Chapter 63

RPOV

When we went down to five, I was pleased to see that Declan had already arrived. Taking so many men from here would put a strain on the day to day operations. I wasn't sure who else would be with him. I'd spoken with José in Miami and they were helping by monitoring the systems as well. Now we had to make sure everyone knew exactly what their assignment was. As I walked into what was now the control room for our planning, I saw Steph sat with Les looking at plans. Everyone seemed to be on task except two people were missing.

"Where are Hector and Ram?"
"They went to set up surveillance cameras"

"Tank, vehicles?"

"Four unidentifiable cars"
"Hal comm systems?"
"Everyone will have an ear bud and mic and we'll be using a secure channel. Each team leader will have access to the camera views on a small tablet. I suggest all phones are left here so there's no chance of them being located"

"Bobby?"
"Full field kit packed and ready"
"Santos, weapons and gear?"
"Ready and waiting. I erred on being over cautious so there are hand-guns, knives, some rifles and smoke and stun grenades"
"Everyone has their own kit, make sure you each have vests, flashlights and rope. Add cuffs just in case we get disturbed"

"Santos be sure we have infrared goggles and respirators"
"On it"

"Okay, Tank the distraction here around Rangeman"

"I spoke with Frank, he and three other drivers will be here 30 minutes before we set off. They'll each take one of our cars. They'll head down to Bordertown in convoy and then separate onto four different roads then make out they're meeting at Plumsted Township"

I could see that Steph was confused at what Tank was saying. This part of the plan had only just been finalized and was only possible because Steph's father had wanted to help. We felt that whilst the distraction was crucial the men involved shouldn't be at risk.

"Err, hold on. When you said Frank, were you talking about my father?"
"Yes, Little Girl. He called and asked what we wanted him to do to help"

"He won't be in any danger, will he?"
Tank smiled at that, no doubt remembering the conversation he'd had with Frank.

"No. They're old army buddies and taking this seriously. They'll be driving bullet proof cars, wearing vests and I think he mentioned they'd be appropriately dressed as Rangemen"
"Dressed as in armed?"
"Yeah, that's what he said"
"Babe, they'll be fine. They wanted to help and they're not new to something like this. In fact, I think they're looking forward to it"
"Just make sure my mother never finds out"
Just thinking about what I'd said had my mind going in a different direction. Would it be an idea to actually employ men like these? Before now all of our employees tended to be of a similar age, around mid-thirties and younger. Something to think about when this was all over.

"We don't know how big the container may be but judging from the key"
"What key?"
"Buckley planted a key on Steph when she was knocked out at his house. She found it attached to the keyring for the car she was driving at the time"
"So that's why you were in a panic over car keys Steph?"
"Yeah Cal, I just had an epiphany and a weird dream"

"Steph and I think the key opens a box but we have no idea how big the box is or what exactly is inside of it"
"How about if you and Steph take the contents in a protective bag for delivery and then Ram, Cal and I take the box and drive away with it"
"Good idea Santos, that could give us another distraction. Zeph where will you land the helicopter?"

"There's a field behind the church next to the cemetery, I've marked it on the map. I'll be close by whilst you're inside the church and when you give me the green light, I'll do a fast pickup"

Fast would mean fast, Zeph had done a lot of pickups in war zones so he would expect us to board the helicopter without it touching down so that he could keep the blades at full rotation ready to lift off. I'd need to prepare Steph for that maneuver because it would probably be a nerve-racking experience for her.

"Okay does anyone have any questions or suggestions?"
I looked around the room and made eye contact with every man there. Satisfied that they were ready I turned my attention back to the room in general.

"We depart from the garage at 2100hrs. Meet at 2030. It's 1300hrs now, so catch some sleep and something to eat"

I caught Steph's hand in mine and walked us from the room toward the elevator. To be honest I felt tired. What with missing sleep because of that night trying to catch the skip and hardly any sleep last night because of us planning most of the night, I needed to catch up and re-energize to be at the top of my game and focused. For some reason, even with all the planning we'd done, I had a feeling having Steph with us might just bring about the unexpected. It usually did. Once in the apartment I headed for the bedroom, stripping off my clothes, then lay down on the bed. I set my alarm for 1800hrs, five hours would be plenty for what I needed. I'd expected Steph to follow me and was surprised to see her stood at the door watching me.

"Babe are you going to come in and sleep?"
"Nah, I'm not tired. You sleep, you need to get caught up"
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll rest on the couch, maybe watch TV and maybe take a nap"

As she quietly closed the door, I focused on my heart rate allowing sleep to take over.

It was the sound of my alarm that brought me fully awake. I knew I'd slept well because I felt fresh and alert. Looking to the place beside me I knew Steph hadn't been in bed so with a pair of lose joggers on I walked through to the lounge. I was pleased to see her curled up on the couch, fast asleep, even though the TV was still on. I went back through to the bathroom and showered before getting dressed in black cargos, a long-sleeved black T-shirt and thick black socks. Next I went into my safe and brought out three unregistered guns and boxes of ammo. Two knives would go into my boot and vest, then lastly, I picked up the key that Steph had found. Hell, I hoped she was right with her assumptions, she sounded so positive, it would knock her back if it turned out she was wrong. Locking the safe back up I laced up my cat boots, holstered one of the knives and went through to the lounge.

As I entered, I saw that Steph was slowly waking up. She looked sleepy, but the way her hair fell in crazy curls around her face made her look beautiful. I saw the minute she opened her eyes and looked me. I just wished I could crawl beside her and sink myself into her. I blinked in an attempt to tamp down the feelings stirring, I had to stay focused.

"I'm glad you slept"
"I did for a while. I, err, organized a distraction to cover me for tonight"
"Explain"
Hell I wish she would talk things through with me before rushing ahead and doing something.

"Hey, it's nothing bad. Connie called asking if I wanted to go out for a girls night out. She's managed to get about seven women to go and was asking me if I wanted to join them. I told her I'd love to and that I'd see them at the club, unless something cropped up"
"Clever. Connie will be sure to everyone where you'll be"
"Exactly"
"Go get showered and dressed. I'll call Ella to bring up dinner"
I watched as she disappeared so started to organise for our meal. Ella had brought up a meal that I was sure Steph would enjoy. As I was placing our plates on the table Steph came and joined me.

"Smells wonderful, I feel hungry"
I took in her appearance as she went to sit down. She was dressed similarly to me but what made me look again was how she had plaited her hair in two sections and then fastened the ends back around her head and fastened them in, showing that the marks on her neck weren't as bad now. She put a black hat and a gun holster on the table next to her.

"What is this?"
"Ropa Vieja, it means old clothes, it's a stew with beef chunks slowly cooked until they shred, together with tomatoes and onions"

"It smells wonderful and wow so tasty"
I tried to ignore the sounds she made as she ate, but hell, she was making me uncomfortable with how my zipper was digging into the erection that had suddenly taken on a life of its own. Once we'd finished and cleared away the dishes, she pulled the hat over her head. I could now see why she'd plaited her hair as she had because with the hat none of her hair showed. As she put on the shoulder holster, I brought the guns and another knife to her. I made sure the holster was firm and secure before slipping the gun in its holder and spare ammunition into a pocket of her cargos. Next I bent down and pulled up her trouser leg and fit the knife inside her boot.

"You look badass Babe"
"Yeah right"
"Vest and jacket?"
"I'll go get them"
It was 2030hrs as we stepped into the garage.