Page 36 of Casualties of War
Chapter Eight
The supply boat taking fresh water and food over to Las Piedras Grandes was of the same genre as the patrol boat. It had started life too many decades ago and had been tossed upon the open ocean every day since, hauling fish into Acapulco. Six weeks ago, the faded metal-hulled boat was donated by its owner to the Loyalist Army to use for their fledgling navy. For the last twoweeks, it had been running supplies to the Big Rock nearly every night.
It had two freshwater tanks in the bow that could carry a hundred liters apiece and a pump screwed onto the prow. The cabin and the back end of the main deck carried cartons of food, strapped down with fishing nets to hold them in place.
It left a narrow alley between the cartons and the helm. The alley was the width ofa man.
Adán prodded the engine and listened to it chug into life. He moved down two steps into the small cabin to peer at the boxes and crates sitting on the worn carpet, then came back to the deck. “I can’t get into the engine room,” he pointed out, jerking his thumb toward the steps.
Minnie checked something off her clipboard and nodded. “Every inch gets used to carry stuff. We can only runat night and it takes all night to get there and out of sight before dawn.”
He sniffed. “It smells as though the engine is burning oil,” he pointed out.
Minnie lowered the clipboard. “If it has, then it has been doing it since we started using it to haul stuff over to the Rock.”
Adán pursed his lips. “If it breaks down in the middle of the sea, then we must toss food to get at the engine.”
Minnie considered him. “Hundred bucks says it won’t.”
Adán blinked.
Rubén Rey came up alongside the boat. In the dark, his glasses flashed moonlight. “You’re ready to go,” he said, keeping his voice down. He was wearing civilian jeans and a light twill jacket. Adán spotted the Glock on his hip, pushed back so the open jacket didn’t show it. The Glock and Rey’s competence had let Adán relax alittle more. Clearly, Rey had not been left behind because he was a liability at the front. He was a vital part of the security around the house.
Adán gripped the wheel and waited for Minnie to step up onto the dock. It was high tide, so the step was a tiny one and she resented anyone trying to help her. He had seen her annoyance more than once this afternoon, when Rey and other Vistarians triedto give her a hand up or down into the boat. She was just three months pregnant, he had learned from Chloe, who seemed to hear everything said in the house, no matter where it was whispered.
Minnie’s independence made Adán think of Parris. He pushed the thought away. It was easier to rid himself of the memories tonight than it had been in a long time. He had new priorities now.
Minnie tuckedher pen under the clipboard and handed the clipboard up to Rey. He took it with a nod and tucked it under his arm. “Good luck!” he called softly.
Minnie turned back to face the helm. “Let’s go.”
Adán looked from her to Rey and back. “You cannot come with me!”
“Yeah, I can,” Minnie said. “I’m free, white and adult.”
Rey smiled. He didn’t move away from the boat.
Adán’s thoughts stuttered fora moment. “I don’t want Calli pissed at me.”
“You’re covered,” Minnie told him. “This is one hundred percent on me.” She glanced up at Rey. “Right?”
He nodded.
Minnie glared at Adán defiantly. In the orange light from the arc lights spread along the dock, her scowl made her look like a little child.
Adán hesitated.
“I’m sick of cutting coupons and shopping, alright?” Minnie said. “I wanttodosomething. Somethingreal.” She put her hand on the dashboard beside the wheel. “This helps people. It helps the Loyalists. Directly and immediately.” Her scowl came back. “So don’t tell me ‘no’.”
Adán’s chest tightened. “As everyone tells me ‘no’?” he asked.
Minnie relaxed.
Adán looked up at Rey. “What about you?”
Rey smiled and shook his head. “My help is needed elsewhere.” He reachedfor the rope and unwound it from the boll, then tossed it onto the small mountain of cartons stacked on the back of the deck. “See you tomorrow.”
He turned and headed back toward the marina and the parking lot, where the last lorry to bring supplies to the boat waited.
