49

Disclaimer: I do not own The A Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A Team.

Driving to Cedarville's Main Street, Hannibal spotted a red brick building with a faded Coca Cola advertisement painted on its outside wall. The corner grocery store seemed quiet this time of day. He couldn't stop thinking about how angry the young Lieutenant in the makeshift toga was to discover where his clothing had been hidden.

I guess Face'll be taking the price of a new suit out of my cut next time we have paying clients. But it was worth it to see his expression.

Hannibal's eyes were still twinkling and his lips set in a smirk as he parked the van a block away beside a paint-chipped old automotive repair shop. Covering his brown wig with a Stetson and donning a pair of aviator sunglasses, he strolled casually along, passing a small bakery as he went.

Might be nice to get some hot coffee and sweet rolls for everyone, too. But not for Murdock, not right away. Let his stomach settle.

Standing at the corner waiting to cross to the grocery store, the Colonel glanced up the street. A dark blue sedan glided to a stop at the sign.

Alright, that was one thing I didn't want to see. Better make this quick and get back to the motel. Forget the sweet rolls.

Taking a deep breath, he waved the driver through and as nonchalantly as possible crossed the street.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the sedan creep down the street and turn right at the corner.

Did they recognize me?

Pushing open the door, Hannibal looked around until he located the public telephone in the front of the store. He smiled at the cashier and turned his back on her as he slipped a quarter in the coin slot and dialed the number to the motel room. He let it ring three times, then hung up and palmed the quarter returned to him.

They would expect him to call again in three minutes. While he waited he peeked out the store front window, watching for any further sign of the sedan.

"Come on, pick up, someone," he breathed impatiently when he called again. When the ring abruptly cut off, he immediately said, "Hello?"

"You've reached a permanently disconnected . . . " A fierce growl cut off the slightly mechanical sounding voice.

Murdock? He recovered quickly. Good. I'll need all of them on their guard if I'm right about who that was in that car.

"Give me that phone, fool. Only thing that's permanently disconnected's your brain." Hannibal heard the sound of the receiver being wrestled away.

"But I think it's Hann'bal. Can' I talk t' Hann'bal?" Murdock's voice sounded slurred, whiny and slightly tipsy.

They must have given him the Demerol. Damn!

They were following his orders but those were given before he saw that Jack and his men were still intent on finding Melody and them.

"Melody, if ya want ta take this, I'll get the fool back in bed where he b'longs."

A second later, the young actress asked, "John, is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, is Face there? I have to talk to him." He could sense her hesitation and groaned. "Don't tell me. Both Murdock and Face took their Demerol like they were supposed to and they're on their way to sleepyland."

"Well, HM is more loopy than sleepy."

In the background he heard a loud protest. "I ain' any loopier 'n usual! Ask th' Big Guy here!"

Then B. A.'s low rumbling voice. "Get in bed, ya fool, b'fore I make it so ya don' need no painkillers ta sleep."

He heard a surprised loud yelp and another growl. Hannibal rolled his eyes at what he pictured was happening.

"And Temp is sound asleep."

What a time for the two of them to obey me for once and take the medicine I told them to!

"Can you wake him back up?"

"You said . . . "

"I know. I'm going to get the groceries and head on back but if I don't get there right away, it'll be because I have to throw someone off my trail. Okay?"

He heard the sharp breath she took. "You saw Jack?"

"Just don't unpack. We'll eat on the run. Let me talk to B. A."

Melody's voice was muffled as she called the Sergeant to the phone.

Then, "Yeah, Hannibal?"

"I just spotted Melody's stalker ex-boyfriend cruising the streets looking for someone. I'd say that someone is probably all of us. Get our two patients ready for a quick get-away."

"Got it. We'll be waitin'."

Hannibal hung up the phone and gathered the groceries he figured they could use on the road. Three loaves of bread, bologna, sliced cheese, mustard, mayonnaise, two gallons of milk, chips and two bottles of cola and lemon-lime soda filled the cart when he was done.

"Looks like you're feeding an army," the cashier commented, smiling as she filled two paper grocery bags.

"Gotta make sure th' kids don't go hungry, ya know. 'Specially my oldest. He can eat three foot-long subs an' still say he's famished." Hannibal returned the grin and shrugged. "They're back at th' campground playin' cops an' robbers. Th' oldest's babysittin' while I'm here."

"Kids!" she smirked, shaking her head. As the Colonel opened the door with his purchase, she smiled again. "You have a nice day."

I will if I don't have to play hide and seek with Melody's ex.

He hefted the two bags, one on either arm, and made his way back to the van. As soon as he placed the groceries in the rear passenger's compartment of the van and climbed in the driver's seat, he noticed the dark blue sedan parked one block away, facing him. As he slowly pulled out into traffic, the car did a U-turn to come up behind him.

Here we go.