Alien Vacation Ch. 05

"Dude! How do we get hold of Jake now? We can't just walk in there!"

"We need to get moving," Kyle murmured, turning away from the two goons hit heavily by Xin's influence.

"He's got my spare keys," said Angela. She kept her voice to a hiss, but every angry thought led only to more anger. "Jake fucking took my spare keys! And that other guy was one of his fucking beer buddies!"

"Yeah. Listen, I know you're pissed. I would be, too. But—"

"My boyfriend stole my fucking car keys and he's using me as a mule! He played me for—"

"Angela, you've got half a million dollars in your hands," Kyle hissed back with equal urgency but a touch more calm. "Who's the sucker now?"

She blinked, then looked down at the bag in her hands. "Oh my god, this is so much money."

Kyle thought fast. Naturally, Xin read his mind. Emily is ready to help, Xin said. I don't think anyone else of interest has left the restaurant yet. By the way, I'm having a blast.

"Okay, do you trust me?" Kyle asked.

Angela nodded. Xin had a more informative answer, which all came in a flash: She does. She's also thinking you're super hot and she hopes you're for real but that's only in the back of her head buried under all the danger and relationship outrage. She doesn't even need me to bolster her nerves.

Kyle didn't get side-tracked on Xin's input. He focused on Angela. "You could take that money and disappear right now if you want. I won't stop you. But if you want to hang onto it and deal with Jake once and for all you need to play this through."

"What are you thinking?" Angela replied.

"I'm thinking everybody's going to jail."

* * *

They hustled back inside the way they came. The second-floor skybridge from the parking garage allowed them to avoid the cameras watching the main garage and hotel entrances. The pair hurried down to the lobby.

"We've gotta hide this bag," muttered Angela. "Don't want Jake or his buddies to see it."

"You can check it in at the front desk," Kyle suggested, nodding to the counter. "I'm friends with the woman working the check-in desk. She'll take care of it. You can trust her. And me."

A thoughtful grin twitched at her lips, but only for a second. This was too serious. "I do," she said, and turned to the front desk as he suggested. Emily was right there to accept the bag with a smile and a claim ticket ready to go. The exchange took seconds. Angela didn't question the convenience of it.

She returned to the bar. Kyle strode back into the restaurant to find Jake and Adam at their table together. Jake's back-up guy was still in place at his own table. Tucker, Xin reminded. He was supposed to get the go-ahead from the other two pinheads by now. He isn't nervous yet, but he's suspicious of their suppliers here. It's a lot of cash. The only real deterrent they have so far is that neither crew has all their people here. Nobody wants to face retaliation for any backstabbing... or at least that's what they're all hoping. That, and they're hoping this will grow into something bigger and better with time.

Can you nudge them to go through with it? Kyle asked mentally. Maybe tamp down on their worries?

Yes. Adam is antsy to get a move on and Tucker still needs to check the stock. And you're lucky you've got me to help you out with this with my powers.

I wouldn't even know about it without you and your powers! And I wouldn't be going about it like this, either. Probably be a hell of a lot more careful. Wouldn't reach so far.

That makes sense. I'm just saying. For a veteran you don't seem to have learned a lot about dealing with situations like this. You're not exactly pulling on much training here.

I pushed papers and did random sailor chores, Kyle thought dryly. I can count the number of times I trained with any kind of weapon on my fingers. It wasn't my job. The Navy might make you grow up more and take shit seriously but not everyone does the actual fighting. Everything I know about shenanigans like this I learned from roleplaying games. Anyway I feel like I'm doing okay so far.

As they "spoke" in his head in rapid thoughts, the subjects of their attention stood. Kyle casually looked around the restaurant as if scanning the room for someone and stepped out of their way.

They're headed out. Jake wants to step into the bar and tell Angela he'll be a few more minutes.

Can you—? Kyle began.

Help Angela play this out? I'll watch, but I don't think she needs help. In the meantime, your guy is right over there, by the way. You don't need to play it super straight. Keep it simple and vague. I'll help.

I was afraid I'd be pushing your limits here.

Well, technically we're overstepping, but I feel like it's justified enough. We need quiet cash and this isn't going to massively affect your world. Also I'm completely free to use my powers like crazy to make sure I go undetected, so now that we're into it I don't feel as bad. Also this is fun, so let's do it.

He walked over to a table of four with mostly empty plates. At this point, the occupants were either lingering or waiting for their check. Kyle focused on the large, heavyset father figure at the table. The man wore a blazer and jeans. Kyle knew exactly why.

"Excuse me, sir? I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you drive a grey Subaru Outback?" Kyle asked with a wince. "I thought I saw you getting out when you arrived."

That mustache curved downward as the heavyset man scowled. This wasn't something anyone wanted a stranger to ask at a dining table, particularly someone who wasn't with the restaurant. It usually wasn't a reminder to turn off the headlights. "How bad is it?"

"Maybe you'd better come take a look? I'm not sure if it's yours or not."

"With my luck, it's gotta be mine." He pulled his napkin from his lap and put it on the table. "Honey, can you take care of the check?"

"Sure," said his wife. Their two teenage kids seemed uninterested in following.

As the man rose, he made an effort to keep his blazer from falling open. Kyle caught a glimpse of the badge and the pistol hidden under the jacket on his belt.

* * *

"Gimme one sec to check on my girl," said Jake. He split off from Adam and Tucker, having introduced them on the way out of the restaurant. Jake spotted Angela on one of the stools at the bar. She watched a tennis match on the television behind the bar with obvious disinterest.

He expected she might be pissed about being pushed off for his business meeting. That was nothing compared to how unglued she'd be if she found out what Jake's main business really was. Still, she made for good cover and Adam seemed suitably impressed. She was also a damn good lay.

Sooner or later she might figure out something was up. Jake always thought she was sharp for a model. Hopefully, though, he could ease her into things and get her used to his rougher edges. It would be easier to deal with her once she was in too deep to walk away without being implicated herself. People were always easier once they did that math. They were easier once they got used to living the high life, too. Angela might be a little easier once he gave her the diamonds necklace in his bag up in the room.

"Hey baby, you doing alright?" he asked as he came around to her seat at the bar.

"I'm fine," she said. "Are you done?"

Jake bit his lip. Yep. Gonna be a bitch about this. Hopefully not too much. He wanted to get laid tonight. "Almost. We gotta go out to Adam's car to grab a little paperwork. We'll only be a couple minutes."

"Is it okay if I come with you, or are you still doing confidential stuff?" she asked skeptically.

"Still confidential, babe," he said, giving her his best disarming smile. "Not my idea. It's his. I guess he's kinda paranoid or something. I'll tell you later. Like I said, it'll only be a couple of minutes. Be back soon." He kissed her on the cheek. She didn't resist, which he took for a good sign, at least.

He didn't know how much of her willpower it required.

Tucker and Adam were waiting for him in the lobby as he exited the bar. They seemed to be getting along okay. Adam took the presence of back-up in stride. It wasn't like the guy thought Jake was out here alone regardless. Jake needed an expert to check over the stock, and Tucker had been in the airborne. He knew his shit. Getting thrown out of the Army didn't mean he'd lost his skills.

The parking garage wasn't terribly busy. By now, most of the tourists were out doing their tourist shit. Check-out time would be soon, so that might bring out some traffic, but hopefully this wouldn't take much longer than that. The only worrying sign was the lack of word from Eddie and Josh. Jake wondered if those two morons hadn't found Angela's car yet. He'd sent them a picture of it and the space number. How long could it take?

"We're over here," said Adam as they walked into the lower level for limited parking. He nodded to a big grey Ford F-150 with a camper shell with its front end poking out of its space not far from the entrance. "We backed it in to give us all a little privacy," Adam winked.

A pair of men slipped out of either side of the front cab. Both of them looked a little harsher than Adam, though Jake knew Adam simply hid it better than most of his guys. He took for granted that Adam and his crew were all armed. He didn't doubt they had hurt people. So had Jake and his guys, and the others wouldn't be long. Besides, they were all friendly here. This was too good an opportunity for both sides to fuck it up with any dirty deals. Hard-edged or not, neither of Adam's buddies even gave Jake or Tucker so much as an intimidating look.

Hesitating only for a quick scan of the garage, one of the well-muscled guys with the Iron Cross tattoo on his shoulder jerked his thumb toward the back of the SUV. The other went around to open up the back hatch. Jake, Adam, and Tucker followed.

Simple rolls of cheap carpet laid over long boxes. Adam's guys moved the carpet aside and opened up one box of lethal merchandise. Jake watched Tucker's face split into a grin as he picked up one assault rifle for inspection. "Oh yeah," said Tucker as he pulled a latch and looked inside the gun's slot. Jake didn't have the vocabulary for it. His experience was limited to the handful of pistols he owned and a couple tries at a shotgun at a shooting range. He didn't know if that was the chamber or something else, but Tucker clearly knew his way around the rifle. "This is like coming home and smelling momma's cooking," Tucker laughed.

"Worth the money?" Adam asked.

Tucker gave Jake a nod. Jake, in turn, glanced over his shoulder. Where the fuck were Eddie and Josh? He needed to stall. "Count 'em up," Jake instructed Tucker. "Just to be sure. Due diligence is all."

* * *

"It's right around here, isn't it?" asked Kyle. He held his voice to a low but still casual volume.

"I'm pretty sure I remember parking my car up one level," Rory grumbled back, but he kept walking with Kyle. "These are all short-term spaces."

But he's not completely sure, said Xin. You're welcome. The deal is going down just up ahead. I have their lookout turned the other way and ignoring us right now. I see your plan in your mind. Are you settled on this?

Unless you think there's some reason I shouldn't be?

Only that I can't straight-up take over anyone's mind here or zap them unconscious unless this goes completely sideways. I'm not really recovered enough for that yet. This is a real risk for us both. So far so good, though.

"Um, hold on, maybe I'm turned around?" Kyle mumbled as they got closer to the F-150. He could see the back of one of the skinheads now, standing lookout at the front of the SUV but turned the other way thanks to Xin's mental misdirection. Kyle wanted to make sure he had a good angle on this to help in case it went wrong.

At Xin's urging, Rory continued on as Kyle broke off slightly and slipped into the row of vehicles up against the back wall as if he wanted to look through the gaps in the garage wall to the rows on the other side.

They got a little closer with each second. The bad guys still hadn't noticed them.

Okay Xin, Kyle thought. You know what I need from you.

He gave up all pretense of casual walking, slipping from car to car. He already had a perfectly good view of the three men crowded into the open back end of the SUV and the weapon in one man's hand. He even knew their names.

Rory walked past the SUV. The skinhead on lookout turned to him and offered a casual half-grin and a nod hello.

Now, thought Kyle.

On cue, Tucker dropped one of the machineguns out into the space between the SUV and the car beside it. "Shit!" Tucker blurted. The lookout turned to see what had happened.

Rory saw plenty of it. His heart leaped into his throat, but his professional reflexes worked just fine. Better than they had any right to, in fact, given how he'd never drawn his pistol in his entire career. But he knew damn well that machinegun had no business being on the streets at all, let alone passed around in a hotel garage.

"Freeze!" Rory shouted as he drew down on the men. "State police! Hands in the air where I can see them! Now!"

Everyone in Rory's line of sight complied. The lookout, Jake, and Adam all saw the gun and put their hands up. Tucker hesitated. Kyle slipped right behind the others to deal with him. Thanks to Xin, nobody noticed him move in just as Tucker had his Glock out from his waistband.

Kyle grabbed Tucker by the hair and turned him around hard, slamming him into the concrete wall behind the truck. Tucker stumbled and fell, losing his gun as he hit the deck right behind Jake and Adam's feet.

"Get out here and lie down on the pavement! Now!" Rory demanded, realizing the severity of the danger he'd stepped into.

One lookout remained. He was hidden behind the driver's side of the SUV, out of Rory's line of sight. The thick-necked skinhead ducked low with a gun in his hand, slowly moving forward and peering as much as he could risk.

Kyle stepped up behind him. "Don't," Kyle warned. "Drop it and put your hands up."

The skinhead tensed, then sighed, and did as instructed. "I'm coming out," he announced before he tossed his weapon out into the open and then rose with his hands held high. He turned to look behind him before he stepped out, only to realize Kyle had no weapon on him at all. The big man scowled angrily, but now he was exposed.

In seconds, five men were laid out on their faces on the pavement with their arms stretched forward. The moment Rory saw Kyle, he instructed him to stand where he could block any cross traffic and dial up 911 on his cell phone. With the phrases Rory gave him, he knew a whole lot of police back-up wouldn't be far.

They're gonna mostly ignore me in all this, right? Kyle asked, though they'd been over this before.

Yep. As long as you stay on the periphery of this as best you can. Congratulations. You just made Rory into a big damn hero.

* * *

Angela left the bar as soon as she got the text message from Kyle. She saw the first police roll into the parking garage as she made it to the other entrance, cutting their sirens but still leaving their lights flashing. Another patrol car pulled right up to the lobby doors, with a couple of officers jumping out and hustling inside. It stood to reason they'd want to have people at all the important points in the hotel, but thankfully she made it into the garage before they closed off the other way in.

The activity wasn't hard to find. The cops were only now patting down and handcuffing the guys laid out in the middle of the lanes of parked cars. Nobody stopped her until she made it in close enough to see what was going on. Kyle stood on the periphery, giving her only the slightest nod. Then one of the cops noticed her.

"Miss, I need you to head back into the hotel," he instructed.

People looked over, including her date for the morning. That was convenient. She pointed to him in feigned shock. "Is that Jake? Is he being arrested?"

Jake threw her an urgent shushing look. It felt good to ignore.

"Do you know these men?" the cop asked.

"Not the others. Just him," Angela explained. "We've been seeing each other for a couple of months and we came here on a date. What's going on?"

The cop frowned. "Okay, I'm gonna have to ask you to step over here and wait until we have this under control. We'll need to ask you a few questions."

"So something is going on?"

"Miss, please."

She ignored the cop for one vital second, looking past him to snap at Jake. "What the hell have you gotten me into? Is this why I saw Josh and Eddie running around here?"

Jake groaned and put his face to the concrete. "Aw, shit."

"Miss, who are Josh and Eddie?" the cop asked.

* * *

The police took photos, ran identification, and took stock of an unsettling amount of guns and ammo from the SUV. They interviewed Angela for a couple of hours and searched her car and the room she'd had with Jake with her complete cooperation. Never did they suspect her, nor did they even get aggressive in their questioning. They took her at her word when she explained she had no idea about Jake's activities before today.

Xin had no qualms about ensuring all of that. It was the truth. As for the gym bag, which Angela told the police about but feigned surprise and ignorance regarding its disappearance, Xin gladly helped her along there, too.

The money is a piece of the puzzle, Xin explained to Kyle as he lingered unnoticed on the periphery of the whole scene. His interview had taken only minutes. The police even "forgot" to run his license. They don't actually need to know where it is, although they want to know. But they can figure out the puzzle as long as they know that piece exists.

"Nice analogy," he murmured quietly.

Oh, I pulled it from the detective's head. It wouldn't be the first time he saw the money go missing in a deal like this. He's turning to have everyone look for it now, but he half suspects it's long gone already.

And the cameras? Kyle asked. I know there were only a couple, but...?

Emily has that covered for us, along with the bag. No worries there. And they're wrapping it up with Angela now.

She glanced up at Kyle only once, catching a slight nod and head-tilt from him before he left the scene. Nobody stopped him. Most of them had already forgotten him. To the police, he was a random, innocent connecting factor in this whole fiasco of dumb crime and dumb luck. Nothing more.

Kyle strode through the lobby entrance. Emily saw him passing as she took some guests through their check-in and threw him the subtlest wink. He grinned back and continued on to the bar. "We're actually getting away with this, aren't we?" he murmured.

Oh fuck yeah we are. This was awesome. I'm having a blast. We both are. It's not better than sex, but I've been getting a nice little rise out of your emotions this whole time.

The bar was a little busier now, but Kyle still had no problems finding a small table. He took up a seat facing the entrance so he could watch the lobby. "Enough to do it again sometime?" he asked under his breath.

Hah! Now who's tempting whom? Listen this was okay because we stumbled into it and because the money was worth the exception to the rules. And yeah, yeah, it was a good deed. I don't have anything against that. We just can't go superhero happy. But if this is how we want to make our own cash from time to time, and if this is reall so fulfilling for you...hell, why not?

Kyle didn't bother to hide his smile. "Thank you," he whispered. "That makes me feel even better about our partnership."

Just hold off on shenanigans like this until I'm recovered again, okay? This has me pretty wiped out. Like I said, it was a nice ride through your emotions, but I'm almost back to square one here. We need to get seriously laid.