In the long seconds it took for Nick’s brain to register the giant holes in his chest, he stared at Bolan, his eyes suddenly sane. “That’s fair,” he gasped, then he collapsed onto the bow of the yacht, dead.
Bolan holstered his weapon, then leaned against the bow. It wouldn’t be more than a couple of minutes before the Coast Guard arrived, and while he had no intention of explaining anything, he knew that a ride back to shore would beat the hell out of swimming.
Epilogue
The sun filtered in through the hospital window, and the gentle warmth stirred Bolan from his vigil. He looked up and saw that Rio was awake. The surgery to save the marshal’s leg had been successful, but the rehabilitation was going to be a long process. The leg was elevated and in a cast with a drain. Rio tried to reach down and rub it, and the look of consternation on his face when he couldn’t quite reach was almost comical.
“If you think it itches now,” Bolan said, “you’re in for a long road.”
Rio grinned. The swelling was worse on the left side of his face, which made his grin somewhat lopsided, and Bolan could see that he had difficulty opening that eye. There was a fine line of stitches above his right brow, and he sported more on various parts of his body, especially his legs.
“You’re here,” Rio said, his voice dry and rough. Bolan stood up to get him some water from the cup on the table. “That must mean that you got Costello or Agron or whatever the hell his name is.”
“Was,” Bolan corrected softly. “Whatever his name was. I’m sure they’ll get it right in hell, but the important thing is that his days of causing trouble here are over.”
Rio held out the hand that didn’t have an IV drip in it. “Thank you, Cooper. I owe you my life.”
Bolan took the proffered hand and shook it firmly. “I won’t say it’s my pleasure, but I’m glad I was able to help.”
The soldier heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Remy’s frame filling the doorway. The bandage on the man’s shoulder was heavy and white. He’d needed minor surgery to get the bullet out and repair the vessels, but everything had gone well and he was healing quickly.
“I don’t think we’ve officially met,” Rio said. “I’m the dumb-ass who got kidnapped by a phony mafioso and almost got the lot of us killed.”
Rio held out his hand from the bed. Remy moved closer, waving the marshal back onto the pillow.
“Remy. And don’t you trouble yourself none. I haven’t had that much action in a while. Makes a man remember what he’s capable of. It felt good to be useful again.”
“Speaking of useful,” Bolan said, digging into his pocket and pulling out a business card. He handed it to Remy.
“That’s Hal Brognola’s direct line. He’s a contact. He’s also the one that put us in touch with Grady Black, made sure supplies got here and generally pulled our fat out of the proverbial fire.”
“I don’t know…” Remy rumbled, his voice trailing off.
Bolan held up his hand. “Look, you can fade into the background and no one would blame you, but you’re talented and a good soldier. I’d work with you anytime. I told Hal that you might give him a call. If not, that’s okay, too. You can decide when you’re ready, but the choice isn’t as hard as you might think.”
“How’s that?” Remy asked.
Bolan shrugged. “Have a life and make a difference to the world, or don’t.” He offered his hand to the big man, and they shook on it.
The soldier stood and moved to the door.
“Where are you going?” Rio asked.
“I have one more patient to visit. Remy will make sure you stay out of trouble.”
BOLAN WATCHED as the ICU nurse changed out the IV bag for Sandra Rousseau. They had been able to take her off the ventilator the night before, which was a good sign, but she still had a long way to go. He walked over to the bed and she turned to look at him.
“You look like an avenging angel standing there.”
“I’m no angel, Sandra. I never claimed to be.”
She closed her eyes and smiled. Bolan could see that sleep was tugging at her as her body was trying to heal. They had resuscitated her in the ambulance, and then she’d tried to die on the table, but the team worked through it and they thought she was past the worst of it.
“What can I do for you, Marshal Cooper?”
“I came to apologize,” he said.
“For what?”
“I was supposed to keep you safe. You got shot and almost died. I should have been more careful.”
“You weren’t responsible for the choices that I made, but I kind of wish you had just let me die. I don’t know that I want to spend the rest of my days in a jail cell.”
“Well, I had some people speak with the prosecutor and the U.S. Marshals’ office. If you’re willing to help with the case, they’ll get you a free pass. You can start over somewhere.”
“Why would you do that for me?” she asked. “After everything I’ve done?”
He thought about it for a moment, then said, “Because some people need a second chance, maybe need it more than they even know. You almost died proving you deserved one.”
Her eyes clouded with tears at his words, but Bolan didn’t stay any longer. He clasped her hand lightly, then left the room and headed for the elevators. He didn’t stop by Rio’s room. Remy had plenty to think about. He’d said and done everything he could for all of them.
Time to go.
First edition July 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0836-0
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Garrett Dylan for his contribution to this work.
SHADOW HUNT
Copyright © 2011 by Worldwide Library
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