Chapter 11
As soon as they’d hit US airspace, Clint had started making calls based on Theodora’s recommendations. He’d been able to talk to her during one of the many refueling stops, usually on military bases, thanks to their official orders from Homeland Security.
“Sorry it took us so long,” Van apologized as he started the post -light checklist. “Flights like these make me miss in-air refueling.”
“Is that the only thing about the Air Force you miss?” Clint asked.
“Yes!” Van declared emphatically. “Dad gives me all the free rein I can handle for the airside of his operation. As long as I can justify the cost. But you know that. He does the same for you on the land side.”
“Definitely. Thanks for getting us here safe and sound and in less than twenty-four hours. Not bad.” Clint checked his American cell phone for messages, then looked out the window.
Yes. I love it when a plan comes together.
The local funeral home hearse was cautiously approaching their plane. A second sedan was right behind it.
Excellent. According to his text, that would be the insurance adjuster.
Clint reached into his travel satchel and retrieved what was supposed to be all the paperwork he needed for Javier’s body.
Thankfully, Doc Barnes had taken the death certificate he had signed to the American Embassy in Addis Ababa to get the Consular Report of Death of a U.S.
Citizen Abroad (CRDA). The funeral home would have to issue an official US death certificate, which he hoped would happen today, since it was early in the afternoon Central Time.
Clint had been told the insurance company could release one hundred thousand dollars as soon as the CRDA was in the adjuster’s hands.
He heard the tailgate opening. He needed to hurry downstairs and grab Theodora, and of course, her mother.
He wanted them off the plane before his men dealt with Javier’s body.
It had been shipped in a body bag inside a man-sized refrigeration unit that had been loaded first and far away from the seats.
He hurried down the steps and passed Murillo, who was giving orders like he’d been doing so with their team for years. “How’s it going?” Clint just wanted verification.
“I got it, boss.” His new SNCO gave him a thumbs-up.
The thought of taking the year home to Texas ran through Clint’s mind. He made an abrupt halt. “Lukas, you’re from Texas, right? If you want to take the next couple of days off while we’re here and go home to see your parents, feel free to do so.”
Murillo froze as though surprised. He quickly recovered. “My family and I aren’t on real good terms,” he explained. “But thank you for thinking of that.”
He’d used one of the many stops to brief Lukas Murillo on how he wanted things unloaded. Clint was a little surprised when his new senior leader had taken the initiative to ask for volunteers to handle Javier’s body once they’d arrived in Texas.
Clint moved quickly to where he’d seated Theodora and her mother. “Please come with me to meet the insurance adjuster. He’s waiting right outside for you.”
Clint helped both women down the steep military-grade ramp that, under Van’s direction, had been reinforced so they could drive preloaded trucks and roll helicopters weighted with munitions quickly and easily on board.
As the three walked to the insurance man waiting next to his car, Clint explained, “My men will find and bring your suitcases. Everything else of yours will be loaded onto that U-Haul. I hope you did as I asked and made arrangements for a self-storage unit.”
“Yes.” Theodora never took her eyes off the white-haired insurance representative. “I did everything you asked as soon as you gave me the US cell phone.” She took it from her pocket and held it out to him.
“You keep it,” Clint explained. “It’s a prepaid phone with over one thousand minutes of talk and text.
We figured, by the time you used all those, you’d have your own plan.
You can just throw that phone away when you’re done with it.
” He’d never tell her it was one of many burner phones that the Riggs Corporation owned.
Dell, their computer guru, would track it for at least a year after it had used all its minutes.
He held out his hand as they approached the man, who looked to be in his late fifties to early sixties. “Good afternoon. I’m Clint Riggs. You must be Mr. Lamplighter. Thank you for meeting us here at the airport.”
With a smile, the grandfatherly-looking man shook Clint’s hand.
“No problem,” he assured, then turned to the two women with his hand out again.
“You must be Theodora Castillo. I’m terribly sorry for your loss, but I guarantee you that I will get you your money as soon as I can.
” He opened the back door to the car. “I’ve arranged a conference room for us inside.
Of course, there’s paperwork that you’ll need to sign, and I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable in the air conditioning. ”
While Theodora slid into the back seat, her mother sashayed up to Mr. Lamplighter.
“So nice to meet you.” She held his hand so long he looked uncomfortable.
“I’m Kimmy Parsons, Theodora’s mother.” When she finally released his hand, she flounced around the car to the other side and waited for him to open the door for her.
Standing too close, she reached up and raked her fingers through his nearly white strands. “I simply love your hair.”
With a practiced smile pasted on his lightly wrinkled face, the insurance agent nearly hit her with the door, forcing Kimmy to step back.
“My wife really likes this new style. My daughter reshaped it a little this time. She’s a beautician not far from Charlotte.
I can give you her number if you would like.
” He ran his nails through his hair, readjusting it, before he closed the door and walked to Clint, who was waiting at the front of the vehicle.
“Kimmy is a piece of work,” Clint warned her with his back to the car.
“Theodora has been nice in all my dealings with her, but I don’t know her very well.
” He handed the man the CRDA. “You said on the phone you’d be able to put one hundred thousand dollars immediately into her account and the remainder after the official US certificate of death is issued. ”
“I’ve dealt with women like Kimmy before. They’re always trouble. Hopefully, I can speak honestly with Theodora without her in the room.” Mr. Lamplighter shook his head.
Clint smiled. “I can help with that. I’ll send one of my men to get Kimmy, under the guise that we need her to watch the unloading of Theodora’s household goods. It may be a few minutes, though. We need to get the body into the hearse.”
“That’ll work. I can handle her for as long as you need.” The insurance man turned and got into the car.
As Clint walked back to the plane, several black SUVs pulled up, blocking the view of the tailgate from anyone inside the terminal.
He grinned. These men had obviously done this before.
The armored vehicles were borrowed from another government contractor who greeted Van with smiles and handshakes.
Obviously, the Riggs Corporation had previously loaned them his brother’s services.
“The men are going to stay in one of their safe houses in Pleasanton, about a half-hour drive from Charlotte,” Van announced as soon as Clint joined the small group of drivers. He held up two keys. “And they’ve secured the house next door.”
“There should be plenty of room for your men,” the obvious leader declared. As usual, no names were exchanged.
“Thank you so much for helping us out.” Clint held out his hand, and the other man quickly took it.
“Happy to repay the favor. We have to be going.” He glanced at the hearse where Clint’s men were loading the VA-provided casket. “Sorry for your loss.” With a barely seen hand signal, the drivers headed to a nondescript van that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
The next two days flew by with preparations for the funeral.
His men were enjoying what could be their last free days before their mission started, although they had been given no details, except a conference room number and which Homeland Security building to report to in three days. Those instructions were not unusual.
The best part of being on US soil once again was that he could video call Ashlin every night.
She’d mentioned a Michelin five-star restaurant she’d been wanting to eat at, so he’d immediately called in and made reservations for her birthday, which was less than a week away.
Clint glanced at the black velvet box, sitting on the desk at the house he had rented for himself and Van.
The real estate agent made them pay for the small two-bedroom ranch for the entire week, plus a cleaning fee, but Clint didn’t care.
It was in Charlotte, where Theodora was temporarily staying with her mother, while the same real estate agent showed her homes.
When Theodora narrowed it down to three houses, she’d ask Clint to look at them with her.
Thankfully, her mother wasn’t able to go with them.
“So, how are things going for you?” Clint queried when he’d picked her up.
“Everything seems to be moving along well for the funeral. I’ve heard from several of our classmates who will be attending everything, the viewing, the funeral, and the meal following the cemetery burial.
” Theodora then rolled her eyes. “I need to find a house right away. Mama is driving me nuts. This afternoon, she’s insisting that we go shopping for appropriate funeral clothing.
” She made finger quotes around the last three words.
“Which really means I will buy a black dress and she will buy several outfits with my money.”