“Did you go outside?”
“No. I just looked from the door. Why? Is that Okay? I don’t want to break any rules.”
She cocked her head and said, “The helicopter was taking Bill back to his family. His wife is sick. He wanted to get home and see her. I helped him to do so. The helicopter was the best way. I can’t say more. Security. You understand.”
“Oh, sure. Sorry. Well that’s great that you were able to help him. I’m feeling pretty tired. I should get to bed. This jet lag is playing havoc with my circadian rhythm. Thanks Lena. See you tomorrow.”
Lena took a step toward him and he instinctively cringed.
She said, “David, it looks like your outfit may have gotten a bit sandy. Better brush off.” She swiped particles of dark island sand off his shirt. He was covered in a thin layer of the stuff from lying on the ground outside. Her face was inches away, and her emotionless eyes peered into his own. He felt his palms sweating. In another place and time, it may have been a come-on. But here, it was chilling.
He whispered, “Thanks. Goodnight.”
With that, he turned back inside his room and shut the door behind him. He stood on the other side of the door sweating, and listening for her footsteps. He heard nothing. Was she just standing there too, listening for his movements? If he stayed still that would be suspicious. He winced as he locked his door, about thirty seconds later than seemed appropriate. A deadbolt never sounded so loud. He then turned out his lights and got into bed. He could hear noises coming from outside for the next few minutes. It sounded like Lena was going into Bill’s room and rummaging around. Probably packing up his things. A few minutes after that, there was silence.
His thoughts drifted back to his family. Two days earlier David had been wrecked with fear, captive in a car trunk, his future safety unknown. His prison had expanded to an island, but David once again was a captive.
There was no way he would get any real sleep tonight. He wasn’t sure what tomorrow would bring. Were they prisoners here? Who could he trust? Had Lena killed Bill? Even if he wasn’t dead, was Bill removed unconscious just for asking to leave? Was secrecy so important that the CIA would imprison them all? A worse thought: was Lena even CIA? He never saw the face of the man that helped her carry Bill. He was concealed by his helmet and mask. But that helicopter didn’t look like any he had seen in the Navy. Was she even American? David was only certain about one thing: He must figure out how to get off this island alive.
A Note from Andrew Watts:
I hope that you have enjoyed The War Planners. If you would like to find out what happens with David, Lena, and “the War”, please sign up for the reader list at andrewwattsauthor.com. No spam, just an email when the sequel launches.
And if you have time, I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon!
About the Author:
Andrew Watts spent ten years as an officer and helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy. During that time, he flew missions chasing drug smugglers in the Eastern Pacific and disrupting pirate attacks off the coast of Africa. He was a flight instructor in Pensacola, Florida, and helped run ship and flight operations on a nuclear aircraft carrier while deployed to the Middle East.
Today, he lives with his family in Ohio.
Acknowledgements:
To Jimmy Buffett: Thanks for helping me to meet my wife.
To Becca North: Thanks for your push to get me started.
To my wife & family: Thanks for everything.