“Actually, I’ve never thought that much about my wedding,” I admitted. “I think I’d prefer to elope.”
“Of course you would. You’d make a gorgeous bride, though.”
The conversation included other small tidbits about Martin’s family. I learned Leland, Martin’s younger brother who had once been my blind date, had finally told his family he preferred the company of men. He did it at a family dinner with his significant other present.
“How’d that go?” I asked.
“Just how I hoped it would. The family already knew, even if they wouldn’t admit it until he actually said it.” She took a sip of her wine. “I wasn’t the only one at the table who wasn’t surprised. Which was nice. The last thing I wanted to do was tell everyone I already knew.”
It took every ounce of my self-control not to ask direct questions about White and the rest of my partners, but I managed. To my disappointment, Gabriella didn’t offer any news, either.
After we finished our dinner and a couple glasses of wine, she suggested we continue the evening at a club. I turned her down, saying I was too tired. She accepted my refusal without any complaint and gave Martin a call to pick her up. I waited outside the restaurant with her until Martin showed up, then hailed a taxi back to my hotel.
Early the next morning the coffee shop offered me a chair close enough to get back into White and Associates network, but after logging in, I shut it all down. I stared at the screen for only a few seconds before making that decision. White didn’t keep much on the accessible network, so I wouldn’t get much from snooping. Plus, I didn’t have any files on my computer that I couldn’t live without. It was best to make a clean split and not become a stalker. Just knowing I could get in was enough for me. Instead, I ate a muffin and sipped on a cup of coffee for an hour before returning to my hotel room.
Once back in my room I searched around for a shooting range close to the city that wasn’t affiliated with White and Associates. Mesa Security Services ran one less than thirty miles outside of city limits. It was classified more as a facility than just a firing range, but unlike White and Associate’s training facilities, they were open to the public. They offered several classes in all kinds of fields, and even had a lodge to house their clients. I rented a room for one night, called a car rental service, and was on the road as soon as the car was delivered to the hotel.
Chapter Four
The Mesa Security sign above the doors to the lodge fit the scene. It was huge and literally flashy. Made from copper, it still held a glint from the late morning sun. I could only imagine how blinding it could be first thing in the morning.
I heard almost continuous gunfire as I walked from the parking lot to the building. Two overly large doors opened up into the lobby and I was immediately greeted with a waiting area. A couple overstuffed leather chairs and matching couch sat around a large steerhide that was being used as a rug. The only access further into the lodge were doors on either side of the front counter and I noticed they required a keycard.
Even though it was somewhat contradictory, the lodge embraced a rustic as well as a modern feel. The lobby boasted a grand feeling that went nicely with the air of superiority on the desk clerk’s face.
Behind the desk and clerk was a glass elevator that rose up only one floor. I could see into the rest of the building through the elevator glass and the open loft area. There were no rooms visible. The reservations page online had said I could choose a room in the lodge or one of the several cabins or barracks areas. I’d chosen the lodge.
“I have a reservation.” I placed my driver’s license on the counter.
The clerk picked up my license and brought it to his computer. He wore a sharp, black suit over a white shirt with a maroon bow tie and a name tag that read Matt. He was observant, but he didn’t have that honed look I’d become accustomed to. His look was more haughty than anything.
“Please fill this out, Ms. Grey.”
He pushed a clipboard toward me and I balked for a split second. I hadn’t used the Grey name for a long time, but it seemed fitting when I’d placed my reservations. Hearing someone else say the name aloud was a jolt.
The paperwork on the clipboard was the standard check in slip asking for name, license plate number, make and model of my vehicle, but it also included a waver for use of the facilities and I had to promise to use the weapons I rented only for training purposes on the ranges that were assigned to me.
The clerk checked all the places marked with the yellow highlighted X before he handed me my keycard for my room.
“We put you in a corner suite, Ms. Grey.” He pointed to the door on my right. “Use the keycard to go through that door. You’ll find your room, room 105, at the end of the hall.”
I took the card from him, followed his instructions, and entered the hallway. Another keycard protected door was a short distance inside the hallway and led into the interior of the lodge. I stopped long enough to take a brief glance through the small, rectangular window. I’d had a better view from the elevator glass.
The suite was larger than what I’d been living in for the past six months and it was a nice change. The first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the sitting room. It had a television, couch and a small table. On the table was a fruit basket. I dropped my duffel bag on the floor and went directly to the basket. The apple on top was calling to me. The cellophane crinkled as I tore it open and a small card fluttered to the table. It read: Thank you for choosing Mesa Security.
The basket also held several brochures. I plopped into a chair, took a bite of the apple and started flipping through the brochures. They were basically instruction manuals on how to utilize the facility.
The brochures didn’t cover anything more than what I’d already seen on the website except one of them was a map of the facility. The weapons and equipment rental shop was located inside the main body of the lodge.
I finished my apple and tossed the core into the trash can near the door before I ventured out.
Once outside my room I slid my keycard into my back pocket only to have to dig it out again to enter the central area.
I left the hallway and entered into a man’s world. It was undeniable. Awards and trophies were scattered throughout the huge room. Some were cups, some showed a shooter taking aim, but the ones I marveled at were the animal trophies. There were several different types of deer, mountain goats, bear, moose, birds, exotic animals, and even fish. It vaguely reminded me of one of those oversized hunting and outdoor gear stores.
The trophies and awards weren’t the only things scattered about the open part of the building. Men sat at tables, in easy chairs, and couches distributed through the great room. Most of them pretended not to notice me, but a few were openly staring. The looks suggested I was intruding into their secret club.
With my chin lifted I strolled toward the weapons rental. I tried, but I couldn’t contain the smug grin. I’d become accustomed to being one of the only women in the room who could hold her own with these men as well as accustomed to knowing that fact before the men did.
The man at the counter was helping another customer so I held back and looked at the tactical vests. There were only a couple available in my size that weren’t pink camouflage.
“The self-defense classes start in half an hour in building three. I can have someone give you a ride if you need it.” The man behind the counter addressed me after he finished with his customer.
“I’m not here for the self-defense class. Do you have any ranges open to walk-ons?”
“Range one is currently open to walk-ons. But that’s a long distance range.”
“That sounds good. What have you got for rifles?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Do you require an instructor?”
“Nope.”
He started to explain each rifle behind him in simplified terms.
“How far is the farthest target on the open range?” I interrupted his explanation.
“A thousand yards.”
“How about that AR-50 over there?”
He grinned openly. “That might be a bit much for your slight frame. How about—”
“No. I’d like to rent the AR and buy a couple boxes of rounds.”
“I’m sorry. The AR can only leave the shop with an instructor. If you give me a moment, I’ll see if anyone is available to accompany you to the range.”
He looked as if he were on the verge of kicking me out of the building but he walked to a phone and picked it up. His voice was too quiet for me to hear what he was saying but I was still able to see his lips move.
“Yeah. I’ve got some girl here who wants to shoot the AR-50… I know… Okay, thanks.” He hung up and walked back toward me.
“Jake’ll be here in a couple minutes and I’ll release the weapon and ammo to him, but I need your card to bill your room.”
I reached in my back pocket again and retrieved the card. He swiped it and punched in a couple numbers on the keypad, then handed the card back to me. While he pulled the rifle off the wall I wandered around the area looking at the various items for sale.
Less than a minute later a man walked up to the counter. He wore a gray button-up shirt with the sleeves bunched up past his elbows and he had it unbuttoned a couple of buttons at the top, showing the collar of the white t-shirt he wore underneath. It went well with his jeans and boots.
The man behind the counter handed over the AR-50, two boxes of ammo, and nodded in my direction with some disgust.
“Ready?” The man who must have been Jake asked me. He also wore a look of disgust and exasperation.
When I nodded he said, “Follow me.”
He carried the AR-50 and the ammo as if it weighed nothing. I guessed it probably weighed at least thirty-five pounds. I knew I could carry it, but was glad he’d done it. I’m sure the size of it in my hands would have been somewhat laughable to all the men whose heads were turned once again as we strolled past them.
Jake led me directly to a Jeep with the top down. He put the rifle in the back seat and slid behind the wheel as I got into the passenger seat. Nothing was said until we parked in front of the range.
“So, you ever fired an AR-50?”
He hiked his head back, indicating the rifle that wouldn’t fit into the back seat if the top was up.
“Nope.”
He shook his head. “Why didn’t you ask for an instructor then?”
“Don’t need one.”
I was enjoying this.
“If you’ve never fired one you most certainly do need one. I can’t let you fire this without some assurance you know what you’re doing.”
I stepped out of the Jeep and reached for the rifle.
“No you don’t.” He hurried out of the vehicle and placed his hand on the weapon before I could lift it out.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” I asked him.
Again he shook his head. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you through it.”
I smiled at him and followed. He carried the rifle to a partially enclosed area with counters and benches.
“Sit here.”
“I prefer the prone position.”
“Fine.”
Jake carried the rifle to a mat that was set up a few feet from the enclosed area.
“Take the position.”
He held the rifle out for me. When I took it from him he tossed the ammo to the ground near the mat.
I set the rifle up and pretended I didn’t have a hostile man hovering over me as I flattened out on my stomach. It took me only a few seconds to load a round and find the target. I exhaled and pulled the trigger.
The bullet found its mark but I was a bit off. I readjusted and loaded another round.
“Whoa. Wait,” Jake said.
He walked back to the enclosed area and got a pair of binoculars.
When he returned he gave me the go ahead and I immediately fired the next round. Still a bit off. I chambered another round and received no objections from my instructor.
I fired all ten bullets in the first box before Jake asked if he could give it a shot.
“Did you bring your own ammo? I’m not paying for you to play.”
He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Continue, then.”
The remaining rounds were fired long before I was ready to call it a day, but my arm ached.
“Nice shooting.”
His attitude had turned around and he smiled at me now. It was an infectious grin and more than a little flirtatious.
“Thanks.” I handed him the rifle and finished policing my brass. “Are there any other ranges open?”
“First,” he held out his hand. “My name is Jake.”
“Alex. Nice to meet you, Jake.”
“What are you in the mood for?”
“I could go for some pistol practice. It’s been a while since I fired a pistol.”
Jake drove us back to the lodge and told me to wait in the Jeep, he’d take the AR-50 back and get us a couple pistols and some ammo.
Ten minutes later he re-entered the vehicle.
“Alex Grey from White and Associates?” he asked accusingly as he turned toward me.
“Formerly from White and Associates, yes.”
“That explains a lot. I thought you’d be older and… more filled out.”
“What do you mean? More filled out?” I kept my temper in check. We were in a vehicle and I had no maneuvering room.
“More—” He struggled to find the right word. “Buff? Muscular? Butch? Maybe less feminine is more what I mean.”
A slight eyebrow hike with a direct look gave me chills. I hadn’t paid much attention to his appearance until he made this comment. Now I realized he would be a catch for any woman. Not to mention the deep resonating tones his voice carried. But no matter what he looked like or what he thought I looked like, I was anything but just a girl or even just a woman. I was Ms. Grey. He’d learn to look at me with that title instead of girl.
“I don’t think you’d cause much of a challenge if I had room to move.” I sneered at him.
“Hostile and cocky.” He lowered his chin and looked up at me with green eyes and an ornery grin. He still thought he could win this fight.
“Hostile when cornered, and confident, not cocky. There’s a huge difference.” I’d moved so I was facing him and both my arms and hands would be useful.
“So, what brings a member of White and Associates to Mesa Security?” His shoulders were tensed and his smile was gone.
“I no longer work with White and Associates.” I leveled my look to counteract his.
“Is that so?”
“Yep.”
“Why? You had a sweet position there.” His attitude lightened some.
“Maybe so.”
“Ah—” He obviously thought he’d figured it out and I assumed he thought it was a falling out with a boyfriend. I didn’t care what he thought, except that I no longer worked for White and Associates.
“So, should I get out or are we going to go do some target practice?”
I didn’t appreciate the instant distrust my name brought on, but Mesa Security Services could possibly be a good contact for me at some point.
He looked at me as if he were trying to see my innermost thoughts. I returned the serious look until he turned the engine over.
We ended up utilizing a couple more ranges and I hedged most of his questions until we returned to the lodge.
“So, you’re here for only one night?”
“Yep.”
“Will you be back?”
“Am I welcome back?”
“Why wouldn’t you be welcome?”
“I’ve been getting the third degree since you realized I used to work for White and Associates. If I had known there was such animosity between Mesa Security and White and Associates I would have chosen a different facility. I’d never even heard of you guys until this morning.”
“It’s more of a f
riendly competition,” he corrected me.
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
“We’ll take your money the same as any other person who walks in off the street.” He shrugged.
“I might come back.”
“I’d like that.” His friendly smile had been lacking since he realized who I was, but now he seemed as if he were starting to open up again.
After my day of grilling questions I wasn’t sure I would come back. However, I didn’t know of any other nearby firing ranges that weren’t in league with White and Associates.
I almost checked out and headed back to the city, but decided to stick it out. The television kept me occupied for most of the night. Jake’s suspicion had me on edge and I couldn’t sleep. Once the television was showing nothing but infomercials I switched to my laptop and started researching Mesa Security.
I hadn’t logged into the government database with my Penumbra access for months, but I was curious. Even if I was no longer a member of White and Associates I knew they were the good guys. I didn’t want to be stepping into something I couldn’t step out of.
Mesa Security Services had been on the scene a year longer than White and Associates and were in direct competition with them. Of course, White and Associates almost always won the good contracts because of their connections. Mesa Security did have a few government contracts to protect heads of state who entered hostile territory, but they never won a large contract if it went through my dad.
White and Associates offered up training for some groups outside of their own troops, but that was what Mesa Security mainly did. They trained troops, they trained police S.W.A.T. teams. That, and take on precarious civilian contracts. So, even though they were a rival P.M.C. they worked the field differently and it seemed evenly broken up.
Mark Posner owned and operated Mesa Security Services. He was an ex-Navy SEAL instructor and was discharged with honors. Jake’s last name was Jensen and he served at the same time my partners did, but he was discharged, with honors, before any of them. He went directly to Mesa Security Services and held a high position on the training side of the company. Definitely worth swallowing my pride long enough to form a friendship.
Fragments of Grey [Book Five of The Alexis Stanton Chronicles] Page 3
