The Long Shot #2
She checked her six and the workmen were still on the other side of the massive AC unit.
She covered herself with a gray tarp, then pointed the barrel over the edge.
This is it, she thought, and sighted the back of Joel Miller’s head sitting in his chair.
What a target that would be, she thought.
She noticed two men leaned on furniture to each side of him.
One man was Black and his arm was in a sling—Alabama, Simo nicknamed the good-looking Black guy.
Foster Lee was the lanky white guy on the other side.
Chen’s voice filled her ear. “Simo’s comms in three… two…”
She heard voices over her comms. It wasn’t Simo’s; it was John Harding, Joel’s mercs' leader, and he was angry. “…HE WAS A MARINE! A death is a death. I owe you one plus interest, Petras.”
Simo’s cold voice followed, “He was a shit-for-brains Marine to try and fight me with my knife at his throat. Oh, he’s off the coast of Mexico, too. So, we going to finish business right here and now… oh, before you answer, Alabama? Use Stubbs' monocular.”
“What y’all want me to do with it now?” came the southern drawl.
“Sight the top of the MGM building. Right corner.”
Jessie watched him turn and sight the scope upward. That was her cue. She said a prayer, saw the flag flutter, then relax. Squeeze. Thump. She saw the man leap back as the red paint splattered right where his face was.
“YES!” Jessie whispered and then Chen’s voice came back on comms.
“And?”
“Nailed it,” she sung out.
“I never had any doubt,” Chen chuckled. “Cover Simo until I give the bug-out order.”
“Copy.”
She switched to the magazine with real rounds.
She watched them in the room and could see the tension rising.
Joel angrily got out of his chair and had an envelope in his hand.
He came back and sat down hard and looked like he was pissed off.
“Good,” Jessie snickered. Then two men in suits were standing in front of Joel’s desk.
“Ha!” She laughed; her plan worked, having played Joel’s attorneys' secretary setting up a fake appointment with LA’s homicide detectives to give Simo his out.
“You are clear to bug out.”
“Copy that. Bugging out.”
Simo worked the pin back into the grenade, slipped it into his pocket, and smiled.
“Joelly, if I die, my team has orders to entertain you for a very long time and they will make every second hurt… badly. That goes for the rest of you.” Simo smiled at their glares as he backed toward the doors.
With one hand, he casually opened the doors, gestured to the two detectives, turned to Joel, and spoke with a heavy accent.
“Mr. Miller, I thank you for your time. I will do more acting class… like you say.”
Simo stepped out of the way of the detectives and sighed at them. “I no can catch break in this movie business…” They nodded and he closed the door behind them.
Simo pointed at Joel’s secretary, Sarah, and jerked his hand at the door. She had her purse in hand and rushed to Theo, who appeared at the open office door motioning her to hurry. The elevator opened as they approached and they rushed inside.
Theo chuckled. “Police here when we need them…”
Simo nodded. “Jessie’s idea.”
When the elevator stopped at the parking garage, Theo stepped out and checked the area, then motioned for Simo and Sarah to come out.
Theo spoke into his microphone and a black van suddenly braked to a halt in front of them.
Simo helped Sarah inside, got into the front passenger side, and motioned to the driver. “Eleni, let’s go!”
Sarah clutched her new Balenciaga purse to her chest and looked nervously around at all the electronics. Simo reached back and tapped her arm, scaring Sarah. Her frightened eyes met Simo’s.
“Sarah, relax. You are free. Your family is safe now, you have my word.”
“What do I do now?”
“When I need you, you will tell the truth about what happened on board the flight. Understand?”
“Yes. What will I do for work?”
“You are leaving LA. I have something set up for you up in Oregon.” Simo pointed at Eleni. “Eleni will be taking you there personally tomorrow. She will also stay where you will be, as security.”
“Thank you, Mr. Simo.”
Simo accepted a thick envelope from Eleni, dismissed her irritated stare, and turned back to Sarah.
“Sarah, give me all of your identification and credit cards.” She quickly did as asked.
Simo produced one credit card and an ID with her picture on it.
“Your real name… Selena Torres. You and your family are all resident aliens now. When you come through with your part of the deal, we will help you get citizenship.” He held up a passport and waved it at her.
Sarah's eyes shot open in surprise. She saw the passport was from her home country. It read: República de Colombia, Pasaporte. “Thank you so much, Mr. Simo.”
He gave her a single nod and turned forward without another word.
“We need to talk before you go,” Eleni said to Simo in Greek. “Theo, stay here with Sarah in the hotel room.”
Simo sighed and left the room with Eleni on his heels. Simo headed to the parking lot and got into the van. Eleni got in, shut the door hard, and glared at Simo. “You need to talk with Jessie.”
“What? Why?”
“It’s not done with.”
“She was fine at the range and she did good hitting the window today…”
“Listen! I’m not talking about her performance. One day the shit with Jessie is going to hit the fan. If you think you have problems now, just wait…”
He pointed his thick finger at her face. “You listen! She’s backed off…”
“Vray, malaka! Are you so dense to not understand? She has been biding her time. She’s going to be assessing the situation. She is switching from schoolgirl love to what she has been trained to do. She is incredibly smart; do not forget that.”
“So, you want me to send Jessie to Annabeth’s now instead of you?”
Eleni folded her arms at Simo. “You are so fucking clueless at times. You are great at tactics… you need to use some of that when dealing with your love life.”
“I don’t want or have a fucking love life! What do you want me to do with Jessie! Remember, this is your fault!”
“Oh… I see. Jessie was already in love with you, and… you fuck her, no… you made love to her, and she didn't fall harder in love with you afterward?”
“I’m sick of this shit! You women are making my head spin!” Simo ran his hands down his face. “What am I supposed to say to her?”
“What you really feel. Get it out in the open…”
“Fuck that. I need to send her away… fuck this. Jessie will take your place…” Simo angrily retorted.
“Stop. Think. You never act rash like this.” Eleni jabbed her finger at her temple. “It might be best for you, but do you really think sending a lovesick girl into Annabeth’s home is best for Annabeth and Christina?”
“No… and she’s not lovesick,” he said, trying hard to convince himself.
Eleni sighed and spoke softly, “Simo… she really is, and why shouldn’t she be? Why did you pick Jessie and not Becky or me to take the shot and potentially to have to cover your ass?”
Simo shrugged, then sighed. “Yeah, yeah…”
“Why?” Eleni demanded.
“I knew she would have my back… I mean, I know you and Becky would have, too.”
“Simo… you are purposely being blind.” Eleni let out a long breath of air and met Simo’s dark eyes. Eleni shook her head. “You… are hurting Jessie. I see her covering it up all the time.”
Simo threw his hands up in the air, shaking his head. “Now is not the time, Eleni! All this shit with that little bitch and who knows what else is coming down the line. My fucking nose is constantly itching.”
Eleni’s eyes widened and she sighed, “Fuck.”