Read Online Freedom Does Matter (Mercenaries Book 2) by Tony Lavely - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Tony Lavely
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beliefs. You must not allow any doubt in your presentation or responses, but be confident and steadfast. Prove your faith as we have done for years. As we shall in London, soon.”
“Yes, London. How is that work proceeding? Are you still planning to attend?”
Billy’s eyes lit up and he was sure his face shone with pleasure. “Quite well, thank you for asking. It has been a labor of love… and not a little money, too,” he said with a laugh. “Not long now, until our faith is rewarded even across the ocean. Unfortunately, my plans have changed. Others will bear witness for us.”
He smiled as he opened the office door. “Don’t worry, William, our students will come around.”
Chapter Eleven
Day Eleven - Almaza Bay
KEVIN ALLOWED BECKIE TO SLEEP until half-past eight; at breakfast, she thanked him.
“What happened to your face?” he asked as they sat with the luxurious plates before them.
She blushed, though with the sunburn, it was hard to tell. “I guess I didn’t have enough sunblock on when I was standing outside the car. It looks worse than it is.”
“Do you still want to go? It won’t be much cooler, though it is along the coast, and there are no clouds in sight.”
“I’ll be fine as long as you drive back here tonight!”
The hundred and fifty kilometers to the Museum went by at the posted 90 KM per hour limit; they had parked and walked around to the front of the building. Beckie was impressed; in the bright morning sun, the light stone shone. The inscription over the entry was not as impressive: El Alamain Military Museum, repeated in Arabic, surmounted by five flags, all fluttering in the light breeze. Below the arch, a wrought iron fence and gate allowed entrance—once the fee was paid! Even before entering, Beckie could see the sculpture in the courtyard: an airy paean to peace, steel doves fluttering away carrying their olive branches, while on the steps, a soldier’s rifle and helmet lay, discarded.
She and Kevin walked slowly through the rooms, one for each of the major factions in the North African campaign, and then wandered the garden, sown with the war machines the combatants had left, from parts of a Spitfire to gun emplacements of both sides.
From the paintings and photos inside, Beckie marveled at the depictions of fighting with so little cover. When they came out to walk the half kilometer or so to the British War Cemetery, Beckie looked out over the surrounding land; it remained flat.
As they walked into the cemetery, Kevin’s phone rang. He stared at the screen before touching the accept icon.
“Hey, Sue, what’s going on?” His pause was substantial, much longer than would be necessary for “Nothing much, how ‘bout you?” so Beckie watched with interest. “With Willie gone, maybe I should head back… I’ll talk to Beckie about that and give you a call in a few minutes.”
He dropped the phone into his pocket and led the way to a nearby bench. “Willie’s headed off to South America, to work with Barbara and Rich.”
“Okay, but that’s not why Sue called.”
“No. Last night, a prowler got into Sue’s suite, and went through your room. Broke and ran when Sue hollered out, but got away before Dan could see whoever it was.”
Beckie sat for a moment in silence. “I can’t imagine what they were looking for. Did Sue say anything was missing?”
“Nothing she noticed.”
“Well, everything I value, I have… well, in the resort. Or here.” She patted her phone. “But nothing that would make sense for a robber. No jewelry or cash.” She laughed aloud. “And my clothes… they couldn’t be very valuable here! Only for the black market. Did Sue lose anything? And did they check your room?”
“Sue said she thought whoever was coming in her direction. Dan said he’d heard nothing till Sue hollered, and my room was untouched. So…”
“Yeah. Well, how to do this? If we drive to Almaza and then back, it’ll be dark by
“Yes, London. How is that work proceeding? Are you still planning to attend?”
Billy’s eyes lit up and he was sure his face shone with pleasure. “Quite well, thank you for asking. It has been a labor of love… and not a little money, too,” he said with a laugh. “Not long now, until our faith is rewarded even across the ocean. Unfortunately, my plans have changed. Others will bear witness for us.”
He smiled as he opened the office door. “Don’t worry, William, our students will come around.”
Chapter Eleven
Day Eleven - Almaza Bay
KEVIN ALLOWED BECKIE TO SLEEP until half-past eight; at breakfast, she thanked him.
“What happened to your face?” he asked as they sat with the luxurious plates before them.
She blushed, though with the sunburn, it was hard to tell. “I guess I didn’t have enough sunblock on when I was standing outside the car. It looks worse than it is.”
“Do you still want to go? It won’t be much cooler, though it is along the coast, and there are no clouds in sight.”
“I’ll be fine as long as you drive back here tonight!”
The hundred and fifty kilometers to the Museum went by at the posted 90 KM per hour limit; they had parked and walked around to the front of the building. Beckie was impressed; in the bright morning sun, the light stone shone. The inscription over the entry was not as impressive: El Alamain Military Museum, repeated in Arabic, surmounted by five flags, all fluttering in the light breeze. Below the arch, a wrought iron fence and gate allowed entrance—once the fee was paid! Even before entering, Beckie could see the sculpture in the courtyard: an airy paean to peace, steel doves fluttering away carrying their olive branches, while on the steps, a soldier’s rifle and helmet lay, discarded.
She and Kevin walked slowly through the rooms, one for each of the major factions in the North African campaign, and then wandered the garden, sown with the war machines the combatants had left, from parts of a Spitfire to gun emplacements of both sides.
From the paintings and photos inside, Beckie marveled at the depictions of fighting with so little cover. When they came out to walk the half kilometer or so to the British War Cemetery, Beckie looked out over the surrounding land; it remained flat.
As they walked into the cemetery, Kevin’s phone rang. He stared at the screen before touching the accept icon.
“Hey, Sue, what’s going on?” His pause was substantial, much longer than would be necessary for “Nothing much, how ‘bout you?” so Beckie watched with interest. “With Willie gone, maybe I should head back… I’ll talk to Beckie about that and give you a call in a few minutes.”
He dropped the phone into his pocket and led the way to a nearby bench. “Willie’s headed off to South America, to work with Barbara and Rich.”
“Okay, but that’s not why Sue called.”
“No. Last night, a prowler got into Sue’s suite, and went through your room. Broke and ran when Sue hollered out, but got away before Dan could see whoever it was.”
Beckie sat for a moment in silence. “I can’t imagine what they were looking for. Did Sue say anything was missing?”
“Nothing she noticed.”
“Well, everything I value, I have… well, in the resort. Or here.” She patted her phone. “But nothing that would make sense for a robber. No jewelry or cash.” She laughed aloud. “And my clothes… they couldn’t be very valuable here! Only for the black market. Did Sue lose anything? And did they check your room?”
“Sue said she thought whoever was coming in her direction. Dan said he’d heard nothing till Sue hollered, and my room was untouched. So…”
“Yeah. Well, how to do this? If we drive to Almaza and then back, it’ll be dark by
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