Daniels reached for the bag, finding a well-used Domino sugar container and a batch of non-dairy creamer packets resting in an open Ziploc bag. The plastic top was popped off the sugar container and he studied the hardened contents. Ignoring the napkins, he snatched up one of the plastic spoons, slipping his K-bar from its sheath at his thigh.
“Oh, my!” he said. Using the knife to cut off four pieces, he laid the chunks on the table. The other three men each took a chunk, watching Daniels examine the creamer packets. Flipping them over, the packets appeared no worse for wear, given that they were way past the expiration date. He handed them out.
“Hi Hannah,” said Nicole.
“Hey.” With a simply focused joy and concentration, Colonel Starkes sipped her coffee.
Nicole continued her walk, nearing the table. “The creamer packets are sorta okay; I had a few. Not bad in fact.”
“Today’s gonna be a great day!” said Daniels, ripping open two packets and tossing them in.
“Let’s hope that’s true,” said Colonel Starkes.
All turned toward the loud noise at the back of the warehouse. Ren and Stimpy walked side-by-side across the wide expanse of concrete from the back rooms. Each pushed a pallet jack, loaded with a large, cardboard box. The men, Nicole and Colonel Starkes waited until they came to a stop near the table.
“Ma’am,” said Sergeant Chris “Ren” McBride.
“Hello, ma’am,” said Sergeant Frank “Stimpy” Bergman chiming in as well.
“Sergeants.”
“We found this stuff in an old basement last night ’bout a quarter-mile west of here,” said Stimpy.
“Scoutin’?”
“Yes, ma’am. Found it about three o’clock or so.”
“Got it.”
The boxes did look inviting, everyone gathering to peer inside. There were at least fifty glass jars and at least a hundred small cans neatly stacked in rows in Ren’s box. Moving left to see the other, Stimpy’s held about the same, along with a few cans and battered boxes of—something. Colonel Starkes grinned, reaching in to grab a jar. Sauerkraut. Another jar held a red sauce. A third, smaller jar, held a homemade grape jelly. She carefully inspected the lids and found them intact. The men and Nicole waited, as she inspected the find. When she picked up a small can of Amour Vienna Sausage, her hand froze mid-stream.
“Oh, my—” Colonel Starkes simply stared at the small can in her hands, momentarily taken aback.
“Major tells me you especially like those, right?” asked Stimpy.
“Oh, my—” Colonel Starkes studied the small can in her hands and then glanced to recheck the contents in the boxes. By quick count, she figured there were at least twenty more cans of Vienna sausage. Salivating, she wiped her lips and felt a savage desire to rip open the can. Worried that her wanton emotion was on display, she calmed, looking at the men and Nicole. They were all smiling, as if she was the favorite child given a special gift on Christmas. “Yeah, Stimpy. I, uh, do favor a good Armour Vienna when—circumstances permit.” Colonel Starkes caressed the can in her hand, quickly setting her coffee on the table. She reached in and grabbed two more cans. Boldly, she slipped both cans into her pant pockets, both embarrassed and shameless in her actions.
“Well, seems like circumstances permit, ma’am. They’re all yours.”
Smiling, Colonel Starkes appreciated the grand gesture, feeling warmth for the men under her command.
“Sergeants Ren, Stimpy, you two are awesome!”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Thanks, ma’am.”
“And, I appreciate the gesture, but we share our food and play no favorites.”
“Yes ma’am. That’s what the major told us you’d say.” Ren smiled, reaching into his box to pull a small canvas bag from the back of the pile. He walked the few feet to the colonel, handing it over. Sensing the contents by feel, she opened the drawstring and looked inside. There were fifteen additional cans of Vienna sausage.
“It’s a gift from your team, ma’am. The rest of the stuff in there’s for us men—and Nicole and Amanda and CJ.”
Tears forming, Colonel Starkes sat the bag on the table, snatching up her coffee to walk a few feet away. With her back turned, she took a deep sip, burning her mouth. She tried her best to compose herself. Not surprisingly, Nicole and the men waited. After a few more seconds, Colonel Starkes turned back and smiled, quickly wiping her eyes.
“Thank you. Thank you all.”
“Our pleasure, ma’am,” said Stimpy. His look of satisfaction nearly made her cry all over again.
Brushing emotions aside, Colonel Starkes walked up to Ren and Stimpy and stared, as if angry. Seeing their confusion, she smiled. “These aren’t the easy-open lids. Tell me one of you has a damn can opener.”
“Right here, Hannah.” Nicole pulled the can opener from her back pocket.
“Thanks.” Brazenly, Colonel Starkes grabbed another Vienna sausage from the box and motioned toward the door. “Grab some food everyone and let’s head over to the bird for breakfast. Bring something for the major, that son-of-a-bitch. We’re going to eat like kings and queens this morning! Ren, go wake up Amanda. Here, hold this, Nicole,” said Colonel Starkes, handing over her coffee.
The colonel’s hands shook in anticipation, as she slipped the opener onto the small can. She walked toward the door and opened it with the team following close behind. Tossing the lid away, she held the can to her nose and stopped. The team stopped with her. “Oh. My. Wow!” Reaching in delicate fingers, she pulled a small, pale sausage and slipped it into her mouth. Unable to move after the burst of raw flavor, she simply moaned, uncaring if the men saw her as less than their commanding officer.
“It’s good, huh?” asked Nicole. She smiled, studying the evident pleasure.
“You don’t know the half of it, Nicole. This is one of my absolute favorites.”
“Yeah, so Mike’s told me.”
“Oh, my—”
“Did you see the four pounds of coffee in Ren’s box? Mike said to make sure I told you he found some new coffee for you.”
Colonel Starkes laughed as she pulled another sausage out of the can. “Yeah, I hafta be sure to thank him on that.”
CHAPTER 9.6-Talking to Connor Mac
“You’re safe now, Renaldo Miguel. Over.”
“Says who?”
“I’m Colonel Connor MacMillen. We’re sittin’ about one hundred yards from you, at the KFC. Have the sergeant bring you here.”
“And if I don’t want to?”
“Well, in that case, I’ll have ’em give up an automatic weapon and a few magazines to send you on your way, better equipped than that handgun. I’ll even have him pass along some supplies and water so you can go on your way with your friend. Over.”
“She’s my sister. Can I have his binoculars?”
“I guess, sure. Okay. Your call. But you’d do better to fall in with us than take your chances. From what you mentioned, there’s menace afoot. Have you happened to meet up with anyone interesting today? Over.”
“Maybe. Ahh… yeah, a puta named Phoenix. Over.”
“You catch on quick with radio protocol, kid. Phoenix you say? A puta no less? Love it! C’mon in and we’ll talk. Bring your handgun, loaded if you must. Bring your sister. Over.”
“I might. Over.”
Renaldo stared at the radio and then at the men surrounding him. As if in a dream, he raised the radio to his lips. “Are you for real?”
“That I am, Renaldo. Remember, My name’s Connor Mac. Over.”
“How can I trust you? Over.”
“Well, think of it from my perspective. You’d be dead already if I didn’t think you’d add value to my team. Over.”