that trek through the jungle.” He yelled at Mercer, “Won’t work, Kyle. If you can’t keep up, we leave you tied in the jungle for the panthers to eat.”
Mercer remained motionless.
Taylor said, “I’m glad you didn’t become a medic.”
“I can spot a malingerer a mile away.”
“We need to cool off. Head to shore.”
Brodie checked his watch, then looked at the sat phone and got their coordinates. “We’re still two miles from the point where we need to head inland. And almost an hour has gone by since we started. We need to push on.”
Taylor nodded, then pulled off her boots and used them to scoop water from the river, which she poured over Mercer, then over Brodie’s head, then herself. She kept at her task until everyone was cooled off, but the water in the boat’s bottom didn’t do much for its speed.
Brodie looked at Mercer again, and he seemed to be stirring. Taylor took her Swiss Army knife out, then pulled down Mercer’s pants and cut off his boxer shorts, which she draped over his head, then pulled his pants back up over his bare ass.
Brodie inquired, “You learn that in survival training? Or someplace else?”
She didn’t reply and pulled off her T-shirt and put it over her head, saying, “You should do the same.”
“I’ll keep my shorts and T-shirt where they belong.”
They continued upriver, and Brodie checked the sat phone’s grid coordinates and battery life. If the battery died, he wouldn’t have the coordinates for beaching the boat or for finding the airstrip. Then they would die. As for the fuel, it would run out when it ran out. Truly they were up shit’s creek.
Taylor suggested, “Try Dombroski again.”
Also known as the Hail Mary call. “Okay.” He dialed Dombroski again, but there was no answer, and Brodie left a longer message: “Mission accomplished, but I’m hiding in the closet and the husband is home.” He glanced at Taylor, who must think he had heatstroke. “This call may be being monitored for damage control. Okay, we’re on our way to a rendezvous for an air extraction. Call Colonel Worley for details. Or call me, ASAP. Battery is low. Taylor and I are fine, but don’t feel much like dancing.” He added, “Worley has assured us this extraction will be safe and successful. Please speak to him about his assurances.” He also added, “Taylor has done an exceptional job. She should be officially commended.” And no, I didn’t sleep with her. “Call soonest.”
Brodie left the phone on and said to Taylor, “Assurance, insurance. What do you think?”
“I think he understands. And I understand that you think our calls are being monitored in the embassy.”
“I don’t know their capabilities. But it’s their sat phone.”
“Do you think that Worley could block our calls to Dombroski?”
“I don’t know if the embassy commo people could do that, but thanks for the thought.”
“Try the message line.”
“Good thought.” Brodie called the command message line, punched in Dombroski’s number, and left the same message. “Okay. See if that works. Hope he checks his messages.”
Taylor nodded, then asked, “What was that about you hiding in the closet?”
“Secret code.”
“For what?”
“Means it’s a critical situation.”
“Okay… I get it.” She let him know, “The Army is still a boys’ club.”
“Always was, always will be.”
She said to Brodie, “Thank you for commending me to Colonel Dombroski.”
“I give credit where credit is due.”
“How is that going to square with your report about my involvement with the Agency?”
“There will be no such report.”
“Why?”
“Well… because you did a great job, and because there’s nothing gained by adding another charge of malfeasance to this mess.”
“Also you like me, and you’d like to sleep with me.”
“That too.”
“You’re honest.”
Actually, horny. Though Maggie Taylor wasn’t looking her best today, even in her sports bra. “I like you very much.”
“Same here.” She got off that subject and said, “It’s all going to come out anyway. Whatever investigation there is into Operation Flagstaff will reveal Trent’s name, and eventually mine.”
“I’m sure he’d cover for you.”
“Maybe. If I sleep with him.”
“Do what you have to do.”
Before she could respond, the sat phone rang, and Brodie answered, “Brodie here.”
“Where is here?” Colonel Dombroski’s voice had never sounded so good.
“Here on a river near a village called Kavak—”
“Actually, I spoke to Colonel Worley, who gave me a quick briefing—before you did.”
“Did you get my two calls on your cell?”
“You’re sounding like my ex-wife.”
“Those calls could have been blocked by Worley.”
There was a silence; then Dombroski said, “So you got Mercer.”