Chapter Thirty-four
It was fully dark by the time Joe and Mike were ready to go.
Things would have gone more smoothly if they hadn’t had to keep an eye on Cole. And a gun. But the two former LCDRs soon found a nice Suburban with government plates and almost a full tank of gas. Then they had to break into the weaponry barracks and take as many firearms and as much ammunition as they could. If this thing was spreading like wildfire, they wanted to be prepared. They loaded the vehicle with every gun they could find: automatics, rifles, a few machine guns, and even some grenades. At the last minute, they decided to change into officers’ uniforms, in case of any mishap driving such a vehicle.
Joe tried not to think about how many laws they were breaking.
And, throughout all of this, they had to watch out for the crazies. They shot and killed about a dozen more while they prepared to leave.
Joe laughed at Mike when he came out of the room where he’d changed into an officer’s uniform. He saluted Mike. Mike smiled, returned the salute.
“I always wanted to wear one of these,” Mike said. “Never thought I’d earn it this way, though.”
“I know what you mean,” Joe said. He turned to Cole, who was sitting, handcuffed, away from them. “What should we do with him?”
“Well, we can’t bring him with us,” Mike said. “I don’t trust him any farther than I can throw him.”
“No, of course not,” Joe agreed. He would never let Cole near his family, either. “But I really think we should drop him off somewhere. As much as I hate the bastard, I can’t leave him here. If we just un-cuff him here, he’ll follow us.”
“It’s dark,” Mike said. “I have an idea.”
* * *
Joe drove.
Mike sat in the back with Cole. He kept his gun down low, but watched Cole like a hawk. They were cruising up Beach Boulevard.
“Just look for any dark alley or something like the back of a 7-Eleven,” Mike said.
“Got it,” Joe answered.
Eventually they found a tire store with a large but unlit back parking lot, and a row of trees and shrubs lining a tall brick wall. The place was closed. Joe pulled in, close to some pathetic bushes.
Mike got out, motioned for Cole to get out of the car as well. Joe kept watch as Mike said, “On your knees, asshole.”
Cole did as he was told.
“Carter, take off his shoes and socks.”
Joe hesitated.
“It’s necessary,” Mike said firmly. “He can deal. We’re not in Minnesota or anything.” To Cole he said, “Try anything, and I’ll blow your brains out.”
Jack bent down in back of Cole and removed his shoes and socks. He put them in the back of the truck.
“Don’t shoot me,” he pleaded.
“You would think that, you sick bastard,” Joe answered. “If we wanted to kill you, which I kind of do, we could have left you handcuffed back at the base. Fortunately for you, we’re not like that. I don’t know why, but you’ll probably live. Get in the car, Mike.”
Mike moved around to the passenger side and got in. “You’re going to stay here until we leave. If I see you move, I will come back and shoot you. Understand?”
“You’re making a big mistake,” Cole told him.
“Maybe, maybe not. I saved your life once, and I’m doing it again. You’re a smart guy, I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
Joe threw the keys to the handcuffs into the brush. “You’ll find them,” he said, “and you’ll figure out a way to get those off.”
Cole just knelt there. He didn’t say anything. In a way, Joe felt a little sorry for the man. After all, Joe was returning to family. He didn’t know if the Agent in Black had anyone. Probably not, he was such a dick. So, it was pity that made him pull a twenty out of his pocket and toss it in front of Cole.
“If we meet again,” Joe said, “Just remember. I saved your life. Twice.”
He got into the car and the lieutenant commanders drove off.
Chapter Thirty-five
Joe tried calling his brother, Jack, but he couldn’t get through for some reason.
He wondered why. Things were getting out of control more quickly than he could have ever imagined. Was there something wrong with the satellites? Or maybe Jack hadn’t paid his bill. Or was out of reach.
Hang in there, brother, he thought, the troops are on their way.
That was how Joe felt. He had enough guns, rifles, and even grenades for a small squadron. It actually made him a little nervous driving around with all these explosives just behind him.
For most of the drive up to Los Feliz, he and Mike were silent. They listened to the news on the radio, mostly traffic and weather, but also news here and there of mysterious murders. The newsman announced that the zoo, the Greek, and the Griffith Observatory were all closed due to “several homicides,” but that the police “had everything under control.”
“I’d bet the farm that’s not true,” Mike observed. “They’re trying to avoid panic.”
“Yeah,” Joe said. He had a bad feeling about this. Those areas were his brother’s beat.
Still, he kept his speed at sixty-five and his hands at ten and two on the wheel. The last thing he needed was trouble.
Soon, they arrived at the house in Los Feliz. The front door was unlocked, the place empty.
“Where do you think they went?” Mike asked, opening a can of tuna in the kitchen and eating it straight.
“Probably the zoo or the observatory,” Joe answered, opening a can for himself. He didn’t want to wait around, but a guy’s got to eat. They both needed their strength. He thought for a moment. “The zoo’s too open. Too dark. Lots of places to hide,” he said.
“These crazies don’t care about hiding,” Mike countered. “And your brother knows the best hiding places, I bet.”
“True,” Joe considered. “But the observatory can be locked. Contained. That would be my choice, if I were him.”
They tossed the empty tuna cans in the sink. “All right,” Mike said. “Let’s head up there and see what we can find.”
They felt safe with their ammunition, and confident as trained military men. But they had no idea what they were walking into as they pulled the car out and started up the winding road.
Chapter Thirty-six
The Agent in Black wasted no time.
He was furious beyond reason, but kept his wits about him. As soon as they left, he rose onto his bare feet and looked around for anyone who might be watching. He saw no one.