Page 79 of After 5

“I can’t see him, dat boy is no wearing da key.” Pickles rubbed his temples.

“It’s not possible, Toches isn’t a transporter,” Al said.

“He can carry. Remember when we were in Berlin. He found the transporter’s vessel, and I clobbered him right before he took off.” Marco shifted.

“He brought you back,” Jake said. “We didn’t consider that because we were so involved in trying to save you. I thought it was a fluke.”

“The Mafusos have two transporters,” Ace added.

The steady whirring of the computers echoed in the room as we stared at the screen. If Toches could transport, he was more valuable to Gian-Carlo than we suspected.

Jake’s cell rang and he tapped his earpiece to answer. “Yes sir, right away.”

“The general wants eyes on the ground. I’ve got no choice. I need someone who knows the people, the battles. My gut instinct tells me McGregor’s mission is not about his key, but something bigger.”

“Dude, I don’t know why you think the Scot isn’t in this for himself.” Marco stood hands on hips.

“Because I wouldn’t leave the woman I love for a damn key!”

The three of us stood slack-jawed.

“I’ll be fine. Look,” I said. “Mortas is here, by this building, a few miles from the town. That’s far away from the battlefields.”

“Jen, everywhere is a battlefield in Gettysburg,” Marco said.

“If I take Gertie, she can steer us away from the battlefields. She knows the area.”

Jake paused for a second.

“Are you mental?” Marco shouted at Jake. “You can’t let her take Gertie back to the Civil War. Let me go in alone, or with Ace.”

“No can do,” Ace said. “I’ve already been there.”

Jake turned to Al. “Give them the landing coordinates. Somewhere safe. I’ll get the money. Ace, pick up Gertie and meet us back here.”

“Wait,” I said. “What about the message on the sword?”

“We think the message on the sword read find the key at Gettysburg, First Texas, RW. First Texas is a Confederate regiment and RW possibly stands for Rose Woods, an area where the First Texas saw some action. It’s much too dangerous to land there.”

“But—” I started.

“No!” Jake turned and left before Marco or I could protest.

Ace shrugged and followed Jake.

I frowned at Marco. “Did you suggest Jake fire me?” I crossed my hands over my chest.

“I may have misspoken,” Marco mumbled.

Marco and I waited in the leather chairs facing the center screen. Pickles returned to his work area and Al followed. They did their best to find a secure landing area. After a few choice words between them, they agreed. Al motioned us over.

“The North and the South alternately captured this area many times, but there’s a good section of wooded flatland here.” Al scratched his bearded chin. “Based on the history books, the Union Army is in control now.”

“Good. We’ll be on the right team,” Marco said.

I scrunched my nose at him. “I’ll see if I can muster up a Yankee accent.”

Jake returned along with Ace and Gertie. Her prior enthusiasm to travel back to Gettysburg was knocked down a few notches, and she wrung her hands as Al explained the landing situation to her.

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