Knight Rider of chapter 11
In the backseat of the black limousine, Jamie studied the photos of Amy stealing the access card. Devon was on the phone speaking his unique code to Bonnie giving his orders to her. The older city skyline of brick and mortar transformed to crisp houses and pristine apartment buildings when Jamie would glanced out of the tinted window, and knew, time was running out.
She slide the photos back into the envelope, and stared at Devon.
He put the phone back in its receiver. "You remind me of your uncle in this moment," Devon said, and cleared his throat.
A car horn blared outside the window, as she grasped the door handle. "Who wants to destroy FLAG to it's core, and has the money and influence to do that?" She asked, as her tone was ice cold.
"We have been researching on that topic for the last couple of days, and without an operative in the field, we are blind," Devon explained.
"What about your investigators?" Her fingers rubbed her scalp, while she tried to soothe her head.
The limousine inched along at a slow pace with the heavy traffic, and cool air blasted from the vents. He brushed back a few loose strands of Jamie's hair out of her face. "Miss Cora was alerted that we could be shut down about our investigation side to FLAG. Bonnie had to pull out the investigators from the field, and they reported that they were being followed." Devon loosened his tie around his neck. "In a time like this, I wished your uncle was here."
Jamie eyed him, and took a deep breath in, then released it. "I do too. Is it possible that Garth is the mastermind behind this?"
"After your ordeal with Garth so many years ago. I don't blame you for asking the question. Garth went over the cliff in Goliath into the sea to his watery grave, after his second attempt to destroy FLAG. He hasn't shown up on my radar since then, but I still keep a lookout for him." Devon returned with his own stare at her. "What about KARR?"
Her heart raced with her blood rushing into her ears, she tried to calm herself down. "I checked with my private sources, and they said, from the military point of view it is about KITT and KARR. You need an operative in the field."
Devon released a charming smile from his lips. "An operative in the field with a vehicle, and a bodyguard perhaps?"
Jamie giggled. "I see you learned a few things from my uncle."
"That I did. But what I am asking comes with a heavy price, my dear." He touched her hand. "You are his niece, but I want to make sure that you understand..."
"My momma always told me, that I had a flare for fireworks when I would cause a whole lot of trouble."
Burgers were cooking on the grill on the patio, as the aroma drifted through the opened sliding door in the kitchen, which filled Michael's nostrils, making his mouth watered. The new huge kitchen had all the latest modern amenities like a microwave and oven built into the wall. He helped Chloe to set up the white counter for a buffet style lunch, by laying out the condiments, and plastic silverware with the paper plates. He unscrewed off the lids, and next grabbed the bowls to line them up. His six sense kicked in, alerting Michael that someone was observing him. There in the living room was Derrick, a tall young man a few years younger than Michael, that was eyeing him.
Michael had a feeling that Derrick liked Chloe more than a friend. For Derrick had good taste, Chloe was a beautiful blonde-headed young woman with a slender figure with curves in the right places. He had more important things on his mind, so he walked to Derrick, and handed over the bag of chips to the man. "Why don't you help Chloe? I am a bit tired."
"Thanks, I will," Derrick said.
Michael walked out of the kitchen, heading outside, and snatched an ice cold can of Coke out of the cooler, but longed for a can of beer instead, as he flopped down in the colorless lawn chair on the patio. Larry, an older man with bits of gray strands showed up in his brown hair in the sun, and still was trimmed and quick, as Michael noted.
Larry sat down in the lawn chair, sitting across from him. "You look like a man who needs something stronger than a soda."
"I do," he said.
"I will see if I can sneak in a couple for you. My boss doesn't like any alcohol around when we are on a crucial case," Larry explained.
"All of you trust and respect Ms. White," he said.
"We do. I don't know about Derrick, because he is new, and this is his first time to whether the storm, sort of speak. Jamie sees something in Derrick, but I don't know what it is, yet," Larry said.
"He likes Chloe." He shoved back the tab to pop open the can, taking a long sip of the soda.
"Did Derrick give you the stare to back off from Chloe?" Larry asked, and took a quick glimpse around him. "I bet you are use to that from other men."
The truth of the matter, Michael was now, accustomed to it, but remembered how it felt when a good looking man entered the arena of love, and how the women would fond over the new guy. "Once the looks fade away, what attracts a woman is confidence."
"It takes more than looks for my Boss. When Jamie is in her serious mood, she can come across a bit cold, but she is caring, thoughtful, and a warm woman," Larry explained.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Larry leaned back in the lawn chair. "Because, I know when people don't trust her."
"I do and don't."
"Well, she made you comfortable, and gave me strict orders to keep you happy and safe. Right now, you are a wanted man in certain circles," Larry said.
"Lunch is ready," Chloe shouted from the grill.
Michael and Larry entered the kitchen, as Derrick and another couple of men were already eating their lunch. He grabbed a burger, and stacked it high with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Then he dipped the knife in a mayonnaise jar, smothering the bun with it, and grabbed a handful of chips, letting them drop on the paper plate next to his burger.
He joined them at the table, and tried to join in the small talk. Larry popped up from the chair, and headed to the front door.
"Hello, boss, we weren't expecting you, and Mr. Miles nice to see you again," Larry stated.
"We need to speak to Michael," Jamie said.
From his seat at the kitchen table that overlooked into the living room and the foyer, Michael could see Devon and Jamie standing by the front door. All at once everyone placed their burgers back on their paper plates, and stared at each other, waiting for their orders. Chloe's face turned pale, while she got up from the table. Something told Michael this wasn't good.
"He's eating his lunch with us in the kitchen," Larry said.
Chloe cautiously strode into the foyer, and she paced each step, like a suspicious cat wanting to investigate a new object. "We just had a lovely game of poker this morning. You didn't tell me he was so handsome, Jamie."
"Chloe is in love," Larry chuckled.
His stomach was doing somersaults with his food, he noticed the Derrick's eyes narrowed out of jealousy, and glared at him.
Devon politely escorted Jamie into the living room away from the front door. "Please, go get Michael for me," Jamie said, sounding like she was in pain, while her voice echoed in the room, and her fingers rubbed her head. She sat down on the sofa with Devon, and he put his hand on her shoulder.
"We need to speak to Michael it is extremely important," Devon said. He looked at Chloe. "Could you bring her medicine and a light snack for Jamie? It has been a long day for the both of us."
"Boss, do you need an ice pack?" Chloe asked.
Jamie nodded and then continued to massage her scalp, as Chloe dashed to the kitchen.
Michael had saw that motion before at the Foundation, and he stood, walking to the refrigerator. Larry opened up the freezer, and placed an ice pack in Michael's hands.
"Give this to her," Larry mouthed to him.
Michael walked to Chloe, as she prepared a burger for Jamie.
"Is Jamie alright?"
"She has been fighting off a migraine all day. I am hoping she will be able to keep the food down, so, Jamie can take her pills," Chloe said.
Michael came out of the kitchen with an ice pack. Chloe brought the pills and food, and next she opened a can of Coke. The popping sound made Jamie flinched. It seemed to him that Jamie was one tenacious young woman, by the others reaction that was something Jamie didn't do was flinch.
"Are you feeling alright?" Michael asked.
"Thanks for the pack, and no." Jamie put the ice pack on her head; she slightly cringed. "Gentlemen, I hope I didn't snapped at you."
Larry walked up, and bent down, putting his hand on her arm. "No. You didn't. We know that you are under a lot of stress."
"Thank you. Please, keep a lookout for some company."
"Things are going downhill?" Larry asked.
Jamie glanced at Michael, and then, looked at Larry. "We are rolling, and have been rolling for some time now."
The men scattered in a few seconds, preparing for something. Chloe remained with them. Jamie took her pills, and washed the medicine down with the soda, forcing herself to take a few bites of the burger. Michael studied her, and found himself debating if he could trust Jamie with his future.
Chloe walked over to Jamie with another yellow envelope in her hands. "This was delivered at the Foundation. I was instructed to give it to you only."
"Oh goody, more manure to smell," Jamie replied.
"What is going on here?" Michael demanded.
"Michael, just wait," Devon said.
Jamie placed the ice pack in her lap and opened the envelope. Reaching in, she pulled out the item. "A computer disk, how nice and thoughtful." A piece of paper floated out of the envelope, landing on the ice pack; she picked it up. Chloe, could you read it to me?"
"It's from Spider, and he must received your message." She winked. "It is time for the Tigress to come out and play. That's an odd message to send, Boss." Chloe just stared at Jamie.
"It means I must be a sly mate," Jamie said in a British accent.
"You learned it from me. I will help the guys, and let you three have a private chat." Chloe tapped Michael's arm, and said, "She's a tricky one." Chloe left the room to join the others.
"Where did you find her?" Michael asked.
"She found me in a bleak and damp alley on the wrong side of London. That's a story for another time." Jamie gave Michael a bigger envelope. "What do you know about your girlfriend's past?"
"You don't mess around." Michael pulled out the pictures. "This isn't good."
"We are running out of time," Jamie said.
"The profile that Bonnie did on Amy was false," Devon explained.
"I'm in big trouble... I can't believe she would do this to me. Amy didn't seem the type to have black widow blood in her veins." He handed the pictures to Devon.
"I'm assuming Amy is a plant, and designed to be a perfect companion for you. Not to alert you of any red flags," Jamie said.
"Who would she be working for?" Michael asked.
"We don't know," Devon said.
Michael looked down at his feet, and he lifted up his head to study Devon and Jamie. "General Patel is coming for me?"
"Yes, he is, Michael. There's nothing more I can do," Devon stated.
"The General within his right to take you, there's clear proof that you are involved with this crime," Jamie said, adding, "it is time for some unofficial tactics."
