by Laura Acton
“Thanks,” William said in a tired voice.
“No thanks are ever necessary, you know that. You’d do the same and more for me if the tables were turned. Now, put the coffee down and get some sleep,” Tom ordered sternly.
William chuckled and put the coffee down. “I’ll look for your update in a few hours.” Then he hung up and returned inside after turning off the jammers.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Dan’s Room – 10:05 p.m.
Heather turned to look when the General reentered the bedroom. She smiled as she pushed the sedative into the IV. The General looked so different now. He wasn’t in uniform anymore. Heather realized that he’d showered and changed into a comfortable looking pair of sweats and loose t-shirt. He looked tired and careworn—like a father concerned for his son.
William noted that Heather had just finished administering the sedative per Patch’s orders. He gave the young woman a soft smile and said, “Thank you. I appreciate what you are doing for my son.”
Heather nodded slightly and smiled at the number of times she’d been thanked so far. She turned to put the syringe away and when she was done, Heather softly said, “Dantastic is worth it. If you don’t mind, I’m just gonna grab a coffee. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Then she hurried out to give the General a moment of privacy with his son. As she left, the seriousness of this situation became clear to her. She saw the General place a handgun on the nightstand. Heather shivered a bit at the sight.
William placed his Sig Sauer on the nightstand near his bed then turned to look at his son. He stood there wishing Daniel was still a small boy so he could gather him in his arms and hold him while he slept. But Daniel was all grown, so William would have to make do with being as close as the bed next to him. At least there wasn’t one-way glass separating him from his son tonight like there’d been in Kandahar. He leaned down to Daniel and placed a kiss to his forehead. “Sleep well, my boy, sleep well.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
July 17
Grand Citadel Hotel – Main Suite – 2:30 a.m.
Angus watched the security monitors from the station that had been set up in the main suite. He thought, Loki is dammed good, not a single blind spot. Impressive! Everything looked clear. He checked in with Hal, Duncan, and Russ and got all clear reports from each. Angus leaned back in the chair and looked over at the vast amount of leftover food. He was contemplating grabbing himself an apple when Heather walked out of Blondie’s room. “How is he?”
“Resting, fever is rising a bit, but I think it will peak soon and then drop afterwards,” she replied. Heather helped herself to a bowl of grapes and poured a cup of coffee. “How’s everything on the security front? Do you think any of your guys might want a snack? I could pop out and run one to them.”
“No, they’re good. Wouldn’t want them distracted. Something happens to Blondie on my watch I know eight guys and one feisty gal that will have my head on a platter,” he guffawed, but was deadly serious as he swiftly returned his eyes to the monitors.
Angus thought that petite female TRF officer had a fierce look that scared him more than all the men combined. A tremor went down his spine as he recalled it. He hoped that it remained uneventful throughout the night because he really didn’t want to find out what Loki meant by functioning arms.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Gym – 5:00 a.m.
Jon ran at steady pace on the treadmill in the hotel gym as Bram entered. “Wow, thought I’d beat everyone,” Bram said as he sat on the bike. Being creatures of habit, Bram knew the team would show up in the gym this morning at the usual time. A workout would clear their heads and get the blood pumping.
Nick opened the door, smiled, and shook his head. “Ya know we gotta stop meeting like this,” Nick jested as he chose the elliptical machine.
“Meeting like how?” piped in Loki as he and Ray entered. Ray went to the small selection of free weights. Loki sat on an exercise ball and bounced around enthusiastically since there was no other equipment to use. “Wow we need one of these, great workout,” Loki said sarcastically, but was secretly thinking it would be really fun to have one.
“He looks like an adult, but acts like a kid. Can’t take Loki anywhere,” Jon baited. He smiled, waiting for Loki’s retort.
Loki was about to respond when Lexa arrived. She smiled at Loki’s antics on the ball. “Looks like I’m too late—no more toys. I see Loki’s playing with the best one. You guys waitin’ your turn?”
“Nah, Loki won’t share. Make him share. He always hogs the good toys. Never lets me play with Lucille, either,” Ray fake pouted.
They all chuckled. Today was starting out nice. There was a small sense of normalcy restored after a night’s sleep, even if the situation itself wasn’t normal. The team took turns on the equipment and maintained the usual banter even though they all wondered what today would bring.
Two hours later as they were leaving the gym, Lexa pulled the Boss to the side. “The Commander called last night. I’m meeting with Agent Stevens at eight this morning. She offered to meet me here. So I’m going to clean up and meet her in the lobby. I’ll join you all after I’m done,” Lexa said like she was carrying a great burden.
“Understood,” Nick replied. He’d heard her tone and saw a look in her eye so he ventured, “You know, Lexa, you couldn’t have prevented Garth from firing. It all just happened so fast. Dan wouldn’t want you to beat yourself up over it.”
Click that was it. The shift in her eyes told him he hit the target. Her look told him there wasn’t anything he could say to her to change her mind. She’d have to work it out herself. So Nick just smiled and put a reassuring arm around her shoulders and tugged her forward. “Come on, I’ll buy you a coffee.”
Lexa grinned. The hotel had good free coffee.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Main Suite – 7:00 a.m.
William sat with his coffee. He hadn’t slept well last night. Thoughts of the contents of the suicide note kept entering his head along with both Erik’s and Blaze’s assumption that Daniel was on blackout protocol.
Walter was right—West Donner’s suicide note was the missing piece. He now knew where Danny’s mind came up with those words. He stared out the window as he thought that if, he’d only known back then. But would it have made a difference? Danny was so unreachable, so closed off after Sara died. It might’ve helped back then and then again it might not have. Danny had been so traumatized. William wanted to call Yvonne so badly, but her and Becca’s lives were more important than his need to talk to her.
The note did indeed give him hope, though. If he could just get Daniel to see that he was not the one who’d said those things … maybe he would get his son back. But …
God, things were so complicated. He was certain the Captain was about to haul off and hit him last night as he approached Daniel. It brought back Daniel’s words … ‘General, you failed, too. You failed to kill me. You tried for six fucking years and you failed!’
His gut was churning—there was definitely something very wrong. He had a sinking feeling that his lack of oversight on Daniel’s military career had had insidious consequences. Particularly if his son felt he’d tried to kill him and with the way Blain, Simons, and Shea behaved yesterday.
William looked at his watch and noted that he had two hours to prepare before he had to lay open his personal life to strangers. It wasn’t going to be easy—but he truly believed—although he had no proof—that Major Plouffe was behind those pictures. Plouffe might just be behind much more than William ever imagined.
He got up and decided to spend some time alone with his son before everyone arrived this morning—the proverbial calm before the storm.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Lobby – 8:00 a.m.
Promptly at eight o’clock, Lexa entered the lobby and found Agent Stevens waiting in one of the chairs. Stevens got up and said, “I’ve arranged for a small private room. If you would follow me, we’ll see about getting this done as quickly as
possible. I know you have somewhere else you need to be.”
Lexa had started to follow when she overheard a conversation at the front desk and halted.
A woman behind the desk said, “No, Sir, I can’t tell you that information.”
The man replied, “But I need to know if General Broderick is staying here. It’s important.”
That got Lexa’s attention. She turned and saw the man was an Army Officer.
“I’m sorry. I can neither confirm nor deny whether he’s staying here.”
Lexa couldn’t see his face, but the Officer sounded really agitated as he said, “This is a matter of high security, I need that information.”
The woman wasn’t daunted. “Then I suppose you’ll have to go through military channels to locate this General you’re looking for. Is there anything else I can help you with, Major?”
Lexa’s mind was churning. Odd that someone was trying to find the General. She assumed the military would know how to get a hold of him. Lexa was about to move to talk with the man when Agent Stevens asked, “Coming?” Lexa turned and went with Stevens as she mentally logged the information for later consideration.
Grand Citadel Hotel – Main Suite – 8:57 a.m.
The interview with NRB Agent Stevens was efficient. It was deemed an acceptable use of lethal force. Lexa was surprised to be on her way to the main suite just before nine, the time they’d set to meet this morning in the suite. She was glad she wouldn’t be late or miss anything of importance.
Lexa entered the suite and noticed she was the last to arrive. She grabbed a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll from the tray on the table then sat down. Wow, the General was making sure no one went hungry. There was so much food again. “Sir, thank you for all this,” Lexa said while sweeping her arm towards the food.
“It’s the least I can do,” William replied noticing that the black circles under her eyes had abated a bit. When Heather entered the room, he asked, “How’s Daniel doing?”
“His fever peaked then broke around four and his color is looking better. Vitals are good. He’s resting well now. His body is healing,” Heather responded smiling. There were small sighs of relief all around.
From his place at the table, Patch watched Heather exit the bedroom. Damn, she was pretty. He could gaze at her all day. He shook himself from staring at her and turned to the General. “Blondie’s doing better, but I think it’s best to keep him fully sedated today then start to wean him off tomorrow. His body’s been put through the wringer and he needs the rest.”
General Broderick nodded. “Agreed.” In his head, he agreed for several reasons. One, his son did need the rest. Two, it would give him time to sort things out a bit and hopefully get the security clearance established. Sutton’s message said he was close but not there yet.
But mostly, William was afraid to face Daniel yet. He still didn’t know what to say or how to approach his son regarding Donner’s note. William thought some people would find it amusing that General Badass was afraid of talking to his own son. But so much was riding on him doing it right this time.
Blaze took a sip of coffee then stood up. “Jon and I have worked out the security teams and rotation schedule. We’ll break into three teams of four. I’ll lead team one with Loki, Nick, and Angus. Jon will lead team two with Lexa, Hal, and Duncan. Winds will lead team three with Bram, Ray, and Russ. A mix of TRF and Unit on each team will keep us all in the know. We’ll rotate on eight hour shifts. Team one up first, then team two, followed by team three. The only exception is that Angus will get some rest now and join team one for our next shift. Jon will be covering for Angus this shift.”
Everyone except Patch nodded.
“Whoa, where am I in all of this?” Patch questioned anxiously.
“Always impatient, always. Patch, you and Heather are responsible for Blondie’s health. You get to pull twelve hour shifts. Satisfied?” Blaze grinned knowing that Patch would feel better being as close as possible to Blondie when he was sedated. It always unnerved Patch when Blondie was like that because Blondie wasn’t able to defend himself. “Any questions?” he asked looking at those around him.
He got head shakes from all as the General’s phone rang. Blaze watched and listened to the cryptic call. It was a short conversation that ended with a look of relief on the General’s face.
When William hung up he looked over Daniel’s team. Sutton had come through without having to go to Jerrell. The TRF team now had temporary security clearance to assist in this investigation working through a CSIS liaison and the unit men. William only hoped that Bransworth was as trustworthy as Sutton believed. He refreshed his coffee.
Blaze looked to the General and asked, “When are you planning to start the briefing, Sir? I’d like to take over security so my guys can get some rest.”
It was then Lexa remembered the front desk incident. “Excuse the interruption, but I need to ask a question, General.”
William turned to the pretty female officer and allowed a ghost of a smile to land on his face. “What’s your question?”
Lexa asked, “Besides those of us here, who knows you’re at this hotel?”
William instantly stiffen. “No one, why?”
Lexa took in the rigidity of the General’s body. “I observed something in the lobby and felt it was strange.” She recounted the exchange between the receptionist and the Army Major and noticed the General stiffen even more. “General, is that an issue?” she inquired.
Forcefully relaxing his tense body William asked, “Can you describe him?”
“He was average height, brown hair, I didn’t see his face though as I said he sounded agitated,” Lexa reported.
William raked his hand through his hair. Damn, if it was Plouffe, why was he asking if he was here? Sutton would’ve contacted him if it was something important. It had to be Plouffe—but why was he asking around about him?
Blowing out a breath, William looked at those gathered then stated, “I had hoped not to repeat the briefing. I would’ve preferred Daniel hear it at the same time. But yes, I think it might be important and the briefing shouldn’t wait until Daniel can join us. I’ll brief you all now and Daniel when he awakens.”
He took a drink of his strong, black coffee as he collected his thoughts. The only person not allowed to hear his briefing was the young nurse. Blaze trusted his unit, but William just couldn’t take that chance just yet. If his suspicions were leaked they might never find the information they needed to nail the culprit or culprits.
William turned to the nurse and stated, “Young lady, I’m going to have to ask you to leave the suite. Thank you for your care of Daniel last night. If you would be so kind as to head to your room now, that will be appreciated.”
Heather smiled at the man who looked very much like his son. He was so protective of his son last night. Her heart broke for him—she’d seen how restless he’d been—the General had awoken at every little sound and was alert and ready to defend his son. Every time he woke, he would come over to Dan and place a hand on his son’s forehead, checking the fever, and he’d ask how his son was doing. The General was truly a caring father.
She nodded and said, “Let me just get my book from the room and I’ll be outta your hair.” She turned to Jim and said, “I’m in room 1507, if you need me just call.”
Blaze looked at Angus who was dead on his feet just like the rest of his men. He turned to the General and suggested, “Sir, my guys, they need rest. If we watch the monitors from in here, that should be sufficient until they’ve gotten a few hours of shuteye.”
The General liked the idea. It got him out of having to reveal he didn’t trust Blaze’s men. He nodded. “I agree.”
Loki sat down at the monitors as soon as Angus rose. He appointed himself to take over. He grinned when Ray sat next to him and said, “I’ll monitor half and you monitor the other half.”
Once the room only contained himself, the TRF team and his SF soldiers, William said, “Take a sea
t, everyone. Captain, activate the jammers.”
Blaze indicated for Winds, who was near the large desk, to turn on the RF jammer, digital audio jammer, and white-noise generator there as he walked to the other side of the room and turned on the other set of jammers that had been strategically placed last night. He wasn’t sure why, but it didn’t bode well for what they were about to hear.
Patch pulled a chair from the main suite closer to Blondie’s bedroom so he could listen and still keep an eye on Blondie.
When the jammers were on and they were all seated, William looked at the unit men and stated, “You will understand what I’m about to tell the others.” He turned to Shea and said, “This is the reason I had to reactivate you, just so you know.”
Patch’s gut twisted. He nodded.
The General’s face became a calm mask as his voice imbued the seriousness of his next words as he looked to the members of Daniel’s TRF team. “Before I begin the briefing, I must inform you that portions of information I’m about to share are considered highly-classified.
“You have all been granted temporary level two security clearance. As such you are all ordered under the auspices of the Security of Information Act to never repeat anything you hear in this room once we are finished. If you do you will be considered in breach of trust under the Security of Information Act.
“I must disclose to you that any unauthorized communication of the information you will hear today is punishable by law. The default punishments under the Act fall into three categories. On indictment, you may be imprisoned for up to fourteen years. On summary conviction, you face imprisonment for up to twelve months, a fine up to twenty-thousand dollars or both. If the breach is found to involve foreign entities or terrorists you face imprisonment for life.
“For those of you that are not clear on legal terms, let me clarify something for you. You only have to be charged with the crime, not actually convicted to be put in prison per the definition of indictment.”
