51 Meanwhile at the Motel
Disclaimer: I do not own The A Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A Team.
The sedan's driver gunned the engine over a rough spot in the road and sped past the gap in the trees where the team van was hidden. The dust from the pickup going down the mountain still hung in the air.
If they're stupid, they'll believe the dust came from the van and not the truck they passed.
Thinking about the two trespassers they captured at Melody's cabin, the Colonel figured that was a safe bet. Not even Jack seemed very intelligent.
I wonder how in the world Melody got hooked up with someone like that.
Dismissing the thought, Hannibal waited a minute after the car went past before turning the key in the ignition and creeping out of the trees with the van. His pursuer had raised a huge dusty cloud by spinning his tires.
The Colonel headed back the way he came, hoping the dust from the truck and the sedan would hide him from view long enough to get a good head start. When the sedan ran out of dust trail, they would have to find a place to turn around. That might be difficult as winding as the road became as they got further away from the main road.
One of these days I'm going to take one too many chances.
He smiled grimly as he watched in the side view mirror for his pursuer. So far there was no glint from a windshield or metal behind him. He swiftly passed over the gravel-on-timber bridge that crossed over North Deep Creek.
Once I'm on the blacktop again, I can speed up and get back to the motel. Hope B. A. and Melody were able to pack up quickly and get our two patients ready.
The van's phone rang.
The only one who'd be calling on this line is B. A. Damn it! Something must have happened.
Hannibal gritted his teeth and grabbed it. "Li's Laundry," he answered automatically.
"Colonel? We got problems."
Hanging on to the steering wheel tightly and feeling the shifting nature of the washboard gravel under the tires, the driver muttered, "So do I. What's going on back there, B. A.?"
"Melody thinks Murdock an' Faceman're havin' allergic reactions ta the Demerol." He heard the phone being muffled against the Sergeant's chest as he growled, "Ya keep scratchin' at your arms like that an' I'll make Melody bandage both of your hands up so ya can't use 'em."
Hannibal groaned. "Which one?"
"Who d'ya think?" B. A. muffled the sound again but Hannibal could hear what he said. "Look at your arms, fool. Ya broke the skin on 'em. Melody, over there's the bandages. Ya know what ta do."
"Ah can' help it! Don'tcha see 'em? They're all over me. Get 'em off!" The terrified cries were followed by a wail of pain.
"B. A.!" The Colonel swung out onto the main road and increased speed. "Report!"
"Fool thinks he's got fire ants all over 'im like the ones back in Nam. I was gettin' everything ready like ya said ta do. He took mosta his clothes off an' started scratchin'. Melody couldn't stop 'im. Tore the skin off some places before I saw what was happenin'. His eyes are all swelled up an' his skin where he's itchin's got a rash."
"And what about Face? Melody said both of them are reacting to the meds?" The Colonel cursed under his breath.
This is going to be one very interesting trip back to L. A. How was I to know neither of them could take Demerol?
"Can't wake him up. He said his head hurt an' passed out on the bed right after he threw up in the wastebasket."
Very interesting is an understatement.
"Okay, B. A. Dig in the first aid bag and give Melody the calamine lotion. She'll know what to do. Make sure both of them are dressed and ready to go. Keep trying to wake Face up. When I get there, we have to load quick and burn rubber."
"Got it, Hannibal." He heard the deep breath the black man took before adding, "Stay one step ahead of 'em, Colonel."
"Oh, I intend to, Sergeant."
As the phone line went dead, he glanced into the side mirror again. Still no sign of the sedan.
Let's hope it stays that way.
He turned the corner at the store where he bought the groceries. The motel was only eight blocks away.
Checking the mirror again just before he turned in at the motel entrance, he sighed with relief when he saw no one slowed down to follow him.
If we're very lucky, they're still back in the mountains wondering where I went.
He braked to a sudden stop in the motel parking lot. Rushing to the door, he rapped sharply tap-tap pause tap-tap-tap.
B. A. let him in. A very haggard-looking Face drooped over his knees at the edge of the bed, the wastebasket at his feet. Murdock paced up and down , rubbing at his exposed skin with one bandaged hand and muttering under his breath about fire ants. Bumping into an arm-chair, he let out a small yelp of pain. Hannibal winced when he saw the pilot's eyes were swollen to slits.
The big Sergeant muscled a duffel bag over his right shoulder and gripped Murdock's bicep with his left hand. "Colonel's here. Time ta go." Grasping the pilot's elbow, he led him outside.
"Wait here, Lieutenant. We'll get you to the van as soon as we're sure we're ready to hit the road." Face threw him a weak salute.
Hannibal grabbed a second duffel bag and the medical kit, nodding at Melody. "Just a minute and we'll be on our way."
As he said it, he wondered if there would ever be a time when the team could stay somewhere and not have to leave in a hurry.
Probably not, he thought with a sigh.