we running with some interesting company, Miss Hunter.”
“Interesting company?”
“Mr. Hatch,” The General zeroed in. “You are of course aware that’s not his real name.”
“Of course,” Molly nodded her head. Shit, really?
“I knew you were smarter than that.” The General drove the point home. Okay, you got me. Molly sighed while she listened to him continue: “What is a lady of your stature doing hanging around with rogues and black ops people?”
“I was just catching a ride.” Molly tried to sound innocent though she knew he wasn’t buying it. “You promised nothing would happen to them.”
“I give you my word as an officer and a gentlemen that they will be relieved of their weapons and detained briefly until an exchange can be made.” The General’s voice touched upon statesman-like. She knew he loved this.
“…and the militia?”
“They are free to carry on their duties beside my troops.” Beauragard continued. “They will have to be relieved of their weapons while we are here.”
“Ask them where the infirmary is.” Molly offered, remembering an old story. “I understand you have wounded. I believe they have a nurse on staff.”
“Commander?” General Beauragard inquired.
“Yes sir, we do have wounded, we will ask right away.” The Commander answered and then stole a look at Molly. “Thank you, ma’am,”
Molly nodded politely. Maybe it was time to start the ying and yang game on this side as well. “Am I free to visit the other…guests?”
“Of course, Miss Hunter.” Beauragard agreed kindly. “Commander, have you had time to make Miss Hunter comfortable?”
“No sir, not yet.”
“Gentlemen, where are our manners?” Beauragard wagged a playful vocal finger at them “We must see to that at once.”
“Yes sir, of course, sir.” The Commander was grateful for the infirmary info but he was still on the cold side.
“Ah, Miss Hunter there is one more thing.” The General had more cards to play. “You will be happy to hear that my men have located your lost Louis Vuitton.”
“My lost….” Molly had a feeling of rising dread but played along. “Yes, did you find it?”
“I knew it was lost, I’ve never seen you without it.” The man was clearly enjoying himself. “I instructed my men to be respectful and not touch anything personal on the inside of your bag.”
“Why thank you, General.” Molly’s gratitude was a false, flat line as she listened.
“I did notice you had two blackberries.” The General’s voice took on a serpentine silk to it. “Who gave you the second one?”
“I think you know who gave it to me.” Molly saw no reason to be false. Damn it, the pentagon is now out of the picture.
“I hope you understand, I have to confiscate it,” Beauragard snapped his second, kindly trap shut.
“Well, a girl can’t have everything.” She kept a brave face up as she accepted defeat, for now, anyway.
“I knew you would understand, Miss Hunter.” Beauragard tried to be gracious in victory. “I have, as always enjoyed our conversations.”
“As do I, General.” Molly agreed politely while she thought; Damn it. Damn it, Damn it.
*
“I’m sorry?” Molly had her back to the Commander when she heard him say something.
“I said don’t get in my way.” He warned. The Commander had escorted her down to an old admin office that now featured a bed roll and enough room for habitation. Now that they were alone it was time to set boundaries.
“Funny, I could say the same to you.” She gave a jagged smile. Molly turned back to putting a few things away here and there and continued; “I can always tell when I’m doing my job. I start really getting under the skin of people like you.”
“Is that so?” He crossed his arms and dug his heals in.
“Yes, that’s so.” Molly turned around and decided to face him. Her voice was even and cool. “If my questions piss you off, I’m doing my job.”
“So, whose side are you on?” He decided hard eye contact would communicate his position.
“Our side,” She returned the look and kept her voice razor sharp.
“Which side is that?” He refused to blink.
“The side that is still breathing, Commander,” Molly took a step closer and turned to point out a window toward the fence. “You see, while you and the US government have decided to have this little game. The real enemy has just surrounded us outside. “
“I do not have time to tell you how many levels of stupid that is.” She concluded.
“Lady, I’m a military man.” The Commander refused to give up his ground. Something grated on his insides. Was it agreement? “I follow orders and get things done.”
“You do, do you?” Molly’s mouth worked into an upward arch. For a chill of a second it reminded the Commander of the thirteen year old girl at the gate. “So tell me, where is the fine line?”
“The fine line?” He kept his voice low and arched an eyebrow.
“The fine line between protecting freedom or curtailing freedom?” Molly seemed to be eager to hear the answer. “Tell me where that fine line is.”
“Don’t you dare dictate to me about freedom!” He raised his voice suddenly, surprised at his own anger. She barely reacted. Instead, Molly stood her ground and crossed her arms, waiting for an answer. “I’ve fought for freedom!”
“Are you sure?”
Why the hell are you even listening to this crap? He wanted to scream at her, let his feelings out and be done with her. Post a guard at her door and let this reporter rot in hell for the rest of the mission. But Kentucky rain kept washing away his will, Kentucky rain and an order to terminate with extreme prejudice. Did she know about the order? Damn it, God damn it.
“What about you?” He tried a different tact after letting out a long sigh. “You reporter people always get it right, do you?”
“No we don’t.” Molly gave ground. “In fact some of us twist the truth pretty badly.”
“Glad to hear someone on your side admit it.” He felt a sarcastic smile invade his face. He tried to control it but it felt too good.
“I do, we can be the worst.” Molly admitted and made sure that their eyes locked. “Trouble is, on my side there are many people who don’t have a problem
