The Price of Disrespect (Gray Spear Society Book 6) (10 page)

She looked up at the clock on the wall. Her bus would be here in ten minutes.

Twenty minutes later, she was starting to get concerned. The bus system wasn't known for always being on-time, but there had been no announcement. She urgently needed to get out of here.

A man sat beside her. "Are you hard of hearing?" he asked.

She turned to him. She wasn't surprised to find Aaron sitting there with a very irritated expression.

"No," she said.

"What was that little word we talked about before?"

"No, sir."

He furrowed his brow. "Then maybe my orders weren't clear. I tried to be as explicit as possible. I told you to meet me at the Art Institute." He looked at the ticket in her hand. "I guess you thought I meant the Art Institute in Indianapolis, if there is such a place. Next time, I'll be sure to mention the city I expect you to be in."

"How did you find me?"

"My organization is very good at finding people, but you made it trivial this time."

She closed her eyes and lowered her head. "The credit card. The charge was in my name. You delayed the bus to keep me here?"

"Of course. Get up! Let's go. You've wasted enough of my time."

Tawni dragged her suitcase as she followed Aaron outside. She shuffled her feet like a condemned prisoner. She had screwed up again.

He wore a casual blue suit that bulged around the chest and shoulders in an odd way.

She realized why. "Are you wearing body armor?"

"Yes," he said. "This protest could turn dangerous. I'm well armed, too."

"Do I get body armor, sir?"

"When we get there. I picked a whole outfit for you."

She hated the idea of wearing clothes he had picked. No doubt they were slutty and tasteless.

He led her to a white minivan with heavily tinted back windows. He slid open the side door. She was surprised to find two people waiting: a muscular man with curly, brown hair and a boy.

"This gentleman is Norbert," Aaron said. "I'm sure you remember him from the other night. Our young friend here is Wesley."

Tawni couldn't stop herself from staring at Wesley. His face was so pink and smooth it looked like plastic. She wanted to run her fingers through his silky, brown hair. His most remarkable feature was his eyes. The astonishing blue color glistened in the light of the setting sun.

"Are you wearing contact lenses?" she said.

He shook his head. "No."

"Then what the fuck is wrong with your eyes? They look like crystals."

"What the fuck is wrong with your attitude?" he responded in a voice as enchanting as beautiful music. He seemed to sing the words.

She drew back. "What?"

"You're disrespectful, undisciplined, and crude."

"You don't know a damn thing about me, you little punk!"

He sneered. "I can read you like a book."

Aaron chuckled.

Tawni glared at him. "What's so funny?"

"It's going to be fun watching you two work together," he said. "Get in."

She found a seat behind Wesley. Several gray duffle bags were stored in the back of the van, and she wondered about their contents. Aaron took the driver's seat. He pulled away from the bus station and headed towards the center of Chicago.

"Little kids should respect their elders," Tawni muttered.

Wesley turned around. "I should respect you?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know who I am?"

"Wesley!" Aaron yelled. "She doesn't know, and you're absolutely not going to tell her."

Wesley slouched in his seat.

Tawni couldn't stop looking at the boy. He was too perfect to be real.

"Sir," she said, "why are we bringing a kid along? You told me this could be dangerous."

"An excellent question," Aaron replied in a sour tone.

She waited for him to elaborate, but he just scowled instead.

She noticed the windows of the van were an inch thick.
Bulletproof?

He drove to a downtown parking garage and went in. He went around and around, passing plenty of open spots, until he found an entire section that was unoccupied. He parked where there was space on all sides of the van.

He turned off the engine but everybody remained in their seat. Aaron checked the mirrors and Norbert looked out the windows. Wesley craned his neck.

"What are we waiting for?" Tawni said.

"We're checking for threats," Aaron said.

"What kind of threats?"

He didn't answer. She shook her head in amazement.
These guys are insanely paranoid.

Aaron finally got out of the van. He took one last look around and nodded. "All clear."

Norbert and Wesley stepped out, and Tawni followed them.

Aaron opened the back doors and rummaged around until he found a big cloth bag. He handed it to her. "Clothes go over the body armor."

She took the bag and found it was quite heavy. She looked inside. Aaron had chosen a yellow knit sweater with long sleeves and a full neck. There was a long, brown skirt with an elastic belt. Generic white tennis shoes were at the bottom of the bag. The clothes were surprisingly boring and modest. She realized they would help her blend into a crowd.

The bag also contained body armor with a gray and black pattern that reminded her of a tabby cat. It looked like real military grade stuff.

"Hurry up!" Aaron said.

Tawni got into the van and closed the door. Changing in the confined space took a few minutes. She left her old clothes on her seat and got back out.

He nodded when he saw her. "Much better. Now pick a weapon."

"I get a gun?" she said.

"Of course. Look in the back."

She opened one of the gray duffle bags in the back of the van, and her eyes widened. It contained a lot of very nice guns of all types and sizes. There was even a MAC-11 machine pistol which was completely illegal. She checked the clip and found it was full of hollow-point bullets.

It gave her an idea.

"I know what you're thinking," Aaron said. "You want to point that gun at me. You're tired of me keeping you in the dark and treating you like dog crap. It's time you finally got some answers. Am I right?"

She didn't look at him. "Yes, sir." Was she so obvious?

"It would be the last mistake you ever made. But if you promise you won't do anything stupid, you can have the gun. I suggest you wear it on your belly under your sweater. I'll find a holster for you."

He helped her locate the MAC-11 in a place where it wouldn't cause much of a bulge. He also gave her a revolver, which she wore on her thigh under her skirt. With all the weapons, she felt like a soldier again.

"What if I have to shoot somebody?" she said.

"Then shoot," he said.

"I don't want to go to prison for murder."

"Don't worry. If I believe the act was justified, I'll get you out."

She looked at Norbert and Wesley. Norbert wore a dark green corduroy shirt and blue jeans. A few bulges here and there indicated he also wore body armor over his entire torso. Even Wesley had protection. A red pullover shirt with a picture of a football looked too bulky for his thin body.

"Is he full of shit?" Tawni asked. "Can he really get me out of a murder charge?"

Norbert nodded. "Easily."

"One more thing," Aaron said. "We're here to observe the protest, but Wesley's safety is far more important. If the situation gets ugly, we're leaving. Tawni, I'm relying on you. If Norbert and I are taken out, Wesley's life will be in your hands. Stay with him. He'll tell you what to do."

Tawni looked at the boy. "You want me to take orders from this brat?"

"Yes. You have to keep him safe. It's absolutely critical. Do you understand?"

"Sure."

Aaron put a big hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He looked into her eyes and said, "This isn't a joke."

The serious expression on his face warned her to be careful. She noticed Norbert had a hand under his shirt in a place where a gun was probably hidden.

"I will," she said nervously. "Don't worry."

Aaron let go of her shoulder. "I'll take the lead. Norbert, bring up the rear. Watch our backs."

"Yes, sir," Norbert said.

They were on the fifth floor of the parking garage, but Aaron walked past the elevator and took the stairwell down instead. As soon as they had a little privacy, he drew a large pistol with a suppressor from inside his jacket. He moved silently and smoothly down the stairs, and his gracefulness impressed Tawni. The man was definitely a pro.

She realized Norbert and Wesley were just as silent. The only footsteps she heard were her own.

Aaron put the gun away just before he walked outside. The group emerged into the orange light of a setting sun. The air had cooled a little, and Tawni was glad she wore a sweater. It was still too early in the spring for consistently warm weather.

The streets were crowded with cars, and pedestrians filled the sidewalks. The population of Chicago was trying to get home at the end of a work day. Aaron led the group west towards the Art Institute of Chicago.

Wesley suddenly raised his head. "Aaron, they're here."

"I know." Aaron nodded slowly. "They picked us up when we stepped out of the garage. It's like they knew where we would be."

Tawni looked over her shoulder but didn't see anything suspicious.

"Are we going to do something about it, sir?" Wesley said.

Aaron's shoulders sagged. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

"They shouldn't be here!" Wesley stomped his foot. "I told them to stay away from me."

Tawni looked again. The people on the sidewalk appeared normal enough. Norbert was glancing in all directions while trying to be subtle about it. She was glad to see she wasn't alone in her confusion.

"They're just keeping an eye on you," Aaron said.

"I don't want them to!"

"They're not bothering us. Are you really going to make a big deal out of this?"

"Yes, sir," Wesley said firmly.

"Damn." Aaron looked around. He pointed at a convenience store with a red and green sign. "In there." He headed in that direction.

Tawni hung back and whispered to Norbert. "Who is following us?"

"You don't want to know." He shook his head. "Just play deaf and dumb."

Everybody walked into the store. The smell of hot dogs and chili reminded her she hadn't eaten much today. Refrigerators filled with beverages lined the back wall. An Asian man with a stupefied expression stood behind the counter.

Aaron led the group to a back corner. A shelf full of potato chips and other snacks provided a little privacy. He crossed his arms and sighed.

After a minute, he said loudly, "We're waiting for you. You might as well say hello."

Two men and two women came around the end of the shelf.

One of the men immediately grabbed Tawni's attention. He was huge. A shaggy black beard and black sunglasses gave him a very menacing appearance. He wore a gray cloak that covered his whole body. It was cut in an old-fashioned style and had light stains in spots.

The man beside him was almost as tall but much thinner. He had gray hair, but for an old man he seemed to be in great shape. His gray business suit looked tailored and expensive. He carried a silver cane but wasn't leaning on it for support.

"Where are you taking the Child?" The old man pronounced the last word like a formal title.

"To a protest," Aaron said.

"That seems rather risky."

"He was insistent."

Tawni was having difficulty looking at the old man. Her attention kept wandering even though she was trying hard to pay attention. Frustrated and perplexed, she looked at his two female companions.

One was a Japanese woman who was tall enough to play professional basketball. A solid rope of black hair went down the middle of her back. She wore a loose gray sweat suit that concealed the shape of her body, but she seemed big.

The other woman was a short blonde. Her face was so flushed Tawni could see the arteries pulsing. Oversized muscles bulged all over the woman's body to the point of looking weird and ugly. She obviously used massive amounts of steroids.

It was a very strange group. Tawni couldn't see what they had in common.

"I can do risky stuff if I want!" Wesley said. "It's my life."

"Not entirely. You have obligations," the old man said.

"According to who? Where is that written down?"

"You know it's the truth."

Wesley stomped his little foot. "I decide the truth! That's my job. And I decided you guys need to go away."

"We're not servants," the old man said. "You can't just dismiss us. We're responsible for protecting you."

Tawni rubbed her temples. Forcing herself to look at him was making her dizzy. She didn't understand why.

She noticed Norbert was pale. He was shifting his weight with obvious nervousness, and his hand hovered near his belt buckle. Seeing his reaction made her worry.

"You picked that job," Wesley said. "I never had anything to say about it."

"Somebody had to do it. Why not us? We're the best."

"Why does somebody have to do it?"

"Because you are who you are," the old man said.

"That's the problem! I don't want to be—" Wesley stopped and glanced at Tawni. "—Me."

The old man turned his attention to her. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Charles. You are?"

"Tawni. What's the deal here? Why are you assholes harassing this kid? Are any of you his parents?"

Everybody stiffened. She immediately knew she had made some kind of mistake.

The Japanese woman narrowed her eyes and walked over until they were only inches apart. Tawni was a big girl and wasn't used to looking up at other women, but this one towered over her.

"Aaron," she said, "who is this ignorant person?"

"A new recruit," Aaron said.

"Hey!" Tawni said. "I can speak for myself. Back off, sister."

There was a flash of movement. Suddenly, a sword was pressed against Tawni's neck. She looked down at two feet of razor sharp, polished steel.

"Excuse me?" the Japanese woman said.

Tawni held very still. She had never seen anybody move like that. The sword looked like an authentic katana.