Page 4 of Loving Leila
Chapter 4
Kyle
“Merlin, we’ve got movement starboard side. Armed with what appears to be an assault rifle.”
“Copy that, Hot Sauce.”
“You gotta be kidding me. You seeing this, Phantom?”
A quiet snort of laughter fills my ear. “Yeah, I see him. Pretty ambitious if you ask me.”
“Merlin, this mofo’s taking a leak over the railing like he’s a damn sprinkler. What the hell, dude?”
The team cracks up at Hot Sauce’s comments. I swear people wouldn’t believe half the shit we see on these missions. This one being mild compared to some.
“What you reckon, Phantom? Think he’ll hit the water below?”
“With that dinky toy? I’ma say that’s a negative there, man.”
More laughter.
“Well, when Water Boy’s finished, let’s help him out with a nap, shall we? Spy anymore movement?” I reply.
“That’s a negative – wait, hold up. We’ve got another tango, currently engaging with Water Boy. Seems to be a bit of a heated exchange,” Phantom replies.
“Let’s take 'em out of play and get moving then.”
“Roger that.”
A couple of minutes pass, and then, “Tangoes are down. Repeat, tangoes are down.”
We make our way below deck and find an out-of-the-way spot for Ace to set up his geek-gear. He hands out our thermal-imaging goggles, and we break off in teams of two for recon.
“Cougar and Hot Sauce, starboard bow. Kansas, Blade, fore port. Phantom, you’re with me. Let’s move.”
At the door, we break off into our separate teams and head out. We come up on what looks like a restroom, and I lower my infrared goggles. Picking up one heat signature, I indicate for Phantom to cover me as I go in. Bending at the waist, I crouch over to make myself a smaller target if whoever’s inside is armed and slowly push the door open.
Going into a roll, I come up on one knee and cover for Phantom as he follows me in. The two of us look around and find the room empty, all the stall doors open. I slide my goggles back into place to better pinpoint the thermal image I saw out in the hall.
I scan the room and spot it over near the windows. I advance toward the bank of glass, the image bright. It moves. Not big, so either a small man, a woman, or an older child. Sliding them back up so I can see clearly, I find nothing more than a sofa and a huge-ass mirror. I’m guessing there’s a space behind the mirror then. A closet perhaps.
I gesture to Phantom, and he falls in behind me. Dropping to a knee this time, I run my hand along the edge of the mirror, pulling gently. It doesn’t budge. Moving over to the other side, I repeat the procedure and am rewarded with a soft click. Raising my weapon, I pull the door toward me gradually.
As the door finally swings open fully, I stand rooted to the spot.Well shit.
* * *
Leila
I’m in hell.There’s no other explanation for it. I’ve died and gone to hell.
I’m tired, my body aches from being in the same position for hours, barely moving, and I wouldkillfor a bowl of my mother’s lasagna. And a strawberry milkshake. At the thought of Mom’s lasagna and a milkshake, my stomach grumbles loudly in the silence of the bathroom.
I certainly can’t have that. If anyone comes in here and my stomach chooses that moment to commune with the whales, I’m royally screwed. Since I used a clutch for dinner, I don’t have my usual snack backup with me. The only thing I can think of is drinking water. Lots of water.
Not ideal, but it’s the only option currently.
Pressing my ear up against the door, I listen for any sound beyond before pushing it open. When I hear nothing, I climb out of my hiding place and dash over to the taps to guzzle water. Dear God, nectar of the gods. I drink until I can’t anymore. I head into a stall and take care of business since I’m already out here. Better now than later.
