Part 7

The next morning, Sherry was up early. She reread the file one last time and went over the profile again. Davenport came in to find her sitting at the table reading the file.

"I thought I heard someone moving around. And what did I tell you about second guessing yourself?"

"I’m not. I just want to make sure I haven’t missed anything," came her huffy reply. Realizing that she had snapped, she apologized. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you."

Walking up behind her, Davenport sat a cup of coffee in front of her and then began to massage her shoulders. "You’re wound up tighter than a drum. You know, the offer still stands. I’ll go back with you."

Leaning back into his hands, she sighed. "Thanks, but no. I need you here. It will help me to know you’re in charge," she reached up and laid her hand over his. "However, if you keep that up much longer, I’m gonna be so relaxed I won’t be able to move." They both laughed as Curlly walked in.

"I see you’re, uh ... focusing again, Sher," Curlly quipped. Davenport looked confused. "Don’t ask," Sherry told him.

After everyone had assembled and gotten their gear together, Sherry gave one last briefing. "Okay, you all know what you have to do. I won’t be coming back with you, so if you have any questions, now would be the time to ask."

"What are you going to tell them?" Brenna asked.

"I’m going to tell them the truth. I will explain that there are explosives set to detonate at Oversight and Section and I’m the only one with the codes to stop them. Once my people are in place, they will contact me and I’ll give them the codes to abort the attack. I placed explosives around Section before I left, but didn’t activate them. Curlly will do that at the appointed time."

Joann voiced what they were all thinking. "But they’re going to think you ... we’re trying to take them all down."

Sherry nodded. "Yes, they will. But, they won’t cancel me until the explosives are deactivated."

"But what if they interrogate you? If they get the codes before we’re ready..." Joann continued. Sherry shook her head. "It will do them no good. They can’t deactivate them. Curlly will be the only one capable of sending those commands. And she won’t do it until you’ve taken out the base."

"Any other questions?" There were none. "Then I guess it’s time to get this show on the road. Good luck everyone," Sherry said and grabbed her weapons. "Oh, I almost forgot." Taking off her ring, she handed it to Davenport. "Would you hold on to this for me? I can’t very well be wearing Michael’s ring when I’m supposed to be buying one with you." Davenport nodded and carefully placed the ring in a safe place. Then they all grabbed their gear and left.

When they arrived in town, Davenport parked directly in front of the jewelers. Since they wouldn’t be coming back to the car, it wouldn’t matter. It also made the distance to the inside of the store shorter, giving Michael’s team less of a chance to take them before they went inside. Curlly and the others had arrived first and had hidden the van about a half block behind the store. "Is everyone in place?" Sherry asked over her comm unit.

"Yeah, we’re ready," Curlly answered. "There are five unknowns that have been shadowing Michael’s team. Brenna and Joann are watching them."

"Good. As soon as Davenport gets clear, he’ll head for the van and if they need help, he’ll assist. Let’s get this show on the road."

Davenport got out of the car and walked around to help Sherry out. He kept his eyes open, ready for someone to come after them at any second. He spotted someone he thought was Rita a short distance down the street, so he whispered to Sherry to keep her eyes open. Putting an arm around her, Davenport escorted her inside the jewelry store. Sherry let out the breath she’d been holding when they got inside.

"Well, that part’s done," Sherry whispered to Davenport who chuckled then lead her to the counter. The clerk nodded to them and asked if he could be of assistance. Davenport nodded. "We would like to see your selection of sapphire rings." The clerk nodded and reached down to unlock the case. The jeweler came from behind a second counter, which was the signal that someone was coming. "Sir, perhaps you would like to see our selection in the back room. We have a few lovely items that just came in. We haven’t gotten them displayed yet."

At that moment the door burst open and three operatives rushed through, each with guns drawn and masks down. Sherry yelled "Go" and pushed Davenport away. One of the three took aim at Davenport, but Sherry moved in front of him. The bullet hit her in the shoulder. As she fell, she hit her head on the counter, knocking her unconscious, but she had given them just enough time to get Davenport out the back. A third man in the back of the store helped him down a staircase into the sub-basement and through a series of underground basements until he came out a block down the street.

Meanwhile, gunfire erupted outside. Wanting to following Davenport, but needing to see what was happening outside, Michael told Rita and Xavier to stay with Sherry and see that she didn’t get away. Then he ran outside. Sinjn and DL were under fire. He quickly took cover and tried to assess where the shots were coming from. Suddenly there were gunshots coming from the opposite direction. He watched as three shooters fell to the ground. Someone was protecting his team. But who?

He started to get up to find out when another gunshot came his way. He quickly ducked and the bullet grazed his arm. He waited a few moments then stood again. He heard a gunshot and saw his would-be assailant fall from the roof of a building across the street. He couldn’t see anyone else. Sinjn and DL quickly made their way to him.

"Michael, what’s going on? Who’s shooting at us and who’s shooting at them?"

Michael walked over to one of the downed shooters. Turning him over, he recognized the man as Crystal Sky. So, Crystal Sky was after them. But how did they know where to find his team? He didn’t like the answers that were running through his head. And who was protecting his team? Had North or Operations sent a shadow team? His mind full of questions, he returned to the store.

"Is she alive?" he asked as knelt down beside Sherry, smoothing the hair back from her face.

"Yeah, she’s alive. She hit her head pretty hard against the counter when she fell. I don’t think the gunshot wound is serious," Rita answered him. Michael nodded. "Call housekeeping." Then he picked Sherry up and carried her to the van.