“Just like Adelaide.” I looked back down, and immediately opened the text. “Okay, it reads: Sorry new friend Jelly won’t tell until day of show. Holding over my head & family. Say I owe her & if it goes bad I have 2 save her or her uncle 86 me.
“That draws a rather bleak picture of what will happen to Twist,” I said as I handed the phone to Greg.
Crosby sat on the edge of the table and said, “LT, I have an idea about this.”
Mike grinned. “You mean, theory, don’t you?”
“They’re similar.” Crosby smiled. “What if Reggie’s buddy is in real trouble, and I’m guessing he most likely is since he didn’t report for duty, and, Reggie I’m hoping I’m wrong. But say it’s the case and his credentials are indeed missing and they can get someone on the Air Guard Base at Bradley, once the photo has been swapped out. It gives Jelly and her pals a way to sneak weapons onto the base, say in an armory truck and stash them ahead of time where they’d be unnoticed. It is a military base, after all, so who’s going to think weapons and ammo are out of place, especially if they’re American?” Crosby raised his eyebrows.
Reggie appeared a bit puzzled, so he asked Crosby, “Are you saying they had inside help from the base my buddy was assigned to? If it’s true, it lends credence to there being another mole, plus you’re implying they’re stealing weapons from one base and transporting them to another? It’s insane.”
Crosby shook his head. “No, it isn’t. It’s easier than breaking into a heavily guarded base armory. And if you have a mole at one base, why not use them. It’s brilliant when you think about it. The weaponry and ammo is transported in the truck and, per the orders you’re given, you show those and the manifest to the guards at the gate and you’re good to go. They can’t question them, now can they? You park the truck where you want and hide the goods later on when it’s safe. It’s slightly off the beaten path and mostly out of the way of where the Stealth will be, but close enough to be accessed by Jelly and her gang.”
Greg angled his jaw to one side and said, “Crosby, you scare the hell out of me. I’m glad you’re on our side. Please go climb your damned tree and take your practice shots so I feel nice and comfy about you taking these fools out. The rest of you, follow me and we’ll start up some range practice. First, Laura, please shoot off a text to Twist and thank him for his input and tell him to keep in touch if anything else comes up. Reggie, give the colonel another try, then let’s go people.”
Reggie hurriedly sent the text and followed after the group. It wasn’t difficult to see the concern on his face as we circled around Greg and listened to his instructions. He had all of us don our bulletproof vests, including one he’d brought for me to wear. He wanted this to be a realistic drill. He knew I only had three magazines for my Glock and had brought along several extras, including pouches for them he wanted me to wear on my belt. He explained they were to be worn on my left side, which was my weak side, since I’m right handed and when I reached for additional full magazines, I couldn’t take the time to put my gun down. I would have to practice taking them out of the pouch with my left hand and quickly insert them into the gun. Greg knew it was different than the way I was used to loading on the range, but real life and the range weren’t the same, hence the practice.
Greg patted me on the shoulder, once I had the vest and magazine pouches on. “Jensen, I have complete confidence in you, you’ll keep the perimeter safe, I know it.” He put his hand over his heart. He turned and raised his hand in a signal to Crosby we were ready to begin.
We spread out, in the same fashion as if we were at Bradley. Mike and I took the perimeter. Greg, Reggie, Grady and Kai fanned out across the field, while Crosby, literally, covered our tails from on high. On Greg’s commands, Reggie, Grady and Kai dropped and fired at various targets, using the special ammo he’d provided since we were using an outdoor range. It was frangible ammo, or green ammo, as he preferred to call it. It was made from non-lead hybrid polymer compounds that would break apart on impact with the targets. The idea being, it wouldn’t contaminate the ground water or the reservoir. Greg told us it was being tried out in close quarter combat fighting in order to cut down on ricochet friendly fire incidents.
We kept at it for what seemed like an eternity, until Greg whistled and asked, “Who’s ready to call it a day and go watch Game Four of the World Series?”
Everyone grabbed their bags and ran full steam back to the cars.
Chapter 30
On the way to Adelaide’s, I received a text from her letting me know a large pot of beef stew had been warming on the stove. It awaited us along with bread which would be finished baking by the time we arrived. She further advised there was no need to stop either for desserts or the evening paper as she’d seen to both.
“You did some fine shooting today, partner, I’m very proud of you. I always knew you had the skills, but wow, you really showed your stuff. Good, good work. It’s a lot different than shooting indoors and boy does Greg work your tail off.” Mike nodded and grinned.
“I’m exhausted, Mike, it’s the first time I’ve ever drilled so hard and you’re right, there’s no comparison to an indoor range. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or all the up and down and rolling around, or the newness of having the magazines on my left. Who knows, but it felt fantastic and a couple more practices, well, it would be great if we have the time.”
“I don’t know if we can fit them in, but I know Greg will certainly try to. Boy, am I starved. I hope Adelaide’s got a pile of food going.” Mike licked the edges of his mouth.
“I didn’t want to entice you, but she texted me with the menu and it’s one of your favorite meals. Also, we don’t have to stop for desserts or the evening paper, which makes me wonder if Annie’s article showed up? She didn’t mention it.” I glanced back at the text.
“We’re having beef stew with freshly baked bread?” Mike asked.
“Gee, how did you know?” I rolled my eyes.
“And the Mets are playing and a young gun by the name of Matz is on the mound. It doesn’t get any better!” Mike hit the gas a little harder.
I texted Kai to let him know all was in order and there was no need for Greg to stop for anything, it was to be a straight shot to Adelaide’s for dinner and the Mets-Royals showdown at Citi Field. He texted back asking if I’d seen Annie’s article online and if not, to take a look.
“Great, Kai just gave me a head’s up on Annie’s article. It seems it made the evening deadline and is online. Shall I read it to you?” I asked.
“Why don’t you proof it, I’m driving. If it’s in line with Greg’s interview, then it ought to be fine.” Mike gripped the wheel a bit tighter.
I pulled it up on my phone and read through it, quickly.
“Well? I don’t like to be kept in suspense, especially when I’m a few minutes away from having an incredibly delicious dinner. Spill it, Laura.” Mike insisted.
“I’m at a loss, so I’m reading it again to be sure it’s written by the same Annie Tyler I grew up with. Maybe she was abducted? I can’t believe my eyes, Mike. She followed Greg’s instructions right down the line, as in every last one. Honestly, she left out the name of the air base—she mentioned all three of the student’s names, including the school they’ve been attending. She excluded the connection to Kim Jung Un and she brings up the Thunderbird Air Show, but left out the B2 Stealth Bomber. She did exactly what Greg told her.” I put the phone on my lap.
“Wow, she must want something in return, or she’s becoming a serious reporter before our very eyes. Our rebel’s growing up. I never thought I’d see the day.” Mike sighed as he pulled in behind Greg’s car in Adelaide’s driveway.
Reggie stepped out and announced, “Before we go inside, I wanted to let you know I received a text from my buddy’s colonel, and it seems he was surprised last evening when he arrived home by an intruder who was already in his home. They haven’t caught the guy, but he clocked my buddy, Gil, on the back of the head, leaving quite a gash
and tied him up. They ransacked the place, too. When Gil didn’t show up this morning, the colonel sent over a few guys and they found Gil, unconscious. From the sounds of it, he’s out of surgery. He had a brain bleed, but it’s been repaired and he’s going to be in ICU for a couple of days. I’m not the praying sort, but if you wouldn’t mind, Gil and I did serve together and I can’t imagine anyone getting the jump on him much less losing him. I didn’t want to discuss this in front of Adelaide, didn’t want to upset her.” Reggie’s voice trailed off as he leaned against the car and buried his face in his forearm.
Crosby and Greg each put their arms around Reggie’s shoulders as did Mike and Grady.
“Sir, I’ve never served, but please know I will always have your back, too,” Kai said firmly.
“As will I,” I stated.
Reggie wiped his eyes and pocketed his phone before looking each one us of in the eye and saying, “I am one very lucky man to be part of such a great team. Gil would want you by his side and once he’s feeling better and this mission is over with, I’d love for you to meet him.”
Greg spoke up and said, “It would be an honor.”
“The colonel has one grave concern he wants you to be aware of Greg—Gil’s credentials were indeed stolen, the ones granting him access to the base as well as the armory. It’s feared another yet to be identified set of equally important credentials were also stolen,” Reggie added. Reggie cleared his throat and said, “The colonel said the creds appeared to be those of a base physician, but he says it can’t be verified until the particular physician has been located. He promised to keep me informed both of Gil’s condition and the status of the missing credentials.”
“Well, let’s hope the physician is located shortly, and as you said, Reggie, we’ll keep this low key until we know more. No reason to concern Adelaide with this or mention it to Annie. I certainly don’t want this in the press,” Greg said. He motioned for all of us to go inside.
“Game time!” Mike announced as he opened Adelaide’s front door. The smell of beef stew wafted through the open door as three pups came bounding through trying to decide who to tackle first.
Kai landed stomach first on the hallway floor, and then flipped over on his back and feigned fending off an attack from Puppy Kai, Koa and Chloe. In between bursts of laughter, he said, “I could get accustomed to this kind of greeting.” He looked up and noticed Adelaide staring down at him, her cane dangling from her arm. She took a piece of freshly baked bread and dropped it. Kai caught it in his mouth.
“Nice one, Surfer Boy. You can stay, you fit right in.” Adelaide’s eyes twinkled. She turned and went back into the kitchen and rang the dinner bell.
Mike was first in line at the buffet table, rubbing his hands. He picked up a plate with a soup bowl and handed it to me, saying, “Ladies first.” Then he turned to Adelaide, and said, “I’m sorry, “Our hostess ought to be first. Apologies, Adelaide’s the leader of this clan, she feeds us, shelters us in time of need. I don’t know where we’d be without her.”
Adelaide waved her hand and said, “Enough already with the praise, get the food line moving! You young people have had a hard day, go right ahead. I’ll follow along behind you.” She watched with delight as we each ladled our stew into our bowls and took chunks of fresh bread along with some salad and made our way to the dining room table. There was a huge crystal vase in the center filled with yellow and white daisies. Each place setting had a small individual bottle of Perrier with a small plate of both lemon and lime slices. Once we were seated, we proceeded to pass around a variety of salad dressings to choose from and another plate with pats of butter for the warm bread. Mike checked his watch to let us know we had plenty of time to enjoy the sumptuous meal—the game didn’t begin for another hour.
“Good to know,” Adelaide commented, “you have ample time to chase a few bears in the woods in order to work off the meal, come back in and have dessert just as the first pitch is thrown.”
Greg paused with his spoon at his mouth, put it down and said, “Adelaide, can you knock it off with scaring us, please. I have yet to see one bear in these woods.”
“Why, when I was out with Chloe, just yesterday, we saw a bear and her cub down by the pond, taking a bath. It was rather sweet.” Adelaide dipped her bread into her stew.
“Look me in the eye and repeat what you just said,” Greg challenged her.
Adelaide stared right at Greg and stated, “It was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Annie ran into the room, gasping for air, “What did I miss? Did you see my article? Oh, my gosh, it smells so good.”
I said, “You didn’t miss much, Adelaide’s talking about bears bathing in the pond. Grab some stew and a chair and join in.”
“Great article, Annie, you stuck to the guidelines.” Greg grinned.
“I told you I would, you can trust me. What’s this about bears?” Annie inquired in between mouthfuls.
“Adelaide’s spinning tales,” Mike responded.
“If I’d had Laura’s camera, then you’d believe me,” Adelaide retorted. “All I have is this cell phone camera.” She slid it across the table toward Greg.
Greg nearly choked on his bread as he brought up the photo. “I’m with Grady; I’m never going out in these woods by myself, ever again. Nor am I ever doubting Adelaide again.”
I pulled the phone over and nearly gagged on my Perrier. “I didn’t think you were making it up, but I also had no idea you’d gotten a photo of the bear. This isn’t bad for a cell phone, Adelaide. I’d heard that there had been recent sightings of bears around the area, but this is amazing. We ought to go on a photo expedition.”
“I think the two of you have lost your minds. First ghosts, now bears, and you want to go looking for them. You need another hobby, Jensen,” Greg said.
Crosby chimed in and offered, “Laura’s first crack at fishing didn’t go quite as planned, but it doesn’t mean we can’t give it another shot. When we’ve solved this case, I do believe another voyage on my boat Please Bite to celebrate is in order.”
“This is how traditions are born,” Adelaide said, raising her glass and covering her mouth while she coughed.
I had been aware of Adelaide coughing ever so slightly all evening. If it persisted, I would check with her in the morning.
Reggie raised his glass and agreed, “To breaking cases, fishing, and not bear hunting.”
“Hey, what about the Mets?” Mike asked.
“Okay, the Mets too,” Grady said with a laugh as we all clinked glasses.
“Can someone please frame my photo of the mama bear and her cub?” Adelaide inquired.
“Sure, and I’ll send it in to the Nature Club for publication,” Grady responded as he stood and began clearing the dinner dishes. We all pitched in and had the dishes washed and put away in no time. Adelaide put the coffee on and warmed up a few pies in the oven for dessert while Mike turned the TV on and tuned in to the standard pre-game chatter. Reggie helped Annie and me with carrying the trays of dessert and coffee into the living room in the nick of time for the first pitch. We cheered mightily for the young pitcher, Steven Matz and the Mets, but it was to no avail; they lost Game Four to the Royals by a score of five to three. Mike insisted it was close and an impossible comeback the following night was entirely doable since Matt Harvey was due back on the mound and he would bring the badly needed win to the Mets.
Before leaving, Reggie received a text from the colonel saying all looked well with Gil; he was responding positively to all commands given by his attending physicians. If Gil continued to progress, he would be moved out of ICU in another day. However, they still didn’t have a lead on the missing physician but he would advise Reggie when they did.
Chapter 31
I was awakened by my phone’s chime indicating an incoming text. I reached over to my nightstand and picked it up. It was from Adelaide telling me she hadn’t been able to sleep for most of the night due to her worsening cough.
She didn’t want to bother me until it was a decent hour, especially since it was a Sunday morning. It was seven in the morning and she was desperate for relief from the persistent cough, and wanted to know if I would kindly give her a ride to the Soundview Urgent Care walk-in clinic. She wasn’t sure she could wait until Monday to see her primary physician. I texted her back immediately to let her know I would indeed give her a ride, and would be there in half an hour, once I’d taken a quick shower and fed the pups.
I showered and fed Kai and Koa before calling Mike, since Greg wanted all of us to go to the range for more practice.
“Mike, hi I’m so glad you answered. I have to take Adelaide to the walk-in clinic for her cough.”
“She wasn’t coughing much last night. What happened?” Mike asked.
“I know it was only a slight one last night, but she texted me a little bit ago and said she didn’t sleep a wink last night. You know her, it’s got to be bad for her to go to the walk-in and not wait until tomorrow to go see her regular doc. The other thing is, tonight is Game Five and we’re supposed to have dinner at her house. So let’s plan to put it together ourselves, I don’t want her to lift a finger,” I said.
“Adelaide comes first, Laura. Do what you need to. As for dinner, we’ll take care of it. Let me know right away what the doc says. And I’ll explain what happened to Greg. We’ll be at the range,” Mike said, sounding very worried.
“Yes, I’ll let you know what the doc says, and I know you’ll be at the range. Please tell Greg I’m sorry, and I know he’ll understand. I’ll work with him tomorrow.”
“Take care of Adelaide. I’ll talk to you later, and I’ll square it with Greg. I’m repeating myself,” Mike said.
“It’s okay, Mike. Thanks. Talk to you later,” I said, and hung up.
I grabbed my coat and bag, opened the front door and the pups trotted straight to the car, sat down at the back and waited for me to pick them up and put them in. They were still too small to jump in by themselves.
Case of the Mouse Trap Legend Page 16
