Chapter 11. Escape

By Tony

Right after I emptied the needle into the security guy I grabbed the jail keys. That was when the women first heard me and looked up.

“Sister, if you please, I have come to take you and your companion away from these vile murderers.”

Even as I unlocked the cell door the Sister was calm as she looked up. “Do I know you sir?”

The question was reasonable, I was wearing a loincloth and headband, while my body was covered with paint in a distinct pattern she had seen for days. I answered, “Sister Mary Ellen, we have not been introduced, but I have seen you on the porch at your home in LA, the green porch and the blue door. No doubt you have seen me among undesirable companions. I pray that my actions tonight may be counted when I stand before Saint Peter.”

“My house ... those who took me would know...”

“Would they know the porch was repainted by volunteers three years ago? The leader was named Ernie. Sister, they will come soon enough, we must leave.”

I saw how describing her home and using Ernie’s name settled the Sister’s mind that I was somebody who knew of her. “Very well,” she looked at her companion. “We will both go with you and pray for the chance to do more good in the world before our turn to answer ... You must understand that we are weak.”

“Yes Sister. I have food, clean bottled water and a blessed jeep waiting outside.”

“A blessed jeep? My son, do not mock me.”

“Sister, a Monsignor blessed the vehicle earlier today at my request. He knows of my mission and watches us even now.” I pointed to the tiny camera above.

The Sister clearly thought that was an unusual claim. But who would make up such a claim, and there was something unusual up there. Then I showed her my screen, which looked down on her, so she had faith. “Very well then, we will go in your blessed jeep.”

In the jeep I had bottled water, a loaf of bread, some cold cooked fish, and bars of chocolate. The Sister took a moment to bless the food and said it was well-chosen. I volunteered to take the first bite of each, but the good Sister said a trick by me was unlikely and they both dug in. They were clearly famished. I let them eat and drink a little as we sat in the jeep. When the voice in my ear said the obsidian knife had been exposed on the pyramid I said we had to go. When they were belted in I departed the Aztex site through the car gate, driving towards the sea.

As I drove out the main gate I said the codeword “Onion Bun.” This was the “ready” signal for the rest of the military operation, meaning I had the women, was clear of the fire zone and they would not see the tank if it showed itself in the parking lot.