Stevie sighed as she snuggled in under my arm. I looked down to see a small contented smile on her face. She looked so peaceful curled on the couch, feet drawn up under her, lying across my lap. It felt very natural and very comfortable. With a jolt I realised that I was starting to get used to being around people. So much for the big loner thing. It shook me for a moment but it took me seconds to figure that maybe this is what I needed. After all maybe this is what a normal life is supposed to be like, sitting with good friends wrapped in nothing but towels and enjoying quiet togetherness.
Having no real frame of reference as to what a "normal life" was made this one huge learning curve and I was starting at the very bottom. I had a lifetime of opinions, experiences, and values to reset or relearn and what better place to start than with good friends and a potential great partner.
Looking over at Matt and Becky cuddled up on the other couch I caught Matt's eye and smiled. They looked so content… not a care in the world. It was as if the events of today had never happened. The smile faded from my face.
"Guys, we have to talk about what happened today." This drew a theatrical groan from Stevie as she pulled herself upright on the couch next to me.
"Look, I don't want to piss on the party but we have to talk about this. I don't know all the details behind what went down today but I'm worried. I've been here for less than a week and all of a sudden there isn't just me to worry about any more. I have you to consider and frankly that is a pretty scary proposition. These guys were loaded for bear and from the looks of them and what I
do
know they were pretty professional."
"They got caught. That doesn't sound professional to me." This from Matt. At least I had their full attention now. I shook my head, regretting the one too many Scotches I had downed earlier. Stevie stood as if reading my mind.
"Hold on honey and I'll put some coffee on." Her voice was full of concern which again shook me. The feelings that were sweeping through me were confusing to say the least. For the last 8 years I had been as self sufficient as a man in my profession could possibly be. Sure, in any combat team you have to rely on the man next to you but I had been exceptionally good at separating my work from my private life. My down time had been spent in solitary pursuit of whatever interested me at the time. On the rare occasions I had chosen to socialise with my team mates it had always been a strained affair. We functioned well as a team because they respected my ability and leadership, not because they liked me. I could get the job done with a minimum of risk, and in our business that was a precious ability.
I was still doing my introspective navel gazing when Stevie came back into the room with the coffee pot, cups, and the trimmings balanced on a tray the salesman had thrown in when I bought my kitchenware. She had made a detour to the bedroom and was now, for want of a better word, dressed in an old denim shirt of mine. I have to say it looked better on her than it ever did on me.
Matt was sitting watching me, a look of concern on his face. Jesus… they must think I'm losing it. I waited until we were all sipping on hot fresh coffee before speaking.
"Matt you're right. They did get caught. That doesn't mean they aren't pro's. I've known their kind for years on both sides of the equation. They got caught because I'm a bit paranoid by nature and because I have pretty damned good instincts. Luck, paranoia, ability and instinct kept me alive for 8 years when a lot of guys around me died. Underestimating these people just because they got caught is wrong, dangerous and stupid." Maybe I laid it on a bit thick but I needed to get the seriousness of the situation through to them. I carried on.
"I made a hell of a lot of enemies down there in the last 8 years. I cost them a lot of money… millions in wrecked labs, shipments burned, planes and boats destroyed… I had a free reign and hit them whenever and wherever I could."
"These folks have long memories and fat wallets. I always knew that there could be repercussions when I left mercenary work, but I was always convinced that I would only have to worry about me. You people have gone and changed that dynamic quite drastically. I came here to melt into the background and be as anonymous as I could, to catch up on some of the luxuries of life that up 'til now have only been pictures in books or topics of conversation. That's all changed now."
"Are you saying you don't want us here?" I turned and was shocked at the expression on Stevie's lovely face. She looked scared, angry and shocked.
I sighed. "I don't know what I want at the moment baby. I need to find out what is happening first so that I know what I am up against. I need to know what the threat is before I can figure out how to react to it and protect you all."
"Craig, I can only speak for myself, but I'm damned sure I'm not going to abandon a friend in his time of need. Shit that sounded pompous. Look man I hardly know you but I'm pretty sure that if the tables were turned and it was us in trouble, you wouldn't leave us in the lurch. What makes you think that we would leave you to it?" Matt looked at me with a bemused look on his face. Becky was nodding her lovely head at his side.
"As usual, my man is long winded but correct. Besides, there is definitely strength in numbers isn't there?" Matt grinned and pulled her close.
I turned to Stevie. Her eyes searched my face for some sign of encouragement. I sighed and pulled her into a hug. I could see that this was a battle I wasn't going to win.
"Okay. You win… but we play this my way. Everyone needs to take some extra care until we find out exactly what's going on here. I'm going to pay a visit to Langley tomorrow. If the CIA had me red flagged then I want to find out why and what they know. In the mean time I think it would be better if everyone set up camp here. From what I've seen of the place so far it is going to be pretty easy to defend if it becomes necessary. Plus Becky's safety in numbers argument holds a bit of weight."
Stevie's grin was a thing of beauty. With a bounce and a whoop she was perched in my lap busy plastering my face with happy kisses. This lady didn't know how to do things by halves.
"Well I'm tired guys. Hope you don't mind if I grab my man and retire for the night. You kids play nice now and remember to lock up before you go up to bed."
This drew a thunderous laugh from Matt while Becky burst into a fit of giggles before putting on a mock severe look and speaking.