Between Love and Hate - Book 2: Reich in the Middle
Trisha A. Lindsey
Published by Trisha A. Lindsey at Smashwords
Copyright 2004 Trisha A. Lindsey
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BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE - BOOK 2: REICH IN THE MIDDLE
There's A Thin Line - Book 1: Legal Reichs is available in Paperback only at this time, at PublishAmerica and Amazon.
Book 1 establishes the relationship between Blair Aikman and Josef Dyson, two people from totally different worlds. Blair is an Black, Female Anti Terrorist Agent sent to assassinate Josef's Father, the leader of an American Based Neo Nazi Organization, the Aryan Brotherhood Nation. Everything goes wrong, and she is forced to go deep underground, losing herself in the Chicago area. Josef relocates there, recognizes her, and runs a game on her that blows up in both of their faces. Without giving away Book 1, Between Love and Hate - Book 2: Reich in the Middle, continues with the story. If you reach the end of Book 2, and cannot find Book 1, email me!
PREFACE
Josef felt like his heart was dying. When they had been airborne for a few minutes, he called Blair. The phone rang, but he got no answer. He hung up the line, and within seconds, his own phone rang.
“Talk to me.” He said. There was silence on the line. He knew it was Blair.
“Why?” Josef asked, weariness in his voice.
“It was my job. It isn’t now.” She answered simply.
“Where are you?” He asked, although he knew the answer.
“Gone. I have your number, I’ll call you. I promise.” Blair answered, her voice breaking. “Please, leave it all. I’ll do the same. I just want you Jo. It’s not too late, is it?”
“I can’t leave. It’s too late. You know I’ll find you. I want my Sons.” Josef said, tapping his knee in agitation. “I want you. Damn it Blair, how could you do this to me?”
“Me! You pursued me! I didn’t know who you were! Stop it, Josef! You think I want to be away from you? I love you! I want them too. I’ll take care of them. I have to. I’ll be in touch. You won’t find me Josef. Let it go.” Blair said, starting to cry.
“Oh, I will find you. I’ll give you forty-eight hours to come to me. I’ll be in Montana, at the ranch. Call me back, and I’ll give you coordinates. You have forty-eight hours, come to me and I might forgive you. Well, probably not totally. Regardless, you have to face me. Be a man about it! You have two days, then as you like to say, all bets are off.” Josef said, hanging the phone up. His heart hurt him so bad, he could barely draw a breath. Yes, she was good. And he was going to have to move heaven and earth to find her. She was going to be harder to find than a needle in a haystack. But not his boys. He knew in his heart, they’d have his eyes. It would be years before she could do something about that.
He touched the cockpit button and told the men, “I have new coordinates. We’re going to Montana. Let me know how close you can get me to my ranch. I’ll bring the map up to you.” He reached in his bag, and pulled out the papers, removing the map. He flipped through them quickly, but couldn’t find the picture of the nursery. He took the map to the front, opening the door, and handing it to the pilot. Soon, he felt the plane bank left. He was going home. He’d have them there, before the year was out. He never went back to the townhouse, having it packed up, and the stuff moved to the ranch later, including his Black BMW.
In the Expedition, Blair had the picture of the nursery clasped to her chest, crying softly.
CHAPTER ONE
Josef knew better than to go back to Chicago. Blair was no longer there. The big question now, was, just where was she exactly? He called the realtor of the property he’d bought in Montana, from his plane.
“Century 21 Realtors, may I help you?” Came the voice over the telephone.
“Yes, this is Josef Dyson, I need to speak with Caitlin Paulk.” Josef answered, waiting on the line.
“Just one moment, Mr. Dyson. She’s actually out at your property now, I will ring her there for you.” The receptionist said. The line was silent for a moment, before Caitlin’s cheery voice came on the line.
“Mr. Dyson!” She gushed, “I’m overseeing the final installation of your furniture today, in the big house, and the guest house. The Log Cabin is finished! NO, NO, the Armoire goes about a foot more to your right. Much better!” She told the movers who were installing the furniture. “Sorry about the delay in reaching me, how can I help you today?”
“My plans have changed, I’ll be flying in today. Is the place livable? I’ll also have some things coming from my place in Chicago later on in the week. Will that be a problem?” Josef said, picking at the material on the seat of his chair.
“No, not a problem. We’re almost finished here anyway. I’m going over to check on the Guest house momentarily, but they should be done with the furnishings there, also. I’ve left a truck for you at the airport. It’s quite a long drive.”
“Yes. That fine. We’ll be landing within a few hours.” Josef said wearily.
“Well, we’ll be finished here for the day by then, I’ll leave the place open, no one is out this far, so it shouldn’t be a problem. The keys are hanging in the lockbox by the front door, everything is labeled, and the security system is on. Right now the default is 0000 for the large gate and the fences, you can change it from the house, I did have the fences improved to ten feet, it’s worth the cost though, state of the art. Everything you asked for, has been done. You’ll have all the privacy you need.”
“I appreciate your diligence, Mrs. Paulk.” Josef began, before she quickly interrupted him smoothly,
“Please, call me Caitlin. Mr. Dyson, uuhhm...if you prefer, I can wait for you, and show you around the house...” She said hopefully.
“Thank you for the offer, but I really want to see everything before my family gets here, that’s okay.” Josef grunted, smiling knowingly. If he had wanted a woman around, he could have easily had Greta…right, like she was thinking about him! Josef knew all about Rob and Greta! He’d find Blair if it was the last thing he did this week! He gave her a week, then she’d come crawlin’ back to him! He would drive her crazy! “Thank you for all your attention to these details.” He finished. He could sense the disappointment in the realtors’ voice.
“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy the place, it truly is gorgeous. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.” Caitlin finished, hanging up the phone reluctantly. It was almost noon.
Josef hung up his end, chuckling slightly. He rang Blair’s phone, but got no answer. Almost immediately, she called him back.
“Josef?” Blair asked in a guarded tone. He would have to stop calling her! She was already wavering, wondering if she should reconsider how she had left him!
“Hey Babe, I miss you. Why won’t you answer my phone?” Josef asked Blair, wishing he could see her.
“You know why. I miss you too. Where are you?” She asked, wanting to make sure he wasn’t headed her way!
“Going to our house. I see you kept the picture of the nursery. Good, it’ll be here, waiting for you all. I couldn’t go back to Chicago, knowing you weren’t there. Did you get sick this morning?”
“Of course I did.” Blair smiled in spite of herself. “I have to go Josef. You can’t keep calling me.”
“Yes I can. The question is, can you stop calling me back?” Josef laughed. He whispered to her, “I need to feel you Blair. I want to hold you. What color panties you have on?”
“Josef, stop it! I really have to go.” Blair laughed. Before she could hang up, he told her,
“I don’t have any underwear on.” Josef snickered, quickly hanging up on her!
Blair stared at the phone in shock for a long moment, before she broke the connection. Jim immediately glanced over and told her, “You’re playing a really dangerous game, girl! Do you want him to find you? I thought Miller said no more than a minute on the line! And STOP calling him back! If you can’t help it, give me the telephones!”
“No!” Blair told him, yawning loudly. They were in Ohio now, making excellent time. They’d be in DC by late evening. “Which way are you going anyway?” Blair asked, lying down, as they pulled into a gas station.
“I was thinking we’d go through Pennsylvania, then down to the District.” Jim volunteered, pulling up to the pump. Blair gave him forty dollars, and he put it in his pocket.
“No, we aren’t going that way, it’ll take forever! Let’s go through Ohio, down through West Virginia, and come in off of I-270.” Blair told him reclining the seat. She only got out of the truck at isolated places. Other than that, it looked like Jim was traveling alone.
“Now, if I say no, you’re going to just nag me until I give in, right?” Jim laughed, closing the door, as Blair winked at him. He went in to pay for the gas, and to get a new map. He came back and opened the door, popping the gas door, then put the pump into the huge trunk, flipping the lever up, and squeezing the handle. It had a small stop to keep the gas pumping without you holding it, so he used that, so he could study the map. Yeah, it looked shorter. The question was, what was the speed limit? He looked in the legend. 65 and 75 mph. Well, might not be so bad after all! Long as they didn’t get pulled over! Jim mused to himself, shivering in the cold. It took forever to fill up the tank. He finished, and pulled out the nozzle, replacing the cover, popping the door, then flipping the lever down, and setting the nozzle back in place. Jim then went back inside the station to get his change.
“That truck eats some gas, doesn’t it, brother?” The attendant drawled, giving him about four dollars back.
“It sure does, but it runs good, no matter what the weather. Thanks.” Jim answered him, looking at him quizzically for a moment. The guy sure was being awfully familiar! “Uh, can I get some milk, and a soda?” Jim asked, gesturing behind the counter. “The milk is for my ulcer, the soda is because I like to live on the wild side now and then!” Jim laughed, giving the man some change, when he handed him the two bottles from behind the counter. “Have a nice day.”
“You, too.” The man answered, waiting for the truck to pull away. He thought to himself briefly, before he decided to call his Commandant. “Bill, I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but a green truck, an SUV, just pulled away from here. There’s an ABN sticker on the bumper, but the fella didn’t so much as flicker when I made small talk. Are we missing any cars anywhere? Illinois License plate TTY-U783, headed East.”
“Don’t know, but I’ll call it in. Thanks, Wally. How’s about we go ice fishing this afternoon, when you knock off?” His Commandant answered easily, as they continued talking.
CHAPTER TWO
They were making final descent, when Josef’s phone rang. He picked it up and yawned, before he grunted, “Talk to me.”
“No, you need to talk to me!” Tag answered, frowning deeply. “For some reason, I just got a filtered down call from Ohio, about some truck registered to you, with someone else’s plates on it! Some White boys’ driving it! Bought some soda and some milk.”
Josef’s ears perked up. It had to be Blair! “Was it green?” He asked Tag, giving nothing away.
“Yep, a green SUV. What’s going on Jo? Want me to take care of it?” Tag asked, holding a pen, his fingers poised over a tablet.
“No. But I do want you to keep an eye out for it. Those aren’t my plates, but I know who has it. But I don’t want no local-yokel cops getting a line on this. I need that truck picked up at the right time. Just let it get where it’s going. We’ll catch up with it, when the time is right.”
“What time will you be landing?” Tag asked him, not sure that he liked Josef’s answers to his questions.
“In a little while. Call me if you need me. Is our Little Cousin back home yet?” Josef asked of Johannes, Buford’s Cousin.
“Yeah, he’s home, seems whatever you told him changed his whole attitude! You’re good with kids, Jo.” Tag grunted in approval, looking over at Karl, who was asleep at his desk. Tag opened his desk drawer, then slammed it shut, making Karl jump! Karl raised his head and looked at Tag in annoyance, before he laid his head back down, with a deep sigh.
“Stop rattling Karl’s cage, Tag!” Josef snickered, knowing what Tag was up to. Tag liked tormenting Karl, Reinhard just ignored Tag when he tried to bother him, so Karl was an easy target. “And I don’t want any more kids in camp! I mean it. When their time comes, fine, but not before then. Didn’t we have it easy, not having to do man stuff at their age? We didn’t turn out so bad, now did we?” Josef asked, laughing.
“Speak for yourself man, speak for yourself. You KNOW Buford is gone, the horny bastard! He’s good around a bunch of men, for about twenty-four hours!” Tag laughed, dropping his ink pen.
“He just loves women, we need to get him married off! Why don’t you talk one of your Sisters into marrying him?” Josef asked.
“Cause I’d have to kill his cheatin’ ass eventually! Man, you know one woman ain’t gonna do it for him! No way! I’ll keep his ass as far away from my Sisters, as I can! Speaking of Sister’s, where’s that sweet Helen?” Tag asked, smiling in remembrance of his Cousin Darcy. Tag only called her ‘Helen’, when she wouldn’t do what he told her to! Right now, she wasn’t around, and he couldn’t recall telling Darcy, it was okay for her to go anywhere!
“You mean Darcy? She’s in DC., wanted nothing more to do with us. I let her go, her and Mother. Don’t worry, if you want her still, she’ll be ready, don’t forget, I’m in charge of who she marries now!” Josef smiled, feeling the plane touch down lightly.
“Man, who you kidding? One thing no man has ever been in charge of, is Helen Darcy Marie Dyson! Tell you what, if you can set that up, you’ll really be the man! Wiedersehen!” Tag snorted laughing, before hanging up the phone. Josef cleared his line, smiling at what Tag had said. Tag was right. Darcy was gonna marry whoever she FELT like marrying!
Franz came into the main cabin after they had moved to a hanger, so they could refuel, and prepare the plane for it’s eventual departure. “Mein Fuhrer, would you like for us to stay in the area or return to home base?” Franz asked, as the plane came to a smooth halt.
“Go home. I’ll call you when I need you. And don’t take Buford joy riding, or anyone else for that matter. I don’t want any women on this plane without my okay first!” Josef smiled, laughing with the men. Chicks loved planes! Franz went over and opened the plane’s cabin door, so Josef could descend the fold down steps.
There was a large black Hummer waiting for Josef, when he got off of the plane. He took a moment to look it over, letting out a low whistle of appreciation! It was BAD! It wasn’t like the one he had at camp, all of the ones at camp were military issue, this one was a four door wagon, with a luggage rack on top of it! There was a winch with a hook on it attached to the front, which had a huge metal grille, and a bank of floodlights attached to the top of the luggage rack! He was SET!
Josef walked over to the person standing with the keys, who handed them to him with a knowing smile! That realtor LOVED spending this man’s money! “Compliments of Ms. Paulk, Mr. Dyson. You had mentioned it, and she aims to please. Off of your expense account of course. I set the GPS inside for you already, it’ll lead you right there. Here is the phone number to the mobile phone, and there’s a CB mounted also. You run into any trouble, just hit the On-Star button, over the rear view mirror. Enjoy it, Mr. Dyson, don’t forget, it only takes diesel!” The man told him, stepping aside.
Josef smiled with satisfaction, thanking the man as he flipped the button to unlock the door, going back to the plane for a moment. “Franz!” He called to him in German. “Tell Tag that I’m still one up on him!” Josef smiled, gesturing to the Hummer. “Tell him that I’ll call him in a couple of days.” Franz nodded, going over to the truck with Josef to put his bag into it, hugging Josef once, clapping him on the back. All they had done since Josef’s Father had died, was talk on the telephone, Franz had actually missed seeing his Cousin.
Josef then turned to go, getting into the truck, putting his seatbelt on. The engine turned over with a throaty roar, before the engine got quiet. Josef grunted in satisfaction, leaning over to pick up the brochure on the passenger seat.
This one was different inside, too! The console was great, it even had a 6 disc CD changer. The seating was what impressed him the most! There were two captain chairs up front, then a section in the middle, that had two chairs and a smaller 2 seat middle section that you could fold down. He could put the boys carseats there, and two adults could sit on either side of them! There was even another bank of seats in the rear, facing rear ward! You could get eight people in this Hummer, EASY! Josef hit the CD, smiling when the latest rap came on! He popped the CD out, to see it was an R&B collection, and started it once more.
He had to admit, he had changed! If he hung around Blair for too long, she’d turn him into an ordinary American! Josef laughed at his thinking, reading the first page of the brochure, as he bounced to the music. “Scale 22” vertical rock ledges. Ford 30” of water. Traverse 40% side slopes. Climb 60% grades. Plow through three foot snowdrifts. Claw your way over mountainous sand dunes. Go places and do things that would be impossible in any other commercial wheeled vehicle.” Yeah, this truck sounded just like him! Josef continued laughing, as he tossed the book back to the other seat. It opened in the middle, and he glanced over at it, and read, “Raised by wolves. Successfully introduced to polite society.” Josef couldn’t help but laugh once more, knowing he had picked the RIGHT truck, it DID sound just like him! Josef looked behind him, backing out through the gated fence at the airport, before he drove off. People waiting at the airport entrance turned and looked at him driving by, their mouths agape. They didn’t often see trucks like that around town!
CHAPTER THREE
It took Josef a few hours driving, before he pulled up to the front gate. He entered four zeros into the keypad next to the brick mailbox, and the gate opened for thirty seconds, then closed behind him, with a loud sizzling sound and he realized, the fences had their electric current flowing again. It was strong enough to stun a man on contact, and he figured any livestock that got too close, had it coming to them. One thing about living so far out, and having money, you could pretty much do what you wanted. The fence encircled his entire ranch. There were other things all along the land, not where the kids could get into them, but in enough places, access to the house would be hard to come by. He wanted the whole area, which was backed by mountainous land on two sides to loudly scream, “GO AWAY!!”
Josef drove an almost an additional hour, taking his time, just to reach the house. As he crested a hill, it rose up in front of him. The lights were on, and leading up to the house, was a tree lined drive, and a huge circular drive. The foyer rose three stories, of heavy native rock, and glass. He turned the engine off, and sat in the truck for a moment, just savoring the view. But then, he noticed another car in the drive. DAMN! That realtor! She didn’t take no for an answer! Guess she was REALLY going to hate, the long drive back in the dark!
Josef got out of the Hummer, closing the door behind him, and walked up to the front door. There was a large wooden double door, which evidently opened on both sides. The doors were massive, and he had to put his shoulder against the one that opened, to make it budge. He walked around the house, and looked at the kitchen. Blair would love this! The kitchen was all chrome and steel, huge refrigerators, a built in deep freezer, all packed with food, three huge ovens, and two microwaves! He opened one and realized you could heat two meals in it! He went into the huge dining room, and noticed behind it was another large kitchen. It must be for some ‘serious’ food preparation, it looked like a kitchen that would be in a restaurant! The house had two levels above ground, and a huge attic. He walked from room to room, imagining Blair at his side. There were six bedrooms downstairs. He picked up his phone and called her. The phone rang and rang, until finally, he hung up. Josef waited, and within seconds, Blair called him back.
“I’m home, baby. I want you here. How about we call a truce?” Josef sighed, starting up the steps. There were two parallel staircases, going up both sides of the foyer, to a large landing, that fronted all of the bedrooms on the second level. Josef walked up the left side. “The kitchen is huge! There are trees leading up to the front of the house, and there’s a circular drive. There are more bedrooms downstairs, so we don’t necessarily have to have the babies upstairs. Blair, I need you here.” Josef finished, real longing in his voice. “Besides, I know where you are, I have people everywhere! Didn’t you stop somewhere in Ohio? Bought some soda and some milk? And who’s the White boy travelin’ with you? He better not get near you, or I’ll kill him.” Josef ended, his voice hardening.
“Josef, stop trippin’! You don’t know where I am, you know where I WAS! You’ll always know where I used to be. I’ll stay one step ahead of you. Now then, what do you mean exactly, about a truce? Oh, let me guess, I stay with you, have the babies, then you bury me heaven knows where on that land, and raise them yourself? I know you better than that!” Blair snickered, waiting for him to answer.
“Oh Babe…you and that imagination.” Josef chuckled, knowing she had read his mind! Suddenly he came to the Master Bedroom, this had to be it, right in the middle of the house. He opened the door, and noticed, the fireplace was burning, he could see at a glance, it was a gas fireplace.
But on her knees, stark naked on the floor at the bottom of the bed, was the realtor! Before Josef could cover phone, Caitlin crawled over to him, and purred, “It’s about time you got home!” In a seductive voice. Josef didn’t think, he just reacted, putting his foot against her chest and pushing her backwards!
“Who the hell was that?” Blair asked, her voice hardening with suspicion.
“Believe it or not, the realtor! Buck naked! Hold on, I have to take the trash out!” Josef grunted angrily, walking over and reaching down, grabbing the realtor by her long red hair. He dragged her, protesting and screaming, out of the room and down the stairs, dropping her for a moment when he reached the door. Josef opened it, still listening to her screaming, then before she could scoot away, threw her out onto the flagstones, looking for her keys! He found them on the entry table, and threw them out the door, hitting her in the crotch, before he picked up her purse and tossed it outside also. “I told you, I’m MARRIED! Doesn’t this place have security cameras? Expect to be looking for another job tomorrow!” Josef growled, slamming the door. He immediately reset the alarms, putting in new codes.
“What about my clothes?” Caitlin wailed her voice muffled slightly, before grabbing her keys and purse, and running to her car!
“MAN, won’t you have a lot of explaining to do when YOU get back to town!” Josef yelled through the door, locking it tightly. As though nothing had happened, he asked, “Blair, you still there?”
“Uuhhm. Yeah...I’m still here Jo. You don’t monkey around do you?” Blair asked, smiling in spite of herself.
“That’s our bedroom, our bed! How dare she go in there like that!!” Josef said angrily, going back up the stairs. He walked into the room, and noticed the bed was still made. “Well, at least she didn’t actually touch the bed, damned hussy! What part of ‘No’ did she not understand? I have her fix a nursery for my babies, and here she is naked as a jaybird! I NEED YOU HERE, BLAIR!” Josef shouted in agitation! “I bought this house for you and the boys! It’s empty without you! Why you torturing me like this?” Josef purred suddenly, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Tell you what, why don’t you stop at a hotel, get a room, then call me, and we’ll have phone sex? Do you know there’s a gas fireplace in this room! Here I am, looking good, smelling good, I’ve got the ambiance, all I need is you...” Josef sighed, sounding as miserable as he could over the line! He laid back on the bed, listening to Blair laugh at his dramatics.
“I have to go Josef! Stop calling me.” Blair smiled, shaking her head at his silliness.
“Never. What color panties you have on?” Josef asked her in a low voice, laughing softly. “Why you running? You know you want to be here, right next to me. Let’s call a truce. You forgive me for scaring you, and I’ll forgive you for trying to kill my Father and not kill you now, deal?”
“That’s a stupid proposition! No! I have to go, it’s late, and I need to go to sleep. Even though you’re the strangest man I know Josef, I love you. I can’t be with you, but I love you anyway. Hang up.” Blair said softly.
“You love me, but you’re gonna leave me here all alone, in this great big house? You drive a hard bargain! You only have about twenty-four hours to get here, girl!” Josef grunted, flicking his wrist and looking at his watch. “Then remember, all bets are off.” Josef told her, hanging up. A little under an hour later, he heard the signal from the main gate. He had a console over the headboard that controlled everything the one downstairs did. He pressed the gate release button, and let the realtor out. He HATED easy women!
CHAPTER FOUR
They had driven straight through. Jim had drank loads of coffee to stay awake, until Blair finally took over for him. She drove through West Virginia, into Maryland, while he slept. The truck was a dream. But Blair needed three things done to it. New paint, new tags, and a few new features. She pulled over and got out of the truck on a dark stretch of I-270, and took a flashlight to look it over carefully. Something had given them away when they stopped for gas in Ohio, Josef had way too much information about their whereabouts!
Blair looked over it inch by inch, from the front, to the back, down each side, the tires, and finally came to the back bumper. She swept the flashlight from side to side, in a slow arc. Then she saw it. A small, silver sticker, was stuck on the back right side of the bumper, where anyone who was in the ABN would notice it. It was the same tattoo that was on Josef’s upper arm! It must be an ABN sticker! She tried to peel it off with her fingernail, but it wouldn’t budge. She came back around the truck and climbed in, reaching back and touching Jim, who came awake with a start. She started the engine and drove off easily, the roadway was almost empty.
“What happened?” Jim asked, wiping the sleep from his eyes. He hadn’t even realized they had stopped!
“There’s an ABN sticker on the back bumper. We need to stop at a gas station soon, but, we’ll have to keep the truck out of sight. You go in, we need a sticker at least 4”x4”, and make sure it says something neutral, no ‘Save the whales’ or ‘Just say no to drugs’ stuff! Josef knows we’re heading east. He doesn’t know where, but with this truck and that sticker, there’s no telling when he’ll find us, my guess is sooner, rather than later. We’re less than two hours from DC, and I need to call Miller. Here’s a gas station. Can you get me a burger, no mayo? I’m starving!” She finished, pulling to the back of the parking lot, backing the truck against a guardrail. Thank God the windows were tinted! She waited for Jim to climb out, then picked up the phone calling Miller.
“Hey, it’s me.” Blair said, when Miller answered the phone. “We’ll be there in less than two hours. I need to hide this truck. I need it re-detailed, new plates, etc. Where should I go?”
“Get off I-270, towards 95, headed towards Greenbelt. Hold on, I need directions.” He then spoke to someone who must have been nearby, and asked for directions. “Okay, got something to write with, Talon?”
“Yeah Chief, go on.” Blair answered him, picking up a paper and pen, from between the seats. Jim must have put them there.
“Good, here’s what you do. Get off at the College Park exit, and come to the end of the exit. Make a right at that light, come down to the fourth light, then, make a left. Come to the third street on your left. You’ll see a Meineke dealer on your left. Make that left, come to the light. That’s Greenbelt Road. Go over Greenbelt Road, then make your first right, and come back to a place called ‘Rising Sun Motors’, it’s on your right. Pull right into the garage. You won’t know your car next time you see it! I’ll meet you there. I’ve already gotten your stuff from Union Station, I’ll meet you there with it. I have to take Jim with me, he isn’t safe anymore, we’re taking him to Quantico. I have a safehouse for you in Baltimore, it has a garage. I’d recommend you lay low for a little while. I have new papers, everything you should need. You need more cash?” Miller ended
“No. I have plenty.” Blair sighed, yawning, watching for Jim to return. He finally came back and showed her a bumper sticker, which said, “I love my child unconditionally!” Blair laughed out loud, and pointed him to the trunk area!
Miller was quiet for a moment, then he said, “You and I have a lot to talk about.”
“You don’t know the half of it!” Blair replied, waiting for Jim to climb back into the truck.
“No, YOU don’t know the half of it! I have agents calling me from all over the US, that have infiltrated the ABN. Some of them are at that camp of his! They want you. It comes straight from the top. Whoever is in charge, and my guess is it’s Junior, wants your carcass! I want answers when I see you, understand?” Miller stated evenly, amazed at all the activity her name was bringing up from their operatives. “Cause they aren’t looking for Blair, they’re looking for Talon. They said he blew out of that camp of his, like a demon on CRACK! So far, he either doesn’t know who you are, or for some reason hasn’t exposed you. Now, just why might that be?”
“I’ll have to tell you, for you to believe it Miller. I’ll see you in a bit.” Blair sighed apprehensively, hanging up the phone.
Jim said, “You get over, I’ll drive, you must be tired by now. Just tell me where to go.”
“Did I tell you thank you, Jim?” Blair asked, biting into the burger with relish. He handed her another and smiled. She took it gratefully.
“Yeah. I never got to thank you, though. I’m one of the Marines you pulled from that alley, when we were pinned down behind those jeeps in Somalia. I’d be dead if it weren’t for you, Blair. Thanks.” Jim replied, pulling out of the Truck Stop, going down the road a bit, before he pulled back onto the interstate.
Blair swallowed, then picked up a can of juice. She took a long drink, then waited for Jim to pick his up. Both of them said “Semper Fi.” Holding their drinks aloft at the same time before taking a swallow. They drove on in silence.
CHAPTER FIVE
They had no trouble reaching the Rising Sun Motors Building. It was right where Miller said it would be. The building was dark, but as they approached, the metal garage door swung open, long enough for them to pull in. After it went back down, lights came on inside. Miller stood with a few men, who were heavily armed. He spoke into a microphone in his cuff and said, “Safe and sound. Keep the perimeter tight.”
Blair opened the door, and slid to the ground, walking over to Miller, clasping his hand in a firm grip. Jim was steps behind her. She recognized many of the Marines who had been onboard the USS Columbia with her, and greeted them warmly.
One of them asked, “You ain’t be gottin’ no weapons, do you?” Making everyone laugh heartily.
“Nothing too special this time.” Blair replied, remembering their last encounter, when she had emptied an arsenal off of her body. A man came up to her, and asked, “So, Chica, what color you want this beauty now?” In heavily accented Spanish.
“Well, I’d like Red, but I’d better settle for Tan or Gold. Something ordinary.” She snorted, a sour look on her face.
“Gold, with specks of gold in it, that make it shine?” He asked, running his hand along the paint job.
“No. Just plain Gold or Tan. Nothing fancy. I want the car to blend in.” Blair said once again, already knowing he wasn’t going to listen to her! “Jim, give him the keys. Miller, do you have to brief him, or me first?” She asked, yawning.
“PLEASE! You get in here!” Miller gestured to the man’s office. “Jim, you can catch up with the fellas, just keep an eye out, okay?”
“Sure thing boss!” Jim grinned, slapping one of the men on the back.
Miller closed the door behind Blair, pointing her to a chair. “Start at the beginning.” He sighed, going over to sit behind a desk, leaning back in his seat, then propping his legs up.
“Well…you said to lay low. So I left right after the bombing, and went to the Mountains with a couple of prospectors for a couple of months, then they convinced me I should go to Chicago. I was there for a few months, just about ready to contact you, then, there he was. He said his name was Stefan, and I believed him. Josef didn’t look like himself, what he used to look like...” Blair ended lamely, dropping her head.
“Wait a minute...with eyes like that...” Miller began, before Blair interrupted him.
“They were BLUE! DARK Blue! He had put on like…EIGHTY pounds, he was a MAN! When I knew him before, he was a pain in the ass man acting like a little boy, who didn’t have a clue what he wanted! This was like night and day!” Blair admitted, looking at Miller defiantly. “You know I’m a sucker for a pretty face, Black, White, Red, Yellow…Purple!” Blair told him ruefully, feeling her cheeks get warm!
“Meanwhile, back at the ranch...” Miller smiled, beckoning for her to keep going.
“Anyway, we got involved. I mean, really involved. But, he knew who I was all the time. He set me up. By the time I realized who he was, it was already too late.” Blair ended lamely.
“It’s NEVER too late, just say GOODBYE! My Grandma used to say, ‘Honey, another streetcar will be along in half an hour!’ All you had to do was leave!” Miller smiled. When Blair didn’t answer him, or laugh, he looked at her then said, “Something tells me, you have a bomb to drop on me. Come on, out with it, it’s already been a bad enough night.”
“I’m pregnant.” Blair whispered, leaning her head against the back of the chair. “He knows.”
“So he wouldn’t let you go?” Miller asked, standing up, and starting to pace back and forth. Blair was still silent. Miller groaned, “Oh hell! Don’t tell me there’s more?” going back to sit in his chair with a loud thump!
“I’m having twins. Two boys. Josef knows. He was there for the sonogram. He is NOT going to just let me go! That’s why you haven’t heard my name yet. He knows that his friends, Tag, Rob and Buford, know that I’m Black. And if they find out I’m Talon, not only will they be after me, they’ll be after the babies, too. Right now, they may not even know about me.”
“Can’t you ever just get in a LITTLE trouble?” Miller sighed, dropping his head in his hands. “I tell you to do just ONE thing, just lay low...”
“I was laying low!” Blair snickered. Miller didn’t crack a smile. He was not amused.
“So, now I have to hide not just you, but two babies, who more than likely, with the way your luck has been running, will look googly-eyed, just like their Dad! Blair, you can’t put contacts in babies’ eyes!” Miller sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’m sorry to say this girl, but even I can’t give you good enough security for this mess! I don’t even know if the Secret Service could protect you at this point! Because not only does your boyfriend have people everywhere, they aren’t your run-of-the-mill skinhead racists! From our surveillance shots, they look like anybody who could live next door to you! They could walk down the street right by you, you would never give them a second glance. They’re getting into our computers at will now. I know they have Condor. I just know it!”
“Condor’s dead.” Blair told him, without emotion. Of that, she was certain. None of the guys would have given her up.
“How do you know?” Miller asked, lifting up his head suddenly.
“Because Josef went back to his camp in the middle of the night last night. Today, he was at his place in Montana. He wouldn’t have left North Dakota, if Condor was alive. And Condor talked. I don’t know what all he said, but he talked. Josef knows that I’m Talon. He probably knows all about Shadow, too. You have massive leaks, Condor would sell his own Mother to save his soul. You need to clean house, Miller.”
“How do you know he knows, you’re the one I sent?” Miller asked quizzically, “Did he outright say it?”
“No. But he said, and I quote, ‘Let’s call a truce. You forgive me for scaring you, and I’ll forgive you for trying to kill my Father and not kill you now, deal?’ End quote.” Blair repeated Josef’s words verbatim, watching Miller for his reaction.
“Whew...you sure know how to pick em’ Sister! He could teach a 4th year College level course in how to live in the normal world, while being a full fledged member of the land of abnormal psychosis! Aren’t you worried your kids might be a little touched in the head?” Miller smiled, picking up a pencil from the table.
“Miller!” Blair scolded him, “Now don’t go adding to my paranoia!”
“Well, somebody ought to think about it! How did he get so big, so fast? I’ll tell you how, ANABOLIC STEROIDS! You better get tested, see if...” He began, not realizing he was only making matters worse! Blair interrupted him,
“Miller! You aren’t making me feel any better at all! Now, can they have the truck done by morning? Come nine-thirty, I get sick, and have to lay down for a couple of hours, so I need to be settled by then.”
“No, stupid, the truck has to bake overnight, and it’s supposed to snow tomorrow. We’re taking you to Baltimore, TONIGHT! When the truck is ready, we’ll bring it to you and put it in the garage for you at night. The place in Baltimore, is on an old pig farm. You don’t have anyone around you. He’ll never think to look for you there, trust me. It’s nice inside, but really run down on the outside. No neighbors within ten miles, which is rare in Maryland.”
“You call that safe? No security?” Blair asked just to be sure, standing suddenly.
“It’s only temporary. When you get further along, we’ll move you to a row-house in Baltimore. So many folks there, you’re bound to fit in. I have the place in the country stocked. I have the whole area mined, so, any visitors will be very unwelcome. Oh, you’ll have to milk the cow for fresh milk. There’s that milk you don’t have to refrigerate there, too. There’s a generator, if you lose power. There’s a well, although there’s running water. There’s a computer, with this new untraceable architecture, it’s state of the art, you’ll love it! You can…even though I wouldn’t recommend it…send your lover E-Mail, and he won’t be able to trace it back to you. There are two phones, both of them tied into the over 6 million lines of code through the Pentagon, and a scrambling Cellular, if you have to call him. And last but not least, you need to change your appearance. I have the perfect man, he’s a plastic surgeon, I’m gonna have him do everyone! Maybe even me! Anyway, we’ll talk about that on the way there. Now then, the men should be finished unloading your truck, and loading the van, so, lets go. Damn, it’s late! It’s almost four-thirty in the morning! How can you still be up?” Miller asked, yawning deeply.
“Jo and I kept late nights. And I like my appearance JUST fine!” Blair giggled, yawning, with a wink. Miller was about to reply to her, when Josef’s phone rang. Miller took it, and wouldn’t let her answer it. The men had already swept the car for bugs. They swept the phone, and found one, all of them laughing heartily at Blair’s expression!
“What did you think was gonna happen with that boy scout!” Jim drawled, rolling his eyes at Blair’s naivete! Who did she think Josef was, anyway?
Miller opened the phone with his pocketknife, taking the bug out, then he handed the bug to the man fixing Blair’s truck, and he melted it down with his welding torch without a moment’s hesitation.
Above her, two large Angels laughed along with the Marines. They had finally found the bugs! There was still one more, but they might never be able to find it. It was in the gas tank. It was a good thing Blair had finally been forced to come East. Often the Lord does great work on people when they are cut adrift from their moorings, or from situations they are in that aren’t drawing them closer to Him. Blair was now in one of those situations. Strangely enough, so was Josef. They waited to see the next move.
The corrosion from the gas would kill the electronic bug eventually, but Josef only needed it to work long enough for them to find her.
Blair signaled for everyone to be quiet for a moment, then she picked up her other phone and hit redial.
“Blair, why won’t you answer my phone?” Josef asked her quietly, wondering if she was on to him! Damn, THAT didn’t take long! He’d gotten the bugs delivered after he ordered them on-line!
“Because you bugged it, you moron!” Blair shouted at him. “And the truck! Even my Bible?” Blair shouted at him in dismay, as the Marines pointed at the truck, and then handed her Bible to her, laughing still!
“Honey, don’t get so excited, you need to watch your blood pressure!” Josef told her in a soothing voice, before lightning quick, turning true to form, his voice hardening perceptibly! “Now, you get over it, then get your ass on a plane, and get out here! If you weren’t so sneaky, I wouldn’t have had to go to ‘Plan B’! I want you here by seven o’clock tomorrow night, or I’m coming to get you!” Josef snarled at her. “Trust me, you don’t want me to come get you! Seven o’clock! I’ll call you tomorrow at seven-O-one, and if you aren’t here, look for me, don’t make me have to come and get you myself, Girl!” Josef replied, in a soft voice, it’s softness in no way masking the threatening note in his voice. “I want my Sons back! Now!” He shouted, before he hung up the telephone, slamming it down angrily.
Blair looked at the telephone, and giggled nervously, before she stated, “Well, now I KNOW, we better get a move on! I have one Grade-A psychopath to avoid like the plague! But first Miller, I need a favor.”
He rolled his eyes, and walked off, “Another one?”
The Angels disappeared in an instant, waiting for when they had to reappear.
CHAPTER SIX
“I hope you know what you’re doing!” Miller grunted in dismay, pulling a man inside of the house. He was handcuffed and blindfolded, with earplugs in. He had been taken from his bed in the middle of the night, and brought out to the farm where Blair was.
She told Miller, “I always have a plan, don’t sweat it! Give us an hour, then come back for him. Thanks.”
Blair waited for Miller to leave, leaving the lights off. She took the earplugs out of the man’s ears, and un-locked his handcuffs, speaking his name lightly. “Andy?”
“Blair?” He answered, his voice angry at first, then relieved. He tore the blindfold off, and snorted angrily, “A phone call would have been enough!” Before he stepped forward, and enveloped her in his arms. He kissed her face, over and over, telling her how much he had missed her, asking where she had been, and why hadn’t she called him.
“I couldn’t. It would have put you in danger. Even now, I had to take all these precautions, I didn’t want you to get involved in all of this, but I wanted to see you one last time.” She forced herself to say it, burying her face into his neck for a second, before trying to push him away.
“Where’s your bedroom?” Andy asked, holding her around her waist. He had gotten excited, after he realized all the trouble she must have gone through to get him here! She felt like a woman now, not all thin and willowy. He found he was intoxicated, within seconds of having touched her. “I need you! I’ve missed you so much, why did you leave me? We can work it out, I was young, I was stupid, damn my parents, damn everybody, we’ll work it all out!” He assured her, his words falling over themselves, as he followed her into the house.
Blair took Andy to the living room, so they could sit down and talk. Blair knew she could have Andy, but she wavered in her thoughts, one part of her telling her to have sex with him, and tell him the babies were his…and the other half of her telling her that would be wrong. Because just that morning, the Secretary of State had dropped dead of a heart attack, and Andy was appointed Acting Head, by the Executive Branch. And Miller let her know, Eagle was going to push his confirmation for the position through the Congress with the speed of a runaway locomotive.
Andy professed his love for her, and told her he didn’t need anyone’s approval any longer. After all, his Mother had died last year. His Father had died five years ago, and his Mother had held his inheritance hostage. He was an only child. He was now his own man, with old money, and land holdings in most of America. And he was going to be, at thirty-six years old, one of the youngest Secretary of States ever. Blair told him, she was in danger. He told her, not anymore. Just tell him what she needed. She told Andy that right now, it was under control. But she would let him know. And for him to be ready. He let her know, that he was ready to help her now. They talked for some time, catching each other up on what they had both been doing for the past year.
“Blair, are you, or are you not on a case?” Andy asked her, raising an eyebrow when she let out a deep sigh.
“Not right now. Miller seems to think I can get close to somebody I met in Chicago, find out what he’s planning. I just want out, Andy. The one time I decide to live a normal life, and it just blows up in my face!” Blair told him, smiling as Andy got up and came over to stand next to her chair.
“You’ll never have a ‘Normal’ life, Blair. You can’t be serious! If Miller has a plan to get you out of the mess you’re in, take it.” Andy smiled, pushing her against her shoulder playfully. “Where’s the kitchen, I’m thirsty.” He drawled, as she pointed through the door behind her.
Andy left to go get them both something to drink, coming back in a moment, handing Blair a glass of milk, sitting down on the couch next to her. All she had in there was milk and water! “So, where do I figure in all of this?” He asked her point blank. Blair never beat around the bush with him, Andy knew she’d get to the point!
“I just wanted to see you, that’s all.” Blair told him, taking a long drink of her milk. She sat the glass on the coffee table, and then told Andy, “And to ask you for help. Can I count on you, if things get rough, Andy?”
“How rough are we talkin’ about?” Andy mused out loud, realizing Blair was really over her head with something, finally! She ACTUALLY wanted something from him! This was a first!
“I don’t know…just say yes.” Blair sniffed, leaning back on the couch, crossing her arms across her chest haughtily. Andy owed her, and here he was trying to tie her down on specifics!
Andy watched Blair for a long moment, before he finally let out a long breath, nodding at her question. “Yeah, I’m here for you, Blair. You know, since I’m here already, how about you show me how much you missed me?” Andy snickered, putting his glass down on the coffee table also.
Blair smiled back at him, shaking her head no. One mistake was enough! Besides, she could only think about Josef right now! She’d have to get on with her life, and get over him!
“Come on, Blair! You got to be kidding!” Andy groaned, as she stood up, going over to take his hand, making him stand up.
“No, I’m not kidding! Now, you don’t have to go home, but you gotta get the hell outta here!” Blair told him in a low voice, trying not to laugh at the look on Andy’s face! “Miller will take you back home. Sorry about the incognito thing, I can’t let anyone know where I am right now.” Blair told him, as Andy took her in his arms, trying to kiss her face and neck, as she pushed him away.
“Fine, fine! I don’t know what all this is about, but I know you’ll find some way to work it out to your advantage, you always do, Blair!” Andy grunted, upset she wouldn’t sleep with him! What was he gonna do NOW, he was all hot and bothered!!
He reluctantly let her tie him up again, and grabbed her with his tied hands, pulling her to him and he kissed her, until Miller knocked on the door with three short raps. Blair moved away from Andy, opening the door so Miller could take Andy home. Miller took Andy by the arm, arching an eyebrow at Blair, but saying nothing. He couldn’t wait to get rid of this doofus!
When Andy was gone, Blair went to take their glasses back to the kitchen, pouring the milk down the sink, before going to her bedroom. She didn’t want Andy in her bed. It would only complicate things. It took her a long time, but she finally drifted off to sleep. She knew, it was two days since she had talked to Josef. He was looking for her with a vengeance!
Blair had barely settled in at the safehouse, when she woke up one morning to her cell phone ringing stridently. She picked it up, mumbling, “Hello, Miller, what is it?”
“Wake up, Marine!” Miller barked at her over the line, trying to jog her into fighting mode! “I’ll have a ride there for you, within the hour. We need you on point, you’re goin’ on a mission!” Miller told her easily, knowing Blair didn’t like him to beat around the bush!
“Huh? What? Did you forget I’m...” Blair stammered, coming fully awake, sitting up, before Miller interrupted her, stating calmly,
“Yeah, yeah! So what? You mean to tell me, being pregnant has thrown off your ability to watch our backs? Give me a break, you’re barely showin’! Be ready to go, I’ll brief you on the plane.” Miller chuckled, hanging up.
Blair stared at the extension for a moment, sighing as she shook her head in disbelief! She was showing a LOT more than Miller thought she was! Miller was nuts! But she stood up, going downstairs, pulling a packed bag from the closet, sitting down in the floor, carefully checking to make sure she had everything she’d need. Small caliber handguns, two sawed off shotguns, ammo, harnesses, knives, her dismantled rifle, and her clothes, making sure she had her black and camouflage outfits. Blair smiled, remembering that the pants were roomy, with drawstrings! She’d need the extra room! Miller had brought her stuff from her storage area, just like he said he would! She checked her Karate shoes, and her combat boots, groaning when she realized they needed a good spit shine! She’d do it on the plane. She stood up, closing the bag, then put it by the front door, going upstairs and quickly getting dressed. She was just pulling her T-shirt on, when Josef’s phone rang! Blair groaned out loud, but picked up her own phone, waiting for him to hang up, before she called him back. It was WAY too early for him to be trying to rattle her cage!
“Blair?” Josef asked her, twisting an ink pen between his fingers in agitation.
“Yes, Josef? What do you want now?” Blair sighed, pulling her T-shirt down, smoothing it over her faintly protruding stomach. He sounded like he was ready for a fight!
“Why haven’t I heard from you? I thought I told you I wanted you here?” Josef told her in a cool voice, tapping on his paper pad with the ink pen.
“Look, Josef, you know who I am now, I have work to do! You won’t be able to reach me for a little while, I have an assignment to go on.” Blair told him, holding her breath, knowing he was going to fly off the handle! Boy, it sure was fun, pushing his buttons from a distance!
“An ASSIGNMENT?” Josef said between clenched teeth suddenly! “You aren’t REALLY thinking about going off somewhere playing ‘Secret Agent’ with my babies, are you?”
“JOSEF! They’re about the size of a baseball! Stop trippin’, I can take care of myself, I’m SURE someone’s given you my file by now!” Blair told him smugly, rubbing the toe of her boot against the back of her pant leg. These boots looked MUCH better than the ones in her duffel bag!
“Your FILE?!?” Josef snorted in consternation! How had he gotten mixed up with ‘Jamita Bond’, anyway?!? “You know what? If anything happens to my Sons Blair, I’ll…” Josef shouted, standing up, pacing suddenly!
“You’ll do what? You have to find me first! You know I’d never put myself, or my babies in danger!” Blair told him easily, knowing how torqued up Josef was right about then! “You need to chill! Like I told you before, I’m better than RAID, I kill Terrorist’s DEAD!” Blair snapped back at him!
“You mean ‘OUR’ Sons! This must be Miller’s idea! If anything happens to you, you tell him…” Josef said, his voice dropping an octave, “…he’ll have me to answer to!”