Page 15 of Ground Zero

Her door opens, and Jimmy reaches in for her hand, “Good morning, Mrs. Moore. You are looking ravishing today.”

She takes his hand, swings her legs onto the concrete, and stands, saying, “Why Jimmy, you sure know how to make a woman feel good.”

He leans in and says, “Morning, Bossman. Brutus is waiting just inside for her.”

“Thanks, buddy.” I give him a head-nod as he closes the door. Then I shift into drive and ease out of Been Jammin’s. As soon as I am on the way out of town, I push the accelerator until Angel, and I scream down the freeway.

After fifteen minutes at 100+ miles per hour, I see the turn approaching. It has been two months since I bought the chicken ranch, and ever since Jeff Crockett approached me with his idea, it has been at the top of my priority list.

When Crockett called to tell me they were nearing completion, he invited me out to take a tour of my latest investment.

I smile when I turn off the road and enter the drive. The original big wooden overhead sign spanning the driveway reads, Welcome to The Chicken Ranch, and swinging underneath it is the new company logo.

I was able to secure nearly two hundred acres, in addition to the old brothel. There is plenty of room for the team’s training needs and total privacy.

As I drive down the road, I note the obvious improvements. There are new rows of security fences that extend as far as the eye can see.

When I top the hill, the original ranch buildings come into view. There is a ranch house, a bunkhouse, and a barn. I am pleased to see horses in the paddock, and a couple is being saddled.

The ranch house has several vehicles parked out front, and the extra parking at the bunkhouse is full.

I pull in next to a black Ford Bronco with a California plate that reads COCK ROCKET, and I laugh at the balls it takes to have a tag like that. When I step out, I hear my name, “Hardcore! Come on in. We’ll start the tour in here.”

I open the back door for Angel, snap my fingers, and she follows me into the house. The layout is a big spacious parlor, and in the center sits a chic welcome center with a corporate receptionist, who smiles and stands to greet us.

Surrounding her are areas sectioned off by the strategic placement of household furniture. Couches, chairs, recliners, TV’s, video game stations, and an array of toy boxes for different age groups of children.

Crockett enters the room with his hand outstretched. “Well, what do you think so far?”

I smirk and nod, “I like it. It almost looks like you’ve entered a family’s home.”

He grins and pumps my hand. “That’s the idea. We want to offer our customers a place where they feel safe during their crisis.”

He introduces me to the young woman standing. “I’d like you to meet Meghan Meadows. She’s the first person our customers will meet.”

I reach for her outstretched hand and shake it. Her grip is surprisingly firm, and I wonder if she is a pole dancer like Siri. She certainly has the body of a dancer. Her long auburn hair is neatly tied back in a braid. Her coloring suggests she has Irish blood. Her smile is pleasant and genuine.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” She says, “Rocket speaks very highly of you.”

Jeff continues, “She is former ISR, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.”

I nod, and she winks at me. “They call me, Ambassador.”

Crockett continues, “She will screen the requests we receive and handle the investigative portion of the hunt.”

I nod again.

She squats down to pet Angel. “May I get you and your beautiful German Shepard some water?”

I smile, “Yes, that would be nice. Thank you. Her name is Angel.”

We follow Meghan into the dining room, and Crockett continues the tour. “The entire upstairs floor are bedrooms that will house our customers if need be. The kitchen is fully functional. The staff arrived yesterday and will serve the personnel their first meal tonight. You are welcome to join us.”

We have entered the original kitchen area, and I nod as I take the water bottle Meghan offers. She fills a bowl for Angel, and we wait for Angel to drink her fill.

“How’s Siri? It’s too bad she couldn’t join you.”

“She sends her regards, but she’s performing tonight, so she’s wrapped up.”

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