Free Monster by Bernard L. DeLeo Page B

forgetting the young men walking around in uniform carrying M16’s. Granted, the airline guy turned their water off. On the other hand, I didn’t pick up anything useful. Still, it was very satisfying to see. We’ll need to keep our eye on that clown who was told off. He’s the ringleader.”
    “How do you know?”
    “His body language. The first bunch who were reseated all glanced at him. He immediately jumped up in line at the front of his crew. I hope we’re close to him.”
    “So you might pick up some conversation, right?”
    “Of course.”
    * * *
    On board the plane, Reskova again marveled at McDaniels’ agility. He avoided bumping things almost as if his body was radar guided. Three of the Syrians were seated in the middle row as Reskova and McDaniels came abreast of their seating. Although McDaniels pretended not to notice the Syrians at all, Reskova saw them check out McDaniels as they had at check-in. A little blonde haired boy of about three hopped out into the aisle right in front of McDaniels who came to a halt so quickly Reskova bumped into his back. The little boy looked up into McDaniels’ smiling face with a look of awe. The boy waved his right hand at McDaniels.
    “Hi,” the little boy said, as a middle-aged man with graying hair came out into the aisle to retrieve the boy.
    “Hi there,” McDaniels replied.
    “Sorry about that, Sir,” the older man said, grinning at McDaniels. “If I look away for a second, the little bugger gets away from me.”
    “No problem at all,” McDaniels crouched all the way down to the boy’s level. He held out his hand to the boy. “My name’s Jeremiah, what’s yours, little man?”
    The boy looked up at his companion, who nodded, and then at McDaniels’ huge hand. After a moment, the little boy gripped McDaniels’ hand.
    “Tommy. My name’s Tommy and this is my ‘Pa.”
    “Glad to meet you, Tommy. My friend and I have the seats right behind you. I guess we better get out of the aisle before we get yelled at, okay?”
    Tommy nodded his head. He allowed the older man to draw him out of the aisle. The older man shook hands with McDaniels too.
    “Jim Osbourne. I’m Tommy’s Grandfather.”
    “Glad to meet you, Sir.” McDaniels shook Osbourne’s hand. He looked at the crew-cut hair and weathered face speculatively. “You do some time in the service, Jim?”
    I did a hitch in the Marines back in the late sixties. How about you?”
    McDaniels had moved past their seats and waited for Reskova to slide in to the window seat before moving out of the aisle. “Semi-retired army.”
    “Not long, by the looks of you. Been in a few scrapes, have you?”
    McDaniels chuckled. “Yeah, but I doubt I’ve seen as many as you, Gunny.”
    “Maybe, maybe not.” Osbourne turned to face McDaniels as other passengers streamed by to their seats. “Been a long time since anyone called me Gunny. I’m taking Tommy back to his Mom and Dad. The place my son-in-law works for transferred him to Detroit. My wife and I’ve been looking out for Tommy while they get settled.”
    “Well, if you need a break, send Tommy back with me, Gunny. I’d be glad to watch him for you,” McDaniels offered.
    “Thanks,” Osbourne replied. “I appreciate it.”
    “Glad to do it.”
    Reskova noted how carefully McDaniels sat down in his seat, which barely contained his bulk. Reskova patted the middle seat.
    “I bought three so I wouldn’t have you leaning on me the whole trip like you did on the way to LA.”
    “How thoughtful of you.”
    “I see you made some friends and volunteered for babysitting duties. How much experience do you have with children?”
    “Not much but they always seem to like me.”
    “Kids like giants. How tall are you anyway? I saw you ducking around everywhere we go. You really stick out no matter where you are, Cold.”
    “Thanks… six feet seven in my socks. I do a lot of ducking. It’s like second nature now. I… hey, here come the rest of the