Page 5 of Astrid
“That’s not all,” Joyce spoke for the first time. “We can get into it later, but both Ava and I have gone out and checked out the area for any possible threats. We’ve both had separate encounters, and we need someone on the computers to help us with some data we’ve uncovered.”
“What exactly are we doing here?” At their frown, she sighed. “What does Boswell do?”
“Oh,” Morgan chuckled as she rose and went to fill her coffee cup again. She brought the carafe back for the others, and filled the cups for the people who wanted it, then left the empty carafe on the table. “The bowls of soup I mentioned earlier went to Uncle Chip with concerns. He did a lot of research, and realized that I would be the perfect person for opening Boswell Two. When I was discharged, I went to work for him. Because of the scope of what we’ll have to do, I only intend to hire EWMs for the time being. If we need other personnel, then I’ll look into it.”
“But what are we doing?”
“There has been scuttlebutt that a group of doomsday preppers have gone militant, and they’re shipping guns, ammo, drugs, and women over the borders into Canada. Based on what happened with Ava and Justin, we now know that definitely one, possibly two drug Cartels from Mexico have set up shop over in Idaho, then based on what happened to Joyce a couple of days ago, we’ve come across some surveillance photos of people we believe are involved, and need someone on the computers to run their faces through the databases.”
“And that person would be me?”
“Yes.”
“What type of computers are we talking about here? Will I have a budget if I need more supplies? Will I be paid?”
“I have no clue about the computers. All I can tell you is that we received a shipment from Uncle Chip last week, and we put them in the corner of one of the offices. Your budget will be fifty thousand dollars, and you will be paid.”
“Holy crap, where does this money come from?”
“Uncle Chip negotiated with those bowls of soup, and several people in Washington. They are funding this, and paying our wages.” She paused as she sipped her coffee, then sighed heavily. “At least until we’re done with this mission and can break out on our own.”
“What happens after we catch the bad guys, and the case is closed?”
“Then we move onto the next case. Right now, so far we’ve found corrupt police officers, members of the Cartel, possibly members of the mob, but we don’t know which one yet, and we have a thief from California.”
Joyce leaned forward and smiled, as she gave a little wave. “The thief is the man who stole Stella. Alex has been able to map out her stops, and we need someone with more computer experience than we have that could help us narrow some things down, or send us in the right direction, and not on a wild goose chase. Don’t get me wrong, I loved being an EWM, and I did my team proud, I know my way around computers, but not like you do. Now give me an engine, and I can make that baby purr, just not a computer.”
“Same here,” Ava spoke for the first time. “On my team of EWMs, I was the lead sniper. Give me a gun, and a target, and I’m good, but not a computer. We want the best, and from what I’ve learned, Boswell goes after them. You, Astrid Montoya, are the best computer person we know of, and you have EWM experience. We need you.”
“Wow.” Astrid sat back and looked around the table at everyone, and shook her head. “Well, I don’t have to think about it anymore. Yes, I will come work for you. Just to confirm what you said, I have carte blanche on the computers?”
“Yes,” Morgan said. “Like I said, some things have been shipped in already, but I don’t know what’s what. Why don’t we take a tour of the house, pick out your bedroom, and you can see the offices for everyone, and how we’ve set things up downstairs.” She pushed her chair back, and the people who didn’t put the meal on the table cleaned up, and Astrid looked at John.
“You really need to bandage that finger.”
“I’ll be fine. Let me know, and I’ll help you unload your Jeep.”
“Without any screwdrivers?” Astrid laughed as his cheeks turned bright red.
“No screwdrivers, I promise,” he said, and held up his hand with three fingers up in the Scouts Honor symbol.
“John, why don’t you take Astrid upstairs and show her around?” Morgan called out from the kitchen. “Start with the attic.”
“After you,” John said as he made a grand gesture, but Astrid shook her head.
“Since I have no idea where I’m going, I’ll follow you.”
“Let’s go side by side,” John said, and together, they walked toward the stairs.
CHAPTER3
Astrid walkedbeside John as they went up the stairs. She looked at the rooms on the second floor, but didn’t see anything, because all the doors were closed. At the end of the hall, John opened a door, and indicated for her to go up the stairs ahead of her. Once at the top, she moved to the side and stared.
“Wow.”
“Yeah, this is the finished attic. If you have things you need stored, but won’t fit in your room, you can store them here.” John looked at her with a grin. “I’m not talking about your Harley, I’ll take you to the garage later to show you that.”
“Why is everything so big?”
