by JJ Aughe
“Ben was a good friend. When he asked me to accompany him to a function similar to the one you and I went to a week ago I readily accepted. Monica attended the same benefit and when I introduced them I sensed the connection between them. Ben couldn’t keep his eyes from straying to the table where she sat and I noticed that she was having trouble concentrating on her date too. I finally encouraged him to ask her to dance and the rest is history.”
“I was so happy for them when they married. And they were so happy together. Now I just think it is so sad that Ben was taken before he could see the love in Monica’s eyes the first time she softly breathed his name while telling us about his anniversary present to her.”
Bailey placed an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close. “For Monica to state how she felt about this country Jessie, and knowing what she must have gone through that day, you have to believe she revealed her true feelings. I know I was impressed by what she said. And this evening she didn’t mince words about how she felt either. The woman is what I would call a true American patriot.”
“I know,” Jessie returned. “She has been like that since before her grandfather passed away. She would proudly tell all the kids at school about how he had been friends with two Presidents. She loved him so much and was so proud of him that she would tell the kids how he would sit with her at night and tell her stories about what this country meant to him and what it should mean to every citizen of the United States of America.”
The ringing of the cash register and immediate ringing of the phone on the wall behind it, made them aware that the only other customer had just paid his bill. The man was shrugging into his jacket as the waitress dimmed the interior lights and turned the outside lights off. A subtle hint to let them know she wanted to close up and go home.
Feeling suddenly very bold, Jessie had the urge to lean over and kiss the man of her heart. As the customer opened the door to leave, Jessie let that urge guide her to Bailey's lips. Bailey, his primal instincts driving him, encircled her shoulders with his arms and pulled her to him, crushing her against his chest. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring the sweet recesses of her delectable mouth while her tongue warred with his for superiority.
Suddenly a very large hand grasped Bailey’s shoulder and an all too familiar voice tinged with an Irish Brogue was saying, “That’s just what I needed to see, a fine couple who really know how to show how much they care for each other!” Jerking apart, Jessie and Bailey stared into the smiling eyes of Dennis O’Donald.
“Oh my God,” Bailey choked out. “How in the h-e- double tooth picks did you find us?”
Dennis chuckled at Bailey’s use of the near-curse childhood expression, flipped a chair around from another table, straddled it with his arms folded across the back and faced them. His face went serious. “It wasn’t easy, my friend. Your little crew has kept my whole squad, not to mention the efforts of a combined force of Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force personnel, working non-stop trying to get a line on you.”
Bailey and Jessie were forced to listen while he went over all the various details of the search for them. He ended his narrative by telling them the forces searching for them had been completely stymied until Bailey’s crew had captured the terrorist Jamhel Assinah and left him in the trunk of Jessie’s car. From that point on it had been as simple as discovering who the third male member witnesses had reported at the scene of the bomb scare could have been. That had been quite simple too. The cabin they had fled from was deeded to Melissa and the only other dwelling in the area, which had been thoroughly searched and found empty, belonged to one retired Dr. Eddward Parker, who owned the helicopter they had made their escape in. From there it had been just a matter of checking the doctor’s recent cell phone history. One of the calls from that phone was to an address just a short distance from where Jessie’s car had been found. When questioned, Eddie’s friend had resisted saying anything for a time. But Dennis had finally convinced him that the need to find the doctor and his friends was not that they had committed any crime but rather a matter of importance for National Security and his friend and the group he was with were in great danger. At that point, Eddie’s friend thought about it for a short time then gave Dennis all the information they needed.
Then Dennis surprised them one more time. “You, Bailey did something that told me exactly where you were. Do you know what that was?” When Bailey just stared at him, Dennis began to snicker, then, outright laughed. “You don’t have a clue, do you? Well, you see, Bailey, it’s this way. I had been covering all the bases. That car outside of Ms. Radcliff’s home that Dr. Parker bought from his friend was one of those bases. It’s a late model General Motors make. When Dr. Parker’s friend told us what vehicle you were traveling in, I immediately had him give me the vehicle’s VIN number. I contacted General Motors, gave them the VIN number of the vehicle, requested and received the codes for the onboard computer and its GPS. Then it was just a matter of waiting. Within minutes after you activated the GPS for directions to Ms. Radcliffe’s, an address for the last call from the doctor’s cell phone, I knew exactly where you were and where you were going.”
“I know you are going to ask this question, so I’ll say it and answer it for you. Why didn’t I have you corralled then instead of waiting?” Dennis paused, searching both of their faces to see the effect of what he was saying before he continued. “For one thing, Bailey, I wanted all of you to rest for a while. I felt that after what you have all been through you deserved it. Even at that, I had the real-time satellite’s image zeroed in on Ms. Radcliffe’s home to make sure you didn’t escape me again. Because, though it has been frustrating, I have enjoyed hearing what you five, well, six since the good Doctor Parker joined your little crew, have been doing since the safe house. For another, we probably would never have caught that terrorist you left in the trunk of Ms. Melano’s car. And lastly, I wanted to see what you were going to do. When you stayed here I decided it was time to get on board and help you if I could.”
The shocked expressions on their faces made him want to chuckle again. Instead, he rubbed it in a little more. “Yeah,” he teased. “I know all about Ms. Radcliffe and what has happened since you arrived at her home. You see, I arrived there just moments after you left. I thought Ms. Radcliffe was going to throw her arms around me and kiss me when I identified myself. She informed me you had left a note saying where you were headed and told me where I could find you. Knowing the way you two feel about one another and, things the way they are, you couldn’t have had much time to yourselves, I decided to have a confab with Sean first.”
Stony faced, he ground out, “Before we go back to Ms. Radcliffe’s though, and so you’ll know, when I learned what condition Sean is in I was appalled. I immediately wanted to call an ambulance.”
He let his voice soften a little as he continued, “Even though I am Deputy Regional Administrator of The Department of Homeland Security here in the Northwest, Sean, being the eldest of the O’Donald clan and, according to our traditions, therefore always as the last say on any subject, had the authority to overrule me. He invoked that authority with no hesitation by saying that since the terrorists had wounded him he deserved a chance to get his own pound of flesh from them. Now in that type of situation, I am bound by our family traditions and ties to honor his wishes. Besides, albeit he is retired, you have a very competent doctor along. Who, by the way informed me, in no uncertain terms, mind you, of Sean’s real medical condition. The good doctor is confident that Sean’s wounds, though severe, will be alright for a few days or so without his being hospitalized.”
“Now,” Dennis smiled and said. “On a different note, Ms. Radcliffe and Sean both informed me of your plan. I like what you have in mind. I also appreciate that you were planning on informing me in advance. Seeing as how I have found you beforehand though, I have a few suggestions that I feel would make your plan work a whole lot better. That said, I believe it would behoove us to go back to Ms. Radcliffe’s w
here we won’t be overheard before I tell you what I have in mind.”
Before Dennis could get completely out of his chair, Bailey stopped him. “Hold it, Dennis. There is something you need to know first.”
Half out of his chair, Dennis settled back in, smiled and kidded, “Shoot. It has to be important or you wouldn’t delay me like this.”
“Dennis,” Bailey entreated, “This is serious. The safe house was compromised because there is a spy in your Homeland Security office.” At Dennis’ questioning look, Bailey hurried to explain. “I take it that Sean didn’t tell you that Cal Bealour was working with Almed and was the one who shot him?”
Seeing Dennis’ smile disappear, Bailey further explained. “The only answer to how the safe house security was breached, Dennis, is that Almed has an accomplice in your office. That attack was planned out too well. Almed had to have known how to breach the safe house security. He even knew where all the escape tunnel exits were and had them guarded. Carol told us that Cal was regarded by his old commander as a person of exemplary patriotism. To get him to do what he did at the safe house there had to be someone above him that used some means to coerce him into betraying his country.”
“What I am saying, Dennis, is that you need to find whoever it is and eliminate him or her. Better still, you could feed that person false info so you could take Almed’s whole operation down.”
Dennis studied Bailey before replying. “You make a very good point, Bailey. Thank you. It’s nothing I haven’t had a suspicion of since the attack on the safe house but I have been too busy trying to track you down to take action. Now, while we walk back to Ms. Radcliff’s I will do just that. Better yet. I’ll do that right now” So saying, he made a few calls, smiled a few minutes later as he disconnected the last one. “I think we have IDed the mole. We will feed him for awhile and see what happens.”
Chapter 18: Similar Encounters
Tuesday: 7 am.
The ding of the microwave awoke Jessie from a fitful sleep. She groaned as she glanced at the clock on the bedside. Sleeping in a real bed should have been an easy, even enjoyable experience. But that wondrous concept had evaded her until the wee hours of the morning. She missed Bailey who had left the evening before with Dennis, Carol and Melissa to start setting up the campground they were to use. He wouldn’t be back until late in the afternoon today. Though she had been kept busy finding camping gear and making sure everything was ready for Friday, she had felt lost in his absence. Now, in addition to feeling lost, she felt exhausted and in great need of a hot cup of strong, black coffee. That need drew her to the kitchen where she found Monica sipping on a cup of Chamomile tea, Melissa’s Irish Setter, Kerry laying at her feet. Kerry lifted his head as she came in but evidently she wasn’t the person he wanted to see because he immediately plopped his head back down on his front paws and let out what sounded like a lonesome sigh.
Jessie glanced at Monica’s teacup, let out a rush of breath. Chamomile Tea wasn’t what she needed! “Is there coffee?” she mumbled, as she dropped into a chair across the small cafe table from Monica.
Monica nodded, smiled knowingly as she rose and poured coffee into a cup she had set out earlier in anticipation of Jessie’s need. “Gotchya covered friend o’ mine, gotchya covered,” she laughingly bragged as she came around the table to set a steaming cup in front of Jessie. “I looked in on you a little while ago. You were tossing and turning like you were in a wrestling match with a snake. So, knowing you, the first thing I did was make a super strong pot of coffee.”
“Monica, I truly believe you’re an angel in disguise.”
“Sure I am, Jess. I’m your guardian angel. Now,” she smiled as she scooted a chair closer to Jessie, slipped neatly into it and pulled her cup of tea from the other side of the table. “Since the big guy isn’t here and the other two guys won’t be awake for awhile yet, don’t you think, as I’m your guardian angel, isn’t it time you and I had us a little girl to girl?”
Jessie had known Monica too long to refuse. “Only if it can wait until I have had at least a half a cup of this delicious smelling coffee.”
Her friend smiled again. “That’s OK, Jessie. You go ahead and drink your coffee. I’ll start this little shebang by letting you know what I have been doing since we last got together.” Which, to Jessie’s grateful delight, Monica proceeded to do.
Monica told about the men at work who had been trying, trying being the optimal word, to date her. When she had returned from a two-month personnel training seminar stay in Paris three months ago to train personnel in the refined art of eco-environmental resources it seemed every eligible bachelor at her work had asked her out at least once. Not one of them appealed to her and not being into one-night-stands, she had flatly refused each one. When the opportunity to return to France a few weeks later had opened up she had been so frustrated with the attempts to date her that she had jumped at it. Friday night, on her return from France, she had been dreading going to work on Monday and had notified the president of her company she was taking a month leave of absence.
Jessie should have been listening, but Monica’s ramblings about her love live, or lack thereof, had only cued up Jessie’s own desire that had been so very prominent those two nights at the safe house and Melissa’s cabin. She couldn’t get past the fact that Bailey had stayed true to his word and had only held her close until she had finally dropped into a purely blissful, though erotic, slumber. She could remember having multiple dreams that had bordered on erotica and others, especially the last dream, that had sent her over the line of propriety. That last one had been so vivid yet when she awoke to find Bailey gone, she had actually been angry with him for not being there so she could satisfy the need those wonderful, but unconventional, feelings had aroused in her.
Monica noticed Jessie wasn’t listening and used the nickname she had given her friend when they were kids. “Jessie ‘Anxious’ Melano!” she sternly griped. “Have you even heard a word I have said for the last fifteen minutes?”
Monica’s pseudo-angry words suddenly brought Jessie back to the present. She focused her eyes on her best friend. That woman was now standing beside Jessie’s chair, her hands fisted on her hips, her frowning face scant inches from Jessie’s.
The twinkling of humor in her eyes belied the frown on the woman’s face. “Where were you, Jessie? I know you could not have been reliving the horrors of the last few days because the expression on your face didn’t imply terror. No! It surely didn’t! It implied utmost ecstasy! So, Girlfriend o’ mine, now give! You were fantasizing about that hunk of a man, Bailey, weren’t you? I want all the juicy details.” Monica’s voice suddenly turned sexy as she finished. “Or were you reliving actual experiences with him?”
Jessie apologized for not listening then relayed her experiences, especially those nights at the safe house and the cabin. When she finished with the tale, Monica plopped back into the chair next to her, her eyes wide. “Jessie! I’m flabbergasted! You mean to tell me you have actually found the only man in the state, or maybe the whole world, who actually had you in bed with him and respected, no, loved you enough, to stay true to his word and do nothing but just hold you all night long?”
When Jessie smiled and nodded, Monica’s eyes closed and tears coursed down her cheeks. “God, Jessie. That is unheard of! And, I’ll tell you this, friends or not, Jessie, if you don’t marry the man as soon as possible I may try to steal him from you!”
As if, Jessie thought, her smile growing until her face hurt. She knew her friend well enough to know the woman would never do something so awful to her. Still, she said the words that needed to be said. “Monica. You’re my dearest friend. I know you better than that. Besides it is a moot point. Because I have plans for that man. As soon as this thing with the terrorists is over, and I mean the day it is done, Bailey and I will be standing before a judge, minister, or Justice of the Peace taking our vows. And you will be my Matron of Honor, so there!”
Monica couldn�
�t help herself. She threw her arms around her friend, hugging her so tight Jessie let out a squeal. Monica drew away and gazed happily into her friend’s eyes. “I am so blessed happy for you Jessie! After all the crap men you have dated have put you through, you deserve to find a man like Bailey. I just hope someday I will find a man with that kind of respect and love for the woman in his life.”
Jessie got up to refill her cup as she said, “Oh, you will, Monica. I know you will. But he will probably take you by as much surprise as Bailey did me.” Jessie’s face suddenly sobered as a thought entered her mind.
Monica noticed Jessie pale and, worried her friend was reliving a terrible experience, quickly went to her, giving her a heart-felt embrace. “What’s the matter, Jessie? You suddenly look like you have seen a ghost.”
Jessie silently broke the embrace, set her coffee cup on the table. Then, taking her friend’s hands in her own, she replied, “Monica. You’re not going to believe this, but, I truly believe that for the last couple of weeks, and maybe longer, I have actually been seeing a ghost.”
“What?” Monica incredulously asked. “You can’t be serious. There are no such things as ghosts!”
“I never thought so either,” Jessie firmly stated. “But what I have been seeing can be explained in no other way.” As she slid into her chair again she said, “You had better sit down too, Monica, because what I’m going to tell you is quite unbelievable.”
When Monica was seated, Jessie resumed. “Since I was just a child I have been having the same dream almost every night. It always has the same young Native American woman in it. She is always wearing the same white doeskin dress and wears a beaded pouch on a leather thong around her neck. The pouch is tan and about the size of her hand. Etched in color and beads on the front of the pouch, and her dress too, is what I believe to be the head of a snarling Cougar. Up until just a few weeks ago the woman stood with her hands outward as if she were pleading with me for something. Lately though, the woman seemed to be speaking directly to me and a man with a jagged scar shaped like a four pointed bolt of lightning on his left arm, standing at my side. The night, well actually the morning after I broke it off with Gerald I actually heard the maiden’s voice for the first time. The maiden’s arms were out in front of her again. She was speaking in what must be her native tongue and as she spoke she curled her fingers as if beckoning for me to come to her. The strange thing is; Monica, at the time, I felt that I should actually know the language she spoke and that it was important that I be at her side! That morning I met Bailey for the first time. He told me about the lake and about the cavern he had found near it. As Bailey told you the other night, that lake is where we landed after that terrorist’s plane tried to knock us out of the air.”
