they have picked a different route. Which may be part of the problem. Kelly Oil may be squeezing off one of their supply routes.”
She nodded. “Now I’m starting to see the big picture. Because you were involved in the drug trade, you know what to look for.”
“That, and the fact we controlled Maverick County at one time and we kind of know who looks right and who doesn’t. Plus, as I said, we have some experience protecting high value targets. We’re not exactly popular with the Escorpión Cartel, but if we find out it is the Escorpión Cartel that’s causing issues, we may be able to warn them off before someone gets hurt.”
She popped a chip into her mouth and crunched as she thought. “Can we start over?”
“Start over?”
She grinned and stuck her hand across the table. “Hi! I’m Winter. I understand you’re my new security team.”
He chuckled and took her hand. “Nice to meet you, Winter. I’m Kade Goddard. I’m here to help keep you safe while not being a pain in your ass.”
She giggled as she leaned back in her chair. “I’m sorry I came across as such a bitch. I thought Aunt Gail had lost her ever-loving mind, but I’m starting to see the logic in her decision.”
When she smiled her entire face lit up, making her more attractive still. “It’s okay. I know how most people view what we did. I never liked it myself, but that’s behind us now and we are trying to look to the future. That’s why this job is important to us. It may be a way for us to break into a legitimate business and get back on our feet, so we’re vested in keeping you safe. I don’t think your Aunt Gail will give us a positive recommendation if we let you get killed.”
She was taking a sip of her pop when he spoke and had to struggle mightily not to spit it out as she laughed.
CHAPTER THREE
“Thumper One, Thumper Three. I have a low pressure light on the vibration hydraulics.” Winter looked up from her computer and gave a listen. “Hang on, I’m going to take a look,” Thumper Three said.
“Uh-oh, that’s not good,” Charlie said softly. There was a long pause as Charlie, Winter and Everly Dickerson watched the radio.
This was their second day in the latest section, five days after they had set up security around Winter, and it was the first break in the routine. Everly, Big Dick to his brothers, was almost glad. This was his first time babysitting, and his second turn in the truck.
Sitting in the recording truck, listening the radio chatter and Winter and Charlie talk about stuff that may as well have been in Manchurian for all the sense it made to him, made his head hurt. He spent most his time wandering around outside because at least then he didn’t have to listen to them discuss things like non-normal incidence, receive offsets, data migration, or his current favorite, deconvolution. He made the mistake of asking a question, and listening to Winter answer was about as convoluted as it got. After that, he didn’t ask any more questions and decided as hot as it was, he’d rather be out in the field. Out there he could watch the occasional rabbit, which was at least something he understood.
“Charlie? You copy?”
“Charlie here. Go ahead, Greg.”
“We’ve blown a hydraulic line to the vibration plate on Thumper Three. You’ll need to call it in.”
“Roger that,” Charlie said as Winter picked up her phone and started dialing. “We’re calling it in now.”
“Tell him we’ll send the crew van to get them. No point in them sitting out there,” she instructed.
“Winter said to send the crew van so you don’t cook. She’s such a good boss,” Charlie repeated into the mic.
Greg chuckled. “Yes she is, but don’t tell her I said that.”
“Steve! I’ve got a blown vibrator plate hose on a thumper. How soon can you get here and get it replaced?” She listened a moment. “Really?