Caomhnóir - 28

Thom watched out the windows of the cab as they headed from the airport into the center of the city. “Not quite what I expected, but at least we won’t stand out like sore thumbs.”

“Very true. Tourists do come here despite the turmoil.”

The cab stopped and for a moment Thom thought they’d reached their hotel. Instead they seemed to be at some sort of military checkpoint. The gun-toting soldier bent to look in at them, asking where they were from and where they were going. Keegan replied in French, assuring the soldier that while he spoke the language he was not a French citizen, and gave him the name of their hotel. The soldier looked doubtful until Keegan slipped him a small bribe.

Then they were on their way again, the cab driver apologizing as he explained that was the norm in the city these days. “Tensions ride high now, higher even than usual, because of the elections.”

“No problem,” Keegan replied with a nod. “I had been warned.”

A few minutes later they arrived at their hotel. After paying the cab driver and retrieving their luggage, Keegan led the way inside.

“It’s like returning to the sixties,” Thom commented as he waited for Keegan to register.

“The times, they are so chaotic, they do not allow for much in the way of modernization,” the clerk replied in excellent if heavily accented English. “I am afraid, too, that the swimming pool is unusable, but the beach is very close, and very lovely.”

Minutes later Keegan was unlocking the door to their room. Again Thom was less than impressed. “I’ve stayed in motel rooms that were no better or worse than this.” He dropped his bag on the desk before going to look out the windows. “On the other hand, damn the view is great.”

“It’s pretty good from—”

Thom swung around, laughing. “Don’t even go there. That line is so old it’s got moss on it.”

“Old man, old line,” Keegan said, crossing to wrap his arms around Thom’s waist. “We could move to another hotel, but it would make my job that much harder.”

“Why?”

“This is where the President’s personal militia stays when he’s in the city. Being close to them means I can get information that I need.”

“Mind reading I presume.”

“Of course,” Keegan replied, smiling tightly.

“And he’s in town?”

“Both candidates are.”

“Which one are you protecting, or whatever it is you’re doing?”

“Protecting, although not overtly. It would be better for the country and ultimately those around it, if the opposition candidate won as his aim is unification. If he were assassinated the election, which has taken almost half a decade to bring about, would be cancelled for who knows how long and the resulting turmoil could be catastrophic.”

“Fun, fun,” Thom muttered, turning in Keegan’s arms to stare out the window again.

“The job, not particularly, but it has to be done. Having you here with me, that will definitely be fun I hope.” Keegan kissed the back of Thom’s neck and then began working from there to his ear, nibbling the lobe.

Thom shivered, and laughed softly. “Always willing to be a diversion when needed.”

“Which would be now,” was Keegan’s husky response.