Alien vs. Alien

asked, as we saw Cliff hail a taxi and get in.
    “No, he’s big on public transportation.” Chuckie shook his head. “I’d prefer it if he had a driver. He leaves himself too open.”
    “You know, he mentioned that Colonel Hamlin is a good man. Think that the Colonel could be the good man Bellie was referring to?”
    Chuckie shrugged. “Could be. Cliff’s last name is Goodman, so it could be him, too, I suppose.”
    “Only you don’t think he’s a bad guy.”
    “No. I don’t. Of course, I could be wrong.”
    “Like when does that happen? Exactly never?”
    “Hey, I was wrong about where Hoffa was buried,” Chuckie said ruefully, as Buchanan rejoined us.
    “That’s right. Where is—”
    “Ambassador Martini’s getting really impatient,” Buchanan said. “I think you need to get back in there. They can’t do anything without you.”
    Chuckie nodded. “You’re right.” He hugged me. “Thanks, and be careful. And don’t tell me what you’re doing so I don’t have to lie to Cliff about it.” He sauntered down the hall, again looking relaxed and like the guy I was used to, not Mr. Tension Overload. He’d needed Naomi and Abigail, but Cliff’s visit had helped him just as much.
    “You look pleased,” Buchanan said quietly.
    “It’s nice to see him have an actual friend here, other than me or the Gower girls, I mean.”
    Buchanan nodded but didn’t say anything.
    “You don’t agree?” White asked.
    Buchanan shrugged. “Like I told Missus Chief not that long ago, you want to be sure the people who appear to be your friends like you for yourself.”
    “And Cliff sure seems to like Chuckie for who he is.”
    “His last name is Goodman,” Buchanan said flatly.
    “And he said his former commanding officer was a good man. We discussed this before d t happen?you rejoined us. Chuckie trusts this guy, and that’s always been and always will be good enough for me.
    “Goodman is a common last name,” White said. “And there are plenty of good men out there. I don’t believe wehave enough yet to point a finger at anyone, especially based on the word of a parrot.”
    Buchanan nodded. “Too true, Mister White. Now, Missus Chief, I think we have another task at hand that you wanted to get moving on. We either get going or we table it for tomorrow, your choice.”
    “Let’s roll.”
    Buchanan chuckled. “You sound so ‘street’ when you say that.”

    Yi

CHAPTER 20

    W HILE WHITE AND BUCHANAN went to get whatever it was they’d need for our latest adventure, I retrieved Jamie from Pierre again and headed to the fourth floor.
    Pierre had insisted we put in a school and daycare center within the first days he was with us. Because they were living at the Embassy now, too, and she wanted something to do while her husband was fighting the various fuglies we were always up against, Denise Lewis was the teacher and daycare worker. Right now, we didn’t have a lot of students, just their kids, Raymond and Rachel, and Jamie. However, we had a number of infants whose mothers were about to go back to work full time and another set of babies on the way—Denise wouldn’t have it easy for too long.
    Denise was a gorgeous blonde with a fabulous figure and perfect teeth. She wasn’t a Dazzler, which was what I called all the female A-Cs to myself, but she gave them a good run for their money.
    She gave me a huge smile. “I didn’t want to suggest it, but I was hoping you’d bring Jamie in for a while. I’ve missed her.”
    “She’s missed you, too, I’m sure.” I gave Jamie a big hug and kiss, then handed her and her diaper bag, which I’d been carting around all this time, to Denise. “Not sure when I’ll be back. I have breast milk stored up, but since her teeth have come in, she’s started solids.”
    Denise laughed. “Pierre talked with your mother-in-law. We’re fully stocked for everything our little girl here needs. Besides, you’ll be back soon.”
    “Huh?”
    “It’s almost dinner time.”
    I gave Jamie another kiss, then rejoined White and Buchanan at the front door. “Shall we go retrieve the boys from Romanian soil? I don’t think we can do much else today—Denise pointed out that time has flown.”
    “That happens when we’re fighting off dangerous forces and taking impromptu politically charged meetings, Missus Martini,” White pointed out.
    “Sure, let’s get the kids,” Buchanan said. “I want to discuss something with you before I do my fast fade