Chapter 63

Present – Jens – Outside Dinner

I'm savoring this beef stew and wondering how Mabel does it: Everything that she prepares is incredible! I need to thank Thom again for finding her because she has become an essential part of our team.

I think about our situation and ask, "Jack, is Ivan going to be okay with Masha being gone?"

He answers, "He's a great kid and will miss her, but he won't cause any problems."

What the hell! A piercing siren sounds and I recognize that someone has set off the alarm system for the tunnels.

Jack looks at me and complains, "Don't tell me they're back?"

I lean over and whisper, "Not unless they were able to get into the tunnels."

I jump up and grab a legal rifle when fucking SA Hotchner comes up and demands, "What the hell is that about!"

I don't much like him so I smart mouth my reply, "It's my egg timer, the eggs are done."

He asks, "Can I come into the cabin and see this egg timer? And why do you need a rifle to check the eggs?"

I shake my head and declare, "Hell no, you're not coming into my cabin without a search warrant. And since you allowed the Columbians to attack us, I'm not going anywhere without a rifle."

I look at Jack and say, "Come on old fart, let's check on the eggs."

He complains, "But the beef stew?"

Mabel winks at us and promises, "Don't worry you two, you go check on the eggs and I will make sure there's plenty of stew for when you get back."

Present – Jack – Outside Dinner

Damn I can't believe I'm missing dinner! I haven't had beef stew like that – well forever. Masha is a hell of a cook but all she really knows how to cook is Russian food. Now don't get me wrong, Russian food is great, but sometimes this red-blooded American wants American food.

I sure as hell hope Mabel keeps the stew warm – hell who am I kidding - I'd eat it even if it was frozen.

We get inside and run into the basement. Jens opens the door, walks up to a security panel, checks it and comments, "Well now we know where the twins and their bratty brother were. They somehow got into the tunnels and were messing with one of the panels. Come on, we need to have a talk with them."

Knowing Jens I figure she's still a little sore at the twin so I suggest, "Jens it might be better if we have Liz here too."

Jens agrees, "Yeah, that's a great idea. After all they are her responsibility."

We exit the tunnels, Jens closes the door and announces, "I'm setting the alarm." She pauses and questions, "That reminds me, I wonder who the hell turned off the alarm system and let the damn Columbian drug army in here without warning."

I watch her press some more buttons on the panel. Yasmeen's face pops up and Jens swears, "That sneaky little bitch!"

I attempt to defuse the situation, "Look Jens she's a kid and having Ivan I know he likes to play with computers. I'll bet she didn't know what she was doing so cut her some slack. When you and Banzai have kids you'll understand. The little farts get into everything."

She smiles and replies, "Yeah, I can't wait to have Ben's babies. And you're right, but I do need to have a long talk with everyone when they get back because this can't be allowed to happen again."

I remind her, "And remember, if it wasn't for the twins and their brother coming out ready for battle..."

Jens waves her hand and interrupts, "Yeah, I know, we would have been caught flat footed."

I add one more thought to try to calm Jens, "And remember when you're talking to them Mira is knocked up so she might be a little unstable."

I can almost see the wheels turning in Jens head, then she surprises the hell out of me by saying, "You know I wonder whose baby she's carrying. I know she was madly in love with my Ben when you three were together at the spy school. You don't think that somehow..."

I nip this in the bud, "Jens, there's no way in hell she's carrying Bens' baby so get the thought out of your mind."

Jens pulls out her phone and makes a call...

Present – Liz – Outside Dinner

Bernie and I can't get enough of this delectable beef stew. It's so good it shouldn't even be called beef stew, I know! I will call it ragoût de bœuf. It's amazing how the French language makes almost anything sound better.

Then the damn phone rings and interrupts this wonderful meal. For a moment I think about ignoring it, but then I pick it up. I notice it's Jens so I answer and say, "It's your dime."

She says, "Liz, I need to talk to the twins about something and it's probably better if you're here when I do it."

Yeah she's still upset with the twins and Alexi for pranking her, so I know her analysis is right. I reply, "Okay, I'll be right in."