Page 29 of Dark Medicine (Strange Gifts #2)

The door behind Dan Henry crashed open, two bodyguards pointing their weapons in his direction. He sucked in a deep breath and, with all the calm he could muster, turned with hands up.

“Problem? I’m just ending my Skype call as usual,” he said calmly.

The two men eyed one another and then looked around the room. It was clear that something was wrong from their perspective, and Dan could only smile on the inside, realizing Uri had told him the truth. The signals were indeed scrambled, and these two idiots couldn’t figure it out.

“Your call is done. Go back to your quarters,” said one of the men.

“No problem,” said Dan, standing to leave the room. “I’d like to see K privately when she has a moment.”

“K doesn’t have time today,” said the other man. “She’s not on-site today.”

Dan nodded and left the room, heading back toward his small bunk space. The enormous property had ten outer buildings, all no larger than a storage shed. Each one had its own heating and air system, a small toilet and shower, and a narrow bunk. The buildings had one window stretching the length of the building, but short so that even the smallest man could not escape through it.

Many nights, Moore or K would decide that the men should be on lockdown, forcing them to be locked inside their quarters. Dan possessed a newfound bounce in his step, his heart lighter knowing that his wife and children were safe. He needed to temper that in front of the others but knew this would be his way out.

Crossing the large green lawn space toward the sheds, he spied Tom Cullen on one of the stone benches. It was their favorite place to sit because there were no listening devices out this far. Dan walked casually toward Tom, trying to act as if everything was normal. Sitting beside him, he purposely slumped his shoulders and gripped Tom’s.

“Act normal, say nothing, just nod,” said Dan. Tom nodded suspiciously at him. Dan relayed what happened during his call as Tom looked wide-eyed.

“Uri? How? I thought they sent someone to kill him?”

“They did, but apparently, they couldn’t find him or his family. They’re all safe. Uri’s family and now mine,” he said, shaking. “They need our help, Tom. I’m going to do it. If this is my last mission, then let it be a good one.”

Tom looked at his friend, staring hard at his face trying to determine if it was painted with truth or falsehood. For the first time in years, his eyes glowed with the light of love and weightlessness only a man with few worries could have.

“You’re telling the truth,” he whispered.

“Yea, brother. Brother. That sounds good, doesn’t it? We’re brothers, Tom. Remember those days. I do. I remember when we fought for what was right. When we saved women and children, not killed them. I remember when we had balls enough to stand up for the little guy and to stare down the bad guy. We were warriors, Tom. Let’s start acting like it again.”

Tom Cullen’s eyes filled with tears, a single drop of salty liquid rolling down his cheek. Dan squeezed his shoulder, looking around to ensure they were still alone.

“What about Fredericks?” asked Cullen.

“I think he’ll do it, but we have to be careful how we approach him. I know that he’s nervous about everything, and who can blame him? We’re all nervous, and we’re all worried about how this will turn out.” Cullen smiled for the first time in years.

“I think I have an idea.”