Bound by the Red Thread

The trip to the hardware store was quick and easy. Something was off though. He wasn’t sure what it was, but the hairs on the back of his neck were standing up. His intuition had never failed him so far and he wasn’t going to ignore it this time.

“Neptune, man, tell me you’re close to the Swafford place,” he said into his phone as he strolled out of the large store into the bright Florida sunlight

“ETA in less than ten. What’s up?” Monty answered, talking briskly into the phone.

“Not sure. My instinct’s freaking and I don’t know what’s off.” Paul answered, his head on a constant swivel as he made his way through the parking lot to his rental.

“Go

tcha. Want back up or do you want me to head to the target area?”

“Target. If I need backup, I’ll call one of the guys. You get to Nicole and make sure she’s okay. I know Bruce and Ryan are there, but she doesn’t know them like she does you.” Paul thought Nicole would be more comfortable with Monty. She hadn’t met Bruce or Ryan except for at the meeting yesterday. At least she would recognize Monty. He picked up his pace and headed to his truck at a half jog.

“Ten four. I’ll send you a text when I’m there. I’m sending Bruce and Ryan a heads up now. Be safe Brain.” Paul disconnected the call and kept moving.

“Roger. Brain out.” Even though they were all out of active duty, old habits died hard and the communication patterns stuck.

Paul kept his eyes moving as he got closer to his truck. He did a quick tour around it. Nothing seemed out of place. As he started to open the door, he heard a voice calling him.

“Young man. Young man,” the elderly voice called. He peered around and found an older lady leaning against her car.

He quickly moved towards her asking, “how can I help you ma’am?” while he was moving.

“I dropped my keys and they went underneath. My arthritis won’t let me bend down to get them. If I get down there I’ll never get up.”

Paul dropped to one knee to look under the car quickly locating the elderly lady’s keys. “There you go,” he said placing them in her hand and stepping back to allow her to open the door.

“Thank you so much,” she said as she fumbled in her purse. “Let me give you something for your troubles.”

“That’s not necessary ma’am. Please be safe on your travels.” Paul took the hand she offered and brought it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. “I hope you have a wonderful day.” He headed back to his truck.

As he got ready to get into the vehicle, he noticed a white piece of paper stuck under the windshield wiper. He assumed it was a flyer of some sort and didn’t look at it until he’d gotten in and started the engine.

“LEAVE THE WOMAN ALONE,” was printed on it in large block letters. Paul grabbed one of the plastic bags he always kept in his glove compartment and slid the paper in before jumping out of his truck and peering around.

None of the other cars around had anything on them and no one appeared out of place. Although he’d only been a few minutes helping the elderly lady it could have been anyone that left the note on his truck.

“Damn it!” he said out loud as he got in the truck and slammed his hands on the steering wheel. Activating the phone feature, he said, “Call Neptune.” While the call was connecting, he pulled out of the parking space and headed towards Nicole’s place.

“Go for Neptune,” Monty answered the phone.

“Tell me you’re with Nicole,” Paul said, listing all the things he needed to do in his head.

“I’m here at the apartment, but she’s not answering the door. I’ve been knocking and calling for a good two minutes. I was just about ready to force entry.”

“Do that. I’m on my way back. Do you have your kit with you?” Monty had a duffle he always carried with a fingerprint kit and all kinds of goodies.

“You know I do.”

“Good. I’ll explain when I get there. ETA less than fifteen.” Paul disconnected the call and immediately said, “Call Big Dog.” Big Dog was the handle Darrall Forrest had been given when he was with the Army Rangers and it fitted him well. Not only was he a huge man, but he could be like a dog with a bone when he was after something. Tenacious was a mild word to describe him.

“This better be good,” Darrall answered the phone.

“Things are getting real. I found a note on my car,” Paul explained.

“Where and when?” Darrall asked.

Paul could tell he’d taken the phone off speaker and was moving. He explained what had happened and Darrall agreed to meet him at Nicole’s. Time to find a safe house. Quickly.