Arriving back at the Charleston airport, the two women checked in their rental car before boarding the private jet.
“I’ll be glad to get back to Dallas.” Evelyn muttered. “It’s been a long day. Interesting but long!”
While Evelyn slept in her reclining leather seat, Brittany jotted down item after item she still needed to purchase for the team. Completing her list, Brittany turned off the overhead cabin light and closed her eyes to catch a quick nap. They were still more than an hour away from Dallas.
The rumbling sound of the landing gear lowering into position woke Brittany from her nap.
“Hey sleepyhead!” Brittany said as she leaned over to wake up Evelyn. “We’re home.”
After putting her seat in the upright position, Evelyn wiped the sleep from her eyes.
“Get your shopping list all made out?” She asked.
“Yeah, pretty much.” Brittany responded. “We need to drive down to Houston tomorrow. I know a guy there who should have everything we need.”
Entering Brittany’s apartment, Evelyn opened up the sliding patio door in the livingroom to allow in fresh air. Brittany checked her voice mail messages. Other than telemarketers, there were two phone calls from Trace McCullough in Tampa, one from Brad Langley and one from Evelyn‘s husband, Jared.
“I’m going to shower before I do anything.” Brittany stated. “I’ll return the calls later.”
“I’ll see what Jared wants, not that I really care anymore.” Evelyn said. “Then I’ll fix us something to eat.”
Brittany stood in the shower, letting the warm wate8r rinse the soap from her tired body. Leaning against the wall, the water had a soothing and relaxing effect. The bathroom door opening suddenly brought Brittany out of her trance. Sliding the shower door back, she saw Evelyn standing in the doorway. She had her arms folded across her chest; the look on her face was an expression of anger.
“Problems at home?” Brittany inquired, grabbing a bath towel from the towel bar.
“Jared, he wants me to fly back tomorrow for his big announcement about running for senator.” Evelyn retorted. “It’s a goddamn stage show!”
“Well, why don’t you go if you want?” Brittany asked. “I can drive down to Houston myself and pick up the stuff we need.”
“No. I told him no!” Evelyn responded. “He doesn’t need me by his side. I’m damn tired of playing the trophy wife.”
Brittany wrapped the large bath towel tightly around her as she stepped from the shower. Evelyn stepped aside as Brittany passed by her.
“I’m taking my life back.” She added. “I’m fed up with taking orders from him and being on a goddamn schedule all the time.”
Brittany slipped on a beige shorty sleeper and sat down on the side of her bed. She continued listening to Evelyn rant till she got everything off her chest.
“Feel better now?” Brittany asked.
“Yeah. Yeah, I do feel better.” Evelyn replied, beginning to smile. “How about I fix us some dinner?”
The two women sat at the diningroom table eating the light meal Evelyn had prepared. The knock at the front door sounded like Langley’s familiar rapping.
“Better hide the food.” Brittany quipped. “That sounds like Brad.”
Answering the door, Brittany found she had guessed correctly. Brad Langley entered the apartment. He was carrying an attaché filled with files and information about the seven kidnapped women.
“I smell food!” Langley exclaimed with a big grin on his round face.
“I bet you smell beer too!” Brittany smarted off. “Come on in. We’ll fix you something.”
While Evelyn prepared Langley a plate of food, Brad took the files from the attaché and set them out on the diningroom table.
“Here’s what I’ve gotten so far.” Langley said. “Photographs of each of the women and a description on them. Their families gave me as much information as they could.”
“Great!” Brittany exclaimed. “I’ll be sure to make copies to take along with me.”
“I hope to have information on their last know whereabouts in the next few days.” Langley stated. “I’ve got friends with informants in both Cuba and Columbia.”
“Let’s hope they come up with the information we need.” Brittany responded. “Otherwise it’s going to be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
“How’s things coming along on your end?” Langley inquired, gobbling down his food.
“We’re coming along.” Evelyn answered. “We’ve got the guns bought and two guys and a girl on our team already.”
“A girl?” Langley questioned. “What the hell is she going to do?”
“She’s a sharpshooter.” Evelyn quickly replied. “She’s going to be our sniper if we need one.”
“Hmmmm. Bet it’s Charles Denton’s daughter.” Langley said.
“How’d you know?” Brittany inquired.
“When you mention guns and female sharpshooters in the same sentence, it could only be Denton‘s daughter.” Langley answered with a big grin on his face.
“Just don’t let her get carried away.” He added. “She’s got a weird taste for blood!”
Brittany and Evelyn looked at each other. Both wanted more details about his remark but neither wanted to hear anything negative about the woman that might make them regret their choice. Brittany shook her head at Evelyn, signaling her not to ask about Karen.
“Who’re the guys?” Langley asked.
“I made contact with the McCullough brothers in Tampa.” Brittany replied. “They’re just going to handle the boating chores. They won‘t be involved in any assault action.”
“I thought about making contact with some former green berets who do mercenary work.” Brittany added, handing Langley the dossier on the group.