SNAFU: Survival of the Fittest

Evening

Things moved pretty quickly after that. I met Gomer outside the welcome center. Major Harold and his men had put the Fitzsimmons Catering company in confinement, then came to escort me and my crew off the premises. I thought everyone was acting a little hastily and I said so, but no one was listening. So it was at six in the evening that we found ourselves at a local diner eating burgers and drinking coffee with the feeling that things were far from over.

Burgess was on the phone at the end of the service counter.

Gomer and I sat in a booth by the window.

“You know this isn’t over, right?” I said to Gomer.

He nodded. “It was a pretty convenient setup. You should have seen the look on the face of Mr. Fitzsimmons. He couldn’t have been more surprised.”

“Did you see any of the spells?”

“They were sophomoric and hackneyed. A sea otter could have spotted them from a mile away,” Gomer said.

“Doesn’t sound like the elegance demonstrated by the man who took down Everett. Do you think it could be real? Do you think Fitzsimmons might be a second threat?”

Gomer Pyle shook his head.

“I think the only thing Fitzsimmons can cast is a fishing pole.”

“Then it was a setup.” I shook my head. “Something’s going to go down, I can feel it.”

Burgess returned from the phone and sat down beside Gomer. The young American Indian had a wide smile on his face as he took two huge bites of his burger that had been waiting for him.

I couldn’t help ask, “What’s up with the smile, kid?”

He held up a finger as he chewed.

Gomer and I exchanged glances.

Burgess took two more hurried bites, which sort of infuriated me, but the kid was hungry. He finally put the burger down and took a great sip of Coke to wash it down.

He said, “So that watch Montesonti wore is the same brand as the watch worn by that kid reading the comic books.”

“The expensive one?” I asked.

He nodded.

“What watch are we talking about?” Gomer asked.

“Lange & Sohn. It’s the only luxury watch manufactured in Glashutte.”

“And where’s Glashutte?” Gomer asked.

The kid grinned. “East Germany.”

I stared at Burgess for a moment, then said, “Damn. Good work.” I stood to go, tossing enough money on the table to cover the bill and a tip. “Let’s go.”

As we hurried out the door to the car, Burgess said, “Now you know why I ate most of my hamburger and made you wait.”

* * *

It was a short drive to Gerhardt’s. We parked a block away then made our way on foot. The sun was going down and most of the businesses were closed so foot traffic was at a minimum. Regrettable because three men in black suits walking down a California street at dusk was about as conspicuous as could be.

I sent Gomer to the front to check if it was still open. If he was seen, no one would recognize him. He came back.

“Locked up tighter than a drum, boss.”

We went around back. Where the front had been devoid of supernatural taint, the rear loading dock and doors reeked of it. I could see wards glowing everywhere. Whatever was inside, no one wanted us to get it.

I approached the dock alone. Most of the wards were defensive in nature, but I spotted one in particular that warned me off. I’d seen it once before on an abandoned Oddfellows Lodge. When passed, the ward delivered a bout of nausea that had left me twisted and writhing on the ground. The memory of it alone kept me from trying to defuse it.

“Are we going inside?” Burgess asked.

“How many wards do you see?” I asked.

“Four.”

“And you?” I asked Gomer.

“Ten.”

“There are seventeen wards. To get past them would take too long and we can’t just barge in. There are several offensive wards we don’t want anything to do with, even if I was able to defuse them.”

Gomer frowned. “What then?”

“Do you remember what Gerhardt’s Catering was responsible for?” I asked Gomer.

“They provided some of the chairs for the main celebration but they were primarily focused on an after-party at Isle of Aves. They were providing all the food and beer, and setting up tables and chairs.”

“That’s where the defense contractors are staying. We need to get there now.” I scratched my head as I tried to picture the location in my mind. “I think there’s a place on the southern edge of The Grove where we can access it from Bohemian Highway.”

“It’s bound to be watched,” Gomer said.

“We also need to warn Everett. I know he thinks this is all over, but he needs to know about the tables and about the camp.” I pointed to Gomer. “You’re going to have to find a way to warn him.”

“And how should I do that?” he asked.

“You’re a Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marines who received a Silver Star in Vietnam. You’re also a certified Level II Warlock assigned to Special Unit 77. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

He sighed heavily. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

To Burgess I said, “Come on.”

“What about me?” Gomer asked. “Can I have a ride?”

I shook my head. “No time. Just do what I said.”

“Aye Aye,” he said.

Five minutes later Burgess was driving down Bohemian Highway.

“Do you have a plan, boss?”

“It’s forming as we speak.”