Page 47 of Casualties of War
“Some of the best ideas in the world started off as stupid ones,”Daniel said. He flicked the phone he was holding with his fingernail. “Right now I want to kiss the dude who came up with communicators onStar Trek. We got cellphones out of that and because of them, I can see your face and talk to you whenever I get a moment. You have no idea howgoodit feels.”
Her heart shifted. “I imagine your work is lonely, most of the time.”
“Not forthiswar, it isn’t.I’m surrounded by people. I think there are more Loyalists on the island than are parked in Acapulco, or on the Big Rock. The Insurrectos make new Loyalists every day, every time they issue another idiotic civilian imperative.” He blew out another breath.
“They’re squeezing too hard,” Olivia concluded.
“Far too fucking hard,” Daniel agreed.
“You’ll be careful, won’t you? If everyone knows whoyou are, they can point to you if they need to.”
“Careful is my middle name.” He held up his other hand, his finger raised. “Wait, you were going to say something you thought was stupid.”
“I’m reaching,” Olivia admitted. “I’ve never been one on the other side of the international line when the States has…” She let out a breath. “Okay, here it is. You tell me if I’m being paranoid or not. Anytime America has got an international operation in the pipe, ready to go, the first thing to be shut down is communications outside the borders. Nothing gets out, not until the action is underway. We would get orders at the embassy to put up the shields for forty-eight or seventy-two hours. Only at the end of that time would we reach out to other countries and announce what we had done. It was thatway when they went after Bin Laden and a dozen other operations I can’t talk about.”
“They’re gearing up for action?” Daniel asked.
“Paranoid, right?”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe not.” Then he grinned. “It’s a lot better idea than them crouching in a defensive ball in the corner.”
* * * * *
On the return to Acapulco, Minnie slept on the bench in the now-empty cabin, while Adán drove theboat. The daylight made the journey far less hazardous once they were out of sight of Vistaria.
He was alone with his thoughts and the sun and the wind. The waves rocked the boat and making the engine chug. The sea was still high after the hurricane and would be for another week yet, although the boat was a sturdy one.
Adán was happier than he had been in a long time. The restlessness that hadbeen gnawing at him was gone. He might die at any moment, for he was a combatant, now. There was even a pistol sitting on the dashboard. Duardo had dropped it there and patted it, before kissing Minnie and stepping up onto the dock. The idea of dying suddenly at the hands of the Insurrectos might once have sent Adán into a panic. Now, though, it sat as a hard kernel at the back of his mind, a possibilityand nothing more. If it happened, it happened. He’d do his best to avoid it, of course, but his death wouldn’t be meaningless. Not anymore.
The high seas slowed his return across the channel. He tied up at the marina shortly after twelve-thirty. Loyalist soldiers in civilian clothes came running along the jetty as he wound the rope around the boll, their boots thudding on the planking.
Minnieemerged from the cabin, rubbing her eyes and blinking at the heat and brightness of the day.
Rubén Rey came striding up, in jeans and a baseball cap and a windbreaker to hide his pistol. “You made better time than anyone thought you would with the sea up as it is.” He held out a hand and hauled Minnie up, then Adán. “Minnie, I used the green Camry to get here. It’s at the far end of the publicparking lot.” He held up the keys. “You should report in to the Chief of Staff. I imagine she’ll have some things to say.”
Minnie took the keys. “Did she bite you very hard?”
Rey shrugged. “I told her what you said. Free, white adult, etc.” He glanced at his watch. “Only, there’s a diplomatic something or other that has the house in a spin. Calli has everyone running. She could use your help.”
Minnie smiled. “Thank you.” She hurried up the dock, while the soldiers swarmed over the boat, opening the water tanks and hauling hoses.
“That wasn’t all Calli said, was it?” Adán said, watching Minnie leave. He looked at Rey.
Rey’s smile faded. “I was reminded that we are on a war footing and the good of the country comes before personal liberties.”
“Ouch.” Adán winced. “Although, she hasa point.”
Rey straightened. “I’m not here just to collect Minnie, either.”
“Oh?”
Rey pointed to the three story white marine clubhouse at the end of the quay. “I reserved a room for you. Go and get a few hours’ sleep while we load the boat. Then you’re heading back again.”
Adán rubbed his chin. It was bristly. “More food?” he hazarded.
“Everythingbutfood,” Rey said. “If the Insurrecto patrolscatch you with this load, they will put a bullet in your brain.” There was no amusement in his face at all. He studied Adán steadily.
Adán gathered his new-found calm around him. “Munitions,” he guessed.
