Page 58 of Half Blind

Chapter 17- Come-On

Friday morning wasan eye-opener for everyone in the home, starting with Jared. A flashing red light appeared in the corner of the bedroom, startling him, but it didn't alarm his wife. He didn't know what the red light meant, but in the small office, a foreign sound rang out, which corresponded with the flash of light.

“What is that? It sounds like an old school fax machine,” he said.

“It is,” Lemon replied, rising and heading for the bedroom door.

In the hallway, Helen materialized, also recognizing the sound. Bria and Ayanna had come down the stairs, waiting in the hallway for Lemon. She exited the office space, thermal contract sheet balled into her hand, looking at them all.

“Local. I'm wheels out in fifteen. Should be back by dinner,” she said.

Helen, based on her life with Cherry, headed to the kitchen to make Lemon's go bag. In it, would be two sandwiches and a loose bit of fruit. If all that was in the house was an apple, she knew to peel and cut the fruit. Seedless grapes were ideal, but there weren't any on hand. Today would be peeled orange slices, a thermos of coffee, and a granola bar.

The girls went into the downstairs closet in Lemon's office to retrieve her ops bag. Helen and Jared both tried to hide their shock as Bria loaded a magazine into a 9 mm, seating a round. Ayanna pulled out Lemon's boots, along with a heavy jacket she sprayed down with a scent killer. Colette stood quietly in the corner observing the activity buzzing in the home.

Less than five minutes later, Lemon appeared in the living room. She wore black jeans, a black turtleneck, and a black skullcap. She sat, slipping her feet into the boots. Bria brought what looked like a utility belt for Lemon's waist, which she slipped around her slim form when she stood. Bria also handed the weapon to her, along with keys. Ayanna brought forth the spray, covering Lemon in the scent killer.

No one said a word as Lemon looked back. “Bria, you have the con. You know where the paperwork is, should I not return. Bring Pops and Colette up to speed,” she said.

Helen passed her the go bag and Lemon said, “Thanks, Cranberry.”

“Come back to us,” Helen said softly. It was a phrase she used for Cherry when she was activated for a job as a Technician. Until now, she didn't realize Lemon went out to work. She assumed, as the chemical assassin, that Lemon made products and they were sent to those who needed them. It never dawned on her that Lemon had to physically go out to make a cup of tea.

Colette began to sniffle, uncertain what was happening in the pleasant home with clean beds and daily, cooked yummy food. The foster mom was leaving with a gun. Ayanna ran to her side. “She'll be back. She would never put herself in a position where she couldn't make it home to us. We are her world, and Doc Myrtle will be back. If she says she'll be home by dinner, we best have the table set.”

“I don't understand,” Colette said. “She is dressed like a burglar. Is she going to rob somebody so we can live in this nice house and enjoy all the food to eat? I’m not understanding.”

“Right now, you don't need to,” Bria said. “In time, you'll learn what it is she does, what Pops is going to do, and why cousin Helen is here. However, the main priority for you is to feel safe and at home. The rest, as they say, is above our pay grades.”

Jared didn't know what to make of it. He too never thought his wife physically went into the field. His hands fisted and un-fisted, then he looked at Helen who waited for the girls to return to bed. Once they’d departed, she took the time to appease his fears.

“We cover the Great Lakes,” Helen told him. “My home state is Indiana. At the end of my training, I handle anything that needs to happen in Indiana. Same for her in the state of Ohio.”

“You're here to learn from Doc Myrtle,” he said flatly.

“Yes, most of what I will need, I can simply order in small quantities or take it back with me when I leave, setting up my own workspace,” Helen said. “Rarely will I make my own.”

“The fax machine,” he said.

“Work orders come through on thermal paper. Contents on the paper disappear in direct sunlight,” she said.

“You seem to know a great deal about this life, but you're in training,” he whispered, although the girls had returned to bed.

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