Story Grace, Mercy and Blessings

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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#600b

Ernie stuck his nose in the air, pointedly ignoring Gary's comeback. He settled deeper into the uncomfortable wooden kitchen chair and sneered at Gary whenever Breezy wasn't looking in his direction.

"Breezy, a glass of sweet tea?" Gary asked as he stood up when Breezy walked in the room.

"Yes please, the glasses are in the far tight cabinet." The woman in her appreciated the figure Gary made as he walked to the cupboard. Oh man, he was mighty fine.

Breezy caught the frantic signaling Ernie was doing with his hands, trying to direct her attention to the exposed butt of the gun Gary was carrying. Breezy shrugged casually; it was no secret that the whole nest of strange people carried weapons, even the women, so she shrugged once again and dismissed Ernie's concern.

Ernie was beside himself. Never before had Breezy acted like it was no big deal that her visitor had a very big gun strapped to his side. He couldn't believe her casualness about a happenstance she had been very vocally against.

Ernie decided it was up to him to say something about the weapon, especially since Breezy didn't seem inclined to bite at the man for his presumptuous wearing of a firearm.

"We don't want you in here with a gun, that is very threatening and totally unnecessary." Ernie gathered up his courage and spoke out boldly, at least for him it was what he considered loud and threating.

Gary turned around in astonishment and stared at the thin, squeaky demand the man was issuing. Once again he was reminded of a ankle biter trying to worry a very large bone, and he smiled. That smile totally infuriated Ernie.

"Get out of this house, you are not welcome here. Now leave!" Ernie demanded, practically frothing at the mouth.

"Ernie, that's enough. Mr. Linderman is my guest. I strongly suggest that you go home for the night." Breezy was in control. even if she had the biggest crush on a man since fifth grade.

Gary grinned at Ernie and casually pulled his vest back down over his revolver. He went to the refrigerator and pulled out the pitcher of sweet tea. Filling Breezy's glass and then his own, Gary pointedly picked up Ernie's glass and put it in the sink.
Breezy was not so far gone, that she missed the one-ups-manship happening in the kitchen. She admired Gary's moxie, but she didn't want to lose Ernie, he was after all, a superior law clerk.

"Are the stats for the Dugger case done?" she asked Ernie; and he nodded. "Well done, thank you for your hard work. You deserve the rest of the day off with pay." It was a final dismissal that Ernie couldn't ignore.

He slowly drug himself up from the chair and shuffled towards the office. When Gary would have said something, Breezy put her finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

Gary nodded and settled back to wait for whatever was coming next.




"You ain't gettin in here looking and stinkin like that," the pilot flatly declared, standing with feet apart and arms crossed.

"The prince just left Boise," Clora said to Mark, "if we want that fuel, we'd better get back to Seattle and get it pumped in this copter. We're no match for them."

"You heard the lady, let's go." Mark ordered with his very best Marshal's voice. "It gonna be a race to the fuel, and if you lose, we'll ride back with the incoming birds and you'll be stuck here until they send more fuel. Savvy?"

That was as plain and truthful as Mark could make it. They had to leave, NOW! They got back, fueled and were in the air when the prince's armada of gunships crested the Cascades and flew directly at the lone copter.

"Holy crap." the pilot sputtered, "now what do we do?"
 
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PacNorWest

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601

"So what do you think of the price of tea in China?" Gary's low conversation took several seconds to register with Breezy. He was grinning at her, but Breezy was listening intently for the sounds that Ernie was leaving, or had left.

"Huh?" Breezy stared dumbly at her guest. "What did you say?"

"It's nothing special, I was just trying to take your mind off the guy leaving." Gary mentioned.

"Well maybe I don't want to be distracted," Breezy retorted smartly. "Sometimes Ernie takes too much on himself, and he doesn't need to be a chaperone for me."

"Oh, do you think you might consider doing something that might require a chaperone?" Gary was enjoying himself, this teasing a woman was a new tactic for him. But boy howdy was it fun. II made Breezy blush and act all flustered, and she stood with her hands on her hips and shook a finger at him.

"I am re-considering," Breezy came right back, "I'm not sure your trustworthy."

"Frankly my dear," Gary twirled his imaginary mustache, "you are absolutely correct." his Rett Butler imitation was horrible. but it made Breezy chuckle and relax, and that was what Gary was aiming for.

This time it was Gary that held his hand up for silence. "He hasn't left Breezy, I will take care of it, with your permission."

Breezy shrugged, not knowing what to do. "He's a really good law clerk, I don't want to run him off, could you do it carefully, so he would come back to work tomorrow?"

Gary clenched his jaw briefly. "Yeah, I think I can. I've never played Sir Galahad to any one before, I might be more forceful than I need to be, but I'll try to be gentle with him." The last line, Gary said a touch loud, and was rewarded with the sound of the office door slamming shut.

Gary smiled, supremely satisfied with himself. He was copying Dad's moves, and did they ever work. No wonder the old boy was so smooth.

"You're an incorrigible, you come in here and tip everything on it's ear; me included. You have me so confused, I don't know what to do." The last was very plaintive, almost like a whine.

"I might tease you and then tease some more, but Breezy I would never hurt you." Gary spoke honestly, laying his cards on the table. "I'm new to this, and I'm really rough, so you might have to guide me through this minefield; but can you tell me that it won't be fun?"

"Oh my, no. Oh I mean yes, it sounds like fun. See, I'm a lawyer that has argued in front of some of the most prestigious judges in the land, and I'm like a tongue tied fifteen year old with you." Breezy stammered and gave Gary a helpless look.

"Good," Gary had a proud, wolfish look to him. "I won't be by myself in the foot in mouth department."



"Drop down and fly under them," Mark ordered. "The prince won't take that as an act of aggression, so he's not likely to fire on us. Besides we have Clora in here with us, and he won't pull anything against her."

"Prince?, fire on us?, what the heck is going on?" the pilot was almost visibly trembling. "If I hadn't been ordered to fly you where ever you wanted, I'd open the door and push you out."

"I don't believe that would be wise," Mark said more calmly than he felt. A threat against his life, he could handle. But nobody threatened Clora. If someone got booted from the low flying copter, the pilot would be the first one out the door.

"There's one of them following us, are they dangerous.?"

"I don't believe so, but with the prince, who knows what might happen?" Mark turned around to view the following bird. "That looks like the secretary, so I imagine he has been instructed to keep tabs on us."

"So, they are going to dog us all the way back to Boise?"

"It would appear like it, just ignore them." Mark advised the jittery man, "I'm not sure what your problem might be, but I want you to know that I have a very large gun pointed in your direction. The first second I feel you are doing something out of line, I will shoot you and fly this bird back to Boise myself." Mark was calm, but totally threatening and the pilot internally changed his mind about the secondary set of instructions he had been given.

"Ahh, Ahh, yes sir, I assure you nothing will happen." The pilot tripped over his tongue, and made sure he paid very strict attention to flying.
 
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PacNorWest

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#602

It was a long, uncomfortable, trip in cold nervous silence. Mark never took his attention from the pilot; assuming the man had some problem or reason to act so suspiciously.

Skimming over where the tree tops should have been, the marshal's helo headed straight for Boise, just like a responsible navigator would do. Mark had a sneaking suspicion that his time with the shadow agency was close to being a fait accompli.

His years of service were evidently being terminated in the agency's favorite method of dismissal. Clora was his secret weapon, feeling the off kilter nervousness from the pilot, and finally understanding the reason. A few whispered words to Mark let him know the pilot was a turncoat with a parachute.

Just in case the pilot might doubt his words, or his intent, Mark brought his Glock up to rest in his lap, serving notice that the marshal meant every nuance of his word.

The pilot was sweating, both from the danger his passenger radiated; and from the knowledge that a very fat payout was evaporating from his wallet. He had only talked to the voice on the phone; but the money promised out and above his regular flying pay, was a healthy amount. Enough for the man to consider the risky maneuver. All he had to do was ditch the copter over the mountains, let it crash and kill the two passengers. Only nothing was going to plan. Nothing at all.

The pilot set down on the heli pad and turned to look at Mark. "How did you know?"

Mark didn't answer the question; instead, he asked if the man knew who had contacted him, or,had seen the person.

The pilot explained the contact, and the rough voice on the phone, shaking his head in a negative way.

"I'm glad you're a smart, reasonable man. That helo that's just landing would have shot you out of the sky, if you had ditched us."

"Really?" the man looked over his shoulder at the flapping robes that were disembarking from the gunship.

"Really." Mark said flatly, "they usually don't give human life much value. They shoot first and don't bother with questions afterward. Dead takes care of a lot of their problems."

The pilot swore under his breath, and exited the copter and went straight to the makeshift terminal.

"American," the robe with the glasses and briefcase stopped next to the Bell.

"Mr. Secretary," Mark replied, "how may I help you?"

"We were ordered to be here to assist you, we had information that there was a problem."

"Thank you for your concern, there was a problem, but the man was reasonable." Mark replied with a feral grin.

The secretary smiled, "and I trust, with a liberal application of that large weapon you carry."

"That might have had something to do with the amount of reasonableness he displayed. I'm afraid his highness may have trouble refueling at the Seattle depot, there did not seem to be much av fuel. Do you have connections to send fuel to him?" Mark looked squarely at the secretary.

"His highness turned around before the halfway point and should be landing in fifteen minutes. Thank you for your concern, I shall inform his highness of what you said. Ah American, do you have ..?"

"I do, I am going to clean up and shall be available to meet with his highness shortly." Mark answered.

"Please be brief, his highness does not like to be kept waiting." The secretary referenced soberly.

"He can talk to Clora, she might have information for him," Mark grinned conspiratorially "I trust you to stand in as her representve, she might have information for you also. I'll hurry," he threw over his shoulder, as he started for the terminal.
 
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PacNorWest

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#603

Donny finished his first two bowls of ham and beans, took a couple of crackers for a change of taste, but then decided he could handle another bowl or two.

"You sho is skinny for as much as you eat," Tom observed with a smile.

"It's my fast metabolism, Donny said modestly "but ham and beans might make my butt look big." he wise cracked to the man who was ladling another two scoops into Donny's bowl.

"It's your fault you know. If you didn't make such good food, I wouldn't be forced to eat so much of it. I'm not sure I will ever get filled up. I remember being so hungry when I was a kid, it makes me eat more, and then another bowl, when I think about it. I'm sure I'd have died the week Ma and Dad found Andy and me. They fed us oatmeal and I remember thinking that was a terrible way to treat a person. But Ma is really smart, she knew what would not made me sick, and I remember sleeping under their watch and care. I was so scared, but I needed to sleep so bad." Donny shook his head in remembrance.

"Mr. Mark liked my grandpa, and me; I showed up at their place in Oregon with my hat in hand, hoping for a bit of Christian charity. It didn't hurt that Adoree was there; but Mr. Mark and Miss Clora told me about the problems I would face , and they were right. They was honest, but I was young and seein my future wrapped up in that little girl. I shoulda listened." he concluded sadly.

Both men were eating in comfortable silence, when Toby walked in the room. "I could smell that good smell all the way over in the office area. Is there any more?

"Plenty," Tom affirmed, and he filled a bowl. Then there were three eating quietly.



Mark paid a twenty dollar shower fee and rushed in to cleanse himself of the cave muck and stench. The nasty smelling clothes, he dumped in the trash can, and put on his cleanest dirty clothes from his duffle. He transferred the metal to the mostly empty duffle, combed his hair and listened to the wap-wap of incoming helicopters.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#604

Clora and the secretary stood in the shadow of the Bell Ranger, talking quietly. The man was most interested in discovering how Clora could tell future events, He was as superstitious as any member of his religion, and taking a daring chance talking with a unescorted woman. He was nodding, as Clora spoke to him and as the prince walked toward them.

" Wife of the American," the prince solemnly intoned, "where is your husband?"

"He will be here shortly," Clora assured the man. "The cave has a bad smelling residue in it, traces of the poison used to incapacitate Mark many years ago."

"I have heard stories about his many fetes; he is a strong willed man." The young prince seemed impressed with Mark's life and roster of seemingly super human deeds. What is it you were telling my secretary?" The man switched gears rapidly, perhaps in hopes of catching Clora off guard.

"There is something; perhaps unusual and dangerous in your latest treaty with a neighbor country. Eventually, it will not work in your favor, the money and the arms are not intended for whom you believe they will be distributed. They are a plum to certain of your enemys, to be used against you."

The young prince looked hard at the American's woman. He had just that morning received a highly confidential message detailing most of what she said. It gave him the shivers, and he smiled wanly at Mark as the man came striding across the tarmac to the small gathering.

Pleasantries were exchanged, always the formalities needed to be observed. "So, American, did you know of the plot against you?"

"Yes, your highness I did. Not as soon as I would have liked, but grateful to be notified when I was."

"Your country, it is not very supportive of men in your line of work." It sounded to Mark like a challenge from the prince. The young man needling him to admit his involvement in the shadow agency.

"I have always known there were factions that would like me dead; even some from your own country." Mark deflected the question with a reference to the prince's own secret 'death' squads.

The prince didn't smile, but acknowledged with a nod of his head that the American was successful in his thrust and parry. "Do you have any more news?" was the next question.

Mark turned to look at Clora and she nodded slightly.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#605

Clora closed her eyes and let the many images in her mind flash through. There were so many, all seemingly disconnected and out of order. "There will be war, soon, from a country you thought was a strong ally. They have been biding their time, feeling you are now weak on account the loss of your second cousin that was your military commander. They will attack from the North, and are many and strong."

The young prince nodded his acquiesce to her power. "Will I prevail?"

"Eventually, with many losses. There are explosives being planted in your many wells, your exporting is in jeopardy. You did not take our advice and marry the woman we suggested, now you have a viper in your house. Do as you will, but be very careful. Your life is in danger." Clora opened her eyes and stared into the face of the prince.

Tightening his lips at the rebuke, the prince was visibly annoyed but shifted his gaze to his secretary. "You are making notes of what she has said?" he instructed the older man.

"Yes, your highness, I have."

"Come with me, I need you to make calls." The secretary said something low to the prince, and the royal person looked up at Mark and shoot his head no. They walked away toward the royal helicopter, deep in a discussion.

Mark and Clora turned to go to the terminal, and were stopped by one of the guards, he was touching an ear bud, and said with authority, "wait. his highness has instructions for you."

Now it was Mark's turn to be annoyed, he started to say something and was stopped by Clora's hand on his arm. "We need to do this, we need to be at home as soon as possible."

"As soon as the Secretary's machine is refueled, his highness is offering you conveyance to your home." The guard intoned with perfect English.

"We accept," Mark replied formally, and then turned to Clora. "Is it safe?" he questioned.

"The sooner we go, the safer it is. There is going to be some sort of act of aggression. and all flying is going to be stopped. Let's go stand by the copter and indicate we are ready to go at a moment's notice. You can tell the prince what I have learned."Clora wasn't smiling and she moved toward the flying bird.
 
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PacNorWest

Veteran Member
#606

Mark hesitated slightly, "you're sure?"

"More sure than I want to be," Clora replied as she had to move, a truck with AV gas pulled up to the copter, and the driver motioned her to stand away. Clora moved and went to stand in the lee of the building.

Several mechanics ran out of the hanger, and swarmed the copter, checking fluids, wiping down the plexiglas and checking for the correct safety equipment was inside.

Clora let her mind wander, thinking on the danger that awaited them; not only when they got home, but the effort it would take to get there ahead of what ever the danger was.

The prince and his secretary were deep in a discussion, but they looked up when Mark approached.

"There is danger," Mark spoke without preamble, "Clora says there will be some sort of incident that will stop all air traffic, and soon," he emphasized.

"Yes," the prince answered curtly, "we just became aware."

Mark nodded and turned away, headed to where Clora was standing.

"I have a feeling that the prince knows more than first appears, and maybe mixed up in the situation." Mark felt the sour bile start to rise in his stomach.

Clora nodded her head, "I was really hoping that the rotten situations in the world had gone away. I'm disturbed that our children are living away from the retreat, but that is the consequence of their actions. Tess is aware of our problems, and she is busy calling Gary and Donny back to the house. She sent Tilly and Big to the store with a long list and told them to really put a move on."

"That's a relief, but it won't cover everything. I sure wish we were home. Say, do you think the pilot will be trustworthy?"

"Yes, The secretary will be flying with us and the prince will be close behind. I don't know why he has decided to do this, but it well affords us more protection."
 
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ReneeT

Veteran Member
Thank You, Pac - as always, a wonderful chapter!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the New Year!
 
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