Cloud Invasion (16 page)

Corinne

"I'm supposed to go back to D.C. and do my job," James informed us. "The rest of you-Colonel Hunter wants you to go to Colombia as disguised civilian contract employees. He wants you to make that happen, Cori."

"I can do that," I said.

"Then, you'll join the team he and Matt Michaels are sending down there to investigate the crash."

"What is he planning to tell them about us?"

"That you're very talented ex-military, hired through a private contractor. Matt already has information on all of you. You'll have to fly out of Chicago-they don't want any red flags to pop up. You understand the importance of staying incognito."

"Honey, I think we all understand that," I sighed.

"Good. Cori, he says if you find anything, then all of you have to figure out a way to prove it by logical means. People will be watching, so we have to do it this way."

"I think I can do that," I agreed. The others, their eyes turning in my direction, nodded.

"Good. You'll get dossiers on who you're supposed to be. You know the drill. Follow protocol unless Cori thinks you're in danger."

"How are you getting home?" Maye asked.

"I'm on a private jet to Seattle, and then on a commercial flight from there, just like it's supposed to be. Matt arranged for the private jet, so that won't be traced. He also said to tell Opal to be careful."

"Huh," she snorted. I wanted to laugh. It was a joke between them-I could see that easily enough.

"Here's the address in Chicago," he handed a slip of paper to Rafe. "Go there first; you'll find your dossiers and everything else you'll need, including appropriate clothing and plane tickets. There's a van there, too, for you to drive to the airport. Don't worry about picking it up later-somebody else will do that."

"So, we have IDs waiting, and I'm just making us look like those IDs?" I asked.

"That's the plan."

"Sounds fine, then."

"Good. I'll get a cab to the airport, I need to be there in an hour," James said. "Don't contact us until after you get to Chicago, and use your new covers when you do."

* * *

The location in Chicago was a business address-one used in the past by Director Michaels for his agents. Inside a meeting room we found bags, file folders, plane tickets and anything else we'd need for the trip to Colombia.

"Efficient," Rafe proclaimed as he studied his dossier.

"I'm a former medic," Richard turned his photograph around so I could look.

"You look like you're four feet tall," Maye frowned at the photo.

"Five-six," he corrected her with a smile. "What, you don't date shorter men?"

"I'd date you any day," she whispered. He laughed.

By the time I was finished disguising everybody, including matching their height and weight, I felt tired. At least our flights weren't until the following morning, so I spent several hours beneath the sunlamps Matt had thoughtfully supplied.

* * *

"I have to get used to this," Ilya nuzzled my cheek while we dressed early the following morning. I understood what he was saying-I was Latina and a former Marine, according to my dossier, and was the member of the team responsible for any necessary translations.

The language I could do. The Marine part? I hoped nobody asked me to arm wrestle.

Ilya, on the other hand, was now blond with cloudy blue eyes, slightly shorter and packed with muscles. I guess I could get him to do my arm wrestling.

Renata Jimenez and Trey Henson. What a couple.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I'm ready, Trey."

"I hate that name already."

"You're not Trey material-the normal you, that is."

"I'm glad you see it that way."

"Please keep your comments about Renata to yourself," I warned.

"I would not demean you or Renata," he gave me his most innocent expression.

"Good, because Renata would retaliate."

He snickered. "Come on, blond boy," I took his arm and steered him toward the door. "Let's go to the airport."

* * *

One of Matt's investigators met us at the airport in Bogotá and drove us away in an armored van. "Step carefully around Captain Finch," Lieutenant Nathan Cross said as he drove us through the streets of the city.

Captain Finch was the commander of the investigative team Matt and Auggie had assembled-we'd gotten their dossiers, too. I understood one thing from Nathan's words-Finch had no love for private contractors, even if they were ex-military. Perhaps Maye should teach him a lesson.

"We're not here to cause trouble," Opal said. She was blonde, too, and somewhat shorter than she normally was.

"I guess what I'm saying is this-just stay out of his way. Everybody will be happier."

"We're here to do a job," Rafe snapped. "Perhaps it would be better if he stayed out of our way."

Honey, I can send him to Bora Bora if he messes with us
, I sent.

I will not get into a pissing contest with someone suffering from ego issues
, Ilya's words were a growl in my head.

"I don't believe we'll be stepping on anyone's toes," Richard offered. "You're here to investigate the crash site. We're here to track the ones responsible."

"We're supposed to provide information on what type of missile or bomb was used," Nathan began.

"We will welcome any information. However, I believe we may be able to get work done while waiting for it," Richard responded.

"You have leads?" He sounded surprised.

"We have some information. If Captain Finch needs anything, then have him send someone to me. I'll be happy to share what I have."

"Then I'm asking now," Nathan said.

"We may have coordinates for the missile," Maye said. "From satellite images. We'll investigate that first, while you're working at the crash site."

"Ground missile, like they're saying?" Nathan was more than curious.

"That's the information we currently have," she replied. "Our first priority is to check that site, to see whether we can determine who may have fired it."

"Wow-this is more intense than I thought it would be," Nathan shook his head. "Look, we're quartered outside Bogotá, on the eastern edge of San Cristobal. You'll be in the building next to ours. Supplies and vehicles are provided-you're responsible for your own meals."

"Not a problem," Rafe said.

The crash site was in Chingaza National Park, not far from a glacial lake. Part of the Andes, Chingaza was natural and beautiful-except for the burned area where nearly three hundred people died. In San Cristobal, we'd be stationed as close as we could be while still within sight of civilization.

"When are you going out?" Nathan pulled into a driveway located between two concrete buildings.

"Tomorrow-we have some planning to do and connections to be made," Richard said.

"Good enough, I'll let Captain Finch know."

"You do that," Rafe said.

* * *

"I've seen worse," Rafe said as he surveyed the kitchen. Saltillo tile covered the floors, more tile covered the counters, the stove was small and looked as if it were twenty years old or more, the refrigerator almost as old.

"The window is filthy," Opal said, attempting to peer through it.

"It's pointed toward the other building-the filth may turn into a blessing," Rafe said.

"Nah, I want to see this Finch guy if he decides to visit," Opal said.

"He'd better bring everybody he has," Nick growled. "Anybody who makes that kind of snap judgment needs his ass kicked."

"I'll let you be in charge of ass-kicking, then," I said. "My solution is to send him to Bora Bora."

"Bora Bora is too good for an asshole," Maye said. "I've been there."

"Panama?"

"Better, but still too good for assholes."

"Siberia," Rafe said.

"Bingo," Opal touched her nose.

As if on cue, the asshole knocked on our door. Nathan, following in Captain Francis Finch's wake, looked apologetic as Finch stormed into our kitchen.

"What's this I hear about you having possible missile coordinates?" he demanded.

"Well, hello to you, too," Opal said, lifting an eyebrow at Finch.

Finch looked to be a welterweight in mixed martial arts, with buzzed dark hair, green eyes and a nose that had been broken a time or two. The scowl he wore was extra, strictly for our benefit.

"You know, someone three miles away may not have heard you. Would you like to repeat that-louder, this time?" Nick asked. "It's classified information-we're allowed to share it with you and your team, nobody else."

"Then show me."

I wanted to tell him to ask nicely. I didn't. Instead, Richard pulled the satellite images up on his tablet and handed it to Finch.

"Here," Richard pointed out the light that flared on the surface, and the time stamp on the image. "The plane was destroyed right after," he said, pulling up the following images.

"I see it," Finch grumbled, going back to the first image, and then to the second. "I'd like to send Lieutenant Cross with you tomorrow, when you go to this site."

"If he wants to come," Richard shrugged. "We may end up spending at least one night in the wilderness-this is up a mountainside and may take time to get there."

"I'll come prepared," Nathan promised. I could tell he was more excited to be coming with us than staying with Captain Finch. Oddly enough, I felt the same way.

"We need to check the climbing equipment," Rafe nodded to Nick.

"I'll get on it," Nick said.

I knew what they were thinking-that Nathan Cross would slow them down. I hoped that wasn't the case. We had to be on guard, however, and make sure everyone stayed in character.

"What time should I be here tomorrow?" Nathan asked.

"Oh-six-hundred," Nick said.

"I expect a full report." Finch turned and stomped out the door.

"I think he can expect a full bag of dog shit," Nick muttered. Opal snickered.

Nathan wanted to smile but held it back. "I'll be here," he said and followed Finch out the door.

* * *

"I think he was offended by our uniforms," I said. We had a video conversation going with Auggie and Matt.

"Khaki is not what he's upset about," Auggie snapped. "He says you were rude."

"So he heard the dog shit comment?" I asked.

"What dog shit comment?"

"Okay, pretend you didn't hear that," I said. "How were we rude? I don't recall being rude."

"He says one of the men complained about the loudness of his voice."

"Oh, that," I said. "If he'd bothered to allow us to introduce ourselves, then he'd know who to blame for that," I added. "And he was loud. Blustery. Also rude and offensive."

"He's effective," Matt offered. "Just do the best you can to work around him. I hear Lieutenant Cross is going with you in the morning?"

"That's right," Rafe sat beside me and nodded. "I hope he doesn't slow us down."

"Just stick to protocol. I'm not sure whether you'll find anything useful, but you'll know what to do," Auggie nodded to me.

"I do."

"Good. Keep me apprised."

"Yes, sir." Rafe ended the video call.

"I hate khaki already," I mumbled. Rafe laughed.

* * *

Finch is effective, like Matt says, but his methods aren't always the best
, I responded to Maye's mental question over dinner.
I read in Lieutenant Cross that Finch manages to annoy or alienate anybody he meets
.

What did you see in him?
she asked.

He thinks he's God's gift to the world, and everybody should bow first and then get out of his way
.

He's not short enough to have a Napoleon complex
, Rafe supplied.

There may be a whole new complex named after him,
Maye said
.

That won't feed his ego or anything
, I pointed out.

"Ahem. Will somebody pass the tortillas?" Opal interrupted.

Maye laughed. I hadn't seen her laugh or smile so much in the entire time I'd known her. Richard was working miracles, in my opinion. It helped, too, that she and Nick were beginning to see me as a real member of the team.

"I like this-being able to share meals with all of you," I said. It helped with the pain in my heart-after recent events, some things would never be the same again.

"Well said," Nick held up his glass of beer.

Auggie, I'm thinking of you
, I sent to him.
Stay tough
.

* * *

Notes-Colonel Hunter

So many times, I wished there were a way to respond to Corinne's telepathy. I would have thanked her for her words-Matt and I received fresh news of more creature sightings, this time in northeastern Washington State.