“That sounds like a good way to remember her,” he admitted. “When this is over, we can have a memorial and plant a tree for her. I know Elizabeth would love to have the grounds by the mansion filled with gorgeous trees in honor of a gorgeous soul.”
Caspian nodded.
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
They all needed to heal from this, especially everyone who saw the body after the fact. Chris had never seen anything so foul in his life, and that was saying a lot.
When Caspian reached the door, he glanced back.
“I love you,” he said.
Chris was well aware that each one of their Marines loved them like they were parents. They’d made a family out of a bunch of strangers.
And it was worth the lies and his career.
“And we love you.”
When Caspian walked out, Raphael hugged the man. In that moment, he admired Chris more than he’d ever understand. What rules he broke just saved a life.
“You did something good just now. He’ll hurt because he lost her, but he won’t hurt as much as if he found out the truth. He was going to kill Devon and likely end his life because Caspian isn’t cruel. He’d never be able to live with that or himself.”
Oh, they were aware.
That was why lying had been the best option. Normally, it wasn’t, but to save a life…
Yeah, he’d fall on that sword over and over again.
Only now, Chris was to the point.
“My suggestion is forget what you saw, and tell the others who were there to do the same. You heard what I told him, so spread that around. Elizabeth didNOTwant him to know, and we are not letting him know. I covered our end with MATE and the paperwork. Loose lips sink ships, Winn.”
Oh, he didn’t have to tell him twice. That was for damn sure.
Only, now, he was curious.
“You had a plan? Because I heard crazy movement outside the door when I closed it.”
Oh, it was a fast one, but it seemed to have worked. Chris shared what they’d done.
“We hid her in the body elevator in case Caspian started tearing open morgue cooler doors. She’ll go back in when he’s gone until we can get her back to her father. We’re going to have to send him back to DC, because Lance is going to come for him, and us.”
Raphael understood.
“I’ll pass that on to Ivan. You’re right. He’d hunt Caspian down and blame him, then, the truth would be out. The dudeheld a grudge over Ethan’s mother for fifty years. He hated Wyler for cheating on his wife.IMAGINEwhat he’ll do over this.”
Yeah, he didn’t have to imagine.
There was no doubt what would go down.
It was why Chris was beginning to plan‘accidentally’sending her to be cremated in place of another body.
He’d take the professional hit to keep Caspian safe. That would be a lawsuit he’d willingly pay out on.
“Doc, thank you.”
Chris just nodded and followed him out. Caspian was standing there where the two skeletons were now that they’d been fully placed in the box with reverence.
“Did you figure out who they are?” he asked.
