Chapter 16

I awoke early once again, and was able to be on the patio outside our suite to watch the glow of first light on the horizon. Hands snuck around me again, and I pulled the owner of the hands around to sit on my lap. The two of us didn't speak, but we mentally joined as we both enjoyed the closeness we shared. It wasn't unusual that we heard Missy or Mercy say something to us as we sat together, but we often heard from the triplets, Marion and Virginia, or Aunt Etta. Our lives had another dimension where folks could see into us and we could look in on them.

It was Steve who came to the patio carrying four tall glasses filled with a good wake up mixture this morning. Steve gave each of us one and set the spare glass on a table next to an empty chair. He said, "Our buddy will be out here any second. Watch though, he'll probably make another entire round and bring it out."

Sure enough, Dewey came out carrying four tall glasses with the same mixture we were drinking as the sun peeked over the horizon. Dewey chuckled as he set more glasses down near the half full ones we were already enjoying.

"This is going to be a nice flight home, isn't it?"

Steve answered Dewey, "Yep, it will be, but I want to make sure we get a real salmon dinner when we drop you off. How about making sure we get fueled at Friday Harbor and take us into town to the bar for a special dinner?"

Lisa told Dewey, "You've already made me a convert to your breakfast of fish wrapped in special crust. I can't imagine it being better than what we've had, but Chuck says it's best when it was made on your boat."

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, you're a jewel, Lisa,. Chuck did get to enjoy the special breakfasts out on Friday Harbor and on my boat. The one thing about our place out there is a lot of salmon that want to jump into your skillet. I could probably get us some good eating at our special bar and restaurant if you were to stop in on the way home."

"I'll bet you could, Dewey. I'll talk to our pilots and see what they think. You know that first morning when I was sitting outside, watching the water as the "Have Mercy" moved around the bend toward your dock, is still so vivid in my mind that I constantly remember that scene. That was truly the beginning of my adventures with you and Steve. I knew that you and Steve were special before that, but that trip brought me into the family. All of you mesmerized me and made me want to be a part of you all."

Steve was sitting back with a satisfied look, as he commented, "That was exactly what I wanted to have happen, Chuck. You were a loose screw to me and us, but I somehow knew it would be important for you to be a part of us. You proved it up in Anchorage when those guys tried to rob us, and again when we were heading out and Bonita got sick. Yep, you became one of the family."

Lisa told them, "All of you have been so sweet, welcoming all of us girls into your homes and to be a part of everything that's happening. All of us have become a part of the family, and now we're bringing another with us. As a matter of fact, it's possible that we're bringing at least one more couple with us. Kai and Kal are going to be instantly accepted, and will want to become a part of all of us. They are going to need some kind of deal to fly back and forth all the time.

Sue was now sitting on Steve's lap. She told us, "We have come a long way from Steve's little trailer and the oversized covered patio that Abe had. Steve has expanded multiple times, but we have always made sure the patio had room for everyone."

Kal and Kai had just come to the suite and came out carrying drinks. Kai made sure everyone had a refill or didn't want anymore. Kal told Steve, "I should probably go to the mainland with you to see what Chuck is going to do with my baby. I really want to see it for the first time with my little girl."

It was Kai that said, "I want to see where my daughter will be bringing new life into this world. She told me last night on the phone that she couldn't wait to get to your home to get you to give her another baby. Please wait for the time the doctors tell you, maybe even a little longer. I think she sneaked under you and maybe even tricked you into donating your part to help her have her desire."

Kal hugged his petite wife, but said to me, "What she's saying is for you to be sure to knock her up as soon as you can. I know our Ja is one hell of a woman, and if she's made up her mind that you're it, well, you are the chosen one. You are one lucky mother."

Kai whacked Kal on the shoulder and told him, "You are so crude. Your daughter is such a sweetheart, and you're talking as if she's going to jump this man and take what she wants."

It was Lisa who set them straight, "Jane told me the night we first met that she was going to enjoy Chuck and wanted him to give her something special. Well, he did that first night and I'm sure she will talk him into giving her some more when the time is right."

We all had breakfast before several of us went to hospital to bail Jane out. We had brought clothes with us and were able to observe Jane being able to walk up and down the aisle in her ward. She had a wheelchair ride to the car, but we knew she was okay.

Kai told Jane on the way back to the resort, "We're going to have that luau this evening. If you want to invite any of your friends, give them a call. The boys are going to bring mats so they can give a demonstration, and both said they wanted to try to talk Lisa and Chuck into some sparring."

Lisa and I both almost began choking because we were so out of shape. Considering the size of Jane's brothers, we couldn't figure out how we might be able to control them.

When we arrived at the hotel, we learned that Dewey and Steve were going to put off going home until tomorrow so they could attend the luau. I was excited to be a part of the family that was going to host us, and happy that the woman they have conceded to me wants to join our family.

Brandy, Tiani, and Frieda helped Jane through a shower and made sure she was going to be all right to attend a party such as her parents were putting on.

I called our contact to see what might be up while everyone was focused on Jane and the party. "Well, Chuck, the dock stuff with Homeland Security seems to be working itself out. The other DEA thing might need some help. Some group is bringing in a lot of weight, but the DEA people haven't been able to do the intercept. You and Lisa could look up the players if you have time, and let us know what you think. You don't have to do the bust for them. The DEA and Deputy Marshals can take them down. We just need some additional opinions on when and where."

"We'll take a look tomorrow. I'll go by and pick up the lead agent on the case so we get a good look. I'll let him call it in. I'll probably call you from home in a couple of days."

Our contact said, "It's good to have you guys back with us. We don't have many willing to go and take care of problem situations like you two. Ace is coming along, but he needs a partner like you have in Lisa. You'll have to find him a Lisa clone so he can do what needs done."

It wasn't a laughing matter but I did do a ha, ha, ha. "Ace will come around. Just keep giving him missions that are each one notch hotter than the one before. The man has what it takes, but he doesn't have the self-confidence yet. He'll get there and we'll help him."

The voice over the phone said, "He's doing more and more since you made him a Deputy. Wanda is moving him into tougher situations when she can. Your ACE in Tampa, Sarah, is a tough lady and is good at putting him into rough problems."

I had to laugh at that. "Sarah is one mean babe. She's tough as nails and can sense weakness a mile away. With her on the job, she will define whether or not the man has the balls to be one of us."

It was now the other end of the connection's turn to laugh. "I suppose you guys have those special people too. We'll have to watch Sarah to see if she might be a good secondary agent."

I gave the caution, "Careful, her guy is a special ops guy, and she's handled a lot of special ops situations. There will be no chance of putting something over on her."

"That's even better, Chuck. To get a special agent with her knowledge is what we are constantly trying for. I'll talk to Wanda about her."

"You won't hear anything bad about Sarah from Wanda. They are truly two women devoted to their jobs. I'll call Sarah and tell her she may get a call from some of my friends."

"He, he, he, Is that what you call us now, some of your friends?"

I had to continue, "Well, you know, you guys are so far out that you should be in a Sci-Fi comic book."

"Go away, Chuck. You're making a shambles of what is supposed to be a very dry, descriptive, exchange of information. Oh, and again, glad you're back." The connection went dead

Lisa came out and gave me a hug. "You know that they will probably eliminate us for being a security problem if they ever figure out that we hear and know everything each other does, don't you?"

"We just won't ever tell them, Sweet Thing. I've been apprehensive that some of our handlers might have suspected, but so far, so good."

Lisa told me, "I just talked to a couple of our guys about the DEA thing. They said that the folks they're after have been very flagrant. The DEA guys think that a major exchange is going to happen at the DQ near the shopping center. They've had video installed during closed hours and we now can access the video remotely. We should get logged in and make sure we are monitoring them until the deal goes down.

They told me they have a total of twenty cars and forty agents ready to shut this down. We are dealing with some extreme weight, so everyone should be prepared for some resistance."

"Say what? Twenty cars? Forty agents? I don't think they have forty agents in all of Hawaii, Lisa. Is this a multi-agency bust?"

"You're right, Chuck, it must be multi-agency to have a force that big. The Marshal Service doesn't know about it. I wonder if the agents are from ATF or the FBI. If this is that big, I wonder how many people know about the prep for this. You can't keep that many mouths shut unless they are using something else as a redirection so the dealers think they could pull this off under our noses in the confusion over another bust."

"We need Jane to intercede but she can't come out to play for a while. Let me call our contact back to see if he can do some leg work for us. With forty agents, they shouldn't need us."

I called and we went through the pass phrases of the day. "Lisa just found out this DEA thing you wanted us to possibly help with is ready to do the bust and have forty men to handle it. Where did they get forty men?"

"Ah, I don't know. I was given this by the Director. He was asked if we might be able to help. If DOJ is asking for inter-agency help we should know about it. Let me make a few calls and I'll get back to you. I wasn't told we had to supply someone, but that this was a priority that we could help with. I'll call you back."

I had the phone on speaker so Lisa had heard the conversation. I told Lisa, "Let's get armored up and be prepared. Kal and Kai said they would be picking Jane up, so the girls can all go out to make sure Jane packs what she wants to take. We can hang out here a bit to monitor the Dairy Queen video and wait to see if we are really needed."

Lisa said, "Let's rent a car now, take your laptop with us, and ride over to the Dairy Queen to see what the place looks like. We can go in and have a hamburger and shake."

"Good idea. Let me call the desk."

We were able to ask for and get a cold-plated car with a neat GPS system. The first thing we did was to put Kal and Kai's home address in memory. We then asked for the directions to the DQ. Lisa and I both had the new thin armor that didn't make us look bulky. I was wearing a sport coat and Lisa had a flowing printed shirt. I knew she had her sidearm in a waist holster and her backup on her leg. Our equipment case was in the car, so we had all of the firepower we could want if we became a part of the proposed bust.

We made a circuitous drive through the Mall parking lot and by the other free standing stores in the parking lots. I knew there would be several cars with agents there, but they were well hidden and none were obvious.

The restaurant was typical with the chrome railings to route people to the counter. Lisa and I ordered hamburgers, fries, and a shake, the usual that people ate. We were able to get a corner table that allowed us good sight lines inside and throughout the parking area.

My phone buzzed while we were eating. "Johnson". We did the password phrases before the contact said, "I just finished talking to the DEA Chief there, and he says he's imported agents from the mainland for this. I asked if he wanted you and he said it might be too late to get you involved. He took your phone number and will probably call you. I'd say not to worry about it and just figure on not being a part of anything."

"Lisa and I are having a snack at the Dairy Queen now. We'll drag our heels a bit, but stay out of anything unless it looks like we need to be involved."

"Good plan, Chuck. If this doesn't quickly go down, just go play in the sun. Don't become obvious."

I hung up and looked at Lisa to know she had heard. We enjoyed our hamburger and fries, used the restrooms, and bought a couple cups of coffee to go.

Lisa booted the laptop up out in the car to check on the video, while I used one of the rental car maps to look like I was looking for directions. Lisa looked up and said, "Two o'clock, white van just pulled in next to a Caddy Escalade. Check out the three cars that just parked on the other side of the lot. Two guys in each car."

The back doors of the white van swung open showing a guy in front of stacks of something. What was interesting was the obvious machine pistol of some kind that he was holding. Another man got out from the passenger side of the van and began talking to a man from the SUV. The guy from the SUV did something at the back of the van, and then the pair went to the SUV and were looking at something there.

We watched as both men nodded at each other, and then saw the van driver get out, dangling the keys in the air, while the driver of the SUV did the same. The guard in the van placed the machine pistol on top of the stack of whatever it was and stepped out of the van heading toward the SUV.

The keys were exchanged and the SUV people got into the van and the van people got into the SUV. Cars seemed to come from every direction as soon as the van began moving backward, trying to box in the two suspect vehicles. They didn't do the one smart thing which would be to pull across the two entrances to the high curbed parking area. I saw the van heading toward the exit that I was near and just acted like I was leaving normally. Instead of going through the exit, I pulled across it, blocking anyone from coming or going. The van driver laid on the horn and then used the van to try to push us out of the way.

The delay had allowed a dozen cars and a small army of men with handguns, rifles, and shotguns to converge on both the van and SUV. Amazingly, no shots were fired. Lisa and I had to get out the passenger door as the van was up against the driver's side. We moved out of the way to let the DEA people do what they needed to do. We watched as they cuffed and searched each of the men pulling identification and weapons from them as they went.

I walked over to the obvious agent in charge and showed my badge. The man smiled and said, "Hell, I know you, Johnson, you were in on the horrible action up in Detroit. You don't look any the worse for wear. What are you doing here, checking up on us to make sure we don't make off with the loot?"

I laughed and said, "No, but split forty ways, it would still be a nice bonus."

His reply was, "It would be nice, but there's so much video going right now we wouldn't be able to ever make a getaway. What made you block the driveway?"

I tapped one of the men on the shoulder and said, "Be sure to take any necklaces they have. It's become popular for them to have both types of cuff keys on nice chains. If you'll move the van back a couple of feet, I'll get my car out of the way so you can get the place cleared out."

The van had hit the car hard enough to jam the door, so I had to get in on the passenger side anyway. I moved the car to a slot in the mall parking lot and called our contact. I gave him the result and said I was going to a luau. Lisa was sipping her coffee that was still warm.

We drank our coffee as we drove to the rental car office. We explained that a criminal had rammed us, damaging the car. I gave them the account number for the rental damage and swapped cars. We were given a really neat Mustang convertible this time. The top came down and the two of us took our equipment back to the hotel, then headed out on the island to go to Kal and Kai's.

The only bad thing about a convertible is you can't have a quiet conversation. It feels great, but Lisa and I talk together all of the time. It's funny, because we usually have a non-stop conversation when we fly, unless one of us is busy reading something. The only breaks are from radio traffic.

As I was driving, Lisa said, "You do know we should use our ability to communicate without speaking."

"I doubt it would be as enjoyable. We put too much expression into what we say. Besides, I like to listen to you."

"Hee, hee, hee, you are such a smooth talker. I'd give you some kisses and a treat if I didn't have to be locked up in this seatbelt."

"So if we did something while driving along, would that be joining the ground zero club?"'

We found Kai's and Kal's home and drove to the rear of the house where there was a giant parking area made up of pavers. The back of the house had a huge grassy yard that went down to where waves were washing up on a wide beach area. Now this is Hawaii living. Lisa and I took our hardware off after parking and stored it in the trunk. We were a couple of pounds lighter. I left my sport coat on the car seat.

Jane was already there and came out to give both of us hugs. She looked good and was wearing shorts and a tank top. She looked at Lisa and said, "Come inside with me so I can dress you in more appropriate clothes. What were you two doing, some work?"

We had to explain what had happened and that we had to change cars. Steve, Dewey, and the women and kids were sitting under umbrellas around an Olympic size pool with fruity looking drinks. The two of them were wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals.

Steve said, "This guy slays me. He's always over-dressed, but I do have to say that he's wearing more knit shirts and sport coats lately. Although not meeting the Hawaiian dress code, you do look comfortable, Chuck.

Lisa came out with Mercy, and both were wearing some silky running shorts that would have given the perfect camel toe if tight. The two women weren't big, but both had butts that drive the watcher nuts. The gorgeous Jane followed them, displaying her snugger shorts, and a loose tank top that showed the sides of her generous breasts, as well as some inviting cleavage. I'm sure I was feeling the same as the girls; I didn't want to wait long to begin playing with this beauty.

The five came out with their six babies. The women were all in tiny bikinis. No matronly wear today. The little ones were brought to the pool and had their diapers removed. They all were put into the water on their backs to paddle around in their flailing manner.

It's so wild to see those tiny babies in the pool. I suppose they weren't tiny any longer, but they were still babies. They were only learning to walk, but were already able to squirm around in the water. Brandy's Dan was funny because he wanted to be on his stomach to try to dogpaddle. Tiani's Sam saw what Dan was doing and kept trying to do the same. I wish I had a swimsuit with me so I could get in and play with them too. Sue was assisting, so there was nearly an equal quantity of mothers to kids. Little Sarah and Farah were both little water nymphs, as they would scoot away from you if you didn't watch and redirect them. Nancy was letting Nitika paddle all the way across the shallow end of the pool. The little one would get to the wall and then go back the other way.

The girls only had them in the water for a little less than thirty minutes. I'm sure they were worn out, but you could tell they would have enjoyed staying in the pool. The moms washed the pool chlorine off in the outdoor shower by sitting six babies on the concrete and turning the water on. The little guys really enjoyed being sprayed with the water.

They were soon all diapered up and wearing a T-shirt. The women took them into the house as they didn't trust the kids to stay out of the water.

I had noticed a lot of activity down on the beach part of the backyard. It was then that I realized they had something buried and cooking in the sand. I don't know how they do it, but they get a fire going, put a pig over it on a grill, cover the pig, and then cover it all up with sand. The pig cooks and food comes out of the hole.

Jane's brothers, Koa and Kaika, drove up in a Hummer displaying all of the information about their dojos, around three o'clock. They came out of the van, opened the back, and brought four large mats out to an open area of the yard. They went back to the Hummer after placing them, and brought some garments out. After we all shook hands, and they had gotten some hugs from Jane and their mother, Koa handed me some clothes and said, "Put this on so we can do a demonstration. Jane made us promise no doubling up and to be gentle. We can do that. If you want a more aggressive style, we can do that too. Let's play some."

As I started for the house, Kaika said, "Hey, I forgot, here's something for ah, Lisa, too

We went into one of the bedrooms and changed into the sparring apparel. Lisa used a bathroom to dress in her gi. On the way out to the mats, Koa asked, "I know I'll get to see, but how do you still compete with only one leg?"

"I don't really compete any longer, Koa, but I do enjoy practicing and sparring. Would you mind if we stretched out for a few minutes? I know Lisa and I could both use some stretching before we do anything,

Lisa and I began doing our forms in sync the way we had been doing them for almost two years now. I'm sure people would have said our forms were choreographed if they would have commented. It was a shame that we didn't have music to go with the flowing forms.

Koa and Kaika went through their forms similarly to how Jane stretched, which included some jumps and kicks.

Lisa and I brought our forms to a close and were standing waiting for the brothers to finish. With a big grin, Koa said, "What do we do now, flip Lisa to see which one of us goes first?"

Lisa grinned and said, "I'll go with one of you while the other plays with Chuck. Do it alphabetically, and Kaiko goes with Chuck first."

Both nodded and Kaiko and I faced off on the mat and gave each other the appropriate salute. We both stood there as Kaiko must have thought I would use an aggressive style. He was almost confused since I didn't, but began advancing toward me. I saw his hips dip and shoulders begin to turn as he approached, telegraphing his coming kick. I stood looking dumb instead of acting apprehensive, but rose on the toes of my one foot. If he had been watching, he would have seen that I had lowered my hips as well, and I used his momentum to flip him over backward when the kick came.