“Luke, I just asked you a question.”
“Sir?”
“Don’t pull that ‘sir’ bullshit with me. Answer the damn question.”
Initially, Luke was outside the circle of men, five feet from Larry Reed. In a split-second, he closed the distance to less than a foot, never losing eye contact. And, he never brushed against the cavalry commanders on his way into the tight inner circle. Calm and focused, he stood face-to-face with Larry Reed. “Ain’t used to answering the obvious… sir. But, yes, I’m sure, sir.”
“I’m…”
Luke left as quickly as he entered. Stunned and intimidated, Larry lost the opportunity to call Luke back before the four cavalry commanders scooted away to find other matters to attend to. Larry refused to shiver in front of the men, but sensed a determination rising inside. He knew he would have to kill that boy soon.
CHAPTER 7.15-Seeking Aldonza’s Hand
“All weapons must be checked at the door before entering,” said Brad Greencastle.
“That’s not going to happen,” said Terry.
Andy smiled at the firm conviction in her voice. Ryan and Kevin stood behind them, keeping emerging grins well hidden.
“I understand your concern, but don’t worry, Terry, we’ll take good care of them, ma’am.”
“Oh, I’m sure you will, but not yet, Mr. Greencastle… we’ll not relinquish our weapons… not until I speak with Mark about it.”
“Mr. Harmon’s inside. You know the rules as well as anybody… no one comes onto Nemacolin property until all weapons are safely stowed at the door.” Ten fully armed men behind Brad Greencastle listened to the exchange. Sensing a potential conflict, they increased their watchfulness. Ryan nodded in greeting to a few men that he knew fairly well. All waited and watched the verbal exchange. Ryan winked. Terry continued to insist.
“Yeah, I think me and my men will keep to ourselves and ours, Mr. Greencastle. That is, until I gain a bit more confidence in you, you know, based on our last visit with you guys.”
“I’m—”
“You do recall out last encounter, Mr. Greencastle?”
“Sure. But, I’m now in charge of security, ma’am. I can assure you your full safety.”
“I believe you, Brad.” Smiling, Terry extended her open hand and Brad Greencastle stared for a second before releasing the two-handed hold of his Uzi. He sensed she was messing with him for some reason.
“You know the rules, ma’am. Why give me a hard time?” Brad took Terry’s slim hand, shaking it gently. A slight bead of perspiration settled above his brow and the top of his bald brown head glistened. Slowly, Terry pulled her paddle holster from her belt, relinquishing her 9mm. Andy, Ryan, and Kevin quickly did the same with their weapons, handing them to the men nearby.
Terry slipped closer to Brad and stretched toward his ear. “It was Ryan’s idea to bust your balls,” whispered Terry.
“Ma’am?”
“What, you think I shouldn’t talk like that?”
Greencastle stared hard at Ryan, hiding in the back of the bunch. “No, ma’am. It’s not that.” Feeling more at ease now that obvious weapons were not in play, the tension left his demeanor and the men beside him relaxed. Ryan took the initiative, walking up to Brad and held out his hand. Immediately, Greencastle grasped and they embraced like brothers. Under his breath, Greencastle whispered, “You prick bastard—”
“How’s it going over here since we last met, huh?” Ryan ignored the obvious reference to giving him a hard time.
“We’re getting by. You know.”
“Kev tells me you’ve done an excellent job of leading the men. They’ve taken a shine to you. Or, so he thinks.”
“Hmm.”
Impatient with the delay out on the main steps of the Caddyshack restaurant, Mark Harmon and his two primary bodyguards exited the front doors to stand, waiting.
“You going to let them in Brad? Or are you going to strip search them like that crew last week?”
Brad Greencastle laughed at the comment. Terry smiled at Andy. Ryan glanced to Greencastle, raising an eyebrow. Meanwhile, Kevin was distracted by the huge size of the two handpicked, stern men standing next to Mark Harmon. It was easy to see how strong and capable they were, weapons held ready for anything.
“Damn, Andy those are some big bastards,” whispered Kevin.
“Yep. That they are. And ex-special forces from the looks of ’em.”
“Mark, how are you?” Terry approached Mark Harmon with genuine affection. Mark took the opportunity to embrace Terry in a full hug, as if they were long, lost cousins.
“I’m good, Terry. Please, come on in and sit down. I got a good breakfast for you guys.”
“Oh, I see.”
“C’mon, have a seat. Andy. Ryan. Kevin. Good to see you all.” Mark exchanged greetings and handshakes at the doors while the bodyguards scanned the property grounds. As a group, they entered the small Caddyshack restaurant strategically situated near the main entrance of the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. In fact, based on proximity to Route 40, the restaurant had become Mark Harmon’s main entry checkpoint onto his resort; and for the more informal business meetings held with the Fayette County community at large.
“Always a pleasure,” said Andy. The others nodded in agreement.
The restaurant was well maintained in its pre-Sickness style. The only deference to post apocalyptic times were the quarter inch metal plates hidden behind the drywall, sturdy metal entry doors, gated windows, and a fortified twenty by twenty foot armored decking built atop the roof that was patrolled by armed men. While lightly guarded compared to the newer Chateau Hotel and the older main hotel of the gorgeous property complex, the guards at the Caddyshack reassured visitors that safety was a main concern.
“Everyone have a seat, please.”
Easing further into the restaurant, the MacMillen clan settled into chairs at the roughly hewn wooden tables. Quickly, they were served a huge spread of eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles and pancakes by a team of waiters, all armed but hiding that fact well.
“Eat. C’mon everybody. That means you too, Pete and Jake.” Mark pointed to both men. “These are my personal bodyguards.” Both men ignored the request to sit and remained in place behind the seated Mark Harmon.
“Oh? I hadn’t noticed,” said Terry. She playfully ignored the obvious reference to the two huge men. Mark chuckled and glanced toward Brad. He felt the need to explain.
“Those two came here about two weeks ago. Traveled as a team since the bird flu hit. Greencastle assigned them to me then, didn’t you?”
“That’s right, sir. Only the best.”
“Airborne Rangers. Brad and I had ’em both checked out best we can.” Mark nodded to both Andy and Ryan, an obvious reference to learning a few things after the Spider fiasco. Neither Pete nor Jake moved or acknowledged the obvious compliments. They continued surveillance of the area outside the restaurant and, less obtrusively, the patrons at the table.
“Regrettably, it seems they only follow Brad’s orders,” suggested Mark, smiling.
“Yep. But they’re sworn to protect you, and only you, Mr. Harmon,” said Brad.
“And, as you can see, Brad refuses to call me Mark.”
“Makes sense, Mark,” said Andy, “Nowadays, you probably warrant a twenty-four hour personal guard that has some combat experience.”
Pete and Jake did glance at Andy after his comment. They had registered a fellow comrade in arms. Always cautious, Andy appreciated the tightening of security since their last visit. “You’re the man in charge over here, Mark. Brad’s here to keep it that way.”