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

Conrad and Jackie, drove slowly through the residential neighborhood with Conrad trying to remember the exact house where Garret Cooper and his wife, Fonda, resided. He knew he was on the correct street, but couldn’t remember the house number. As they drove, barely above idling speed, Conrad noticed multiple government looking cars parked on the street in front of a craftsman style home on their right. That was the house, but it appeared to be under FBI protection.

Conrad applied more pressure to the accelerator and drove past the house. “That’s the house, but it looks like the FBI in protecting his wife. Best idea would be to get out of San Antonio.”

Jackie nodded in agreement and they headed out of the city and toward Helotes.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

Upon delivering the news that the man who had been watching them on Maui was now, most likely in San Antonio, I began pacing like a caged animal. I was inconsolable and desperate to return home and protect my wife myself. I presented my argument to Special Agent Presley and he went into the bedroom he had been using to call his Special Agent in Charge, Wayne Hein.

Slightly before one o’clock on Monday, March 1, Special Agent Presley delivered the news that it had been agreed, I could return home. A statement would be released indicating that I had been located on Maui and that I was unharmed. The FBI would create a scenario that fit the storyline and clear me of any wrong doing. The statement would continue to claim that Chad and Jamie were missing and the subjects of a far-reaching search.

I made a reservation on American Airlines, traveling from Kahului to Los Angeles, leaving at 9:25pm. I would arrive back in San Antonio on Tuesday, March 2 at 11:35am. I could embrace my wife and provide protection before one o’clock tomorrow afternoon.

I had packed my suitcase, and my weapon, and placed it by the kitchen door. It was only mid-afternoon, but I was ready to leave. Scott and Leilani stopped by to see if we needed anything from the grocery store in the late afternoon. Of course, they couldn’t miss my suitcase sitting at the ready. “What’s up? Who is leaving?”

Special Agent Presley responded on behalf of the group, “Garret is heading home. The man you confronted outside the house appears to be in San Antonio. He had rented a room at a travel motel, but has abandoned it. We are releasing an updated statement that Garret was located here on Maui and is cleared of any suspicion.”

Scott and Leilani smiled, indicating their relief and pleasure at this turn of events. “What time is your flight? We’d be happy to take you to Kahului.”

“My flight leaves at 9:25pm.”

Scott looked at his watch then said, “Well, how about we whip up dinner and then we can leave at about six and get you to the airport with plenty of time to spare?”

We were all in agreement with that idea and Scott and Leilani went to work preparing a final dinner for all of us to enjoy together. Just after six o’clock, Special Agent Presley proposed that he would do the cleanup and allow Chad and Jamie to sit out on the lanai and watch the sunset. I thanked Special Agent Presley for all his kindness and heroics and told him I was looking forward to seeing him again, soon. I hugged Jamie, and Chad, and apologized once again for making such a mess of their vacation and the shipment of vaccine. They graciously waved off the need to continue to feel guilty. They asked me to give Chief, their Chocolate Labradoodle, a hug for them, and to give Fonda a hug and a kiss on their behalf. With my goodbyes made, Scott, Leilani and I departed the Kihei safe house and drove to the Kahului Airport.

The drive was uneventful and mostly quiet. But, before we arrived at the airport, I said, “Scott, I want to thank you for everything. I can’t thank you and Leilani enough, but I will try to show you both my thanks through my actions in the future.”

Leilani responded first, “It is our pleasure Garret. We look forward to your return and meeting your wife. Everything you have told us has made us so anxious to make her a part of our `ohana.”

Seeing the puzzled look on my face, in the rearview mirror, Scott added, “Our family. It’s just the two of us and we have no one to share our life with. I’m not old enough to be your father,” he said with a chuckle, “but maybe an older brother. Please consider everything I have shared with you. The invitation and offer come from both of us.”

“I will talk to Fonda about it all and we will give it considerable thought. I won’t leave you hangin’ bro!”

We all broke into a laugh at my attempt to be a local. At that, Scott pulled up outside of the terminal and I got out of the car, grabbing my suitcase and computer backpack. I closed the back door and then bent forward to peer into the front portion of the glistening BMW. I saw tears in Leilani’s eyes and touched my heart and patted it a few times before turning to enter the terminal.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

Conrad and Jackie Ming drove in silence away from San Antonio into the Hill Country leaving concrete, parking lots and sky scrapers for small hamlets, rolling hills and scrub brush. Conrad had left his house on The Farm early this morning to conduct some business in the city. He had not seen anyone observing him, but considered it would only be a matter of time before the FBI located his piece of land and small house. It was time to move to his alternate location. But, first, he had some things that he must take care of at The Farm.

There