Read Online Holding Their Own XI: Hearts and Minds by Joe Nobody - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Joe Nobody
Tags: Science-Fiction, Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Dystopian
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keeping good separation. There’s no way one man can watch for signs and keep an eye out for sentries and ambushes at the same time. Two of us in front will give us a better chance of coming out of this without a backside full of buckshot.”
The two team members nodded their understanding.
“Let’s mount up. We’re burning daylight.”
Terri was touched by the number of tribal elders and local officials that gathered to see her off. While her work in New Mexico had been rewarding, she was anxious to get home. Hunter didn’t seem to mind their extended stay, having made several new friends.
“We’ll come back and visit, I promise,” she shouted and waved from the back of the Alliance SUV.
The two security men Diana had tasked to escort her home were the typical stoic professionals. As they sped across the New Mexico desert on the way to Texas, she couldn’t help but wonder how Bishop had ever tolerated such low-key, anti-social co-workers.
The thought prompted another round of worrying about her husband. Without thinking, she asked the two men in the front seat, “Has there been any word on Bishop’s mission? Do you know if he’s still up in the panhandle?”
Before the words had left her throat, she regretted the questions. Even if they knew, or had heard a rumor, they wouldn’t tell her. It just wasn’t done.
What happened next struck Terri as strange. Instead of the anticipated, immediate response of “No, ma’am,” the two bodyguards exchanged an odd gaze. She had just spent several weeks intensely studying expressions during heated negotiations. It was easy to read this one as, “If she only knew.”
Terri realized that if she didn’t handle the next few exchanges of conversation carefully, both men would retreat into the sanctuary of feigned ignorance. She decided that making them spill the beans would be her final challenge of the trip. A car game that would help pass the time.
“Been causing trouble again, has he? What’s he been up to now? Chasing the pretty girls around Alpha, I’d wager?”
The accusation was so ridiculous, she expected the tactic to yield a quick denial and then open a different door. Instead, the driver looked into the rearview mirror and flashed a clear nonverbal response with his raised eyebrows. Terri interpreted the look to mean, “You know about this?”
Now Terri’s interest in the little game became serious. No way would Bishop ever cheat on her. What the hell was going on back in Alpha?
She played along, “Yeah, I’ve been aware of his wandering eye for quite a while. Relax guys; we’re trying to work through it. It’s no state secret.”
“How long have you been married, ma’am?” came the question from the passenger seat.
That did it! These two muscle-bound goons knew something… or thought they did.
“A long time. But it’s not all Bishop’s fault, I suppose. He’s not a bad looking sort, and I know lots of women are attracted by his reputation. No matter, though - If I ever catch him with his pants down, both the bitch and he will receive a dose of my 9 millimeter’s lead.”
For the second time, Terri’s fishing expedition yielded unexpected results. Her threat actually caused both of the men in the front uneasiness. The driver shifted nervously in his seat. The passenger shot the driver a look that indicated he clearly took Terri’s threat seriously.
If Bishop and I ever get short of money again, I need to get these two in a poker game , she thought.
A foul fog of silence clouded the interior as the miles rolled past – so much so that Terri became uncomfortable herself. To break the ice, she upped the ante, “You guys just wait until Nick hears about this. If Bishop’s playing around, Nick will take care of his sorry ass for sure.”
The two security men exchanged a look of pure terror, the passenger and senior man turning abruptly to meet Terri’s gaze. “Ma’am, we never said a word. I want that on the record. We
The two team members nodded their understanding.
“Let’s mount up. We’re burning daylight.”
Terri was touched by the number of tribal elders and local officials that gathered to see her off. While her work in New Mexico had been rewarding, she was anxious to get home. Hunter didn’t seem to mind their extended stay, having made several new friends.
“We’ll come back and visit, I promise,” she shouted and waved from the back of the Alliance SUV.
The two security men Diana had tasked to escort her home were the typical stoic professionals. As they sped across the New Mexico desert on the way to Texas, she couldn’t help but wonder how Bishop had ever tolerated such low-key, anti-social co-workers.
The thought prompted another round of worrying about her husband. Without thinking, she asked the two men in the front seat, “Has there been any word on Bishop’s mission? Do you know if he’s still up in the panhandle?”
Before the words had left her throat, she regretted the questions. Even if they knew, or had heard a rumor, they wouldn’t tell her. It just wasn’t done.
What happened next struck Terri as strange. Instead of the anticipated, immediate response of “No, ma’am,” the two bodyguards exchanged an odd gaze. She had just spent several weeks intensely studying expressions during heated negotiations. It was easy to read this one as, “If she only knew.”
Terri realized that if she didn’t handle the next few exchanges of conversation carefully, both men would retreat into the sanctuary of feigned ignorance. She decided that making them spill the beans would be her final challenge of the trip. A car game that would help pass the time.
“Been causing trouble again, has he? What’s he been up to now? Chasing the pretty girls around Alpha, I’d wager?”
The accusation was so ridiculous, she expected the tactic to yield a quick denial and then open a different door. Instead, the driver looked into the rearview mirror and flashed a clear nonverbal response with his raised eyebrows. Terri interpreted the look to mean, “You know about this?”
Now Terri’s interest in the little game became serious. No way would Bishop ever cheat on her. What the hell was going on back in Alpha?
She played along, “Yeah, I’ve been aware of his wandering eye for quite a while. Relax guys; we’re trying to work through it. It’s no state secret.”
“How long have you been married, ma’am?” came the question from the passenger seat.
That did it! These two muscle-bound goons knew something… or thought they did.
“A long time. But it’s not all Bishop’s fault, I suppose. He’s not a bad looking sort, and I know lots of women are attracted by his reputation. No matter, though - If I ever catch him with his pants down, both the bitch and he will receive a dose of my 9 millimeter’s lead.”
For the second time, Terri’s fishing expedition yielded unexpected results. Her threat actually caused both of the men in the front uneasiness. The driver shifted nervously in his seat. The passenger shot the driver a look that indicated he clearly took Terri’s threat seriously.
If Bishop and I ever get short of money again, I need to get these two in a poker game , she thought.
A foul fog of silence clouded the interior as the miles rolled past – so much so that Terri became uncomfortable herself. To break the ice, she upped the ante, “You guys just wait until Nick hears about this. If Bishop’s playing around, Nick will take care of his sorry ass for sure.”
The two security men exchanged a look of pure terror, the passenger and senior man turning abruptly to meet Terri’s gaze. “Ma’am, we never said a word. I want that on the record. We
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