Read Online The Inside Passage (Ted Higuera Series Book 1) by Pendelton Wallace - Free Book Online

it, you know. You really ought to consider that. You don’t want
to piss him off, dude. All that he’s got is going to be yours some day.”
    “You don’t really
think that there’s going to be anything left once that bitch sinks her claws
into him, do you?”
    “Your Dad’s
smarter than that. He’s a lawyer, dude. He’ll protect you and Sarah, just
watch.”
    “Yeah? Well fuck
‘em. Let’s blow this burg.”

Chapter 9
     
    Toronto, Canada
    The landing lights
from the Boeing 777 sliced through the night over Toronto. As usual, a slight
drizzle fell from the overcast sky.
    “Ladies and
gentlemen, we ask that you return to your seats. The captain has turned on the
seat belt sign. Please return your seats to the upright position, fold your
trays, stow your electronic gear in preparation for landing.”
    Ahmad whispered to
Mohammed as the big jet touched down. “Don’t forget: we must act casual. Do
nothing out of the ordinary.” He was exhausted from the long trip. From Tehran they flew to Cairo, then on to London, and finally across the Atlantic to Toronto. It seemed like they had been in the air for days.
     
    ****
     
    “What was the
purpose of your trip?” The custom agent examined Ahmad’s passport.
    “We were visiting
my family.”
    “Do you have
anything to declare?”
    “No sir.” Ahmad
recalled his training. Look straight into their eyes, speak in an even tone. “We only brought home some trinkets, gifts to my parents and sister.”
    “I see. . . please
follow me.”
    As usual, Ahmad
was pulled from the line. Once again, he heard the voice of his trainer. Keep
a calm outward appearance. Don’t let your anger show. Remember to look casual
when going through customs. They’re teaching customs agents techniques to spot
liars. Project a calm demeanor.
    He was searched
and questioned while the custom agent pawed through his luggage. 
    It amazed him at
how far he had come. All of the little slights, the blatant discrimination. It
was a little scary; he was putting his life on the line. On the other hand, it
was thrilling, joining the fight for Islam. What would his father say? It
didn’t really matter anymore, the die was cast.
     
    ****
     
    Seattle
    Ted rode shotgun
as Chris pulled his mom’s old Chevy Suburban into a parking space near the
dock. 
    “If you guys’ll
round up a couple of dock carts,” Chris said. “I’ll start getting the stuff out
of the car.”
    Ted pushed a
heavily-ladened two wheeled cart behind Chris. Meagan followed them carrying as
little as she could get away with. At low tide, the floats were far below the
seawall. Ted let Chris go down the ramp first, just to see how it was done. 
    “Here we are.”
Chrispicked Meagan up by the waist, twirled her around and lifted her
aboard. “Home sweet home.” Chris hopped up onto the boat and lightly planted a
kiss on Meagan’s lips.
    “Awkward!” Ted
groaned. “Get a room you two.”
    Chris gave Ted a
guilty look, then got back into command mode.
    “As soon as you
hand all that stuff up to me, bro,” Chris pointed towards the two dock carts,
“head back up to the car for another load. I’ll get this stuff passed down to
Meagan.”
    “Sure, make the
Mexican kid do all the hard work.” Ted passed up a box of groceries. “Hey, ‘mano ,
look at that.” He pointed up the dock.
    Candace, in jeans,
a white Oxford shirt with turned up cuffs and wedge sandals glided down the
dock, basket in hand.
    Híjole, she’s
got legs all the way up to her ass.
    “Hi guys.” Candace
brushed back a strand of long black hair. “I brought you a bon voyage gift.”
She handed the basket to Ted.
    “Look at this.”
Ted peeked into the basket. “Champagne, paté, cheese. This is a mucho high-tone
picnic. A barrio boy like Ted, he’s used to a bagfull of burritos.”
     “Thanks.” Chris
stared at Candace for a moment, then took the basket from Ted and handed it
down the hatch to Meagan.
    “I’ll help Meg put
things away in