Angrily Andrew retorts, “Dammit, if I wanted anything from him I’d ask for it. All I’m doing is fucking recon on a mission for the Church. What the hell is his problem? And why did you go and say you were my wife?”
Trying to calm Andrew, “Seemed like the best cover at the time and Damien has lots of problems; namely sending me somewhere even I knew I wasn’t needed nor wanted. Even when I met up with you in Brazil I could see you had things handled, barely, but you had them under control. The only reason I joined in was to keep him off my back.”
Sighing heavily, Andrew questions Kimiko, “So what did he tell you? Why did you get sent? And just what are you? I saw the way you fight and I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Laughing slightly, Kimiko sits on the bed to answer Andrew’s inquiries. “Long story short, I’m a six hundred,” stopping to do the math in her head, “seventy-nine year old vampire, whose husband was in Damien’s debt. After he was killed I took up my husband’s sword and unknowingly, his debt. So when Damien comes to me with work, like you, I must oblige. And besides I get ridiculously bored.”
Sighing, “Look, I apologize if my attitude is off-putting, but I really don’t like surprises on the job, especially when they’re courtesy of Damien. I’m going to head out and get some air, find some food, maybe a bar. Go ahead settle in here. There’s pizza and booze on the way just leave here for later I guess, unless you want any then have at it. Do us the favor though and see if you can find a phone book and numbers for charter boats we can call tomorrow.”
Smiling sweetly, Kimiko replies, “Sure thing. Don’t get to crazy out there, I don’t want to have to come looking for you.”
As Andrew rolls over in bed and peeks his eyes open to the morning light; he is scared awake to see someone other than Rachel, he jumps back and out of bed, waking Kimiko, “Is everything ok?”
Catching his breath, “Yea just startled waking up to someone that’s not my girlfriend.” Rubbing his hands over his face, “This is going to be a long trip.” With realization that she had moved from the couch to his bed, “Wait a minute what the hell were you doing sleeping next to me anyway?!”
Laughing out loud, Kimiko reassures him, “That couch sucks balls, at least for sleeping on, and don’t worry I was a perfect lady as you were a gentleman.” Laughing, I can’t believe you’re just realizing that I was even in the same bed as you.”
Sighing with relief, “I sure as hell hope you were proper.”
Kimiko questioning the name, “So who’s Rachel?”
“My girlfriend.”
“Damn”
“What?”
Kimiko snapping back to reality and avoiding the awkwardness, “So I found one lead on a charter boat that should get us to Saint Jerome Island.”
Andrew perking up to the news, “Sweet, where’s the number I’ll call ‘em up right now see when we can get out there.”
Kimiko points to the table where some papers lay, “Bob and Marley’s High Speed Charters.”
“Sweet,” Andrew laughs as he takes the paper in hand and makes the call. “Yea, I need to charter a boat for two for a day...Saint Jerome Island…Cash?!...Shit. Well since you’re the last option I have no choice, do it. I’ll be there 8 a.m. in the morning.”
Later the same night, Andrew goes over his plan for the next day and he and Kimiko pack their gear for the morning’s trip. “All I plan on doing is making land fall out of sight of the mission and make our way to this hill here,” pointing to an open map on the table next to him. “It should give us a perfect look out and view of most of the mission; we can take tons of pics and see what’s really going on before we go down there.”
Confirming the plan, Kimiko nods, “Yea that’d be best. In my experience the situation that’s befallen the mission sounds like bad juju. I’d bet money that foul play is responsible for the silence.”
Andrew sighs with dread, “Yea, that’s what I’m afraid of. But then again that’s what we’re here for: kill the baddies.”
Kimiko laughs, “I’d almost think you like doing this.”
Zipping up his back pack full of gear, “Not in the least,” In an over sarcastic manner. “But I’m tired as fuck all and going to bed, peace out.” Andrew gets from his seat, and tosses himself under the covers of the bed and is soon passed out.
Smiling contently, “Adorable,” Kimiko mutters under her breath as she finishes her packing and cuddles down on the couch.
“WHAT?!” Marley exclaims at the request to remain at sea as Andrew and Kimiko are on mission.
Pleading Andrew offers more money. “Look I have $1200 cash in hand here. All I need for you to do is stay within radio distance of the island until tomorrow; I don’t know what we’ll find or how long it’ll take.”
Marley thinking about it, “I’m already keeping my mouth shut that you guys are brining rifles and swords and shit out here.”
Kimiko interjects, “Marley, this mission is undoubtedly under control of something or someone that doesn’t work for the Church or for the people it serves. We’re here to find out and stop whatever foul play is going on here, so please help us help the people of Saint Jerome.”
Shaking his head Marley agrees, “Fine; give me the cash and radio.”
Andrew elated, shakes Marley’s hand, “Thank you.”
Kimiko and Andrew depart from the boat and head to shore. Kimiko inquires to Andrew, “Do you think we should have just bought our own damn boat?”
Andrew stumbles as he breaks out in laughter, “Nope this was way easier.”
The two hunters stay low and quiet as they trek toward their preapproved hilltop location. As they make their way throw the tropical forest of the island, they find that there is little to no wildlife. The only animals that they see or hear are a small flock of giant kingbirds. Curious, Kimiko comments, “In all the times I’ve been here, I’ve never seen birds like that.”
Sigh with dread, Andrew replies,“Great.”
Reaching the hilltop, they stop to set up a camp of sorts. While Kimiko readies the camera and sound equipment, Andrew sets up a computer and control stick for a mini surveillance drone. Kimiko surprised at Andrew’s level of tech gear, inquires, “Where the hell did you get that.”
Smiling sarcastically, Andrew answers, “It’s amazing what one can get with the right connections.”
Shaking her head, Kimiko takes up the camera and positions herself behind a tree overlooking the mission. She scans the lay of the land and snaps a few wide shots. There are several children playing on a playground next to the school house. A few monks are busy at work in the gardens in front of the rectory that sits right of the church. Several acres of land behind the church are home to various types of crops and flowers. In the corner adjacent the church and school house sets a large barn and fenced enclosure, but there is no sign that animals are present. The church building itself has signs that it’s not been well kept for the past three months. Four barracks style huts sit opposite the school house and have signs of hard use from their years of service to the mission. At the center of the town stands a large wooden cross, worn from its years of weathering. Kimiko zooms the camera in on any person’s face she can so that they can be cross checked with the directory in the computer. Kimiko notices a group of children leaving the third barracks and following awkwardly behind a man dressed in a black suit and tie; Kimiko snaps a shot of him and the children.
Calling over her should to Andrew, “Come over here and take a look at this guy. He’s definitely out of place with that suit and all.”
Andrew takes up his binoculars and zeros his sight in on the man. “That boy looks way to proper for a place like this. And those kids don’t look like they trust him at all.”
The man leads the children to the church and the doors are closed behind them. Andrew gets from his position and finishes his preparation of the drone.
Copyright 2014 Monkey Boy AJ - All Rights Reserved