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Chapter 21
Clay
A few days have passed, and everything has been quiet. We’ve seen and heard very little from the army, officials, or even the mayor. I’ve left Shawland Security to digest everything we have back at the compound. Our regular check ins at 6 p.m. have been pointless for them and me, but I won’t give up. I owe this to Shay, Josh, and any other American soldiers that have been caught up in this ring.
I sigh. I sit back in my seat and watch Shay finish off today’s physiotherapy session in the hospital gym. It’s painful. I want to run over and carry her through it all. She was always the fastest member of my team, but now she’s struggling to put one foot in front of the other. She might have looked weak in bed, but now she looks so much worse.
I’ve tried to busy myself with my laptop, act like I’m not paying attention to her, but I’m failing miserably. I can’t take my eyes off her. Her face is distorted with pain, her cheeks are rosy with exertion, but she doesn’t moan or complain that she can’t do it. I expected tantrums when the walking aids didn’t cooperate, but so far so good. It’s me that’s frustrated. I could just throw the laptop at the wall, and it’s getting to me that I feel like that. I should be happy that I’ve got Shay home, but I’m terrified of losing her again, and this level of fear is a new emotion for me to feel.
I look back at my screen in time to see an email notification pop up.
TO – [emailprotected]
FROM – [emailprotected]
SUBJECT – MISSING SOLDIERS
MSG
Dear Clay,
You might not remember me, but I was a commanding sergeant when you started your role as staff sergeant. My name is Jared, I live in New Orleans now, but I might have some information that you can use to follow up your leads.
Give me a call – 555 454 3456
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jared
I read the email a few times and try to place the name, but it isn’t ringing any bells. But back then I concentrated on my team and who I reported to. Commanding sergeant probably wouldn’t have been in my sights. But I don’t care who it is; if he has information for me then I’ll be calling him. I pick up my cell and type in the number.
“Hey.” I look up from my screen and Shay is being pushed closer to me in a wheelchair. She looks exhausted. I wish she would stop pushing herself because she’s not ready for this exertion, but sitting in a bed getting weaker isn’t her idea of fun. Her words.
“Hey, you did well out there.”
“Not good enough. Or quick enough.”
“You’ve lost a lot of muscle in your leg, it’s going to take time,” says Leigha, Shay’s physiotherapist. “I didn’t expect to start this kind of therapy for another week at least. Cut yourself some slack, girl.”
“Exactly. Maybe you’ll listen to someone other than me. What do you say I wheel you down to the cafeteria and we can have a coffee and some pie?”
“Throw in some chocolate goodness and you have a deal.”
I laugh because my girl always did have a sweet tooth. She used to moan about the food we were served in the army.
“Prisoners get served better food.” Shay bangs her tray down beside me.
“Is it the wrong time of month for you?” I ask wearily, because I know too well that Shay isn’t afraid to answer me back. The rest of the team might be, but not Shay.
“Seriously? You can’t be happy about eating this crap.” She lifts the spoon in her porridge, and it plops back into the bowl.
“It’s not the Ritz we’re in.”
“A bit of chocolate or even jam might give the poison taste.”
I smile at the memory that washes through me. Those were the good old days. As horrible as they might have been at times, they were happy memories of a job I loved.
“I’m sure I can throw in whatever you like. I’ve got it from here, Leigha. Thank you.”
“No problem. See you both tomorrow.” Leigha walks away.
I look down at my laptop screen and cell, but a call can wait until I’ve got Shay tucked back into bed safe and well. If I didn’t have her home, that would have been a different matter. I pack everything away in my backpack and stand up. I lean over Shay’s wheelchair and take her face into my hands.
“You did good today. I see a huge difference in you.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“I’ll never lie to you, babe.” I lean in closer to her, smelling her sweet perfume. My lips land softly on hers. Never pushing for more, just to let her know that I’m here for her every step of the way. “Let’s get you that chocolate you so desire.”
She smiles brightly at me, and that’s the biggest reward of all.
