Authors: Leonard B Scott
Ted relaxed; it would be all right now. The jockeying for position in the pack was something he had expected, but not quite so soon. A little snarl here and a nip there was just their way of staking out ground. Now 1 gotta know who wants to go all the way, he said to himself as he stood.
"Guys, it's time we talked about the op. . . . I told both of you it was going to be a score. It is, but now we have a change-we've got an added mission. The good news for both of you is that upon successful completion of both jobs you're both gonna be very rich men. How's a million bucks sound?"
Virgil whistled but Ramon stared hard at Ted. "What's the added mission, man?"
Ted returned the stare. "We're going to knock off a big player."
"Who?" Ramon asked suspiciously.
"Carlos Mendez."
Ramon backed up with a look of shock. "Mendez? You fuckin' loco, man?"
Ted wrinkled his brow. "Naw, I'm not crazy. We got good intell on the guy, his schedule, location of guards, everything we need. We can do it."
Ramon threw up his hands. "Mendez? I knew this was too good to be true! And shit, I cut off my ponytail, too, man. No way, not even for a million bucks."
Virgil sat calmly in his chair and slowly turned, looking at Ted. "You sure the intell on this player is good?"
"Yeah, it's all recent stuff," Ted said.
Ramon stared at Virgil. "Don't listen to this squid, man. It doesn't matter what he has. Mendez has an army protecting him and they all carry serious shit, man. I know all about Mendez. I worked for a player who was Mendez's competitor. Mendez is big shit, man, the biggest in Miami. He has people on the payroll everywhere. Even if we make the hit we'll never get out alive. He lives in a walled-in estate on Key Biscayne that'd take a division to storm ... no way we can get in."
"Yeah, but he's like you, Ramon," Ted said. "He's a sucker for strange poontang. He's got him some broads on the side he visits on his yacht. That's where we'll hit him."
Ramon smiled without humor. "You're crazy if you think that makes a difference. We'd still have to neutralize about twenty people to get to him. Where you goin' to get that kind of equipment and firepower, man?"
Ted motioned to the stacks of wood on the cement foundation. "Come on, let me show you somethin'." Without hesitation Ted began to walk toward the foundation. Virgil stood and patted Ramon's back. "I think for a chance at a million you ought to take a look at what the man has."
Ramon lowered his head and followed.
Ted stood on the foundation and pointed at a tarp as the two men approached. "I have some friends who gave me everything we might need to make the score. It's also enough to do the hit." He bent over and pulled back the tarp, revealing a trunk. He unlocked the padlock and swung back the lid. "This is just a sample of what we got."
Virgil whistled, but Ramon leaned over for closer inspection. He picked up a silenced Mac-10 and pulled back the charging handle. "It's new," he said, and looked at the other weapons and equipment. "You didn't get this stuff at an army surplus store, man; it's all illegal. Who are these friends of yours?"
"You don't need to know," Ted said.
Ramon put the submachine gun back in the trunk and shook his head. "You're connected, man. You lied to me."
Ted stepped closer to the Cuban. "I don't lie to my teammates, you get that straight right now. I am not connected; I have friends, I told you that. That's just a sample of the hardware. I also have claymores, grenades, smoke, frags, incendiary, and gas. We've got demo, electric and nonelectric blasting caps, det cord, the newest night-vision gear, and all the soft gear we'll need. We've got good intell and I have the makings of a plan that'll be finalized in a week. So, are you in or out?"
Ramon looked into Ted's eyes. "What about the score?
You got a good plan?"
"It's a pure military operation that we can handle with no problem. The hit is different; like I said, I don't lie. Hitting Mendez is goin' to take pros with balls. In two days you both will have new IDs and a passport. Once it's over you can skate to wherever you wanna go 'cause you don't exist anymore. Now, I'll ask one more time-are you in or out?"
Virgil put his hand on the Cuban's shoulder. "It's goin' to be a ride, Ray. Don't miss this train."
Ramon stared at the trunk a moment before raising his head. "I'm in."
Ted shifted his eyes to Virgil. "And you? You have any second thoughts?"
"Me? I told ya, I'm ridin' this train. I like the benefits.
Hey, Ray, Ted here is puttin' us up in some nice apartments in Atlanta. Isn't that right, Ted?"
"Yeah, they're nice all right. The place has a pool and hot tub, and Glenn says it's crawling with career ladies. Nothin' but the best for my team; we go first class. But enough on that for now. We got work to do. We gotta go and get passport photos made for your new IDs. Then when we get back I've got manuals for you to look over on the newest stuff we got-laser sights and the new lightweight night-vision gear and the individual commo gear you'll have. It's high-speed gear, guys; you gotta know it inside and out. We'll start trainin' on the stuff tomorrow."
Ramon motioned to Virgil. "What about Farmer John, here? You goin' to get him some threads, man? The dude looks like he fell off the turnip truck."
Virgil patted Ramon's back. "Check out Ted, Ray--you think he knows about clothes? Look at that Hi-wiian shirt. Is that an antique or what? Uh-uh, I'm gonna wait and have Glenn square me away on threads. Glenn is definitely a clothes man."
"Glenn? Who is he, man?" Ramon asked.
Ted motioned to the trunk. "You'll meet him tonight at the apartments. He's second in command of this team. Grab that and load it in the back of my Lincoln; we got work to do."
Ramon sighed as he leaned over to grab one end of the trunk. "Guess I'm a buck-ass private again, Virg."
Virgil smiled as he picked up the other end. "Yeah, but you goin' to be one rich-ass private, Ray. This train is takin' us to the promised land."
Chapter 4.
One week later.
Sitting at the trailer kitchen table eating a sandwich, Glenn Henderson heard footsteps behind him and turned.
Ted approached with a quizzical frown. "You're still here? . . . Ahh, man, did you use the last of the mayonnaise?"
"I had some catching up to do," Glenn said around a mouthful of ham sandwich.
"Like what, eat up the rest of my food? Christ'a'mighty, Glenn, it's past seven. Why didn't you go back to Atlanta with the guys?"
Glenn swallowed and shifted around in his chair. "I stuck around so I could talk to you when they weren't around."
Ted smiled as he leaned against the counter. "I know what you want to talk about. . . . They're doin' really good, aren't they? Today they proved to me they knew their gear inside and out-they're ready. I think we can slack off on the training and let 'em relax a little. When you get back to the apartments, you can tell 'em tomorrow is free time-they can go shoppin' or take in a flick or something."
Glenn nodded. "They're getting real tight, Teddy. Looks like just the right chemistry because those two have become really close. Maybe them both being Army grunts is it-you know, done a lot of the same things and seen the same places. Whatever it is, we don't have to worry about them not working together; I can hardly separate them."
"We're a team, Glenn. I knew they'd gel once we got started with the training. Go on home, and tomorrow you take the day off too."
Ted pushed off the counter, heading for the door, but Glenn reached out and touched his friend's arm. "I didn't stick around to talk about the guys, Teddy. I stuck around to talk to you about that woman. You're going up to see her again, aren't you?"
Ted came to a halt in front of the door. "I'm going up to talk to her about the plans of the yacht, Glenn."
Sniffing the air, Glenn said, "You're wearing cologne-- you never wear cologne. Don't bullshit me, Teddy. You've been up to see her every evening for the past week. You're getting hooked on her, aren't you?"
"Look, Glenn, I gotta know everything there is to know about Mendez. It's business, not pleasure. Anyway, a looker like her ain't goin' to mess around with an old ex-squid like me."
"Business, huh? I stayed around last night after you left, Teddy. I was reading the stuff Gee gave you on Mendez and must have dropped off. I woke up around midnight on the couch, and guess what? You weren't back. That tells me she's either a really slow talker or you're up there playing house with the Mendez bimbo."
"She's no bimbo. Don't ever say that again," Ted snarled.
Glenn held up his hands as if surrendering. "Sorry, but as your friend I have to warn you about her. I haven't seen this woman but I know all I need to know about her if she was Mendez's sweetie pie. She's a pro, Teddy. Women like her are like mistletoe--they feed off a host to live . . . they'll say and do anything to keep attached to whatever will keep them alive."
"Christ'a'mighty, Glenn, mistletoe? Why would she attach herself to me?"
"I'm just telling you, don't believe a word she says if she's making eyes and puts moves on you. Mistletoe types don't have feelings; it's only about survival to them."
"What is this all really about, Glenn? You worried I'm goin' to violate operational security? Come on, you know me better than that. I've never said a word to her about you or the guys. She doesn't know anything about the team and never will."
Glenn pinned his friend with a stare. "You said yourself, Gee was using her as the fall guy if the op goes sour. She'll give you up in a heartbeat, Teddy. She's the only one outside of Gee and his people who knows you're in this. Don't get close to her; it could be fatal."
Ted raised his index finger. "One, the op ain't goin' sour.
Two, she hasn't made any eyes or moves on me. And three, it's not what you think. Yeah, I go up there a lot . . . I like being around her. . . . Ahh, now don't give me that look. We talk and watch movies is all . . . it's nothin'. I don't know how to explain it. I feel comfortable around her, ya know?
Yeah, she looks good, but it's not that. It's--It's just nice sittin' and talkin' to her."
Glenn rose from his chair. "Teddy, think a minute. She was Mendez's honey. You think for a second she was forced to stay with him? Come on, she's a pro, Teddy, and pros are all actresses. They make you feel like there's nobody else in the world. And even if that's not enough to make you keep your distance, think about this: If the op gets blown, Gee can't let her live . . . she knows too much. I'm telling you as a friend, keep your distance from her . . . nothing good can happen."
Ted grasped the door handle. "I'll see ya day after tomorrow. You and the guys are off tomorrow. And Glenn, I know she's a pro . . . it's just nice bein' nice, too, for a change."
Ted opened the door and walked out.
Lake Lanier "Hiya, Mr. Teddy," the tiny black woman said as Ted entered the foyer.
"Hello, Halley. Here's that can of Skoal you wanted." Ted took the snuff can from the shopping bag he was holding.
"Ain't ya sweet for rememberin' . . . 'preciate that, Mr.
Teddy. Mrs. Stone waitin' on ya in the great room. Ya had your supper?"
"I stopped off and ate before comin' up, Halley, thanks.
Guess I'd better not keep her waitin'."
"Mr. Teddy, talk to her, will ya? She was out sunnin' herself on the deck today in her birthday suit again. Gets Duwane all flustered when she does that . . . 'sides, it ain't proper. Talk to her please . . . it jus' ain't proper layin' out there naked as a jaybird."
Ted sighed. "I'll try, Halley."
Still holding the bag, Ted strode down the hallway. Once at the steps, he saw the dog coming and leaned over. "Glad to see me, huh? Oh, you wanna know what's in the bag, huh? Some damn lion hunter you are--lion hunters shouldn't want poodle treats. Okay, okay, here."
"You've spoiled him rotten," Bonita said as she rose from the couch. "He bugs me all day for those damn treats."
Ted walked down into the room, taking two videos from the bag. "I rented some really good flicks for you tonight."
"I hope you didn't get more Arnold Schwarzenegger stuff. I really wanted to see Sleepless in Seattle again."
"Come on, Bonita, you just saw it two days ago and cried all through the ending. Looky here, I got ya Arnold in Predator, and I got the sequel, Predator II."
Bonita winced. Ted grinned as he handed her the two cases. "Just kiddin'. They're both chick flicks. Yeah, and one of 'em is Sleepless."
Bonita kissed his cheek. "You're a pussycat, Teddy Faircloud. Thank you."
The heat already beginning to build inside him, Ted quickly backed away.
"Come and sit beside me, Teddy. I've got popcorn and a beer all ready," Bonita said as she walked toward the couch.
"Bonita, I gotta go."
"What?" Bonita said, turning toward him with a hurt look.
"I can't stay around like I have the past week. I need to finish some work on the plan."
Bonita studied his eyes. "What's going on, Teddy? Have you got a girlfriend you haven't told me about?"
"I have work to do is all," Ted said, forcing himself to keep eye contact.
She held his eyes for a long moment before finally lowering her head. "You've got that X-ray look, Teddy, like you're trying to look through me. What is it? You having second thoughts about me again?"