Page 39 of Ava
“And?” Both Ava and Justin asked, each holding their breath. They had gone back and ordered the beds, but had held off on having them delivered until after they got the all clear from the inspector, and then to hear back from Uncle Chip.”
“He’ll be here for DJ’s graduation party, and the BBQ.”
“Just him?” Justin frowned.
“I imagine Aunt Peggy will be with them, and then he said something about mentioning it to Mom and Dad. If they come out, he’s going to stay the week after and read the A’s and Chuck into the situation. Last time we talked, he was coordinating things with Tom and Dillon. However, it was Dillon that said he couldn’t do anything until after this weekend.”
“I understand, so after we hear from him, then we can move the beds into the basement?”
“Yes, but I want the A’s to be onboard. I’m not saying they can’t stay there, but you know what I mean.”
“Yes, and I have a feeling that Alan will continue doing his woodworking, and Alex working the ranch. I can’t see them being gung-ho secret-agent spies.”
“And, I don’t want them to be. As long as they know the situation, and are willing to be backup at times, then I don’t care what they do. As long as they have something to keep them busy, then all the better for us.” She pointed between her and Ava.
“Not to get off the subject...” Ava said as she leaned back in her chair and sipped her soda. “...but have you heard back from any of the letters you sent out?”
“Only one so far. Rizzo, she gets out next Thursday, and will be here by the following weekend. Said she had to go home and gather her things, then she can come. She lives in North Los Angeles.”
“Good.” Ava left it at that, and neither woman answered Justin’s frown. He finally shook his head, and nodded as he stood. “I’ll get out of your hair, and go get the things I need to draw up the plans for the office. Do you want it bigger than it is now?”
Morgan and Ava looked around with a frown, then at each other. “I think maybe ten or fifteen feet each way,” Ava said.
“Why?” Morgan asked.
“Think about it. What if all six of us women are in here, then all the J’s and A’s, plus Chuck, and maybe Dillon and Tom. Where would we all sit or stand and still be able to write information on the board.”
“Oh,” Morgan said, and continued to look around. “Twenty feet bigger than we are now. All around.”
“That should do it. I’ll draw up two sets.”
“Do we have to have it approved by the town? And would there be electrical and plumbing inspections?”
“Yes, but this time, there won’t be any kitchens, but I can put in something like a commercial bathroom with two stalls.”
“Do that.” Morgan nodded, and looked at Justin as he left. When it was silent, she looked at Ava with a huge sigh. “I hope I’m not putting my younger brothers in any danger.”
“Don’t think about it that way, think about it as saving their lives.”
“How the hell do you figure that?” Morgan scowled at her.
“Okay, John, Josh, and Chuck are in the construction business, right?” She waited until Morgan nodded. “Alfie does his leatherwork, Alan his woodworking. Alex will be staying over on the ranch, but if the others get jobs to go to, they won’t have to stay here, they have their campers they can take with them. I think if we educate them on what’s going on, then they can keep their eyes and ears open, and be prepared if anything happens. Even if we never use them on a mission, at least they wouldn’t be going to these places blind. By having Chip, Dillon, Tom, you, and I talk to them, they’ll be safer than not knowing anything.”
“There is that,” Morgan said, after several minutes of silence. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She finally relented, then leaned up and picked up a file. “What are you doing today?”
“I’m taking one of the Jeeps out and getting the lie of the land.”
“Are you going armed?” Morgan asked, then grinned at the look Ava gave her. “Just be careful. I can’t wait until Montoya can get here and wire us up for sound.”
“Don’t forget video.”
“Yeah, that too, then we won’t have to worry how it looks about using our phones to snap photos of people.”
“Exactly.” Ava waved, but before she left, she grabbed another can of Cola from the small refrigerator, and went through the pile of maps on the side table. Taking one, she waved to Morgan and set out.
In the garage, she looked at her choices of vehicles, and winced when she saw they were beat up, and rusty in spots. None of them were shiny and pretty anymore, but for this mission, she needed to blend into the environment, and these vehicles did just that. For this, it’s what was under the hood that mattered, and each of these purred like a kitten, and were built for the rough terrain she was about to go out and discover. She picked the blue Jeep, and after starting it up, she opened the overhead door, drove out, and pushed the button on the visor to close it behind her. She was out on the road when she passed Justin, and only gave him a wave as he came out from the ranch’s driveway.
CHAPTER16
