Cloud Invasion: R-D 2 (R-D #2)(49)
"Huh," she snorted. I wanted to laugh. It was a joke between them-I could see that easily enough.
"Here's the address in Chicago," he handed a slip of paper to Rafe. "Go there first; you'll find your dossiers and everything else you'll need, including appropriate clothing and plane tickets. There's a van there, too, for you to drive to the airport. Don't worry about picking it up later-somebody else will do that."
"So, we have IDs waiting, and I'm just making us look like those IDs?" I asked.
"That's the plan."
"Sounds fine, then."
"Good. I'll get a cab to the airport, I need to be there in an hour," James said. "Don't contact us until after you get to Chicago, and use your new covers when you do."
*
The location in Chicago was a business address-one used in the past by Director Michaels for his agents. Inside a meeting room we found bags, file folders, plane tickets and anything else we'd need for the trip to Colombia.
"Efficient," Rafe proclaimed as he studied his dossier.
"I'm a former medic," Richard turned his photograph around so I could look.
"You look like you're four feet tall," Maye frowned at the photo.
"Five-six," he corrected her with a smile. "What, you don't date shorter men?"
"I'd date you any day," she whispered. He laughed.
By the time I was finished disguising everybody, including matching their height and weight, I felt tired. At least our flights weren't until the following morning, so I spent several hours beneath the sunlamps Matt had thoughtfully supplied.
*
"I have to get used to this," Ilya nuzzled my cheek while we dressed early the following morning. I understood what he was saying-I was Latina and a former Marine, according to my dossier, and was the member of the team responsible for any necessary translations.
The language I could do. The Marine part? I hoped nobody asked me to arm wrestle.
Ilya, on the other hand, was now blond with cloudy blue eyes, slightly shorter and packed with muscles. I guess I could get him to do my arm wrestling.
Renata Jimenez and Trey Henson. What a couple.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I'm ready, Trey."
"I hate that name already."
"You're not Trey material-the normal you, that is."
"I'm glad you see it that way."
"Please keep your comments about Renata to yourself," I warned.
"I would not demean you or Renata," he gave me his most innocent expression.
"Good, because Renata would retaliate."
He snickered. "Come on, blond boy," I took his arm and steered him toward the door. "Let's go to the airport."
*
One of Matt's investigators met us at the airport in Bogotá and drove us away in an armored van. "Step carefully around Captain Finch," Lieutenant Nathan Cross said as he drove us through the streets of the city.
Captain Finch was the commander of the investigative team Matt and Auggie had assembled-we'd gotten their dossiers, too. I understood one thing from Nathan's words-Finch had no love for private contractors, even if they were ex-military. Perhaps Maye should teach him a lesson.
"We're not here to cause trouble," Opal said. She was blonde, too, and somewhat shorter than she normally was.
"I guess what I'm saying is this-just stay out of his way. Everybody will be happier."
"We're here to do a job," Rafe snapped. "Perhaps it would be better if he stayed out of our way."
Honey, I can send him to Bora Bora if he messes with us, I sent.
I will not get into a pissing contest with someone suffering from ego issues, Ilya's words were a growl in my head.
"I don't believe we'll be stepping on anyone's toes," Richard offered. "You're here to investigate the crash site. We're here to track the ones responsible."
"We're supposed to provide information on what type of missile or bomb was used," Nathan began.
"We will welcome any information. However, I believe we may be able to get work done while waiting for it," Richard responded.
"You have leads?" He sounded surprised.
"We have some information. If Captain Finch needs anything, then have him send someone to me. I'll be happy to share what I have."
"Then I'm asking now," Nathan said.
"We may have coordinates for the missile," Maye said. "From satellite images. We'll investigate that first, while you're working at the crash site."
"Ground missile, like they're saying?" Nathan was more than curious.
"That's the information we currently have," she replied. "Our first priority is to check that site, to see whether we can determine who may have fired it."
"Wow-this is more intense than I thought it would be," Nathan shook his head. "Look, we're quartered outside Bogotá, on the eastern edge of San Cristobal. You'll be in the building next to ours. Supplies and vehicles are provided-you're responsible for your own meals."
"Not a problem," Rafe said.
The crash site was in Chingaza National Park, not far from a glacial lake. Part of the Andes, Chingaza was natural and beautiful-except for the burned area where nearly three hundred people died. In San Cristobal, we'd be stationed as close as we could be while still within sight of civilization.