Discoveries (Mercenaries Book 5)

by Tony Lavely

  In a minute, Cori had calmed enough to continue. “He said they knew about Lisa… I thought then that he meant Lisa and me, but while I was… enjoying Mr. Shen’s hospitality…” She grinned at him before sobering again. “… I realized what he meant was that she worked for you. But then, I asked him why and he said something about not being able to… to screw me,” she whispered. “And it was important for him that I wear the necklace. As long as I did that, he’d know, and he wouldn’t tell anyone I was a lesbian. Or Lisa was.” She clutched at Lisa. “I didn’t want her to lose everything because of me.”

  Beckie stretched. “I guess by now you’ve figured out that no one here gives a flying whatever who, or even if, Lisa crawls in bed with. We have people who sleep with men, and with women, and with both, and with no one at all. If it doesn’t affect their work, it doesn’t affect me.”

  “Yeah, that’s been pretty obvious. A real wake-up call for me. Gays were always the dregs, you know, to put it politely.”

  Beckie turned toward Lisa. “Remember when we first talked about Cori?”

  “Yeah.” Lisa nodded firmly. “I have the picture, bright and in Technicolor.”

  “What?”

  Beckie turned back to Cori. “No, doesn’t really apply to you, at least in that conversation. My demand that she have facts to back up her assertions, not faith.”

  “Oh. Okay, I guess. So I tested him once, by leaving it off overnight, and he was on me before first bell, hollering at me about keeping it on or… you know.” Beckie nodded. “After that, I wore it all the time, even surfing. I kinda hoped that’d do something to it. But, it didn’t.

  “Anyway, I wore it even though I can’t imagine he’d have known while I was here… but in case…

  “In the plane, we took off from Nassau, and after an hour or so I saw the contrail out the window. I knew it was a missile and it was coming for me!”

  “How’d you know?”

  Core looked up from her hands to stare at Beckie. “I don’t know for sure. Maybe… Maybe what Bill told Lisa and me about the trackers you use here? I don’t know. But I was certain I was gonna die. I’m sorry; I was thinking only about me right then.” She heaved a sigh. “Ms Meyer said when she and Mr. Shen took me off the plane that she knew what had happened; it’d be up to you what happened to me.”

  “Jose, you said? What’s his last name?”

  She and Lisa exchanged glances. “Figuroa, I think.” Lisa nodded.

  “Got that, Maurice? Add him to Elena’s docket, please.” He stood, nodding, but Beckie stared him back into his seat. “Hang on. May have more details.” She turned back to Cori. “This guy Figuroa knew about Lisa and us?”

  She put her glass down. “I’m pretty sure that’s what he meant. I mean, Lisa wasn’t keeping it a secret.” She glanced at Lisa, who agreed. “She was pretty proud of it, and that you were gonna come out for graduation. Like, most of us were happy to have our family there, but Lisa… She had an important guest, if you know what I mean.”

  “I don’t think I do… Maurice, stop laughing! Later, Ms Grove, we’ll discuss security and need-to-know, but…” She stood and walked to the lanai railing, gazing at the ocean. “My error, not asking you to be quiet about it. And it’s done, now.” She spun on the ball of her foot. “So this guy knew about us and all?”

  Lisa was obviously discomfited; Amy had her arm while Cori’d grabbed her hand. In spite of that, she must have felt Beckie’s eyes on her; she lifted her head. “I’m sorry.”

  Walking back to the table, Beckie thought of her own pride after Ian had offered her a position. While she hadn’t talked to anyone, it was more because Dad had suggested she keep it between herself, Lissa and Mike than any thought that something like this would happen. But there were times when she definitely wanted to. Especially when the Prom came up. And you see how well that worked out. So, yeah, I understand. “Not to worry; my bad. What about this guy? From your perspective?”

  “Jose?” Lisa said. “Football player, so we didn’t hang together, you know. Pretty good. I don’t think I ever said two words to him, so… I can imagine that he’d heard about, you know, me. But no clue as to why he’d even listen, let alone set Cori to… to kill herself and all of us instead of spreading nasty, untrue, rumors.”

  Untrue? No, not gonna go there; none of my business. No reaction from Cori… Not gonna go there! “Hmm.” That wasn’t quite enough of a pause; she looked at her empty wine glass and reached for the bottle.

  “Are you set, now, Beckie? Or…”

  “Hang tight a few more minutes, Shen, please. Maurice, now you can try Elena. Ask her to find anything that might explain his using Cori to commit multiple murders.” As he left, she poured a half-glass and sipped from it, then pinned Cori once more. “I’m torn. Part of me says, you’re okay; let you go free, but the cynical part of my mind says⁠—”

  “Says no such thing, right?” Cori grinned, though it was tinged with regret. “How about I go back with Mr. Shen, to his ‘comfy cell,’ until you hear back from… Elena, was it? Until you hear enough to know better whether to trust me or not.” She smothered the protests Lisa and Amy began. “Will that work?”

  Beckie nodded, full of relief. “It works for me, Cori, thanks. Shen?” The man nodded, much more relaxed than he’d been just a minute ago. “And please allow her reasonable freedom, okay?”

  “She’ll be in the cell from midnight to six. Outside those times, she can have visitors, and she can leave with them, as long as they accept responsibility for her actions. Will that be sufficient?”

  “Fine. However, let’s limit it⁠—she can only leave your area with Lisa and Amy together.” She stood and came around behind Amy. “That okay with you two?” When they agreed, she said, “Good. Hopefully it won’t be very long, one way or the other. Anything else to say, Cori?” She had nothing to add. “Good. Let’s start now.”

  Boynton stopped at the slider to watch the three girls preparing to move. When Beckie acknowledged his look of concern with a promise to explain, he said, “I caught Ms Rios on her way out. She will be more than happy to investigate Mr. Figuroa for us, but she’s afraid it will take a couple of days.”

  “That’s fine.” She looked from Cori to Lisa. “Yeah, we’re okay with that. Good night, ladies. No drunken brawls or parties, or Shen will have you all in the uncomfortable lodgings!”

  With Cori’s status temporarily secure, Beckie followed Boynton to the gun safe and then the kitchen for a snack while first, she explained Cori’s offer, and second, Boynton completed the arrangements for the trip to Karachi. Gratefully, she found her way to check Ralf, and then slide into bed beside Ian.

  The next morning, before Patrice took the travelers to Lynden Pindling International Airport, Beckie and Ian were sharing breakfast with Angel, before Ralf or Ethian awakened for the day. “So, like I said, Angel, I’ll have to wait to meet Tamasha and her family til I get back.”

  “Yeah, you should go save the world.” She giggled, then said, “I’ll talk to her. Since you fed Ralf this morning, we won’t have any problem keepin’ up.”

  Beckie watched out of the corner of her eye as Boynton quietly directed Amy and Lisa through, onto the lanai. As the girls entered, Angel stood and slipped through the slider with Boynton. For her part, Beckie greeted the girls cheerfully. Until Solène followed them up the shell walkway.

  “No Cori?” Beckie asked.

  “No,” Amy said. “This is about… Well, Solène believes that, since Bakir is responsible for the current state of affairs, she should go with you.”

  “As what, Solène? A sacrifice? What would you bring to the game that’s not a liability? Not to make you feel bad, but seriously. Talk to me.”

  Solène had reacted when Beckie said sacrifice, and Beckie was pretty sure that, while no one had used that word, that was what she was thinking. Whether or not, the girl colored and hung her head. She said nothing.

  “Okay, Solène. I am not going to immolate you
no matter what, and I can’t think of any other way to use you in the current situation. Therefore, these two ladies now have the opportunity⁠—and the responsibility⁠—to make sure you don’t do anything that will displease me when I return.” She glanced at Ian, who dipped his head, and then Amy and finally Lisa. “What I will suggest… An excellent way to expiate any sins you feel responsible for is to get the best education you can and then use it to improve the situation of the people you can see are affected. Give that some thought and we can discuss it when I get back.”

  Lisa gave Amy a glare; she responded with a sheepish look. “I guess I won’t need my bag either, then.”

  “Top marks to you. What made you think going into Pakistan would be a good idea… Or even, a better idea than Solène going, since I know you tried to dissuade her like Lisa did you. Have you forgotten? Cori’s only allowed out with both of you.”

  “It’s just⁠—”

  “Stop. You can’t say anything that will convince me that you’re more valuable there than here at this time and place. I’m banking on you to keep the comm lines open…” She waved at Ian. “… and to keep training Lisa and anyone else who needs it, as well as all the myriad other things that come up from day to day.

  “But what I depend on you for, just like everyone who’s staying here… Help Shen. Keep the Nest safe. Protect our team.”

  “When you put it that way…”

  “Thanks. Now get out of here so I can kiss Ian some more!”

  So yeah, girl, you dodged that bullet. For now.

  Chapter X: Surab Base, Again

  One: The Cache; Elena Returns

  PATRICE FLEW THE FOUR of them to Nassau to catch their flight to Miami and on to Karachi via Doha, Qatar. The flight was scheduled to leave Nassau just after six PM and arrive twenty-three hours later, about one in the morning. “This will be just as much fun as the last time I did this, I’m sure,” Beckie groused to Sam.

  “Well, it looks like we’ll have the luxury accommodations,” Gillian said, waving her ticket. “Business class, except for the puddle jumper to Miami.”

  “Yeah, I thought about asking Patrice to fly us there, but to him, Florida means Fort Lauderdale, and it’s a pain to get from there to Miami International. This is easier all around.”

  The aircraft needed to convey them to Karachi all performed admirably; the Airbus from Doha arrived five minutes early. Smythe and his contacts had once again ‘greased the skids;’ they were through the formalities and greeting Beth and Leonid almost before two AM. The greetings became introductions; Beth and Leonid knew of Gillian and Ben, but had never met them. Sam, of course, everyone knew.

  Leonid drove. “We’ll go to Surab, Mrs. Jamse, where you all can get a couple hours of rest. Rezaei decided that he’d grace us with his presence at six tomorrow night⁠—”

  “That’s tonight,” Beth said.

  “Ah. Right. Tonight. So we’ll have the day to look things over and make any plans.” He snapped a glance over his shoulder at Sam. “I’d value your advice, Sam, now you’re on the ground here.”

  After twenty minutes, Beckie’s phone rang with Boynton’s ring tone. “I have heard from our friend in La Jolla,” he said. “Ms D’Costa’s legal problems are resolved, though you should allow a few days for things to settle before sending her back.”

  “Why would I send her back? And what… How… Her problems are…”

  “Resolved, Ms Rios said. She implied that the solution is permanent.”

  “I hope she didn’t kill anyone.” The gasps in the truck raised her head; she shook her head. “Tell you later,” she whispered.

  “No,” Boynton continued, “she found it unnecessary. She reports that no one died. Regarding your second question, she found a few interesting facts which will be better discussed with you in person.”

  “When I get back? ’Cause⁠—”

  “In Pakistan. She spoke with Ian; he told me she wishes to return to our fold, as it were, and for me to arrange her passage to Karachi. She will land tomorrow morning, just after midnight.”

  “Great. Another ten hour round trip to the airport.”

  “I suppose you could just leave her there. I can arrange a⁠—”

  “Don’t you dare, Maurice! It’s not your fault, nor hers, nor even mine that the site is five hundred klicks from the airport. We’ll be there.” She did a few calculations, then said, “I figure we should arrive about the same time she does. We should get back to the base just in time for the fireworks. Unless you’ve already done it, ask Doctor Smythe to arrange for her entry, please. And thanks.”

  “No need to thank me, Mistress. By the way, she said to tell you she’s sorry she jumped off the wrong ship, and hopes you’ll forgive her.”

  “Thanks again, Maurice. Don’t share any of this with Lisa. If you tell Amy, ask her to keep quiet, too, til I return.” She pressed the End Call icon and explained some of what the others had heard. “Maybe, Lyeka, we can ask Rezaei to come an hour early. Give us a better chance to be on time for the plane… Without telling him the reason. Wouldn’t want him to think we’re bringing in reinforcements if the negotiations fail.”

  He snorted, then agreed. The rest of the trip was blessedly boring; Beckie, like the others except Leonid, dozed, napped or outright slept until the truck stopped outside the house.

  Everyone was out of the truck by ten past seven; inside the building, Fedor had just arrived and had coffee brewing.

  “Tark and the others are up at the site,” Fedor told them. “If you’re ready to see it…”

  “After coffee,” Beckie said. “Leonid, go get some sleep; we’ll need you tonight. Beth, are you okay, or should you get some shut-eye, too?”

  “I’ll be fine, boss. I won’t add anything to your meeting, so I can get ready to make the trip back to fetch Elena.”

  At the site, Ben and Gillian walked the whole perimeter, along with Fedor and Anatoly. They had spent minutes with Sam before striking out; Ben put his hand on Sam’s chest and said, “If we have ta defend, I’d rather you got as much rest for tha leg as you can. Gill and I’ll survey an give you the sit-rep.” He looked around. “Though looks ta me like Leonid an his crew’s done a good job.”

  Beckie had had enough climbing; she was happy to allow the others to walk the rocky slopes without her. Until Tarquin waved her over. “Mrs. Jamse, do you feel like a short hike? Gillian wants to see the cache as soon as she finishes the walkabout.”

  “I’d like that. Else didn’t give us much detail about what you found.”

  “She said she hit the big things, though.”

  Beckie nodded. “The ones she did describe fit that bill, for sure.”

  While they waited for Ben and Gillian to finish, Juri popped his head out of one of the small tents the team used for storage and shelter. He was carrying a… What is that? When he got close enough, she could see he carried a handgun.

  “Mrs. Jamse. Nice to see you again.” He held out the weapon, butt first.

  Whoa… That’s an M1911… “What’s this, Juri?” she asked as she accepted it.

  “The weapon from your last visit. Repaired, good as new. As you surmised, a new plunger tube was required. And cleaning.” He dug a magazine from his pocket. As she opened the slide to check the chamber, he said, “Unloaded, of course, and thank you for verifying. I have no spare mags, but this came with it.”

  “Well, thank you, Juri. I’ll think of you when I use it.”

  “Keep safe, then.”

  She watched Ben and Gillian approach as she nodded. “Ben, review the layout here with Sam, Fedor and Anatoly. Tark’s taking Gillian and I sightseeing.”

  Juri handed Beckie a holster and ducked back toward the tent. The three men nodded, then Anatoly pointed at Beckie and hollered, “Fabien, cover them.”

  Across the small valley, Fabien waved and began collecting his equipment.

  “We’ll give him a couple minutes, then be off,” Tarquin said. He ducked back in th
e tent while Beckie fastened the belt and holstered the gun. On popping back out, he carried what appeared to be an old brace like Beckie’s dad had used for drilling wood, but he ignored her astonishment; instead, he reviewed the route they’d take. “We will have to climb.” He pointed to the slight notch in the crest.

  Beckie shared a glance with Gillian. “Pretty sure I’ll be the slow one,” Beckie said, “so don’t get too, too far ahead of me.” She took a couple steps toward the slope. “Doesn’t look any worse than the other side, so, yeah, I’ll be okay.”

  Fabien was halfway up the slope when Beckie looked for him; he waved.

  “Let’s go,” Tarquin said. “It’s about three hundred meters to the peak, then about six hundred down to the spot. Of course…” His grin was nothing but smug. “… we have to come back the same route.”

  Beckie laughed, but cut it off when Tarquin stepped away.

  The upslope had its moments where she almost toppled over backward or tried to break her ankle by not stepping exactly where she was looking, but all in all the downhill was more difficult. Three times, her foot hit scree and she slid a meter or two. The last time, Gillian grabbed her, preventing a long slide down a bumpy rift. “Thanks,” Beckie said. Now watch where you put your foot, dammit!

  The cache had been well disguised, and the non-natural additions well engineered. Tarquin knelt after using the GPS to locate himself, and moved several stones and handfuls of gravel from an otherwise unremarkable spot. He fitted the brace to something Beckie couldn’t see in the hollowed out space. As he turned the tool, a hatch, disguised with sizable chunks of stone, lifted away from the surrounding stone using a simple mechanical jack. When Beckie stuffed her surprise away, she asked him how Else had found the entry from the imagery.

  “Thermal images,” he said as he continued to turn. “The empty space behind the door isn’t as conductive as the stone, which heats up when the sun’s on it; she noticed the difference and the regular outline struck her as unnatural. Then it was just a matter of digging.” Beckie stared at a roughly three by six foot section of hillside as it lifted away, revealing a dark void. “Juri and I did have to MacGyver a tool to operate the door; we suspect they bring a motor.”