Page 73
* * *
Linc got to the hospital as fast as he could. Gideon had found a way to get him on a plane in less than forty-five minutes after Leila’s call. Not only did Linc go, but Jase went with him.
When he got to the hospital floor that Leila had told him to go, he was met by police. They would only let Linc go to the waiting room, and even that had a guard in front of it. The room was filled with solemn-faced men and women who wanted to be there for Miray and Leila Cloud. But it was obvious these were just co-workers of her dad, not friends and family. He hated seeing Leila and her mother alone like that.
He looked around for Tessa and Jackie, but they weren’t there. He vaguely remembered that Leila’s friend Tessa was in Tahoe, but he didn’t know why Jackie wasn’t there. He crossed the room fast, and knelt in front of the two women, and put a hand on each of their knees. Mrs. Cloud didn’t look up, but Leila did. She grasped his hand in both of hers, like it was a lifeline.
“You came.”
“Of course, I did.”
The man sitting next to Leila got up to stand next to a window and Linc sat down beside her, so he could wrap his arm around her. She shoved her face into his neck, and he felt the wet of her tears. Not even after all the shit that came down in Syria had she been like this.
He looked up and saw Miray Cloud looking at him; she had a sort of smile on her lips. “How is your husband?” he asked.
“We don’t know yet. He’s still in surgery.”
Linc nodded.
Leila gripped him tighter.
He saw Jase walk into the room. He must have passed inspection. Linc gave him a chin tilt, and he walked over and put his ear next to Linc’s mouth.
“Can you find out her dad’s status? These suits have to know the truth, and these ladies can’t handle not knowing it.”
Jase stood up and nodded.
He walked back out of the waiting room.
It was ten minutes later that a silver-haired man in a suit, with his tie askew, came over and took the seat that was immediately vacated next to Miray Cloud.
“Paul,” she exclaimed. “Nobody will tell me what’s going on. Grant has been in surgery for over four hours. Please, just tell me what’s going on.”
“He was shot only once. In the chest. But Leila told you that. Going in, they didn’t think they were going to be able to repair one of his lungs, but they were going to try. His heart wasn’t hit, so that was good news.”
“What about the other shots I heard?” Leila asked.
“His gun had been discharged three times, and you told us you had fired one shot. That means that your dad took the other two shots. That’s probably what saved him and you from being kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped?” Miray gasped. “Why would someone want to kidnap my family?”
“We’re not sure,” Paul answered.
“They weren’t trying to kidnap me, they kept trying to pull dad out of my arms so that they could take him.”
“Leila, I know you’ve wanted to be here for your mother, and I can understand it. But I would really like you to make your statement now.”
“To the police?”
“No, to Agent Carlson of the FBI…” Paul pointed up to a tall, good-looking African American man who had a kind smile.
“Okay.”
Linc knew she hadn’t even realized she was still clutching his hand. He turned to Paul, whoever he was. “Can I go with her? I’m Lincoln Hart, her boyfriend. I’m also Special Operations with the United States Navy, out of Little Creek.”
“S.E.A.L.?” Paul asked.
Linc nodded.
