Chapter 17 #2
“It’s clear you don’t agree, Detective,” Victor said.
“Like I said, it doesn’t make much sense.
But it’s like being in a dream for me. It has the same floaty, ethereal feeling.
We’re insulated inside a small, comforting space, and it seems like I could direct the pilot to go almost anywhere. No restrictions.”
She nodded, but she wasn’t quite sure if she understood what he was going for. Considering Burke’s skeptical look, he had no clue.
The helicopter made a sharp descent, and Victor swung his focus back to the window.
Burke continued bobbing his knee, but he tipped his head at Victor, then gave her a pointed look. Maybe he was thinking about Victor’s answers to their questions. Instead of finding closure, his answers had given them more questions to ponder. But then, that’s how investigations worked.
She prayed that the new set of questions would indeed give them answers before someone tried to make another attempt on Victor’s life.
The helo settled on the ground with a bump.
Burke took off his headphones and released his seatbelt.
He didn’t know what to expect in the compound.
He hadn’t taken any classes with Blackwell Tactical, but a couple deputies in his department had, and they’d come back almost glowing from the visit.
He’d wondered if their descriptions had been over the top in an effort to make their fellow deputies jealous. He was finally going to find out.
The door slid open, and Coop waited outside as refreshingly cool air rushed in.
Burke waited for Abby to unbuckle and move to the door. Coop offered his hand. She took it without hesitating.
What? Any time Burke offered his help, she’d rejected it. He didn’t know what to make of that, but he didn’t have time to ponder it. He wanted to get outside ahead of Victor so he could help him down.
Victor got up slowly and limped his way to the door. He hooked the end of the cane over his arm, then let Burke and Coop take his elbows to heft him safely to the ground.
Victor looked around, his gaze searching. “You’re sure this place is safe?”
“It’s too dark to make out the fence.” Coop pointed toward the perimeter. “But it’s there, along with an exceptional alarm system. Trust me, if anyone tries to enter, we’ll be alerted. You can be sure our team will immediately intercept the intruder.”
“Sounds perfect.” Victor gave a nervous smile.
“I’ll get your bags.” Coop jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “But Gage should be here any minute to take you to the cabins.”
As if he’d summoned Gage to the location, an all-terrain vehicle pulled up to the helipad, The man Burke assumed to be Gage jumped out from behind the wheel.
He was tall, buff, and had super dark hair.
Burke put the guy in his early forties. Burke knew everyone on the Blackwell team had served in the military, but had been discharged due to injuries.
He wasn’t familiar with Gage’s injury, but he didn’t move with any obvious residual effects from it.
“Welcome,” he said as he approached and held out his hand. “I’m Gage Blackwell. I hope you enjoy your stay with us.”
Victor eyed him. “Will you keep me safe?”
“You have my word on that.” The self-assurance in Gage’s tone gave Burke confidence in his abilities.
They made the introductions.
“I can give you a ride to the cabin,” Gage said. “Or maybe you want to stretch out and walk after your flight.”
Abby turned to Victor. “It’s up to you.”
“A walk might be good. It will give me a chance to look around.”
“Then a walk, it is.”
“Don’t stray off the road,” Gage warned. “Coop and I’ll deliver your luggage to your cabin.”
Burke and Abby flanked Victor as they set off down the paved road. In the glowing light of a street lamp, they caught sight of a small town made of cutout storefronts.
“What is that?” Victor pointed at it. “Looks like a Hollywood movie set of a city street.”
“You’re almost right,” Abby said. “False fronted buildings were created to mimic an urban street for close combat and tactical training for law enforcement officers.”
His eyes lit up, and his pace increased. “I’ve got to see this.”
They reached the tree-lined street holding a bank, post office, grocery, and various retail stores. Everything was top-notch. The realism of all the details left Burke believing he was on an urban street. Looked like the deputies who returned from training here weren’t exaggerating.
Victor turned in a circle. “This is amazing. It feels so real. Reminds me of Disneyland’s top quality.”
Abby nodded. “Gage doesn’t do things halfway. It’s only the best for him and his team. Which also includes the compound security. No one is going to hurt you here, so you can relax.”
A broad smile crossed his face. “I honestly believe you now. Thank you for arranging such a sanctuary for me.”
“Of course.”
They continued down the street, Burke taking everything in. Just ahead stood a large, steel, barn-like building about the size of a basketball court.
“This is their training facility and the team’s armory,” Abby told him. “Since you’re staying the night, you might want to ask Gage or Coop for a tour of their armory. I’ve never seen anything better.”
“I’ll ask.” Burke wasn’t really into weapons, but as a professional in law enforcement he needed to carry one and be prepared to use it.
It could mean his handgun or a long gun.
Plus, as a detective he needed to stay up to date with what was on the street, and he’d be interested in seeing the variety of weapons they chose to buy.
“Sam’s lab is also at the back of this building,” Abby said.
Burke looked to the left where six small log cabins were lined up in a row along the road. They were identical rectangular boxes, but further down he spotted six additional cabins, each one a different design.
“The first cabins are used by trainees and where you’ll be staying,” Abby said. “Further down you’ll see the founding team members’ cabins they designed and built. Everyone but Sam has moved out for more space for their expanding families, and the cabins are occupied by new team members.”
Victor stopped, staring ahead. “Looks like they got pretty creative in their designs.”
“They did,” Abby said. “The buildings fit the team member’s personality. If you know them, it’s easy to determine which person designed which one.”
Once again, Burke was impressed. Not by the quality of the build, he couldn’t see the cabins well enough to determine that, but by the way Gage had included his original team members in his organization.
Burke kept seeing hints of a strong leader and could understand why this team was so successful.
“You’re in cabin three.” Abby led the way and opened the door to a small, rustic log-lined box.
“Oh my,” Victor said. “I know you said cabin, but this is really primitive. I don’t know if I can stay here.”
“It has everything you need,” Abby said. “There are two beds in the bedroom, and the bathroom is newer and well-maintained. There are snacks in the cupboard. No food for meals, but then I don’t think you’ll be here long enough to need to cook.”
Victor’s forehead knotted. “I guess that’s good, because I don’t have the faintest idea how to.”
“You can’t count on me either,” Burke said. “Toast, coffee, and sandwiches are about the extent of my kitchen skills.”
“Perfect! I make a mean bowl of cereal, so between the three of us, we have Michelin-star potential.” Abby laughed freely, more relaxed than he’d ever seen her.
His heart gave a kick. He jerked his gaze away.
“I’ll just pack up my things,” she said, “and head to Sam’s place. I’ll see you both for dinner tonight.”
“About that.” Victor cast her an uncertain look. “I appreciate her husband offering to cook for all of us, but I’m way too tired to socialize.”
“You have to eat,” Abby said.
“Would it be possible just to get a sandwich?”
“My specialty.” Burke chuckled. “I’d be glad to make one if Sam has the fixings at her place.”
“I’m sure she does, and I can handle it.” Abby’s good mood disappeared, why, he didn’t know. “Let me get my bags, and I’ll be back with the sandwich.”
Burke watched her stride toward the bedroom, catching something in her expression she probably didn’t mean to show—something uneasy, maybe even vulnerable.
She didn’t fully trust him yet. Her expression made it obvious.
Maybe trust anyone. Still, he was sure she believed he’d do the right thing, even if she wasn’t totally sure she could rely on him for everything.
He’d take anything he could get from her right now—it was a start anyway. A start of something he shouldn’t even want to pursue.