an Army MP. She hopped on her motorcycle, rode out of her driveway, after leaving the other MP at the beach house to keep an eye on things.
She parked at the rear of the office, walked inside the empty building, slipped off her riding pants and boots and donned her black skirt and low heeled shoes, sat at her desk and looked at the ocean.
Her mind was on Mamoud. A very dangerous terrorist who had so far eluded capture. Thought to be responsible for several murders, including one Badger Troop officer. It would be just like Mamoud to go after the military. To go after her. Maybe the drugs were his and Zamani was just his dealer? He could have ordered Zamani to attack her. Rita heard someone unlock the front entrance and walk inside the building. Soon saw Dixie’s smiling face as she peeked in her open office door.
“You’re here early, Major.”
She smiled. “I had to make sure Alex was up and ready for his new job as a painter.”
“He’s a handsome kid.”
Rita grinned. “A little young for you, Lieutenant.”
“I don’t know. He seems very mature.”
“Forget it, Lieutenant.”
She smiled. “My boyfriend would probably have something to say about that anyway.”
“So today is lunch with the mayor?”
“Dorothy Malone. I still haven’t decided whether I like that woman or not.”
Rita nodded. “I only met her one time.”
The front door opened and Cathy walked to Rita’s office, stood beside Dixie. “Good morning, Major.”
“Hi Cathy. Now you’re both here I need to tell you something. Mamoud is around somewhere.”
Cathy just looked at her. “Mamoud?” She shook her head. “I hope not.”
“So do I, but I think he is, and we have to find him fast. Don’t talk to anyone in the Army. We’ll do this ourselves.”
“You think someone in the Army is helping him?” asked Cathy.
“Just a hunch. Better we keep this just between us three.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Any leads?”
Rita shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Is Lieutenant Sweet handling the investigation?” asked Dixie.
“I think so.”
She nodded. “He seems okay. I think he’s a good MP.”
Rita looked at her. “Perhaps, but say nothing to him or Sergeant Lewis, should they be in touch.”
“No, Ma’am. Not a word.”
Rita waited for Dorothy Malone in a small Italian style restaurant. She watched the older heavy set woman walk to the table dressed in a skirt and blouse, graying hair tied in a bun. She looked harried.
“Hello Dorothy.”
“Hi Rita. Sorry to be late.” She pulled out a chair and plopped herself down. “Have you ordered?”
“Not yet. The linguini looks good.”
“Sounds good.” Dorothy focused on the major. “Any word on what’s happening with the investigation? People are afraid. They’ve been calling my office all week.”
“I don’t think the Army has found out anything yet.”
“But you were involved. Shouldn’t you be handling things?”
“That’s the Army’s job.”
“Does General Arnold know about all this?”
Rita nodded. “He knows.”
“And what’s he doing about it?”
“Colonel Robinson is head of the MPs. He’s on the case.”
Dorothy took a quick glance at Rita’s chest, this new major obviously not wearing a bra. She bristled slightly. “I hope so, because things have become very dangerous around here. I mean, going after children? What kind of animals are we dealing with?”
The waiter walked to their table, asked the women if they wanted anything to drink before ordering. Rita ordered a soda and lime, Dorothy a glass of dry red wine and they both ordered the linguini.
Rita looked at her. “I don’t know what kind of people we’re dealing with. My guess is the Islamists.”
The mayor studied the new Liaison Officer, the air of confidence about this younger woman. She didn’t know whether she liked this new braless major. Her new boss. “Islamists? They’re still around?”
“Yes, Dorothy, they’re still around, but we’ll find these guys.”
“Well I certainly hope so, Major. Our little town has become much too dangerous of late.” Dorothy glanced again at Rita’s braless chest. Could not believe a Liaison Officer could be so vulgar. She played with a spoon and smiled politely.
Rita smiled, said nothing. She wasn’t sure she liked this mayor very much. Something about her was irritating. Grating even. She glanced to the waiter walking toward the table with their drinks.
After lunch, Rita decided to walk the few blocks to Kats Klub to check on Alex, as it was a perfect day for a walk. She strolled briskly along the busy sidewalk hoping to work off the linguini, which was actually pretty good. People passed her, some smiled, some didn’t, but all looked at her black uniform and shoulder holster.
Rita quite enjoyed the smells of the west coast. A very different smell from southern Saskatchewan. That was sage and rough grass and dry desert heat. This was cool humid and salty. The smell of the ocean.
As she approached the building she spotted Alex. He had more paint on himself than the wall she thought, still, what she could see looked pretty good. The whole of the front was covered in colorful looking flowers of some unknown variety. Rita wasn’t sure which variety, but they certainly stood out.
“Hi Rita. You won’t guess what happened.”
“What?”
“A person saw me painting and wants me to paint his place too.”
Rita smiled, his big multicolored grin spread across his face. “You may have found a business to run.”
“No, I want to be in Badger Troop like you.”
She nodded. “Well, its a good summer job.”
“Nicki said she’d pay me four hundred dollars to paint all four walls.”
“Good. A little walking around money. Now you can buy gas for your truck.”
He smiled.
