CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"If what Clark believes is true, then this person isn't identifiable to anyone," said Hiro. "I mean, he or she isn't a public figure or known face."

"That's a great point," frowned AJ, "but that also makes our search even more difficult because it includes everyone who was near this op. What about her commander?"

"That's too easy," said Tanner. "If it had been her commander, she would have recognized him, and so would the Marines. I don't know. I think we're banging our heads against the wall right now. Let's step away from this for a bit. Maybe just go see how the Marines are doing."

"Might be a good idea," nodded Hiro. "If they're relaxed, maybe we can just chat with them and see what comes up."

They were about to be drenched with a torrential rain, but a little water never stopped them before. Taking the boat to the island, they were pleased to see the three men enjoying the cool breeze on the front porch. As they got off the boat, the rain unleashed, and they ran for cover.

"Nice day," smirked Crockett. "Are you guys ever going to tell us exactly where we are? I mean, it's a swamp or bayou, but that could be a half-dozen states."

"Our location is kept hidden for a reason. You guys, of all people, should understand that." AJ stared at the three men, who said nothing, just giving a curt nod. He looked at the plate of pecan and lemon bars and smiled. "I see Mama Irene has been out here."

"She was," smiled Swan. "Her and two other pretty ladies, and I do mean pretty. Ajei and Leightyn."

"They are beautiful," smirked Tanner. "And married. Ajei is married to Luke, and Leightyn is married to Dom."

"That's all I need to know," said Bremmer. "I will not fuck around with a married woman, especially one married to one of you assholes."

"Good to know," smiled Hiro. "How are you guys doing out here? Lonely?"

"At first," said Swan. "But we have to be honest. This break has been kind of nice. We've been deployed more months than not, and it was starting to get to us. We didn't realize how much. Plus, the food is damn good, the people are the nicest I've ever met, and the view is pretty amazing."

"We like to hear that," smiled AJ.

"You guys figure anything out?" asked Crockett.

"We're working on it. We know that one or all of you saw someone or something that you shouldn't have. We also know that only you all would have known what or who it was. No one is attempting to take the lives of the agents," said AJ.

"That fucking sucks," murmured Swan. "We've talked about it until we're blue in the face. I remember bad guys shooting at me, and I shot back. We'd wrap ‘em up, and the agents would take them to the chopper."

"No one in the tree line hidden? No one out of place?" asked Tanner.

"No one, brother. We even drew it out," said Crockett, handing him the sheet of paper. "You can see Clark was in the center of the open grove, trees surrounded us, the fires, and barrels were loaded on pallets for transport."

"Was there a truck?" asked AJ.

"Not that we could see, but there was evidence that one had been there. Since those barrels were full, we suspected someone was coming for them. We asked command if we could wait and bait a trap, but with the weather turning, they said we had to get out of there. Besides, you know how those mountain people can be. They're really territorial, and no matter what, stick up for their neighbors."

"Well, someone was there, and Clark or all of you saw who it was. One of you will remember sooner or later. You guys have everything you need?" asked Hiro.

"Brother, this is better than a five-star hotel," smirked Swan. "I don't think we want to go back."

"We can talk about that later," smiled Hiro. "Since it's still coming down, we may hang out for a while. Anyone up for a game of chess?"

The Marines stared at him, frowning, and he laughed.

"How about a game of Warhammer?" asked AJ.

"Dude, now you're talking my language," said Bremmer. Crockett and Swan laughed at their friend, shaking their heads. "What's so funny? I'm good at this."

"You might be good at it, but he's a certifiable genius, just like his old man. I'm ready to watch this shit."

Three hours later, the rain was gone, and Bremmer was questioning all of his life choices. AJ was trying to be humble, but Bremmer baited him by bragging about how great he was and only the Marines were qualified to play the game.

"I believe that's my game," smiled AJ.

"Asshole," muttered Bremmer. He held up his hands, shaking his head. "I get it. You warned me. My fault for believing I could even touch you."

"In fairness," smirked AJ, "One of our own helped to develop some of the background games on this. I sort of had a front-row seat to its birth."

"Shit," muttered Crockett, laughing at his friend. He shook his head then his expression sobered.

"What's wrong?" asked Hiro.

"The trees. There was a tree house at the site. Not really a tree house. More like a fancy deer stand where someone could watch the entire event. It looked like someplace where someone could sleep or hide, so I sent one of the agents to check it out. I never followed up with him because I thought his own leader would do it. By the time we left, I never thought anything else of it."

"Did he? Did he follow up and go into that tree house? It's important. Did he go up there?" frowned AJ.

"I don't know. I didn't see him again after that."