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“That smell is the trees we’re in, by the way,” Aaron said. “Now, we’re not technically inside the trees, but we do blend in with them. In thirty years of using this base, no one’s ever discovered it. It’s the safest place I can put you.” He spread his arms wide. “Welcome to Limbo!”
Jack laughed. “Aaron’s been talking about this place for years, and I finally got him to show me.”
“Who owns it?” I asked.
Aaron got really quiet. “Who needs to know?” He winked. I wanted to smile, but I couldn’t. I was too worried.
Jack put his hands on my shoulders. “It’s safe. I promise you. We’ll be out of here and on to the next place soon enough. Meanwhile, go ahead and study this.”
Jack handed me a small book with information on my new identities.
I was stunned, and Jack shrugged. “Don’t worry,” he said, pulling out a similar book with his picture on it. “I have to study too.”
22
JACK
Life in Limbo, as Aaron liked to call it, wasn’t too bad with Emma keeping me company. I didn’t want to keep her there too long, and I was getting worried that we hadn’t done much to take care of her unborn child.
Luckily, Aaron was able to have a doctor pay her a visit.
“We can trust him?” I asked Aaron. “Emma really won’t like seeing a stranger, even if it is for her own good.”
“I wouldn’t bring anyone here I didn’t trust,” Aaron assured me.
I felt the same way about working with Aaron. We’d had been through some of the worst of things. You know a man by the way he handles himself in a life or death situation. Aaron was always honest, and of a clear mind.
The doctor Aaron brought was Cantonese, and had apparently worked for another mafia off of the West Coast. He was quiet and for a while, I thought he didn’t speak English. We took him to meet with Emma, who was understandably skittish.
“This is Dr. Chao,” Aaron said.
He waved.
“Follow us to the medical room,” Aaron said.
As we went, I couldn’t help but marvel at how cleverly built “Limbo” was. It neatly blended in with nature, yet felt like a real government building. We ended up in small room fitted with a hospital bed, and Dr. Chao got to work. He started to take Emma’s blood pressure, and he took other vitals as well. The man was all business, and he wrote down notes on a small clipboard. He whispered to Aaron, who nodded.
“Dr. Chao says that Emma’s iron is probably low,” Aaron said. “We can fix that, Doc. How much do I owe you?”
“Let me get this,” I said, pulling out a wad of cash.
Aaron laughed and so did Dr. Chao. “I don’t take cash,” he said, “just favors.”
“Of course…”
Aaron laughed. “Whatever it is, I’m sure you can repay the favor, Jack.”
Emma gave a stern look to all of us. “No favors around me, I already have a father who thinks he can just sign some documents and make my son a living trust for the mafia.”
Dr. Chao nodded respectfully, and the three of us left Emma for a moment.
“You’re ready to get out of here,” Dr. Chao said. His English was impeccable. “Your baby will be fine, and don’t worry too much about the favor. That’s for Aaron to do.”
Aaron smiled. “I’ll get that shipment to you, Dr. Chao.”
We walked Dr. Chao back to his boat. He had driven himself here.
I went back in with Aaron, and I had to ask him what the shipment was.
