Terminal Threat: A Leine Basso Thriller by Berkom D.V

Author:Berkom, D.V.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Duct Tape Press
Published: 2023-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

26

Alittle under two hours later, they pulled into the courtyard of a picturesque farmhouse on a hill overlooking the valley. Just outside of Scivoloso, the two-story brick building and surrounding property was far enough from the main road into town to be discreet, yet close enough for quick mobilization. Sam was standing next to the Ducati, waiting for them.

Art exited the van and took in his surroundings. The afternoon sun glinted off a small grove of olive trees to his left. Bright fuchsia bougainvillea curved over the front door as the scent of roses mixed with lavender perfumed the air. The blue tiles of a pool could be seen through a second arch of bougainvillea.

“How’d you find this gem?”

Leine helped the crew with their bags. “One of those online vacation rental sites.” She’d had Lou make the booking under a false identity.

“If only that was available back in the day, huh? Would’ve made going to ground a whole lot easier.”

“And more comfortable.”

Art nodded. “One of the worst hideouts I ever used was in Poland. A rusty old shipping container inside a junkyard in the middle of winter. No heat, no water. I’d never been so damn cold. Originally used as a Spetsnaz safe house. The rats outnumbered the cockroaches five to one.”

“You got me beat.” Leine handed the last bag to Zarko. “My worst was a cave in Yemen. Cold, dirty, no running water, toilet was a spot on the ground, as far from my bivvy bag as possible. Lots of bats, but at least there weren’t any rodents.”

“That you could see.”

“Good point.”

Art and Leine followed the rest of the group into the farmhouse.

“Put your things away, clean up a little, and then meet back down here in twenty,” Art told everyone. “We’re going to do some planning.”

“There should be enough rooms to have your own. First come, first served.” Leine smiled as Pierre and Zarko tried to beat each other up the stairs. Pierre easily bypassed Zarko by scaling the banister. Jorge and Sam just shook their heads.

Gina rolled her eyes at Leine. “See what I have to put up with?”

“Ladies first, guys,” Art said.

“So much for feminism,” Zarko grumbled good-naturedly.

Leine turned to Art. “You want a drink?”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

She led him to the kitchen. Leine grabbed a couple of cold beers from the fridge and handed one to Art.

He took a sip and sat down at the square table occupying the middle of the room. Leine remained standing.

“You doin’ all right?” Art asked. “You seem a bit tense, if I may be so bold.”

Leine sighed as she pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. “That obvious?”

Art snorted.

“This couldn’t have come at a worse time.” She shook her head. “I thought this would be a cake walk. Move to some little Italian town, open a bookstore, hide from the world with Santa once he retires.” She sipped her beer and set the bottle on the table. “He’s going to be here in a week.”

Art’s eyebrows arched in surprise.

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