The notion that Junie might have hurt Roger’s feelings sank in to her brain, like a lackluster bullet trying to penetrate a swimming pool full of Jell-O. Roger was usually so thick-skinned and seemed frequently frustrated with her. But now he was looking disappointed that her mission hadn’t been about him. Junie absently patted him on the shoulder, hoping that would be enough: she didn’t have a clue of what do to do with a disconsolate Scot.
Say that three times fast. When Junie didn’t rise to the bait, he went on, Oh, he’s fine. But you’re not, I think.
You’re mean, Bob. Shut up, you, Junie grouched. If you’ve nothing useful to add-
Do I ever?
Come to think of it… NO.
To her surprise, Bob said no more.
McNabb had collapsed into a chair with a hand over his eyes, like he simply couldn’t bear to watch. Spot was standing in front of him, looking unbelievably benign considering the circumstances. Roger flinched slightly when she touched him.
“Junie, lass, you look like you’re about to fold in on yourself like a under caffeinated black hole. Whatever the reasons, I’m glad to see you. Let’s get you the hell out of here,” Roger said. Turning to McNabb he asked, “Where’s the nearest coffee… stand? Machine? Puddle of spilled java? Anything? You don’t want to leave her in this state.”
McNabb, who appeared resigned to the unexpected hand fate had dealt him, sighed. “They’ve got a coffee cart set up in the mess. It’s about a two minute walk from here.”
Junie was already out the door, sniffing the air. Surely she would have smelt it if it was that close. Maybe having this many people around was obscuring the scent? Behind her, Roger prodded McNabb out of his chair and he came without a fuss. Aubrey, Junie noted through the haze, didn’t seem to be handling this too well.
Spot trotted to her side and from behind, Pat padded up silently. Pat seemed preoccupied with casting about for more enemies, but Spot was sniffing the air almost as earnestly as Junie was. A few steps down the hall, Junie caught the scent and pointed to the southwest, exclaiming “That way!” at the same time that Spot turned in the same direction and let out a little bark as if to say, “That way!” The Australian Shepherd looked up at her and whined dejectedly. Junie scratched him behind the ears with a shaking hand and took the time to lean down to him and whisper, “It’s okay, Spot. I’m a trained professional. And I could never have hamstrung someone like you did back there. Just look at my sad teeth; they’d never get through the first layer of skin. We totally need you.”
Spot wagged his tail and licked her face.
In the mess hall, with McNabb having been warned to act natural like he was escorting them instead of the other way around, Junie found a familiar sight and almost squealed with relief and delight. The coffee cart was indeed there, and just the scent of it close up was alleviating some of her withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, behind the coffee cart was her fellow in the Order of Saint Omar, Haley. They must have brought her along after rousting everyone out of the mall. She looked even tinier amongst the burly servicemen who were crowding her cart, getting an eyeful as well as a cup full. She was a pretty girl.
Junie nearly ran to the cart, and Haley came out to greet her with a hug.
“I didn’t know what happened after these guys showed up,” she said quietly after giving Junie a straight shot of espresso. “I hoped you got out okay.”
“Yeah, we’re just fine. No worries for us,” she said, throwing back a second shot. Roger gave her a disbelieving look and Aubrey let out a somewhat enraged noise from the back of her throat. “We just have to find our other friends,” Junie added hastily to appease them. Now that the jitters were wearing off she could focus again. She held out her tactical mug to Haley. “Don’t suppose you could fill this up for me?”
McNabb gaped at the mug. “Where the hell did she pull that from?” he demanded.
“Best not to ask, boy-o,” Roger muttered. Junie ignored them.
“That woman’s like a first generation electric car,” McNabb grouched.
“Flaky, unreliable, and no alternative fuel source?” Roger mused.
“Yes.”
Junie spun around, her hair flying, her blue eyes focused and calm. She gazed around and blinked and noticed for the first time that someone was missing. “Where’s Shavian? Wasn’t she with you?”
Roger rolled his eyes. “Finally! Yes, Junie she was but they took her and we don’t know where the others are either.”
Junie wheeled on McNabb, who did not flinch away. “Where is my Elliott?” she demanded.
“Don’t I wish I knew,” McNabb answered with an unpleasant smile.
“Right,” Junie said, “Time to find the others and get this show back on the road,” she declared with enthusiasm. She looked down at her mug and the smile that spread across her face was positively demented. “And let’s see about finally tricking this baby out, shall we?”