“You need to rest,” Leo said firmly.
“They know you’re not here to replace equipment. Maybe Colonial Rutherford spilled the beans before he died. You’ll need to stay on your toes. They made it clear they didn’t expect me to live. I’m not leaving. I’ll stay here with Sparky.”
“You have a concussion,” Leo said.
“I can still see straight, and I can still shoot,” she insisted. “Plus, you can’t tell my command. They won’t know me as Sergeant Taylor. Colonial Rutherford picked me because the men in my unit made fun of my name. When we arrived, he suggested I go by Sergeant Taylor.”
“What’s your real name?” Leo asked.
Pausing for a moment, she glanced at the men. “I’m Kerrigan Taylor Loser.”
Knight leaned over the table. “Wait a minute. It’s French. You spell it L.O.S.E.R.”
“It’s German. My unit pronounced it as spelled, but it sounds like E.A. at the end. When I proved more than my name, Colonial Rutherford said he liked my grit.”
Shaking his head, Leo said, “I can see why. Rebecca and Julio will love you.”
“I can’t report to work because they believe I’m dead, but I won’t leave my post for the next two days,” she replied. “Then you can send me to this mountain place.”
“Then, I’ll have you help Sparky. She didn’t expect you. Which means if you tire out, rest,” Leo said. “I’ll take first watch with Saint and Shadow. Second watch, Sparky, Knight, Taco. Third watch, Patch, and Hollywood. Cole and Hollywood, I want you to stay with your dogs at all times.”
“Where did Shadow go?” Knight asked.
“I have him watching our new friends,” Leo explained. “He’ll be back shortly. “Sergeant Taylor, I’m assuming you’ll stick to the name until you return home. You can sleep in my bed. I’ll stay out here.”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No, sir. You have an important mission to carry out. I want those assholes to pay. They killed Colonial Rutherford. I’m sure of it. I’ll sleep out here. With my concussion, I have to wake every hour anyway.”
“Fine,” Leo agreed. “Let’s get settled. Tomorrow can be a turning point for us.”
The team dispersed. Hollywood escorted Sparky to the showers, and they took the dogs for a break.
“I know I can’t see,” she said, grabbing Ice’s harness. “Why do I feel like we’re being watched?”
“Because two of our new friends have followed us,” he informed her. “They’re staying a good distance away. I’m still on coms if we run into issues.”
“How do you think it’ll go tomorrow?” she asked softly.
“Leo knows what he’s doing,” he said, keeping his voice low. “Keep your head down and out of sight until we return.”
“We will,” she agreed.
* * *
Leo dialedKit Kat’s number again. “Hi, you’ve reached Catherine Armstrong. I’m unable to take your call. Please leave a message at the beep, and I’ll get back to you.”
Leo pressed his head against his hand. “Kit Kat, it’s me. Damn it. It seems like all I do is apologize to you. I don’t know when I’ll talk to you next, but when I get home…” Leo paused. “I want things to change. We’re a team, and I’ve let you carry the load too long. I love you more than anything, and I don’t think I’ve shown you enough lately. Tell the kids I love them and I’m counting the days down until I’m with all of you again.”
CHAPTER 28
Catherine rushedto get her phone and hit the buttons. Leo finally called her back. The morning started with Grace dropping her phone and breaking the screen.
“Damn it,” she swore as it stopped ringing. When they went shopping, she’d get a replacement.
Addyson and Kassie entered her office.
“Kassie, give me your phone. Leo called, and Grace broke my screen,” she explained, desperately.
Handing her phone to Catherine, they waited while she dialed his number.
