Page 6 of Salute, To Bravery
Harper
M y unofficial visits to Rehan continue over the next few days, but even though I’ve been discreet, they haven’t gone unnoticed. Whispers of my divided loyalties are circulating, and I am receiving increasingly suspicious looks from my team.
I know I’m under orders to gain Rehan’s trust, but I’m also finding myself drawn to him.
He’s a handsome man, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s the way he carries himself and his knowledge that captivate me.
I want to deny it, but the truth is, the feelings I’m starting to develop for him are not just related to my duty.
I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with him.
As I make my way to the mess tent for an early breakfast, I can feel the wary glances of my colleagues. Sergeant Miles, who is my trusted second-in-command, approaches me with a furrowed brow, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by a taut expression.
“Ma’am, can we talk?” he asks, his voice low, as he nods toward the exit.
I follow him outside. “What’s going on, Miles?” I ask, bracing myself for the confrontation.
“It’s about your visits to Haddad,” he responds before pausing and looking around to ensure we’re out of earshot. “People on the base are starting to talk. They’re saying you’re getting too close to the prisoner, and it’s compromising your objectivity… or worse.”
I sigh, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. “I’m just doing my job, Miles. Interrogating him and building up a rapport with him to get information. I took an oath when I joined up, I will never do anything to compromise the safety of this base or the soldiers on it.”
Miles looks at me, skepticism etched across his face. “It seems to be more than that. Why are you spending so much time with him?”
I meet his gaze, realizing that any deflection will only fuel further debate.
“He offers an alternative perspective… a new insight,” I admit.
“He makes me see things differently, but everything I do has been agreed by the CO. And I repeat, I won’t do anything to compromise safety. You need to trust me.”
Miles shakes his head, his expression a mix of concern and acceptance.
“I do trust you, but you need to be careful. You’re walking a very fine line, and I’m not the only one noticing that Haddad is getting special treatment.”
I nod, the gravity of the situation settling in. “I understand. Thanks for the heads-up.”
As he walks away, I feel a chill that has nothing to do with the early morning breeze. The conversation has solidified the precariousness of my position, but as I turn toward my accommodation, my resolve hardens. I need to speak to Rehan.
Later that day, under the guise of a routine check, I make my way to the holding area where Rehan is being kept. I enter his cell, closing the door softly behind me. Rehan stands up, his expression tense. He must notice the worry on my own face.
“Harper?” he greets with caution.
Over the last few days, our relationship has become more relaxed and familiar, and we have started addressing each other by our first names whenever we’re alone together.
“We need to talk,” I begin, getting straight to the point. “My visits haven’t gone unnoticed. There’s talk on the base. Suspicions about my motives.”
Rehan’s brow furrows. “Our meetings are putting your integrity at risk,” he says quietly.
We stand there facing each other, the air thick with unspoken words and tension. Finally, Rehan reaches out, his hand brushing against mine.
“If I agree to share more details of my mission, would that help?” he says simply.
“It might help to persuade my CO that you are who you claim to be,” I reply.
A noise comes from the other side of the cell door.
“It’s too dangerous to talk here,” I warn him. “The base has been put on high alert, so I should go. The interrogation tent offers more privacy. You can tell me more when I interview you tomorrow.”
Rehan nods, his head moving closer and closer to mine as we stand together in his cramped cell.
“Tomorrow, then,” he replies and turns away from me.
Leaving his cell, our conversation weighs heavily on my mind. I inform Major Anderson of the latest development then return to my quarters, feeling torn between my duty and the unexpected bond that’s formed between Rehan and me.
A storm that’s been threatening all day finally breaks in a torrential downpour pelting the ground outside.
It mirrors the turmoil inside me. According to our latest intel, the enemy is on the move and an attack looks more than likely.
Decisions outside of my control have to be made, and lines will be drawn.
I’m beginning to suspect, no matter the path I choose, the course of my life and Rehan’s and the direction of the war that has raged for decades are about to be irrevocably altered.