The Hitman's Last Job(39)

“Here you go guys! Vegan lasagne and gluten free bread rolls,” and she sashayed away.


Anna looked to her plate and realized how hungry she was. She hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days and she dug her fork in eagerly.

“You OK baby?” Carl asked as he ran a finger through her hair.


She nodded as she chewed and Carl thought she looked beautiful despite her cheeks becoming fat as she stuffed them with bread.

“So,” he continued. “I think it’s time I officially introduce you to Chuck. This guy here is one of my best buddies,” Carl outstretched an arm to his friend. “Known him since my old Navy training days,”
“Yup! Except I was never cut out for a life in the military,” Chuck chuckled as he mopped up sauce with a piece of bread.
“So what did you do instead?” Anna asked.


There was an awkward silence across the table before finally Mathilda sat down and answered.

“He illegally prints an anti-government conspiracy magazine. Don’t you sweetheart?” she kissed him on the cheek and he blushed.


Anna wasn’t sure she heard right and stared blankly at Carl for more of an answer.

“What’s an anti-government conspiracy?” she eventually asked.
“Hey, it’s not as dirty as it sounds,” Chuck interjected. “I mainly write about aliens, the moon landing hoax, hybrid human-animal creations you know, stuff like that.


But she didn’t know what he was talking about and asked, “What moon landing hoax? And how is that ‘illegal’?”

“Oh God, don’t get him started,” Carl smacked his old friend on the back.
“So what are we doing here? I mean, no offence Chuck,” and she looked to her plate nervously.
“Well this good man has a side business and is somewhat of a master of printing,”
“Well if you say so,” Chuck winked. “But yeah I can print anything you can think of. And I think I can guess what you’re looking for……Hmmmm… Would it be ID by any chance?”
“Bingo,” laughed Carl.
“But why? What’s going on?”
“I won’t bore you with the details,” Carl began. “But we need my… friend over the border in the next twenty four hours and she doesn’t have a passport,”
“Ooohh bummer,” smiled Chuck. “But yeah, that’s no bother. Anything for a friend,”


~

Dinner passed slowly with the two men regaling the girls with tales of their Navy days. But after a while Anna started to feel her eyelids grow heavy. A clock on the kitchen wall read midnight and more than anything she wanted to go to bed. She looked around behind her into the warehouse and couldn’t imagine where the couple slept.

“You tired sweetheart?” Carl placed a hand affectionately on her back and rubbed her gently.
“Urgh… yeah,” Anna yawned and rubbed her eyes.
“Well I’ll show you where you can stay,” Chuck stood up to clear the table. “Just give me two minutes,” and the eccentric couple disappeared over to the sink.


Meanwhile Anna and Carl shuffled back into the warehouse area and found a dark corner.

“I don’t like this,” Anna fumed once again. “What the hell is going on? You knew we were coming here the whole time didn’t you?” she pushed him in the chest.
“Woah, calm down,” he held her by the shoulders. “Don’t get all worked up. I had an idea that perhaps he could help us out if we ever got to San Antonio. I promise. I wasn’t conspiring against you or something like that. He’s here to help us. He’ll get you a passport,”
“He’s a freakin’ wackjob Carl…and a vegan. Plus he runs an underground, illegal alien magazine. That’s completely insane,” Anna felt as though she was about to tear out her hair.
“Look I can understand that you’re on edge. You’re tired, stressed, terrified I get it ok. But we’ll be outta here in the morning and on our way. I’m here for you, you know that?” he held her under her chin and lifted her face to look him in the eye.


She nodded sheepishly.

“Yeah I know,” she sighed.


Carl smiled weakly, “It’s just to get you a passport, then we’re done,”

“I dunno. There’s still something that’s really creeping me out. How do you know this guy? And why does he owe you a favour?”
“I told you, we trained together. Well… there’s something else but I’ll wait until we’re in bed until I tell you,”
“And where exactly is this bed?”


Anna huffed again and leaned against the wall. Despite the mild temperature the building felt cold and damp. She’d never wanted out of anywhere so much in a long time. Why did a married couple live in a converted warehouse. Something just seemed so crazy. And Chuck… she imagined him going to sleep wearing a tin hat.

“Hey guys, hiding in dark corners I see. That’s the spirit!” Chuck laughed heartily as he found them. “Now let me show you to your room,” he gestured with his hand for them to follow him.


And he led them to a flight of stairs that looked as though it plummeted into total darkness.

“I’m not going down there,” Anna was adamant.
“I promise it’s not as bad as you think,” Chuck grinned as though he were onto a great secret.