Dying For LA by Ian Jones (top fiction books of all time .txt) 📕

back to studying the map screen, and printed a couple of copies out. He collected one from the printer and together they looked closely at it.

‘Not a lot around,’ Reed commented.

‘No, there’s some industrial buildings or whatever they are on the north, then to the south a hotel, and looks like a small parade of shops. But look, it’s all open in front of the gates. Nowhere to sit and wait there.’

‘Yeah, and a lot of buildings on the other side of the railroad tracks. Check it out, we got apartments, offices.’

‘That photo you got on the map, looks like some warehouses next to the tracks. So may not be much to see from outside anyway, they could well be holed up in one of them.’

Reed nodded thoughtfully.

‘Yeah, and there’s another couple of other buildings across the yard, no way of knowing where they are going to be in there I guess.’

John traced his finger along the roads.

‘Looks like a freeway runs right through, and above the rail tracks, then this other road comes down here, past the yard entrance and down to those shops and the hotel. Seems like that’s the only way to get there. I suppose once upon a time it would have been all trucks, good freeway access, makes sense.’

‘Yeah, it would have been real busy round there once upon a time,’ Reed agreed.

Major Turner appeared and gestured to the door.

‘Let’s go.’

Lieutenant Colonel Mathews was a cheery looking man in his fifties, red face topped by thin sandy hair.

His office was on the top floor in the big main building right at the front of the base, behind the rose garden which John had first seen when they went through the barrier. His desk was old, dark wood, and he had a furled stars and stripes flag in a corner next to the window. He was sitting comfortably, and smiled as they walked in.

‘Sit down, sit down,’ Mathews said.

They all took a seat, Reed dragging over a chair from one side of the large room.

‘I got a couple of questions, as you may expect,’ Mathews said, rifling through a small stack of papers on his desk.

‘Yes sir,’ Turner answered for them.

‘Right. So, first, does Major Turner got to be worried?’

Reed shook his head.

‘No sir. We just want to go and see the place for ourselves, watch and see what is happening, if anything is of course,’ he replied emphatically.

Mathews nodded slowly, then looked across at John.

‘And I got you to thank for all this am I right?’

‘Well, truth be told I got caught up in it. Wrong place at the wrong time.’

John found himself wanting to say ‘sir’ but managed to bite the word back.

Mathews nodded again and picked up a couple of sheets of paper stapled together holding them briefly up. John’s military record.

‘You seen some action John. And I’m told you are a good man. And from what I’ve been told by Major Turner here, not that I agree completely with everything that has happened I believe you deserve respect.’

‘Thank you.’

Mathews leaned forward and rested his forearms on the desk, clenching his fingers together.

‘Now, I believe the LAPD will be collecting Mr Keane within the hour. So my instructions are simple. See that he is put in the car and there is no record of him anyplace, and then you and Captain Reed can make your way over to this train yard where you are to stay out the way, but some place where you are able to maintain some visibility on the area. Major Turner, you are to liaise with the LAPD from now on, please make sure that we are aware of their movements and their plans. Captain Reed, you are not to take any action that will mean questions will be asked of myself or Major Turner, understood?’

‘Yes sir,’ Reed said gratefully.

John smiled, he couldn’t help it. He made a request.

‘Colonel, Major Turner, can I suggest that you contact Chief Brady in the LAPD? He is based in the Downtown area and is fully aware of the original situation. He had his own doubts about Ron Keane I believe. I think he will be very eager to help.’

‘Yeah, ok John, I will make sure I speak to him,’ Turner said.

‘Good. And you are to take two other MP’s with you in a separate vehicle, these are to be briefed and to also stay on the perimeter. It may be necessary to have some additional verification of events at a later date, but I sincerely hope that isn’t the case.’ Mathews instructed.

‘Yes sir,’ Reed told him.

Mathews leaned back in his chair again and studied the three men in front of him, a half-smile on his face.

‘Captain Reed, I have to admit I knew practically nothing about any of this until fifteen minutes ago. In fact, my only involvement was approving you to assist the law enforcement services and keep us appraised of any indications of army involvement. It was extremely important that the army was kept aware of its position. Major Turner has fully explained the situation and I would like to say that I believe you have behaved in an exemplary manner and have doubtless avoided some embarrassment to the US army. It’s fair to say that some of the actions performed have not been in the rulebook and while I do not condone it, in the circumstances I believe you acted in our best interests.’

‘Yes sir. Thank you, sir.’

‘Major Turner, do you have anything to add to my orders?’

‘No sir.’

‘Well alright. Captain Reed, I suggest you take your own vehicle and that the additional MPs do not use any army transport, you are all in civvies and that you maintain contact with Major Turner at all times, am I clear?’

‘Yes sir.’

‘Well, good luck. And it’s a real pleasure to meet with you John, maybe we can get a beer in the OC once the dust settles how does that sound?’

‘It sounds perfect Colonel.’

‘Good.’

Mathews stood up and John shook his hand,