Incognito

Chapter 3-3

The next day was as grueling as the one before. Many items of the treaty were far from settled. That half of her assignment was not going as easily as she had expected. Would the other part?

She had thought she had come up with a plan the previous night on her walk, but after hearing the argument between John and Tad, decided it wouldn’t work. She had tossed and turned most of the night, trying to think of another scenario to approach Tad. This morning, she thought she might have one.

Cam decided it was time to take the first step. When she passed Tad in the hallway later that evening, she drew him aside.

“Tad, I have a couple questions you might be able to answer for me,” she said.

Tad looked wary but interested. “What can I do to help you?” he offered.

“Well, first,” she said in a low voice, looking around to make sure they weren’t overheard, “how does one get out of here without alerting the Marines? I can’t take a step outside without an armed escort. I had one of them follow me all around the city the other night.”

Tad laughed. “I know the problem. I went crazy the first few months here.” He shook his head. “It’s easy,” he whispered conspiratorially, “The kitchen door and back gate aren’t watched that carefully and there’s not someone in the kitchen most of the time. You just have to know the codes. I’ll write them down for you.”

Cam smiled widely. “That’d be great! I’d appreciate that. But isn’t that a steel gate?”

Tad chuckled. “That’s why no one watches it. Everyone just assumes they’re safe.”

Cam smiled and nodded.

“What’s your next question?”

Cam grimaced and explained, “The negotiations have been really grinding. I need something to help me relax. Do you know where I can get anything?”

“There’s a full bar in Dad’s office. Just ask Dad’s secretary, Kyle, for whatever you want.”

“I already did that. He got me some scotch, but that’s not what I need. I need a different form of mood adjuster.” She smiled at him.

He stopped a minute.

“Why are you asking me? How would I know where to get something like that?”

Cam shrugged. “You look like a guy who knows his way around; I just thought you might know. I really need it right now and I don’t think your dad or any of the Marines could help me. The scotch is only making it harder to wake up in the morning. I need something else.”

“What? Weed?” Tad looked warily at her.

“That would be okay, but coke would be better, or even some crack. Something I can do in my room without anyone noticing it,” Cam said. “Whatever you can find. Just something to make the world look better.”

“I didn’t think government-types did stuff like that!”

“A lot of us do,” Cam admitted. “We just don’t talk about it. It might mean our jobs.”

Tad nodded thoughtfully. Cam watched as he considered helping her. He still didn’t fully trust her. That’s why she had talked about everyone using. She waited patiently as he considered her request.

“All right. Let me see what I can come up with. Do you need it tonight?”

Cam shook her head. “No, but as soon as you can, though. I’ve been without since I left the States a week ago and it would sure help my negotiating.”

“I hear you. Sometimes I wish Dad would relax with stuff other than vodka. That stuff will eat your liver.”

Cam laughed. “If you find something that won’t destroy my liver, let me know how much it’ll cost. I need to get more dollars changed to pesos. I can do that when the banks are open during lunch time tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll see what I can do.” Tad walked down the hall toward the family quarters.

Well, he didn’t say he could, but he didn’t say he couldn’t. Smart boy. Let’s see what he comes up with.