Strategy by Laurel Richards

Author:Laurel Richards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: SFR, private investigator, soulmate, psychic, trans woman
Publisher: Laurel Richards
Published: 2022-05-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Casey looked forward to a night when she could make love to Ryland and sleep in the next day. Instead they were up at the crack of dawn. They enjoyed a quick breakfast and joined the others out front, ready to leave. Both of them made sure to wear the bandannas around their necks to identify themselves as part of Biomed United.

The bus that was waiting for them was driverless. Dr. Maes oversaw the loading of crates filled with supplies, including a couple of sixty-cubic-decimeter portable refrigerators. Ryland jumped in with the other helpers to stow everything on board, but Casey didn’t notice anyone paying any particular attention to the refrigeration units.

“Simon Olsen looks like he expects someone to steal his stuff,” she whispered to her partner when he returned to her side. “He’s hanging on to the strap of his bag. Gabriel Martin is carrying a backpack, and Patricia Wright has one of those big woven handbags I saw at the market in Racolta. Anything could be hidden in those.”

Ryland followed her gaze. “We’ll keep an eye on them.”

Once all the supplies were loaded, Dr. Maes stood by the open door to the bus. He pulled a tablet out of his satchel so he could check off everyone’s names as they boarded. Casey gave him a big smile as she passed him, which he returned.

Soon everyone was seated, and the bus pulled on to the road. Olsen put his bag on the seat next to him so no one could sit there. Martin set his backpack between his feet and pulled earbuds out of the smaller pocket, presumably to listen to music. Wright had selected an aisle seat and hooked the handle of her big purse over the armrest. None of them let their belongings out of their sight.

Casey relaxed back into her seat. She knew it was going to be a long ride.

About an hour later, Dr. Maes spoke from the front of the bus. “We are coming up on the border to the Southern Prefecture. Everyone remain in your seats.”

Casey craned her neck for a better look, not sure what to expect. Some districts and countries were separated by rivers or mountains. Others had markers or signs. Then there were those that had fences, guard posts, or demilitarized zones.

This one, she discovered, had a long, low fence and a small guardhouse at the gate. A bunch of young children were gathered on either side of the fence. They were laughing and playing some kind of ball game, using the fence as a net. When they saw the bus, they all turned and waved. A lone guard stepped out once they pulled to a stop, and Maes disembarked to speak with him.

There appeared to be a long discussion, and several times Dr. Maes pulled his tablet and some documents out of his bag to show the guard—likely proof of who they were and their travel plans. This went on for at least ten or fifteen minutes before they were given permission to pass.

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