The Memorial Day Murders

Chapter 11 : Across the Atlantic

The seven of us sat onboard the cabin in the Gulfstream as the aircraft soars across the Atlantic. The two men Jason and Lincoln brought onboard is still under the influence of the tranquilizer darts, tied to a chair with the hoods over their heads. "How are we going to deal with them?" Gerry broke the silence.

"We have already brought them onboard with us." Jason said. "Question is how did they follow us?"

"Must be Jefferson." Olivia said. "He did call him out during dinner."

"Or maybe, they also witnessed the attack."

"Isa's got a point there." Dom said. "Did they know? About why they're after us?"

"I know." our glances focused at the Secret Service agent guarding me. Also a soldier, a former Marine to be exact. "If I can recall what I've seen the six of you are a part of a black ops team at Burqa."

"You're a Marine right Gerry?" Dom asked his cousin.

"Yeah, but I didn't see him before."

"I was recruited during the war on Afghan." he explained, a plain and simple answer. "But was deployed to Syria after training."

"I see." I said. "Timothy, just do me a favor-"

"Don't tell the President?" he asked. "Don't worry, it's between us." I breathed a sigh of relief as one of the men lets out a groan, prompting us to sit straight.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Jason asked, winking at me. I know what he meant. Outstretching a hand I ripped off the hood, exposing the man's face. "Uh... who the heck is this guy?"

"Richard John Grayson." I said the name. "Acrobatic background. Lost parents when nine, taken in by Bruce Wayne under his wing as a foster son." Olivia folded her arm in silence as the man squinted his eyes under the lights in the cabin.

"Where am I?" he asked. "Isabella?" I folded my arms in silence. "Who are you guys?"

"We?" I asked. "Boot camp guys."

"Boot camp? What-"

"That wasn't what she meant." Dominic said.

"Aren't you the-"

"Defense secretary, yes. You two shouldn't get yourself involved by following us."

"You've landed yourselves in danger." I said. "I know you mean well Richard but some things aren't what they see on the surface. The binds are temporary ones, we'll free you two when we land."

"Are you guys hiding from someone?" he asked.

"No choice." I replied. "We have to go into hiding until we are clear on who is hunting us."

"What happened?"

"I don't think you're ready." I said. "I'll try to explain what I can but not now."

"This is the only way to not jeopardize this mission and frankly, if we leave you guys there the Secret Service will definitely round you guys up for questioning." Gerry explained. "Just ask that guy next to the commander."

"Commander? Who's the commander?" everybody rolls their eyes.

"She is the commander." Jason lifted his chin to glance at me. "This has nothing to do with politics."

"It's a military problem." Jefferson said. The door of the cabin opened and Uncle Roland peered into the room.

"We're landing soon. Get your stuff ready." he said.

"Right." I said. Uncle Roland glanced at him for a few seconds before closing the door shut upon leaving. The Gulfstream made it's touchdown at an unknown airfield and we disembarked after freeing the two men. Luke managed to came to his senses ten minutes before landing and asked Richard what happened.

"I have no idea." that's his answer. "You have to ask them." leaving the Gulfstream we boarded another SUV, Uncle Roland at the helm. The sun is slowly rising from the horizon as the vehicle passed the waking London streets and crossed the bridge linking London and Westminster. Below the bridge the waters of the Thames churned while the London Eye, a ferris wheel, stood unmoving as the operating hours is still hours away. The Big Ben struck seven, marking the local time. The vehicle passed Downing Street and turned down into a neighborhood close to the famous street.

"Your uncle lives in Downing Street Isa?" Jason asked me.

"Not the real Downing Street Jason." I replied. "It's the neighborhood beside Downing Street." My uncle went in first and waved for us to go in after sweeping the place. "It's clear." I said. Grabbing my bag I headed in first as they felt uneasy at first. They entered after me but Uncle Roland asked us to remain in the living room as he makes a private call.

"I believe we should recap." Gerry said.

"Agree Gerry." Dominic said. "Okay, let's recap. Hours ago we have been standing outside the restaurant after dinner and then we got bombed."

"Problem is who has been keeping tabs on us?" Jason asked. "Looking at you Isa."

"Hey, don't shove the problem on my boss." Timothy jumped to my defense. But I put up a hand, telling him it's fine.

"Jason, it's not easy being Vice President of the United States." I said. "When you know how important your position is in the White House."

"I agree. She couldn't shake off protection, even though she insists on privacy." Gerry said. "Quit blaming the Major and focus on what's important."

Jason raises his hands in defense. "Okay, okay." he said. "Still we can't blame on the lengths Secret Service agents have to go to in order to protect VPOTUS."

"But I still don't get it. Why the hell they're after us?" Timothy asked me instead.

"If you're from Burqa there's no guarantee that the terrorists won't hunt you down."

"The crows aren't letting us go until we're dead." I said, deadpan.

"Eh, you're not helping mate." Lincoln said.

"I'm telling you how are the crows thinking mate." I retorted. "Trust me, people like them only have this in mind : dead or alive."

"Exactly." Olivia said. "If we even end up alive in their hands, they still want us dead."

"But why does the Brits need us?" Gerry asked me.

"Because the killer is targeting anyone who served in Afghanistan." A deep voice said outside the room. "Including members of Elite Alpha."