The Greatest of These by Greg Wendleton (booksvooks txt) 📕

that they were safe and resting comfortably. I bid the nurses good night and thanked them for the great care they were providing to my friends.

On my way out I nodded my appreciation to the agents standing guard in the corridor, then walked outside. Special Agent Presley was sitting in his parked car, right next to my rented GMC Terrain, so I stepped over to the driver’s side as he rolled down his window.

“Get some rest Cooper, tomorrow is going to be another long day. How about you meet me at my office at 8:00 am and we’ll get started.”

It wasn’t a question or a request, it was a direct order. I nodded my head and then said, “Yes sir, I will be there. Good night Special Agent, and thank you for your kindness and your actions today.”

He rolled up his window, backed out of the parking spot and eased out of the lot, presumably heading home for the night.

I unlocked my SUV and slid behind the wheel. I reached over and checked under the passenger’s seat to insure my gun case was still there. It was. Hopefully I would not be required to use it on this trip. Taking a deep breath, I put my foot on the brake and pushed the start button and my vehicle thundered to life. A surge of fatigue came over me as I sat in the driver’s seat. An ache in the pit of my stomach also hit me like a ton of bricks as I realized I’d had nothing to eat since the bento box at breakfast.

I drove out of the parking lot and onto Highway 30 for the fairly short drive to Paia. The drive was uneventful and as I entered the quaint town I decided to stop and grab a quick meal at Rock and Brews, since it was right along the route to the Inn. Police tape lay on the asphalt of the parking lot, but it was not blocked off. So, I pulled in and parked in a vacant spot and hustled out of my vehicle and across the street. Upon entering the bar and grill, I donned my face mask and took a seat at a long table close to the door.

“Good evening handsome, my name is Jasmine, and I’ll be your waitress this evening. Can I get you a beverage while you look at the menu?”

I smiled, even though she couldn’t see it behind the veil of my mask, then I said, “I think I’ll just have water this evening and a classic cheeseburger, medium-well.”

“You got it…”

As she continued to stand by the table and look at me, I realized she was waiting for me to tell her my name. “I’m sorry, my name is Garret.”

I think she smiled as well and replied, “Well then Garret, I’ll get your water and place your order with the chef.” From the look in her eyes, I knew she had a big grin now. The chef, that was kind of funny.

Her playfulness was cute, and would generate a nice tip, but it made my heart ache for my wife. God, I love her so much. Please help her to forgive me for what I’ve done.

As I was lost in my thoughts, Jasmine reappeared with my iced water and gently placed it on the table. “You are really lost in there, aren’t you?”

Shaken by the sudden sound of her voice, I looked up into her kind eyes. “What? Oh, yeah, I am sort of troubled. My friends were kidnapped the other night across the street.”

“Oh no! Have they been located?”

“Yes. We found them earlier today and they are resting in a hospital now.”

“The local police and FBI were here earlier asking questions about them. I told them I hadn’t waited on them Monday night, but I had two creepy guys in here Tuesday afternoon that were also here the same time they were, Monday night.”

That got my attention! “Can you tell me anything about the two men? What they looked like? What they were wearing? Anything at all?”

“They were pigs. That I know for sure. Despite my hairdo, and my outgoing personality, I’m not a slut. They leered at me like I was a piece of meat. They were evil men. They stunk too, of body odor, like they hadn’t bathed in days. They had on cargo pants, long sleeve tees, Under Armour, I think and ball caps. Their caps had Texas on them.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Thank you for that information. I think I have an idea who they are.”

Jasmine nodded her head and looked right into my eyes, and said, “Well, I hope you catch those pigs and they get what they deserve.” Then she changed her tone and started to walk away, saying, “Let me check with the chef to see where your meal is.”

What an amazing young lady. Yes, she looked like a flower child, but that certainly did not make her a slut. No sir, Jasmine was an observant, intelligent and classy woman. Just like Fonda.

Soon, Jasmine returned with my burger and a fresh glass of iced water, and sat it down in front of me. “Enjoy your meal Garret, and let me know if you need anything else.”

I barely snuck in a thank you before I grabbed my burger and took a huge bite. I was ravenous and it was delicious. The chef had prepared it perfectly. As I swallowed the bite, I chuckled to myself.

I finished every bit of my meal and leaned back to help the last little bit slide into my stomach. At least that’s what I pretended was taking place within my digestive system. It also must have acted as a signal to Jasmine, as she walked up with my ticket in hand.

“Oh no, it looks like you didn’t like your meal.”

I chuckled and looked up at her and replied, “It was awful, but I ate every bit of it anyway. My compliments to the chef.”

“I’ll be sure to let Mickey