Page 80

“Can I have a cow?” Dale asked.

“No. ”

“Shit,” Dale sighed, but obeyed Nerit. He climbed into the truck with her not minding the drying blood one bit.

Curtis moved back to the Hummer. The young police officer was tense.

When he slid into the other SUV, he hunched down and looked away from Katarina.

Nerit slammed the door shut and backed the truck up slowly.

“She did what I would have done,” Dale repeated.

“I know,” Nerit said.

“It’s not fair that doing something like that can get others killed or kidnapped,” Dale said gruffly.

“Yes, but life is not fair. ”

“So the fucking military is out there, huh?”

“Yes,” Nerit answered, following the Hummer, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Great. Fucking great. And who do you think controls them?”

Nerit shrugged her shoulders. “People of power. ”

“Dammit,” Dale cussed. “I was kinda hoping Congress got ate. ”

3. Only Questions

Katie ran across the lobby avoiding some of the old timers taking up their morning bingo spots. Her blond curls were pulled up into a ponytail and she was clad in one of Travis’ shirts. Her swelling belly was beginning to pop out the bottom of her tops. Though she felt sheepish to admit it, she loved it. Instinctively, she placed a hand against her stomach as she ran, almost as if she could protect the baby from whatever news had returned with Nerit and the others.

Travis had never returned to bed and she had woken up groggy and disoriented. She had called down to the front desk to find Peggy grumpy and cursing about Travis making her nuts. It was then she found out the two groups Travis had sent out earlier were in route to the fort. After changing her clothes, she had rushed downstairs.

Catching sight of Nerit talking with Travis, she knew instantly the news was not good. Travis’ expression was grim as he rubbed his brow. Nerit looked calm, but her gaze fierce.

“What happened?” Katie asked as she reached them, her voice raw. She feared the worst and the tension in her face clearly revealed that.

“We found the truck and they weren’t in it,” Nerit answered simply.

Katie blinked at the bluntness of that statement. “Were they. . . was there. . . ”

“They were taken,” Nerit answered. “Apparently by the military. At least Jenni and one other man. We don’t know which of the men it was though. ”

“So we lost two people at the hospital,” Katie said softly.

Travis nodded, his mouth pressed into a grim line.

“And the military is out there,” Katie continued.

“That is likely,” Nerit answered.

“How do we know they have Jenni, but we’re not sure about which of the guys they took?” Travis asked.

“Jenni was injured by a piece of surgical equipment she was holding,”

Nerit, explaining quickly what she had observed. “I gave the surgical equipment to Charlotte already so she can try to save Juan. ”