Jukebox Time Machine - A New Day #28
Storm's a' Coming
I thought Antoine was leading us back to the beach, but when we reached the large dining shelter, he turned right. After entering the wooded area, we continued for a hundred yards. There, in a space that appeared to have been cleared just enough for the structure, stood a small, shed-like building. It reminded me of one of the old tobacco barns on my farm. I noticed the surrounding trees had grown to where it would be impossible to see from the sky.
Melonie stepped forward and, with the wave of her hand, opened the door. That’s where any resemblance to a tobacco barn ended. Monitors covered an entire wall. Screens displayed four panels, each showing scenes from the compound and its surrounding waters. There were three Rasta soldiers, each with a headset, monitoring the displays.
Antoine pointed us to the other side of the room, where nine chairs formed a semicircle. Pasqual and Janine occupied two. A computer system ran in the corner, with a man seated in front of it. A drape covered most of the rest of the wall.
Melonie, Simone, Felicity, and the four Durhamites joined Pasqual and Janine in the chairs. Antoine moved to the wall and drew back the drapes. A corkboard covered the wall behind the curtain. Aerial photographs and charts covered the corkboard. Antoine moved to the center and used his ever-present cane as a pointer.
“This is the approach to Felix Mateaugh’s compound,” said Antoine. Tapping the first photo. “The shoreline is treacherous, and there are obstacles in the water, so attacking from the water would be dangerous. That being said, Felix has so much confidence that the area is not heavily guarded.”
Moving to the next photo, he continued. “This is the layout of the compound. The buildings outlined in blue are the barracks for his single men. Cottages, outlined in yellow, are the quarters of the married men. These next units, outlined in red, are the arsenals, and the building next to it, in green, is the women’s barracks. Further along, you can see larger structures. That is Felix’s personal compound. We think that would be where Patrice, Ms. Howard, and Raphael will be.”
I stared at the three photos, but wasn’t sure why. Antoine stepped to the side and tapped his cane on the next three posters. “These are three tropical depressions forming offshore. If either of these forms into tropical storms, they have the potential to make landfall here. Jeremy,” he said, pointing to the man at the computer, “is monitoring the situation.”
I was listening to Antoine, but trying to imagine how all of this could come together in a plan. I looked around, and the look on everyone’s face mirrored my confusion.
“The weather will be an integral part of our plan. That is the reason it is impossible to set a date yet. We will wait until it is inevitable that one of these storms will make landfall. With a storm raging, security at the compound will be minimal, and most of the soldiers will be in their barracks. We will take both Hueys with 50-cal guns mounted. The sound of the storm will help cover the noise of our approach. One copter will go to the shoreline where Pasqual and a small group of men will rappel onto the beach. They’ll make their way inland, neutralize the sentries, and secure entry to the compound. Once they accomplished that, Simone and another group of soldiers will enter the compound, and using what you witnessed this afternoon, she will attack the barracks. She should be able to eliminate several before they know we are there. Once everyone is deployed from the first chopper, it will go airborne and lay down covering fire. Melonie and I will be in the second chopper. We will proceed to the other end of the compound and attack Felix’s personal compound using both conventional methods and magic. I hope we can achieve success with a minimal amount of casualties.”
Antoine walked to the end of the corkboard and closed the drape. “Are there questions?”
“What about us?” asked Pam, before anyone else could speak.
“It may not be necessary for you to take part,” said Antoine
“No,” I said. “I want to be there.” Pam, Sammy, and Tabitha each voiced their desire to take part.
“Very well,” said Antoine. “During our last battle with Lucian, Patrice, and the Howards chose to run instead of fight. I want your group to remain with the second helicopter and monitor the situation. If they try to run, the copter will break away to intercept them. I won’t mince words. If you intercept them, they must be permanently neutralized. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes,” I said, after looking at everyone.
“If possible, I want to take Shellie,” said Pam, drawing everyone’s attention.
This time, I saw Antoine smile. He asked if we could stay the night, so we could all eat together. There was no way we were going to miss that. Pasqual motioned for us to follow him and Janine. They led us through the woods. We emerged in the housing area. Our cottage came into view. I invited them to join us for a drink. No doubt, our refrigerator and pantry would be fully stocked.
We sat outside. The beer was cold, and Janene and Pasqual were always fun to be around. No one spoke of what we had heard.
When Pasqual and Janine left, they promised to come for us when the festivities began. Pam and Tabby went inside while Sammy and I got another beer and sat flat on the porch, leaning back against the house.
“Man, is this the life, or what?” said Sammy.
I had to agree. I secretly hoped to one day spend most of my time at my cabin on the bayou. I hoped that for the four of us. My thoughts were broken by the sound of Sammy’s phone ringing. He answered, listened, and his eyes moved to meet mine.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said before ending the call. “That was Ruth. The police have found Justin’s body.”