Renaldo studied the men staring at him. He was sure that they were not about to kill him and appeared genuinely interested in taking him to this Colonel MacMillen—to discuss what he might know and possibly trade for. Reaching a decision, he waved Gabriella to come in.
“I see what you mean but I’m taking a big chance, colonel. Over.”
“And I’m not? Over?”
Renaldo considered the situation from the viewpoint of this Colonel MacMillen. The fact that this colonel was devoting this amount of time talking to him made him realize that the colonel was a rather smart man, seeking to gain advantage by having current and updated local tactical data at his fingertips. His confidence that he’d made a good choice continued to climb. Gabriella came near, studying the fierce men around her, clutching the bag in her left hand. The men were concerned at the large handgun floating in Gabriella’s right hand, though, so far, she had not waved it in a dangerous way.
“Nully? It’s okay?”
“I think so, Gabby. Hey, put that on safe and in the bag for now.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be okay.”
Gabriella safed the weapon and slipped the Colt into the bag, staring at the big men around her. They visibly relaxed at the gesture. Cautiously, she came to stand by Renaldo’s side. Protectively, he wrapped his arm around her, holding the radio to his lips.
“I hope I’ve done good, colonel. My dad would kill me if I’m wrong. Over.”
“Bring him in too, Renaldo. Where’s your dad? Bring your mom. Over.”
“They’re dead, colonel. Over.”
There was a hesitation in Connor responding to the revelation.
“I see. I’m thinking he’s taught you well. What’s your sister’s name? Over.”
“Gabriella. Over.”
“Gabriella, okay. You and Gabriella come in and see what’s up. You can become part of our team or leave us better than you came after a quick discussion. Your call, Renaldo. Over.”
“Right now—I think you’re the real deal. Over.”
“I am, Renaldo. Come on in and tell me what you know about this Phoenix before we get the hell outta here. Over.”
“Yeah, well colonel, we better move quick—he’s probably right around the corner—from where I dropped him off. Over.”
“Figured as much. This, I gotta hear. Get in here. Over and out.”
CHAPTER 9.7-Preparing the Team
“Hi there, Renaldo.”
“You Colonel MacMillen?”
“No, I’m Major John. Come on this way.”
Renaldo followed John McLeod. Stopping, John caught the attention of the men behind the boy. Stretch waited.
“Sir?”
“Stretch, Mac says to run on in and grab some food, you and your team.”
“I hear that.”
“He’s sent out a team for rear guard near your last position.
“Yes, sir. Good.”
“I’ll take him from here.”
“Sure, sir?”
“Yeah, I got them now.
“Okay,” said Stretch, “Thank you, sir.”
John McLeod squatted in front of Gabriella.
“You must be Gabriella. Hi there.”
“Hi,” said Gabriella, bashful.
“C’mon, you two, let’s go over to meet the colonel.”
Renaldo followed behind John McLeod with Gabby, close behind. Observation and analysis training by his father kicked into overdrive and Renaldo saw many men clustered in batches, talking. All were armed, giving him barely a glance. He walked behind John McLeod to the entrance of the KFC, seeing many more people inside. Upon his entrance, everyone turned.
“Renaldo Miguel, nice to meet you,” said Connor. He walked toward the entrance.
Renaldo had pegged the brown-eyed man with the small scar above his eye as the clear leader. At the man’s approach, Renaldo sensed his energy and charismatic command presence. Several other men followed behind to stand near.
“I see you still have that gun in your hand, a Taurus Judge I see.”
Renaldo glanced at the weapon. Feeling a bit silly, he hit the safety, tucking the gun in the front of his pants.
“Thank you. A good sign, Renaldo. We’re not out to take advantage of you.”
“You Colonel MacMillen?”
“I am.”
“Who’s he?”
“That’s Captain Marty.”
“Nice hair.”
“Thanks,” said Marty. Self-consciously, he brushed back the long, blonde bangs that kept trying to settle before his eyes.
“Marty and John, who you’ve met, have been with me for awhile before we formed up with the rest of the men around you.”
“Yeah?”
“These two others are Captain Daubney and First Sergeant Mickey. And don’t let that fierce glare from Top scare you.”
Renaldo caught the intense stare, but refused to accept it. “I won’t.”
“Captain and Top think I’m pushing the envelope, paying a bit too much attention to you.”
Renaldo studied the men surrounding the colonel. Reaching a decision, he took a step forward, standing in front of the colonel. “Phoenix’s army is around that corner by now. His men are all wearing body armor.”
“You had a run in with him?”
“You could say that.”
“Go on…”
Renaldo began his story. Gabriella could not help but stare at the meat grilling on the three makeshift fires in the back of the KFC. Mouth watering, she hesitated at the mention of Phoenix being in the truck with them.
“I didn’t like him at all, Nully!”
“I know, Gabby. I’ll be sure to tell the colonel. Can she get us something to eat, sir?”
“Sure.”
“Go on, go grab us some food, Gabby.”
“Yeah?”
Connor crouched down in front of her and smiled. “Is it okay if I call you Gabby?”
“’Kay.”
“Good. Thank you. Gabby, go ahead. Go see Jackson and Rhonda over there for some food. Bring your brother over a plate, okay?”
“’Kay.”
Gabriella rushed over to where Rhonda and Jackson were grilling meat in the back kitchen, or rather, what was left of it. Renaldo filled Connor and his team in on recent events. The words came fast, knowing time was of the essence. Everyone within earshot listened without a sound; it was only Gabriella’s reappearance, handing over a plate that prompted questions.
“You say there are hundreds of men?” asked Connor.
“The crazy puta said 3000 men, but he was full of crap. I counted 520 men with more men coming around before I lost track. It was hard to track ’em all they were moving around setting camp.”
“They were using horses and white trucks?”
“Right, exactly like the one I stole. There were fifty-six of them pickups. Lots and lots of horses. Couldn’t get a real count. Over 200 hundred for sure. There were some four-wheelers, too, about fifteen. A few dirt bikes.”
“Tell me about the trucks,” insisted Mickey.
“Yeah, tell us about them. We took out a few flying over downtown Pittsburgh,” said Captain Daubney.
Marty, Captain Daubney and John McLeod stared at Renaldo, waiting for further details. Mickey leaned in closer, causing Renaldo to back up a step. Connor noticed.
“Give him some room to breathe, Top.”
“Sorry, sir.”
Renaldo hesitated, studying Connor.
“Sir? You seem to have a burning question?”
“You are perceptive, son. I do.”
“What is it?”
Connor laughed aloud. “Did you really shoot the son-of-a-bitch?”
Renaldo turned serious. “I did. Had to get his attention. He deserved it.”
Connor laughed hard. “Damn, son, you got some serious stones for your age.” He smiled, thinking through the new information Renaldo provided. “By best guess, how much time do you think we got before they’re on us?”