CHAPTER 69

PART 1

The faintest hint of red was just becoming visible over the skies of the DC metroplex when William Melrose received the update. He hung up the phone and inhaled deeply several times. Out of all the aspects of his job that he disliked, this was one of the ones he hated the most, the times that called for him to be the messenger of bad news.

He stayed seated in his chair for a few moments, dreading this particular walk. Delaying it would not make it go away though, and he knew, if the situation was reversed, he would want to know.

With a groan, he pulled his weary body up out of his chair and headed to the door, once again taking the unpleasant path that would lead to certain changes in someone's life, or, in this case, in many lives.

PART 2

The Bronco was finally loaded with all of the gear that the King family had brought for what should have been a wonderful vacation. Instead, it had turned into a summer tragedy.

Silence filled the vehicle as Leatherneck turned it around in the small drive and pointed them away from the lake. He watched in silence as the grassy meadow on the one side of them, the one where the medevac had landed last night, slipped by them. In the rearview mirror he could see the quaint summer cabin growing smaller and smaller.

Soon, they were on the dirt and gravel lane that would lead them back to the highway. In the distance, he could see the first rays of dawn appearing through the trees. A glance down at his watch told him they should be back at the Agency around noon, at the latest, depending on the traffic.

They had driven a few miles, the same few that Jamie had navigated successfully in the wee hours of darkness before coming to the curve in the road where the Jeep had met foul with the four-legged, car damaging critters.

Only now, the Jeep was already in the process of being loaded onto a tow truck. Leatherneck pulled up alongside the bright green and yellow vehicle and put the Bronco into park.

"I'll just be a moment," he told his passengers as he slipped out the driver's door.

An older man, wearing jeans, a green tee shirt and a baseball cap came round the front of the tow-truck.

"Dwayne! You ole scoundrel!"

"Hey Homer, how ya doing?"

The two men exchanged a handshake, and then Homer looked over at the new occupant of his trailer.

"Do I want to know?" he asked the younger agent.

"She belongs to a friend of mine. She's Agency, so you'll be compensated."

"I love government green," the old man replied. "How soon do you need her back?"

"The owner's in DC, we'll arrange a loaner for her. You just weave a little magic for me, huh?"

"She'll be good as new when I get done with her, you know that my boy. So, I take it you still won't declassify this?"

"Not much. Did you follow my instructions?"

Homer nodded.

"Disinfected her, got me gloves, and yes, I'll pay a visit to grumpy Doc Morgan once he opens up shop and has had his morning coffee."

Leatherneck nodded.

"Make sure that you do. I don't know if you can really catch this thing or not, but we don't want you taking any chances."

"Hell no, not if I plan on towing this baby down to the big city. I do get mileage as well, right my boy?"

"Homer, I told you that you would be well compensated and I mean that. Has the Agency ever reneged on a promise to you?"

"Nope, my boy, not once."

"Look, I wish I had more time to chat, but I've got to get my passengers home ASAP."

Homer glanced over Leatherneck's shoulder and caught sight of the young boy sitting there.

"Who's your co-pilot?"

"This is his mom's vehicle. Pretty urgent that I get him back there."

"Well then, I tell you what, I'll fix this little baby up right and then, when I get down to DC in a few days, beer and steaks and a tale, right my boy?"

"Deal Homer, deal. Don't forget, you visit with Doc Morgan as soon as his office opens up. And, if he's got any questions, you have him call Kelford."

"Will do, my boy, will do. I'll see ya in a few days."

"Thanks old friend, I owe ya one."

Leatherneck turned and walked back to the Bronco. There were only two other people that he would entrust Amanda's vehicle to and Homer was the only one of them on the East Coast. Satisfied that it would be tended to properly, he climbed back into the vehicle.

"Back to DC," he told his passengers as he put the vehicle into drive.

By the time they had turned off of the old road and gotten back onto Route 26, Jamie King had finally fallen asleep.