Page 85 of Deadly Strain

March’s expression matched Hernandez’s and she couldn’t help laughing. She tried to pull up her pants, as requested, but wobbled on her feet. That made her laugh harder.

“You look fucking drunk, Doc,” Sharp said, pushing her hands out of the way, putting his on her waistband, and getting her fatigues all the way up.

She sat down and fastened her pants. “I wish I were drunk. That would be kinda nice about now.”

Sharp helped her back to her feet and guided her with a hand on her lower back toward the alcove they were going to use as a crash pad. She loved his hands. His big, warm, wonderful hands. If only he trusted her a little more. She lay down on the cool ground. “Night,” she said, closing her eyes.

***

Sharp stared down atGrace, who looked too pale in the washed-out light of the cave. He stepped away from the sleeping area and waved at his team to follow.

“She looks like shit,” Hernandez said without fanfare. “You sure she’s going to be okay?”

“I’m not sure about much right now,” Sharp said. “Other than the fact that we’ll be up shit creek if things don’t go like clockwork from now on.”

“Right.” March snorted. “Like that’s going to happen.”

“Exactly, so we need to be on top of our game.” He looked at each man for a moment. “Be ready to help however you can, don’t wait to be asked. We also need to be ready in case this place gets stormed by any unfriendlies.”

“I’ll work on a run-and-gun strategy if we have to get out of here fast,” March said.

“We could booby-trap the tunnel and the other exit,” Hernandez said.

“A firefight here would be...” Smoke let his voice trail off.

“Suicide?” Sharp asked.

“Likely,” Smoke replied.

“Let’s get it done, gentlemen,” Sharp ordered. “Stay frosty.”

His team dispersed while he went to have a chat with their CIA friend. Hopefully, Grace would get enough sleep to help her think with a clear head despite the infection in her leg.

He took his time with the trip through the tunnel, taking note of the condition of the stone all around, the items sitting on the ground lining the walls. They could certainly put more stuff in the way, make the tunnel look unused and impassable.

First line of defense.

He arrived at the ladder leading up to the wooden hatch, then slowly lifted it up so he could see if anyone was around.

No feet in evidence. All he could see was piles of stuff, mostly junk.

Sharp slipped through the hatch and lowered it silently. He stood and listened for voices, but didn’t hear anything. He wormed his way past all the crap and through the building to the next room. Again, it was empty.

The sound of men talking finally reached him just outside the main room with the seating area around the fire. CIA was speaking in Dari to someone, maybe the two teens he had working for him. He gave instructions for the arrival of the truck. Some of the men would be interested in buying a couple of the rusting hulks of vehicles for parts. They were to show them around and make sure they were given every courtesy, but they weren’t to be allowed to go into any other buildings.

Some of the men were coming to trade and negotiate for more costly items. They might stay a couple of days.

The boys affirmed their understanding of their instructions and went outside to watch for the truck.

CIA came around the corner and stopped dead when he saw Sharp waiting for him.

“One of my men asked about some plastic sheeting,” he said in an even tone to give no hint he’d overheard a thing. “Did you find any?”

“Yes, I put it over here.” CIA didn’t hesitate to lead the way.

He was a cool one, Sharp had to give him that.

The plastic was among all the scrap hiding the tunnel entrance.

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