Buildup and Breakup (a Tale of Breaking Benjamin) Read online

  ***

  “They haven’t found anything, or they would have already arrested us and taken us into custody. That means all the cars are at impound.”

  Jess decided this time that she was tired of going unconscious, and it wouldn’t happen again. She rose out of the fog and into conversation between Jiri and Crandall.

  “Police impound is patrolled,” Jiri’s voice said, “and with k-9 units. Their security measures aren’t difficult, hardly even encrypted, but there will be at least two pairs of human eyes looking out, and probably three dogs.”

  “Are you sure what we’ve got is going to take care of both bodies, especially with the titanium laced bones?”

  “No,” Raspazzi’s voice said, his tone almost calm. “I’m not even sure hydrochloric will dissolve titanium. I hadn’t counted on that. We’ll have to bury that shit. ”

  Jess watched the scene through half-lidded eyes.

  “It won’t be as simple as dumping the evidence across the border either,” Jiri said, “The Canadians will cooperate with American authorities, especially with multiple bodies.”

  “Fuck,” Crandall breathed out in a hiss, “I still don’t know what to do about Laramie either.”

  “I’ve definitely got enough hydrochloric for three, that’s for sure.”

  “No. I’m not losing a team member.”

  “Have you lost it Crandall? She shot me! Twice at that.”

  “She gave you flesh wounds. She could have killed you.”

  Jiri spoke next. “All the alcohol is out of your system, is it not? She should have no problems with either of you now.”

  “Shit,” Raspazzi said. Jess looked toward the door and saw a puddle of vomit. She wondered how long she’d been out. She wondered who’d tied the knots around her wrists and ankles. They were loose, and she slipped her skinny wrists out of them with ease. She decided Jiri had done the tying.

  “Look, this is a breakdown in the chain of command,” Raspazzi said. “She needs to be kept under watch until we can get her back to the school. They’ll brig her there, and court martial her.”

  “Why don’t we let me decide what’s going to happen, or is everyone going to question my command tonight? We’re going to need her to get the bodies.”

  Raspazzi shut up.