Read Carlie Simmons (Book 2): In Too Deep for Free Online Page A

federal armored car heists a
few years back. Wonder why he reared his head in Tucson?”
    “Well, he did save your hide back there
on the highway near Tucson,” said Carlie.
    “Yeah, yeah, I know,” said Shane,
rubbing the back of his neck and grimacing. “That’s something that no amount of
liquor is ever going to help me forget.”
    “And here’s the best part—you’re gonna
love this—we need him for this next adventure.”
    “How’s that? He’s not former military.”
    “I’ve been going through all of the
available personnel records on General Adams’ computer, looking for people at
this base who are from New Orleans. Jared is it—he’s our best bet for getting
through that city without incident.”
    “Carlie, you just looked at the same rap
sheet I did. This guy’s a ‘bitch’—a habitual criminal.”
    “If this were two days ago, I’d agree
but with the world the way it is now, where is he going to run to? Given the
line of work he’s been in, he probably operates well under pressure and can
keep his cool when things get dicey. He seems like he’s got a softer side that
can be appealed to,” she said with a slight smile. “Besides, I’ll present him with
the illusion of choice so he feels he has a say in the matter.”

 
    Chapter 7
     
    “So let me get this straight. You want
me to play tour guide through the French Quarter to some rusty frigate with a
bunch of rotting feds where the virus started? So, you can, what—get some
closure on how the world went down the toilet and sleep better at night?” said
Jared, who was standing across from Shane, Matias, and Amy, who were sitting on
folding chairs after listening to Carlie explain their mission.
    “Look, the handful of scientists here
and around the country are a long way from decoding this disease and figuring
out a cure,” said Carlie. “There are some items on that ship that could help us
track down where this thing may have originated. Once we understand that, we
may be able to find out what we’re dealing with and provide intel on how to
combat it. It’s either come with us or stay here on a short leash with the MPs
doing sanitation duty in the emergency room.”
    Jared sat in silence against a desk,
rubbing the whiskers on his chin. His eyes darted around the room like a rodent
caught in a leghold trap. “Listen, sister, I’ll go but I ain’t in this for your
little science quest. If I guide you through the city to the pier, I expect to
be compensated.”
    “Compensated—this guy’s incredible,”
said Shane. “What, do you want a bag of gold Rolexes to hawk after hours so you
can keep yourself in hair gel and smokes?”
    “What I want is between Carlie and
myself or it’s no deal—and sweetie,” he said with a half-smile, “it ain’t
anything that’s going to cause the Sheriff here to get an ulcer over. I am a
southern gent after all,” he said with a chuckle, looking at Shane.
    Shane narrowed his eyes, pulling Carlie
aside. “You’re sure there’s no other way we can avoid having to bring Chicken Gumbo
with us?”
    “Not if we want to get in and out
quickly,” she said, whispering to him and then walking back around Jared. “One
thing’s for sure, we gotta get you trained up a little bit with basic firearms
usage and tactics before we depart.”
    “I can handle a piece just fine.”
    “Did you already forget the two-gun
fiasco at the bridge near Tucson—because I sure didn’t. You’re a walking poster
for friendly fire.”
    “You mean the Wild West shooting I did to
save your boyfriend’s life,” he said. “You know, Shane still hasn’t given me a bro-hug.”
    “That’s enough—are you in or out because
all I’ve heard so far is a lot of chest thumping,” said Carlie.
    “Sure, count me in. With you, me, the
Sheriff here, and Matias, it looks like the Fantastic Four will save the
world.”
    “Actually there will be five of us and
another team when we insert.” Carlie looked over at