Chapter 61

Present – Jens – Post firefight

I made a tactical mistake when I insulted SA Hotchner and he responds as only a government stooge would, "Well, I think it would be better if we continue this conversation at our holding facility."

Sharik doesn't help the situation as he runs up and begins growling and snapping at SA Hotchner. He gets ready to pull his gun and I get ready to take him out when the most amazing thing happens...

Present – Todd – Post firefight

I have been observing the altercation with SA Hotchner from the back of the crowd but he hadn't observed me. When he threatened to take all of us to jail and then started going for his pistol to shoot Jennifer's dog I knew I had to do something.

I step to where I have a clear shot, take and arrow and bury it right between SA Hotchner's feet. He jumps and yells, "Okay who's the wise guy!"

I work my way through the crowd and grin widely as SA Hotchner's face turns white. Yes he recognizes me and he also knows that I outrank him – or at least I used to.

I walk up, begin to sign and he apologizes, "Sorry Sir, but I never learned sign language."

I turn, smile at Jennifer and sign, "Jennifer would you please translate for me?"

I make sure they both can see me and sign, "SA Hotchner, your actions here today have been heavy-handed and disappointing. It's obvious when you examine the casualties you will see that we were attacked by a Columbian drug cartel hit squad. Now isn't this something the FBI is supposed to investigate and protect us from?"

Present – Jack – Post firefight

Damn, Todd is giving the damn suit the shit he deserves! It makes me wonder who the hell and what the hell Todd is or was. I continue to listen.

SA Hotchner whines, "But Sir!"

Todd interrupts with furious signing, "There are no buts here. I will be informing your superiors of your actions. Now we're tired and hungry so why don't you get the deputies to collect the bodies for transport to the morgue in Denver. I want you to supervise a full autopsy on each of them with a full drug panel and then I want a written report from you including how such a large armed force could enter this country undetected. You are dismissed."

SA Hotchner turns away, starts to order the deputies when Mabel comes out and announces, "It's dinnertime. If some of you could help setup the temporary tables and help bring the food out, I have enough food for everyone, even the deputies."

We cheer and practically stumble over each other to help with the tables and the food.

Soon we all set down and get ready to dig in when Jens interrupts, "Oh no you don't! We don't eat at my house until we pray first."

Mabel reminds, "And there will be no vulgar language at my table, we have a little one present."

Jens bows her head and we all pray.

Afterwards, I lean over and question, "Jens where are the twins and Alexi."

She complains, "Jack are you trying to make me lose my appetite?"

I answer, "Hell no, I was hoping that Alexi could watch Ivan while I ate."

Mabel saves the day when she comes over and offers, "Can I hold the little one?"

I hand Ivan off to Mabel and dig into one of the best damn beef stews I have ever had."

And with the lack of conversation around the table, I know I wasn't the only one that felt that way...

Present – Mira, Ira and Alexi – post firefight

Alexi states with a grin, "My sisters this reminds me of Bilbo Baggins hobbit hole in the Lord Of The Rings." We both giggle at his representation.

Our auditory units detect Ms. Donaldson and Mr. Reynolds departure and we exfiltrate the sleeping abode to reconnoiter this subterranean subterfuge. First we determine that while it takes a code to infiltrate the hobbit hole, no code is required to exfiltrate.

As we traverse the hobbit hole, the lights progressively function to illuminate our way. We find many more sleeping abodes, a food preparation abode and an expansive food storage abode replete with a tremendous amount of available sustenance. We encounter a mystery abode with an all steel door and a combination lock. There is large cavern which is for meetings, and a long side tunnel. We traverse up the side tunnel and approach an exit. Alexi commences to open the door while I caution, "Alexi, we do not know what is behind the door."

He opens it, we shine our lights and discover we have arrived at the vehicle storage building which we had occulated when we previously reconnoitered the property. As we close the door, Alexi turns and states, "Mira, when you and Mr. Blaine are wed, all this will be yours."