Brittany took her time getting back to the base camp along the southern shoreline of Andros Island. Todd had released his tight grip on the dash's grab bar long before the color had returned to his paled face.
Ray and Frank Caposi were waiting for them at the stern of the houseboat as Brittany nosed the bow of the catamaran powerboat towards them. After tying the boat off, the two brothers helped Todd and Vince unload their gear and surveillance equipment. Rob was nowhere in sight. It was obvious he had other things that were occupying his interests.
Everyone but Kimmie had gathered in the livingroom of the houseboat, waiting further instructions.
"You guys can put your equipment in the spare stateroom." Brittany stated, directing Todd and Vince down the narrow hallway."
"Who's sleeping where?" Vince Beckman inquired with a hint of a grin on his face.
"You and your brother can share a stateroom." Brittany replied. "Frank and Ray in another."
"Amanda, you'll be sharing a room with Kimmie." She added. "She's around here somewhere."
"I think she's up on the top deck, laying out in the sun." Amanda stated. "I met her briefly when we arrived."
"What about you?" Vince asked. "Where're you sleeping?"
"My stateroom's at the rear of the boat." Brittany answered with a glare. "I sleep alone!"
"Vince and I should probably start setting up our equipment while we've still got plenty of daylight." Todd suggested. "After that, I'd like to prepare a nice dinner for everyone. Hope everyone likes Italian."
Everyone agreed with Todd's suggestion. Having someone on the team who actually liked to cook was warmly welcomed.
While everyone went about getting situated, Brittany ascended the stairway to the upper level of the houseboat. Kimmie was relaxing in the hottub, sipping a cold soft drink. She didn't look very happy.
"See you made it back alright." Kimmie muttered as Brittany approached.
"Yeah. I brought the surveillance team with me." Brittany responded.
"Take it, you met Amanda." Brittany said.
"What a slut!" Kimmie retorted. "That fuckin Rob can't keep his eyes off her!"
"Well, whatta you expect?" Brittany asked. "She's got one helluva body! Great legs!"
"At least there's four other guys left for the two of us to share." Kimmie stated, grinning.
"There's four other guys for YOU to share!" Brittany corrected. "I'm not sleeping with any of them."
"Why? What's the matter?" Kimmie asked, surprised. "You haven't lost your sexual appetite, have you?"
"No, I haven't lost anything." Brittany replied. "I'm just gonna keep things on a professional basis, that's all."
By early evening Todd was in the galley fixing dinner. He and Vince, along with the Caposi brothers help, had their surveillance equipment set up onshore. One radar system could pick up a boat, no matter how small, as far away as seventy miles and track its course and speed. The other system, even more sophisticated, could alert them to any aircraft in the vicinity for a distance of well over a hundred and fifty miles.
Vince showed Brittany how the equipment performed although she was quite familiar with radar systems on boats she'd driven.
"I brought a portable system along to put on the chase boat." Vince stated. "I'll can install it in the morning if you'd like."
"Ok." Brittany agreed. "I'll give you a hand so I can get familiarized with it."
During dinner, Todd received countless compliments on his cooking skills till his face blushed beet-red. Amanda brought up the subject of Brittany's book. She was the only one, other than Rob and Kimmie who was aware of it.
"What's the book about?" Vince inquired. "Hope you brought a copy with you."
"I've got a copy you can read." Kimmie quickly stated. "I finished it this morning."
"It's about murdering a bunch of bad guys and making lots of money while doing it!" Brittany spoke up, trying to be a smart-ass.
"What's the name of the book?" Todd questioned.
"Thunder in the Caribbean." Kimmie spoke before Brittany could open her mouth. "It's a documentary."
The stern look on Brittany's face was aimed directly at Kimmie, trying to get her to shut up about the book but it was to no avail. Kimmie kept on promoting the book like it was a bestseller, knowing full well it disturbed Rob.
"I've got a copy someone can have." Rob retorted. "I lost interest in it before I was halfway through it."
"Rob lost interest when he found out there weren't any pictures in the book." Kimmie quipped, glaring at the man.
"Kimmie! Shut the fuck up!" Brittany shouted. "I don't wanna hear another word about it! OK?"
The rest of the dinner was eaten in near silence. Everyone surmised there was alot of tension between their team's leader and Rob. After dinner, Brittany and Kimmie cleaned up the galley.
"I'm sorry about pissing you off during dinner." Kimmie muttered. "I was only trying to stick up for you."
"I don't need anyone sticking up for me." Brittany murmured. "I can do my own talking."
"I know. I was just trying to get back at Rob." Kimmie said. "He's acting like such an ass."
"He's a mental mess." Brittany stated, keeping her voice down. "He's still grieving over his wife's death, concerned about someone taking care of his son and he's worried about me."
"What do you mean he's worried about you?" Kimmie asked.
"Wait till we start intercepting the drug runners." Brittany answered. "I'm betting he loses his cool the first time he thinks I'm in any danger."
"You think he loves you?" Kimmie exclaimed. "Oh God! I shouldn't have slept with him last night!"
"I'm glad you did." Brittany responded. "Let him get all the fresh pussy he can. Once it's out of his system, he'll come back to me."
"You are weird!" Kimmie muttered. "I wouldn't want any man of mine fucking other women."
"I wouldn't mind ……… as long as I'm involved." Brittany quipped.
"Wow! You are weird!" Kimmie exclaimed, grinning evilly.
Early the next morning, Brittany gathered the Caposi brothers and Amanda together for a talk on strategies. Showing them the weaponry they'd be using, they were quite fascinated with the PWA M4-A3 assault rifles as well as the Glock 37-45 handguns. Brittany placed three of the Winchester 1100 modified shotguns on the table.
"I've got leg holsters to go with these along with plenty of ammo for everything." Brittany stated.
"When this assignment ends, you can keep the weapons if you want." She added. "I won't be needing them."