Chapter XV

 

David looked at his watch and saw it was just little after four pm. The sun was still struggling to produce some warmth in the late April afternoon. All four motor homes were parked and leveled for an extended stay. The holograph folks were still a bit jet lagged, but doing their job. It had taken quite a while to position the RV’s so when the holograph was displayed, it would point at the rocky overhang where they decided the shooters would select as the best place.

 

*~~~~*

 

AJ, Jake, Alex and Carol were enjoying a fine dinner when the news came in by fax. Carol with good ears heard the fax and as she was about finished with her dinner, left to see what came in.

Alex had gone to the kitchen to fetch the dessert. Jake sat back rubbing his tummy and said, “Damn AJ, I’m going gain weight if I keep this up. I don’t seem to control myself. Alex is one fine cook.”

“You don’t have to tell me Jake. I gained ten pounds and had to go on a diet. Alex never smiled for a month until I lost the weight. Now I just take smaller portions. I smelled the dessert and if I’m not mistaken, it’s a lemon pudding.”

Alex came in at the same time Carol did. He said, “I heard that gentlemen about my cooking being too rich. Moderation my friends is the key. Now this dessert is sweetened with Splenda and not so many calories. However, that doesn’t mean to eat three bowls full.”

After the laughter subsided, Carol handed AJ the fax that had just come in. While AJ read the document, the others wolfed down the tasty lemon pudding. Alex noticed a smile cross AJ’s face and waited for his report. Jake was more interested in the dessert than what was being read by AJ. Carol, on the other hand, had already read the document and was content to delicately spoon the lemon pudding into her large mouth.

AJ sat the document down and said, “We may have just hit the jackpot my friends. This fax comes from the Marshalls office telling us the private investigator gladly gave up Allied for a witness protection program. The man on the ground that does Allied’s bidding is Vince Blake. According to what we know Vince is the number five man of the unnamed elite of five. Also he is the direct contact with the guy we videoed. That would give us two witnesses to upset Allied’s plans. What was that guy’s name anyway?”

“Clyde Hyster,” replied Alex. “AJ, does it say what this guy looks like? I’d like to put an image in my mind. Why, I have no idea, but the greed of these people makes me wonder what they look like.”

“Carol, would you get some pictures or descriptions of both Clyde and Vince to make Alex happy?”

“Give me twenty minutes and we should have a fairly good idea who these guys are and what they look like.” She answered AJ’s query.

Jake said, “I’ve a meeting in Washington tomorrow with the attorney general. I’ve no doubt that she will start proceedings very shortly. I’d think by now Allied knows shit hit the fan. I for one would love to be in that conference room when those five guys receive the report from whomever brings forth the tidings.”

 

*~~~~*

 

On the high desert, a BBQ was in process. A small camp fire was burning with the group sitting around the fire on camp stools. Johnny had jokingly told them the difference between a white man fire and an Indian fire. Simply put, an Indian fire conserves wood and a white man fire is too hot to get close to. On a more serious note he said, “Your enemies have a harder time seeing you if there’s only a small fire burning.”

“Well, right now I’m cold enough for a white man fire,” said David.

“Burgers are ready, “announced Janice. A table had been set up with condiments and drinks. Paper plates and such things for clean up were utilized. No one wanted the drudgery of clean up.

After dinner Johnny asked David, “What do you think will happen next?”

“I think tomorrow morning early a single engine aircraft is going to fly over and take some pictures of us. If I’m not mistaken it will make a return trip about thirty minutes later. I expect the shooters to be on site tomorrow night some time. If I’m right then we must be fully ready by dark tomorrow. Johnny and I must be buried by the time the sun goes home.”

Both Janice and Kate were listening and not liking it much that both their men would be at risk tomorrow night. Janice said to Kate, “I think we all are at risk here Kate. Not too sure how we go this job, but I for one am thinking of resigning.”

Kate said, “I’m with you Janice. The stress and worry is not worth it. I’d sure like to see Johnny and I happily married with a couple kids running around chasing the dogs. How would I tell the story to our kids that we buried their father in the desert to rise up and kill some assassin?”

Janice bent over laughing and soon both Kate and she drew the attention of the camp fire crew. Janice said, “Never mind us it’s a joke between us girls.”

The tension was high, but all were focused on the job at hand. David felt confident and looking around the campfire was satisfied with what he saw. He thought about what it might be like buried underground with a breathing tube for at least eight plus hours. Johnny had told him of an Indian tribe from Oregon that would submerge them under water in a lake. They breathed through a reed rising only to capture fowl or to surprise an enemy. He flashed back to when he read about snipers in Vietnam who would for hours lay silent on the ground not moving while bugs of various kinds feasted on his body. If they could do it so could he. The only danger might be a rattle snake, but he felt that was remote. Mentally, could he handle being buried breathing through a tube? Time will tell, he thought.

Later that night David and Janice lay in bed talking about tomorrow’s events. David asked, “Do you have confidence in this holography stuff?”

“I sure do. I saw more than one video and it’s amazing. You absolutely can’t tell the difference between real life and video. I’m confident that when it’s presented, the assassins will think it’s real.”

“As soon as I hear shots, I’m up blazing away. If all goes well, I’d like us to somehow send this over the internet warning other assassins the danger of confronting us Marshalls.”

“I like that idea Kemosabe. Let’s be careful not to publish our faces or IDs. I think after this operation I’ll get my hair straightened and wear fake glasses.”

“How about a tit job too? He sarcastically asked.

“Actually, I’d like that as mine are too big now. I get tired of guys staring at my chest all the time.”

“I understand as I really get tired of women staring at my crotch. I always think my zipper is down or pants unbuttoned or something weird.”

“Enough of this stuff Kemosabe. I want you to hold me and let’s get a good nights sleep.”