Page 64 of Mountain Impact

“She tried to kill you, Isolde. Jacobs told me what happened.”

Isolde straightened her spine. “I know that. I’m not trying to hide or excuse what she did. But I know she didn’t want to hurt me personally―she wanted to get back at us, for failing Pierre and for failing her.”

The colonel nodded. “What do you have in mind?”

“I think we need a formal program directly for and with families―we need to make sure we identify high-stress situations so they don’t escalate to the point that ... this one did. We need to address the needs of wives, husbands, partners and children.” She stopped to take a deep breath. “You probably think it’s crazy.” she said.

The colonel took his time answering. “It’s not crazy. It’s a great idea. Put the plan together and think of the resources you need. We’ll make it happen.”

“Really?” she asked. “Just like that? I thought …”

“What did you think, Isolde?”

She had the good sense to shut up. “Nothing, Colonel. Thank you, Colonel. You’ll have the plan in place tomorrow.”

“Not tomorrow. On Tuesday. This weekend, I want you to go home and get some sleep.”

“But I just got here.”

“Then get yourself back home, Dr. Durant. Or get Jacobs to drive you back. I need you back in top shape on Monday.”

The colonel left without another word. Isolde spent twenty minutes jotting some urgent reminders to herself―interventions she knew the program needed to include, things to look out for, things she couldn’t afford to forget.

When she looked up again, Drake was standing outside her office. He looked strong and ready to take on the world. The duct tape was gone―his forearm was covered in a thick, gauzy bandage instead.

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” he asked gruffly.

“Shouldn’t you?” she retorted.

He nodded sheepishly. “Yes,” he said. “I’m exhausted, and my arm is killing me.”

“You’re not just saying that to get me to go home with you? Did the colonel tell you I was here?”

“The colonel didn’t need to tell me. Everybody’s talking about the fact that you’re here today, after what happened. That’s some insane dedication to the job, Isolde.”

Now it was her turn to blush.

“Come on. I haven’t had anything to eat since this morning at the hospital, and I’ll bet you haven’t either.”

At the mention of food, her stomach rumbled. She looked down at her phone. It was three p.m.

“Come with me, I have food at home. We’re taking the afternoon off.”

Chapter 20

Drake

Over the next few weeks, Isolde worked tirelessly to bring the new program to life.

Word of what she was trying to do―and support for the initiative―spread quickly around the gendarmerie. Nobody wanted to become Pierre Omont, but what really drove fear into the hearts of gendarmes was the thought of what had happened to Amélie after Pierre’s death.

Drake was proud of the way Isolde had made something positive of an awful situation.

Because waiting outside her house was pointless now that she was working so late, he’d taken to looking for her in the office on his way home, on the days when he had a day shift, to bring her home with him.

He knocked gently on her open office door. Isolde took off her reading glasses, blinking a couple times to focus her eyes. A smile lit her face as she recognized him. Drake’s cock hardened in response but he pointedly ignored it.

“You’re smiling big today,” he said.