Page 76 of Very Special Forces

The thinman stood at the window, his face blank. Solomon rolled it down andhanded him more money. "No scratches," said the thinman.

"Anyoneelse come looking around here?" asked Solomon.

"No one.No one comes round here at all now. There're bad men over there."He jerked his head towards the warehouse.

"Youdon't say," said Solomon. He fixed the man with a look, adding, "Wewere never here."

"Neversaw you," said the man. He stepped back and vanished.

Solomon's phone vibrated. He took one look at it and said,"We should go." Without waiting for an answer, he rolled up thewindow and reversed out of the abandoned auto shop. When we were onthe road, I called Harris.

"Do youwant the good news or the bad news?" I asked.

"Thegood news?" Harris said, his voice hesitant.

"McTavett was on the money with the location. We verifiedit."

"He'swith us now. He wants to know if his family is okay."

Iglanced at Solomon. He nodded, adding, "I just got news that hisfamily was taken to a safe house and the perp watching them hasbeen detained. We'll put McTavett in touch with his family when thetank is retrieved."

Irelayed that information and Harris said, "Give me a minute." Iheard some muffled voices before he came back on the line and said,"McTavett wants proof."

"We'llhave his wife call him in the next few minutes," saidSolomon.

Irelayed that again and Harris passed it on. "Thanks," he said."What's the bad news?"

"Thetank is under armed guard. We think as many as seven but that's notconfirmed. I don't know how you're going to get it out of therewithout help but we have an idea."

"Are yougoing to team up with us?" Harris asked hopefully. "This is likebeing back at boot camp all over again but less fun."

"We'regoing to talk to a friend of ours at Fort Charles. Someone withauthority."

"Lexi,you can't do that. Our careers will be over!" saidHarris.

"Notnecessarily," I said, "Besides, what choice do youhave?"

Harriswas silent for so long I had to check the call was still connected.Finally, he said, "Do what you gotta do. Kafsky and I appreciateeverything you've already done to help us."

"I'llcall you soon." I hung up, then immediately dialed Major MitchMcAuley. I liked the man. He was fair and loyal and even though itwas a big favor, if anyone could help my buddies, he was it. I justhoped he would hear me out when I told him whathappened.

"Lexi,hi," he said answering his personal cell phone. "Now is not a goodtime. We have a situation at the base."

Ipaused, a disconcerted feeling hitting me in the chest. "Does ithave anything to do with a missing tank?" I asked, knowing that ifthe answer was no, I just raised one helluva question.

"Aw,crap," groaned McAuley. "How in hell do you know aboutthat?"

"Because…" I grinned as the car sped away, "I know exactlywhere it is."

Chapter Eighteen

"Aprostitute?" said Lily. "Did I hear that right? Solomon pretendedyou were a prostitute?"

"Yup."

"Like...an expensive prostitute?"

"No, astreetwalker."

---