when Lucy and I showed them what we had, they were very happy.
They also told us that there are some really big criminals involved, and that these criminals probably wouldn't like having their friends go to jail, or like losing all the money that was stolen.'
Again, nods, and I continued 'These criminals are pretty mean, and they might want to try to do something to keep me and Lucy from doing anything to help the FBI. Maybe even try to do something to hurt YOU. So the FBI has some people watching out for us. You probably didn't notice, but there were even some of them down at the pool.'
Here, Sandra chirped up, saying 'I was wondering about a couple of the guys. I mean, Robyn and I were running around in our wet suits, and they wouldn't even LOOK at us!' – and making me and Lucy both laugh.
I told them 'Well, that's why – not because you aren't cute and sexy, but because they were watching to make sure no bad guys could do anything. So if you see anybody watching you, there's no need to be worried, or afraid. Just let me or Lucy know, so we know who they are – that way, we can ask them for help if we need it. Okay?'
Both of them voiced their agreement before Robyn asked 'But what about you and Mom?'
'Me and your mom are a special case. The FBI people are watching us, too, to make sure we stay safe, but because your mom and I will be moving around a lot, it's harder for them to take care of us. That, and because I did some special stuff in the Army, they're letting me be the one that does most of the protecting of Lucy.'
Robyn grinned, and asked 'But who's gonna protect her from YOU? Or you from her?' – and getting laughs from all of us before I continued 'That's our problem – if it's a problem at all. Do YOU want to be protected from ME?'
She grinned again, and said 'Nope! Not a chance!'
I smiled back at her and said 'Well, because I'm the one watching out for your mom, I'm wearing a bulletproof vest' – both of them sobered at that – 'but ONLY because it makes the FBI and your mom feel better. NONE of us expects there to be any trouble; we're just doing all this as a precaution. Kind of like getting an IUD, so you don't get pregnant.'
That seemed to reassure her, and I went on to say 'One of the other things the FBI asked me to do was to carry a gun.' Immediately, both girls got serious again, before I could tell them 'Not that they expect me to need it, but just so I'd have it if there WAS any trouble. Again, it's like carrying a snakebite kit if you go hiking – you probably won't need it, but it's a good idea to have it, if you do. Okay?'
Both of them expressed doubt at that idea, but I went on to tell them 'Look at it this way – if the bad guys know I have a gun, they won't want to make trouble, right?'
That seemed to calm them down again – it didn't occur to them that if I was armed, the bad guys would just come better equipped.
With Sandra and Robyn filled in, and reasonably accepting of the situation, the only thing left was to decide what to do about supper, and the rest of the evening. We haggled over that one until I had an idea. I went to my room, and called down to the desk, asking the operator to put me in touch with one of the FBI people. In just a couple of seconds, I heard a male voice that identified itself as Agent Gallery.
'Agent Gallery, I've got a proposition for you.'
'What's that, sir?'
'The ladies and I were going to go to do a little shopping this evening, and I thought you might like to work with us on it – try and make both our lives easier. What do you say?'
'That would be very nice, sir. What did you have in mind, sir?'
'Well, first thing is supper. I don't think you folks would look forward to trying to watch out for us in a regular restaurant. So what I'd propose is that one of you contact Muddy Waters – I served with him, and trust him – at Caf, Triomphe, and see if he's got a small room we can use. If he does, we'll eat there. Otherwise, if you can recommend a decent place to eat, we'll go there – so you can have some time to get it covered.'
'Yes, sir, we're aware of your friendship with Mr. Waters. I think we can reach him' the agent told me.
'I figured. The other thing is, as Agent Hawkes suggested, I plan to buy a weapon this evening. Perhaps you or one of your colleagues would be able to recommend a, shall we say, friendly place? Seeing as how I'm from out of town?'
'I think we can come up with something along those lines, sir.'
'Great. Last thing, the ladies would like to do some shopping. Clothes, jewelry, that sort of thing. Me, I'd like to have a look at some electronics and computer stuff. Something like a mall, perhaps. Again, I'll ask your recommendation, so that you and your people can cover it. Whatever size mall or shopping center you think would be best. Like I said, we're willing to work with you.'
'We appreciate that, sir. Actually, in a case like this, the best bet is to be as public as possible, so any one of the malls would be fine. The Galaxy mall is the biggest, with an excellent selection of stores.'
'Sounds fine, Agent Gallery. I've got a pretty good idea of what I want in a handgun, so I don't expect that to take long. What would be a decent itinerary?'
'I'd say supper, then the gun store, then the mall, sir.'
'Fair enough. You'll let me know how to get to there at Muddy's place, right?
I'm sure we can find the biggest mall in town', I joked.
No joking for this guy. 'Yes, sir, we'll have directions for you before you leave, and the owner will be expecting you.'
'Thank you, Agent Gallery. By the way, which one are you?'
'Sir?'
'You're either the exec working on his laptop, or the guy reading the paper.
You don't sound like either the babe in the swimsuit, or the mother with the carriage.'
He hesitated a moment, and said 'Actually, sir, I just got here a few minutes ago. I know all of the agents you just mentioned. Were they really that obvious, sir?'
'Not at all – I just know what I was looking for.'
'How did you spot them, sir?'
I went on to tell him the observations I'd made to Lucy. When I was done, I told him 'It's okay. Nobody else noticed. It's just that I've been on the pointy end of the stick a time or two, and Agent Hawkes got me going.'
He sounded relieved, and said 'Yes, sir, thank you, sir. I'll mention it to the agents involved. We like to keep it as casual looking as possible, and you just helped us do that.'
'That's fine. Like I said, it was a good showing; it's just that these ladies are special to me, and I'm not your normal protectee.'
'So I've been told, sir. Silver star, and such. By the way, sir, Bill did have a broken rib, but said to tell you 'thanks for the lesson''
'Glad to hear he's okay. You'll let me know what Muddy has to say?'
'Yes, sir.'
'Thanks. Have a good evening.'
'You, too, sir' he told me before hanging up.
I let Lucy and the girls know what the plan was, and aside from the side trip to the gun store, they were pretty happy at the idea. We sat around chatting for a few minutes before the phone in my room rang. I hustled to answer it, and heard Agent Gallery announce himself before telling me that Muddy had a small room ready for us whenever we got there. I asked him if he needed any time before we left, and he cautiously asked for five minutes. I told him fifteen, and he sounded pleased when he agreed.
Lucy and the girls were listening to my side of the conversation, and when it was over, quietly cheered at the idea of another supper at Muddy's place. Me, I was ready to go to McDonalds – I didn't look forward to arguing with Muddy over the check. It being a private supper, the three of them opted to dress comfortable – Lucy in a cotton something-or-other that flattered her shape, the girls in light dresses that still managed to make it clear they were female. I changed into a looser shirt, and called it good enough.
When the allotted time was up, the four of us headed out the door – and spotting someone casually lounging about in the hallway. All three of them looked at me, and I just shrugged. I didn't tell them, but I could spot the slight bulge of a weapon under the college kid's aloha shirt.
There wasn't anybody obviously hanging around in the lobby, or out in the parking lot – but Lucy and I knew they were there. We got in her car, and this time, she drove us all to Muddy's. At the front door, the headwaiter
