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"Could you find out, please? We need to know when he will be flown home and where he'll be taken."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best to get you that information."
"Thank you, sir."
"Yes, ma'am."
She looked at Russell and he nodded. "Gunner, what else can you tell us?"
"Nothing sir, I'm sorry."
"I understand. I appreciate you letting us know, son."
"I didn’t have a choice, sir. Riggs asked."
"Is there a chance we could speak with him?"
"I don't know, sir, but I'll try and find out."
"I realize we're putting a lot on you, son, and I apologize."
"No need, sir. I understand. I'll call when I know more."
"Thank you, Gunner."
"You're welcome, sir."
The call ended, and Russell looked up at Naomie. "Christ, Naomie, he could lose his leg."
"Not all of it," she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around him. "You listen to me, okay? We'll get him the best treatment possible, and he'll walk, ride, run and do all the things he did before. You hear me?"
"I do. But how? With a prosthetic leg?"
She put her hands on either side of his face. "Not just any prosthesis. I know people, Russ. There's a company in Cambridge. I've worked with them. It's composed of brilliant people who are making history with what they're doing. All we need to do is get him home, but the sooner the better, so right now you need to do something you're not going to want to do."
"What's that?"
"Call your brother and have him intervene. Get Riggs sent home. As soon as we know where they're sending him, we'll start making arrangements."
"I can't ask Rich to–"
"Yes, you can. For Riggs."
Russell thought about it for a moment, then nodded and placed the call. To his surprise, his brother answered the call. "Russ? Hey brother, what's up?"
"I need your help, Rich."
"Since you've never spoken those words, I know it's important. Tell me."
"It's Riggs."
There was a momentary pause before Rich spoke again. "Is he alive?"
"Yes, in a hospital in Germany. I want him home."
"I'll call you back shortly. Hang tough, Russ."
"Thanks."