The Army Comes Calling by Darrell Maloney Page B

Sami came back on the radio.
         “All present and accounted for, Dad.”
         “Thank you, sugar.”
         The tension continued to build until the truck drew almost to the wall at the east end of the compound.
         Then John keyed his mike and said, “I think he’s a friendly. But everybody hold your positions for now.”
         The driver applied his air brakes and stepped out of the blue Kenworth, and there was no longer any doubt.
         “It’s our friend Marty, from the truck stop. Anybody want to volunteer to go greet him?”
         Mark said, “I will, if someone can come up to the northeast blind and relieve me.”
         “Jason, can you head up to the roof and relieve Mark?”
         “10-4, John.”
         “Sami, can you dispatch one person to the gate to let Mark out? Make sure they have a radio and know not to open the gate until we give them the all clear.”
         “10-4. Hannah’s on her way out.”
         “The rest of you stay on alert. I think we can trust Marty, but there’s always the possibility he’s here under duress.”
         As he issued the warning, he continued to watch the monitors for any sign of movement on the highway or aggressors exiting the truck.
         Mark called in.
         “Okay, I’m at the gate.”
         Helen said, “Okay, Hannah, it’s all clear. Go ahead and let him out. Stand by to let him back in.”
         Hannah said, “10-4.” Then she opened the gate, kissed her husband, and said, “Be careful, honey.”
         Marty Haskins waited patiently, slowly pacing back and forth in front of the high wall. He knew he’d been seen on the surveillance cameras, and that someone would be coming out to see him soon.
         He was looking forward to seeing his friends again, but wished it was under different circumstances.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 17
     
         Marty smiled broadly as Mark walked around the corner of the wall.
         “Hello, my friend. It’s good to see you again,” he said as he held out his hand.
         “Hello, Marty. How have you been?”
         “I can’t complain. Hell, it doesn’t do any good to complain anyway, so why bother?”
         “True statement if I ever heard one. Is this a social call? Can you stay for dinner?”
         “Well, it’s partly social, and to be honest, I’m here to ask a favor. And yes, I’d love to stay for dinner if it’s not too much trouble.”
         “Well, I think I can speak for Helen and the rest of the kitchen staff when I say it’s no problem. Wanna bring your truck in?”
         “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. It’s full of stuff that Lenny and I thought you guys might like.”
         “Really?”
         Mark smiled. His curiosity was officially piqued.
         “I’m gonna have to ask for your permission to inspect the sleeper cab and the trailer. John and Frank would kill me if I let you drive a truck into the compound without knowing what was in it.”
         “I expected as much, Mark, and don’t mind at all. Feel free to check it out.”
         Mark opened the passenger side door and stepped inside just long enough to peek behind the curtain into the cab’s sleeper compartment. There was no one there.
         He walked the length of the fifty three foot trailer with Marty at his side. Marty opened up the back, and Mark let out a slow whistle.
         There, sitting on the wooden floor at the very back of the trailer, were two cases of 1976 Eifel Spatlase wine.
         Hannah’s favorite.
         “Marty, Marty, Marty. It looks like I owe you a big debt of gratitude.”
         “Hey, it’s no problem, Mark. Just because I don’t have a woman of my own now doesn’t mean I don’t remember how the game is played. When Mama is happy, everybody is happy. Especially Papa.”
         He