Page 93 of Over the Top

“Not thick enough to stop a bunch of tangoes from hiking down and setting up shop along the edge of the trees.”

Gunner studied the tree line intently. “They’d have the high ground. It would put us at a serious disadvantage in a firefight.”

“Maybe you could recon a few fallback positions if we had to bug out of the house?”

“Will do.”

Drago nodded and went inside, leaving him alone with the night. The insect noises here were unique, and as he explored the north side of the property, he familiarized himself with the various clicks, chirps, and buzzing noises.

He found a gardener’s shed just inside the north tree line, but it was too flimsy to make for decent shelter in a gun battle. He pushed deeper into the jungle in search of defensible positions. The best he found was a small rise, an outcropping really, on the north face of the valley, about halfway up. It appeared to be made of volcanic rock and had a line of boulders across the south edge of the little plateau that would provide decent protection. The jungle on each side of the position was thick as hell and would cause no end of problems for anybody trying to sneak up on them. The hillside above was steep and rocky, alternating scree fields that would be hell on ankles with thick stands of trees and vines.

He made a note of how to get to it again and actually cut a narrow path to it. He spent the next hour or so positioning piles of dead logs beside the new trail and pulling back curtains of vines and tying them back just enough that a well-placed machete blow would send them cascading down into the path.

Well satisfied with his work, he headed back toward the house and spent the remainder of the night roaming around the edge of the grounds.

The next day was tense. Tanaka’s people called first thing in the morning. They were on the island and finalizing their security before coming to get Poppy.

Gunner and Chas spent the morning playing with her, and every minute was a dagger to his heart. Chas didn’t look like he was holding up any better.

Lunchtime came and went without a call from Tanaka, and then suppertime came and went.

“What do you suppose the hang-up is?” Chas asked nobody in particular as darkness fell outside.

“They must’ve spotted some of the Oshiro gang,” Drago guessed. “They’re probably doing exactly what we did—setting up a trap and luring the bastards in.”

“Let’s just hope they get them all,” Gunner said fervently. “I’d hate to end up in another firefight.” He glanced sidelong at Chas for any reaction to that remark, but Chas’s jaw was tight as he stared out one of the big window walls.

“Well, it’s about time to start night patrol,” Spencer said. “You guys get some rest, eh?”

Drago headed upstairs to grab a nap, and Gunner stood reluctantly to follow. He hated to leave Poppy when he had so little time left with her.

“Rest,” Chas said softly. “You need your strength to kill whoever wanders onto the property.”

“Snark is beneath you,” Gunner replied evenly.

Chas looked up sharply. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just hate all of this.”

“Me too.”

Their gazes met for a moment of shared understanding. They were both hurting bad over having to give up Poppy.

Gunner dozed upstairs for a few hours but grew restless at around midnight and couldn’t get back to sleep. He got up, geared up, and eased the door to Poppy and Chas’s bedroom open to look in on them. They were both sleeping peacefully.

Then he backed out and quietly headed downstairs. Spencer and Drago were both outside, probably doing their shift change now. He poked his throat mike to murmur, “I’m awake and in the kitchen grabbing a snack. Nobody shoot me, eh?”

“Can’t sleep?” Spencer asked, obviously on the move. Heading for the house, no doubt.

“Nah. Gut’s jumpy.”

“Mine too,” Drago reported.

“Mine three,” Spencer added dryly. “Stay sharp, Dray.”

“Always am.”

Gunner listened idly to their banter as Drago headed out and Spencer headed in. While he was making himself a sandwich, he made one for Spencer too. When his friend came in the back door, Gunner handed him a plate.

“Nice hide you built, Gun,” Spencer commented, taking a bite of the ham sandwich.

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