blame him. You try wearing the chadari and topi. It’s hotter than Hades,” Sparky said. “Those women have earned my respect.”
“They’re covering the truck and their tracks,” Ragu reported. “Cole seems preoccupied. He’s scanning the area, and Striker keeps stopping and staring.”
Saint ran to the entrance with his weapon ready. Ragu, Knight, and Shadow positioned themselves as Sparky moved to the floor to load the weapons as needed.
Striker growled, and a shot rang out, and a bullet barely missed his foot.
Cole ordered the K-9 to attack as Hollywood circled around the area with Apollo, determined to lead their attacker away from the base.
The dogs took off, determined to catch their prey as Hollywood and Cole attempted to keep up.
Cole stumbled, still dressed in women’s clothes.
Rounds fired around him, blocking him from going farther.
“Damn it,” he yelled, ducking away from the fragments flying around him.
“Go, go, go,” Saint ordered as they rushed out, careful to stay out of sight. They already lost Leo. He wasn’t about to come home with another man in a box.
As the team rounded the mountain, someone threw a flash bang in front of them, making them hold back.
Hollywood recalled the K-9s, which seemed to run in circles, confused. “Damn it, they must have put something on the ground. The K-9s have lost their scent.”
“Do you see anything?” Saint demanded.
“No. It’s like no one was even here,” Hollywood said, sounding livid.
“Search the area. It’s not as if they disappeared in thin air,” Saint said, running in their direction.
“Maybe they adopted Leo’s talent,” Shadow muttered. “How can they vanish within minutes?”
The men surveilled the area again while Hollywood and Cole redirected the K-9’s.
“We need to move. They know we’re here. Damn it, Shadow, you gave our position away. You and your careless act. No one, and I mean no one, lets a blind person drive,” Saint cursed.
“You don’t know they followed us,” Shadow seethed. “Cole doesn’t exactly resemble a woman. Maybe he got made.”
Hollywood laughed. “A man offered me three goats and a chicken for him when I told him he was my sister.”
“Why didn’t you take him up on it?” Shadow asked. “I’d do anything for a roasted chicken or some fresh eggs.”