Caged Eagles (26 page)

“What are you watching?”

“Does it matter?” Caden, with a mouth full of food, pointed at the television. Women in string bikinis filled the screen. Some were in a pool while others rubbed lotion on each other's naked torsos. Trevor felt like throwing up. They only reminded him of Brandi, tasteless. He grabbed two more pieces of bread and went into the bathroom. After he showered he returned to find the men in the exact same positions they had been in fifteen minutes earlier.

“I think it's time to go.” He pulled a clean shirt over his head and shoved the dirty one into his bag. Cesar flicked his cigarette butt to the ground below.

“Hey, do you realize that is polluting the world! That is against the law–get down here and pick that up!” A stranger two stories below bellowed.

“Bite me.” Cesar leaned out the window and gave him a crude gesture. Trevor laughed and shook his head.

Caden said, “Romero, you know the guy has a point.”

“They pissed me off when they made it a law; otherwise I'd throw it in the ash tray.” He pointed to the tray three feet away on a dresser.

“Don't force Romero, or he'll get irate,” Caden concluded.

Trevor then said, “You know those cancer sticks are just going to kill you one day.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Cesar ignored Trevor and walked out the door with his baggage. Trevor shrugged to Caden and both men walked out behind their friend.

Trevor drove through the dark night. The previous couple of days had made him nervous. He was sure the four agencies would eventually have the story put together; it was just a matter of time. Laney's organization would then be in a lot of trouble. They had to hurry. He knew they would have scouts out looking for them. What mattered was Forrest. He had to deflect it somehow. Trevor had to find a phone. He needed to talk to Laney.

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Trevor pulled over at three thirty in the morning to let Cesar take over the wheel. He made a quick call to Forrest on a pay phone. Everyone had done their job. Later that afternoon they would meet a man by the name of the Captain.

He climbed back into the E.V. and buckled his seatbelt. Trevor didn't think he would sleep well in the car, but he did. Not a single dream disturbed him either. When he awoke to the bright sunlight peeking over the horizon for a new day, and to Cesar's cigarette smoke, he knew they were within hours of their fortune or doom.

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Trevor and Cesar strolled calmly onto the elevator and the square-shouldered guard pushed the fifth-floor button. There were only five stories to this old twentieth century building. Trevor wasn't sure when it was built, but everything about its square, silver, perfect dimensions screamed 1900s.

“Ding.” The elevator informed them of their arrival. Yes, the elevator dinged–he hadn't heard that sound in ages.

“The Captain is at the end of the hallway, knock first.” The guard gave them no name and left them standing alone in the hallway. It was weird to see what was just American land months ago was now under foreign rule. Many buildings had been bombed and destroyed, sometimes one building out of a group, other times a whole section of the city.

“Come in.” Trevor opened the door. The Captain had slick black hair and a broad chest he stuck out in front of him when he stood and walked toward them. He held out his hand and waited for Trevor shake it.

“Please have a seat.” His accent was not strong. “Who are you?”

“I'm Trevor Wells.”

“I have word that you gentlemen were associated with Blaine Martin. Yes?” Trevor opened his mouth to speak but the Captain continued. “I'm aware of your history; we have been studying everything about this country for years. That includes Blaine Martin, his rebellion, and those of his supporters who would do anything to make sure this country's foundation was knocked out from under it. I do wonder though, where is my associate Donovan Gomez?”

“He was taken down by an agent by the name of Sodi Hall.” Trevor candidly informed the Captain without lying or betraying Forrest.

“Do you know if he is still alive?”

“I'm assuming he is.”

“I thought there would be three of you.” He looked at Cesar for probably the second time since they had entered the office.

“There is, he didn't come.”

“Why?”

“I can't have a functional system if I tell all my reasons for things.” Trevor said.

The man stared at him for a few moments, smiled, and said, “Yes, of course. I just wanted to make sure I had not been lied to.”

“No, and I think we can make some sort of arrangement?”

The Captain sat and his guards came forward with a wooden box of cigars. “Yes, we can. I will need proof you can be trusted.”

“And I you.” Trevor said.

“What do you want?” He took a puff on the cigar. Smoke rose from the end.

“What do you suggest?”

“I want Donovan Gomez released to me.”

“I will have him released.”

“Good, and as for you trusting me, I think you must make that call.”

“Then you will give me time?”

“Yes.”

Cesar spoke out. “We want to help you now.”

“No, that is impossible until I have Gomez.”

Trevor leaned forward in his chair. “I'm not sure how long that will be, and don't you need inside spies on your side?”

“Yes.”

“And wasn't Gomez one of them?”

“Yes.”

“We worked alongside Gomez for months. He was a trusted friend.”

“He told you of our plans of invasion?” He narrowed his eyes. Trevor knew his next answer was very important, for both of their lives.

“Not details, but he told Blaine Martin. I was entrusted with the secrets after Martin's death.”

The Captain set the cigar in a gold ashtray. “I sent Gomez to kill Martin.”

“Blaine Martin wanted this country to come to war almost more than having air to breathe. Gomez saw an opportunity. You can ask him when I have him released to you. As for Martin's death–it was U.S. agents that ambushed and killed him. Gomez was caught during that time.”

“I want a date of his release.”

Trevor stood. “I will make contact tonight and let you know tomorrow what can be done.”

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The Captain waved the three men over with one hand. He bent and swung his arms into the air. The small white ball flew across the lawn. He laughed and said something in a foreign language to his associate.

“Good evening.” Trevor spoke as soon as they were close enough. The associate handed the Captain another ball and peg. He planted them both firmly on the ground.

“Do you have word on Gomez?”

“Yes. I have men working to infiltrate the prison he's in. I currently have one person acting as a guard inside the facility.”

“I want proof.”

“Is this good enough?” Trevor held out a video clip to the man. He glanced at it and slipped in into his pocket.

“Let's go back to my new vacation house to take a look at this.”

The Captain ordered servants (the celebrities who had owned the property) to make sure the three men were comfortable. The Captain's guard took the video clip and opened it on the screen before them. Donovan appeared! Trevor was astounded how closely Cesar resembled Donovan with a little make up and acting. Laney and Sarah had taken two hours to get him prepared. Trevor, Forrest, and Caden had prepared one corner of the basement to resemble a rehabilitation cell.

“Your name?” Forrest asked off camera.

“Donovan Gomez.”

“What do you want your leaders to know?”

“I'm not telling you a thing.” He spit at the camera. A line dripped down the screen. Trevor glanced at the Captain out of the corner of his eye. The leader smirked.

“What if I told you I was hired by Trevor Wells?”

“I'd say you were a liar.”

“I can prove it.” Forrest had angled the camera to his shoulder and he exposed the seal under a black light.

The picture drifted back to the impostor. He ran his hand through his hair and it stood on end.

“Why aren't you getting me out of here instead of taking this stupid video?”

“Trevor is trying but security is tight right now.”

“You're here.”

“And risking my life. Trevor is going to your leader. He hopes to join with him in the coming weeks.”

“The Captain will kill him as soon as look at him.”

“Someone's coming, but if Trevor succeeds do you want to report anything?”

“Yeah,” he leaned forward, “there's one way to ensure Wells will be loyal. Instruct him to kill Sodi Hall.”

The screen went black. Trevor felt chills run down his arms. Cesar had made the video so realistic. The Captain clapped his hands together.

“Gentlemen, I'm very pleased with this. As a way of showing my gratitude I have planned a delightful dinner. Please consider yourself my guests.” The Captain nodded to his associate and he led the men from the room and down one of the hallways. The pictures of the original owners had been torn from the walls. The paint was darker where their photos had been. The associate left them alone in the dinning room. Cesar leaned into Trevor's shoulder and whispered.

“So do you think the Captain is lying?”

“Yeah, there's no way he trusts us as much as he lets on. He's out for his own selfish interests.”

“Do you think this is a trap?” Caden was serious for once.

“No, he'll use us until he doesn't need us anymore. He wants Donovan and he'll wait at least that long.”

The Captain entered the room and took his seat at the head of the table. The men ate dinner, though they were each hesitant to try the meal until the Captain had. For dessert they were treated to chocolate mousse cake. Trevor had not had dessert with real butter in years. One piece simply teased his tongue. After the empty plates had been cleared from the table the Captain instructed for the screen to be displayed at the end of the room.

“I also have my own presentation.” He pushed his chair back and lit a cigar. A reporter flashed onto the screen.

“We have news from this afternoon about the attacks. It's been reported that Blaine Martin's terrorist group has been in contact with the perpetrators who invaded the east coast. Names have been released to the public and if anyone has information on these three gentlemen call the number at the bottom of the screen.”

Trevor saw his name and picture flash on the upper right side of the screen. Caden's and Cesar's followed. The Captain nodded his head for the screen to be turned off.

“Now I don't fear you will betray me. I've prevented you from crossing battle lines and disappearing back into the depths you were hidden. I'm afraid your organization is at my disposal or your own country will have you locked up.”

“They would have discovered my name soon enough.” Trevor made sure his voice was devoid of the panic he felt. The situation had just intensified more than Trevor had ever hoped.

“Good, now go get some sleep. Tomorrow will be the first real blow to this country.”

Cesar chuckled, his way of acting carefree. “Haven't you already made a few?”

The Captain laughed, took a drag on his cigar, and replied. “Yes, but this one will hurt more than land and lives.”

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Trevor stood watching her from a distance. She was beautiful. He wondered what she had looked like at the beginning of her life. Did she know she was destined to be one of mankind's greatest symbols? He scanned up and down her body; from her sandaled feet to her majestic crown of a different kind of royalty. She wasn't to be clad in royal purple. She was made to stand at the gate of the greatest garden and dress in the robes of sovereignty.

He drew closer and closer to her, until he stood at her side. It was time.

The Captain arrived. “Beautiful day.” He looked around. Trevor could tell he was irritated.

“It is.”

The foreigner put his sunglasses on. “How did you know I would be here?”

“This was the one place you can hit Americans the hardest.” He was again honest.

“You're a smart man, I'm glad you're on my side.”

“You don't even know my name.” Trevor raised his chin and pulled both shoulders back to look taller. Caden and Cesar came to his side.

“What is this?”

“I'm Sodi Hall.”

“What!”

“And so are we.” Both men next to him assertively proclaimed.

“What kind of American joke is this?” The Captain was growing angry.

“We are also Blaine Martin.”

“Stop playing or I will have you put under arrest.”

“The joke is that we are Americans no matter our name, no matter our symbol.”

It came in the sky, fast and strong. Not a sound could be heard from it though. It flew silently and with purpose. It didn't come alone either. Many like it were to follow.

Trevor knew what had happened to Caden and Cesar. He didn't have to look. He refused to look down at his own body. When the missiles hit, the Captain and his men opened fire on the three men. They had stood with the bravery of an army of men, without a single weapon.

He didn't know how the Captain and his men had escaped, but they did. He didn't know if Forrest had succeeded in his part of the plan and American bombs hit the mainland or they were the Captain's. He didn't know if a bomb would hit the small island they were on and cause him to forget everything. He did know though, that he lay on an island of freedom. It was small. He looked up at her splendor; she stood tall and proud as she always had. He closed his eyes.

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Forrest Evans walked out onto the stage to meet cameras and microphones pointed directly at him. He walked straight to the podium. He moved the one microphone in front of his mouth to a better angle, took a deep breath and began,

“Americans … that is what we are. Yes, tragedy has hit us all hard. We are weak and scared, unsure of the future. Now is not the time to be afraid. I learned from four very brave men and women that now is the time to stand and fight arm in arm. There will be a time for sorrow later. Right now we need to think of the future, our children's future. Do you want them to grow up scared of life, scared of what is around the next corner, or do you want to stand and fight so they can live lives free from oppression by another hand? I want to fight and not only make future generations proud, but I want our ancestors to stand and applaud when I meet them. Yes, I believe there is a force out there greater than we are, giving us hope, strength, love, and faith.” He paused and looked offstage to Laney. She held Faith against her chest. Forrest turned and finished, “Take my words to your heart, and stand as the Americans you are.” Forrest walked offstage and took Faith in his arms.

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She had seen the news, heard of the bombings, and she knew what he would have done. Sarah knew Trevor was gone, but they had been right about one thing. The love she had for him lived on, and she was sure his love for her still existed in death. After the news reports she had hopelessly prayed he would come back to her as he did when she was in Alaska. Once the bombings hit she fell into despair and mourning. The drive to keep fighting kept her alive. One afternoon Laney had come into her room and handed her a plane ticket. She had said Trevor left it for her, to start the life they had always dreamed of. She left Denver the following day.