No Woman Left Behind: A Lexi Carmichael Mystery, Book Six Page 13

  “Mrs. Zimmerman, where’s your husband?” I blurted out.

  She looked at me blankly. “My husband? I have a husband? Oh, dear, I think I forgot. My memory isn’t what it used to be. Would you like some gelatin? I have lime. It’s my favorite.”

  I stood, my heart breaking. “No, thank you. I’m sorry. I can’t stay. I just wanted you to know your boys are thinking of you. I appreciate you permitting me to visit.”

  “Oh, dear. Oh, dear. We didn’t have time to read. It’s late I suppose.” She began twirling the gauzy scarf around her finger again. “When are the boys coming? Sometimes I don’t even remember that I have two boys. Where are they? Why didn’t they come with you?” Her voice rose in agitation.

  Marilyn stood and patted Ottilie’s hand. “They’ll come see you when they come back from Greece. Don’t worry about it.”

  She nodded. “Yes, of course. They will bring me flowers and a book.”

  Marilyn opened the door but before we stepped out in the hall, Ottilie called out to me. “You’ll bring me my Elvis the next time, won’t you?”

  I turned around as her eyes—Elvis’s eyes—pleaded with me.

  I swallowed hard. “I’m sure going to try.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Next stop was my parents’ house. I called first to make sure they would be home and then I had my security detail take me. A police officer sat out front in my dad’s rocker. My mom hugged me when she saw me. My dad looked older and scared. I gave him a hug, too, and we headed into the kitchen where my mom got busy fixing us hot chocolate.

  “Where’s Sasha?” I asked.

  “It’s his night off,” Mom said. “You look tired. Are you okay?”

  I felt anything except okay, but I didn’t see the point in worrying her. “I’m good. Did Beau and Rock leave?”

  “Hours ago,” my dad said. “They went to work.”

  I swallowed my disappointment. I’d hoped to see my brothers one more time, but it wasn’t to be. I couldn’t tell them where I was going or what I was going to do anyway. It’s just, I hadn’t really had a chance to say goodbye.

  Now it was just my parents and me. It might be the last time I saw them. What did you say in situations like this?

  My heart squeezed in my chest. I couldn’t fathom how military families did this all the time. How did they survive the stress?

  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath. I wouldn’t worry them. I would just be as truthful as possible.

  “Mom, Dad... I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I guess I’m not very good at saying or showing that. In fact, other than in a few notes when I was little, I’m not sure I’ve ever said it quite so frankly. I just want you to know how much I love you. I know it hasn’t been easy with someone like me.”

  “Someone like you? Lexi, why are you saying this?” My dad looked suspicious. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. I’m just... I just wanted to say it. Lately it seems like my life is perpetually in danger. So, it just seemed the right time to let you know you’ve been great parents.”

  “Can’t you just stay here with us?” my mom asked.

  At that moment, I wanted nothing more. Life really did come full circle.

  I patted her hand and felt a swell of love. “Thanks, Mom, but I have to go to work. I can stay the night and I definitely have time for a cup of hot chocolate if you’d get the kettle. It’s whistling, by the way.”

  She glanced over in surprise at the stove and then kissed the top of my head. “Great, sweetheart. We’d love to have you, even if it’s only for the night.”

  * * *

  I was scheduled to report to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland at 0600, so my security detail drove me there. I hadn’t been able to sleep. Instead, for the past several hours, I’d checked my phone constantly for a message from Slash.

  Nothing.

  So I focused on the mission instead, asking Woodward what I was supposed to bring. He told me everything except underclothes would be issued to me. I was to leave my identification, cell phone and everything else at home.

  Therefore, I reported for duty with nothing more than the clothes on my back and a small backpack containing some extra underwear and a couple of bras. I was taken to a building for what they referred to as ‘in-processing’ and ushered to a waiting area. I was surprised to see Gray there, sitting on a bench, dressed in her usual three-piece suit with her hair pulled back into a bun and looking as professional and impeccable as ever.

  “Hey, Gray. Come to say goodbye?”

  “I wish. I’m here for in processing, too. I’m going on the mission with you.”

  “What? You are?”

  She squeezed her hands together in her lap. “Well, it makes sense, I guess. I’ve lived and breathed Johannes Broodryk for four years. I’ve gathered the most collective information about him, most of which is burned into my brain. I’ve been told I need to be on hand in case Broodryk’s choices or movements require an immediate and intuitive prediction based on my insightful knowledge of him.”

  “Wow. You can’t do that remotely?”

  “Apparently not as effectively.”

  “Oh.” I stared at her. I didn’t want to say I was glad she was coming. I wasn’t. The odds were, neither she nor I would come home alive, so how could I be glad about that? We’d both been sucked into Johannes Broodryk’s sick world and there wasn’t a lot we could do about it.

  I sat down next to her and said nothing. That probably wasn’t socially acceptable, but we are who we are.

  While we were sitting there in silence, a guy dressed in camouflage and boots with a backpack slung over one shoulder approached. He was tall, at least six feet three, with light brown hair cut so close, his scalp was visible. He dropped his backpack at our feet, put one booted foot on the bench and studied us.

  “Well, hello, ladies,” he said in a southern drawl. “Reporting for duty?”

  I nodded. “We sure are. Are you one of the Navy SEALs?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I am.”

  We looked over as a guy in a blue uniform stepped out of the office. He glanced at a clipboard. “Lexi Carmichael?”

  I stood. “Right here.”

  “Come with me, please.”

  With a last look over my shoulder at Gray and the soldier, I followed him into a room. Once in, I was introduced to a female soldier, also in a blue uniform, who took me aside and gave me camouflage to wear, a couple of olive-colored T-shirts, boots, a jacket, wool socks, gloves, a toilet kit and a bunch of other items.

  She started stuffing everything into a backpack similar to the one the soldier had been carrying. “We were provided with your measurements and weight, so you should be good to go. You don’t have to change for the flight, unless you want to. I’d just ask that you try the boots on to make sure they’re a good fit.”

  “Okay. Sure.”

  I tried the boots and found them surprisingly comfortable. I walked around a bit. “They’re good.”

  “Excellent.” She patted my shoulder. “You’ll be provided a brief on all of your equipment during the flight. Good luck. We’re all pulling for you.”

  “Appreciate it.”

  I picked up my backpack and she led me to a room behind the office where Woodward, Spearman, Mark and a couple of other men dressed in uniform were waiting.

  Mark approached, then handed me a laptop bag. “You’ll have everything you need here. It’s secure.”

  He handed me a business card. On the back were a series of numbers and symbols.

  “Passwords,” he explained. “Carry them separately from the laptop, but it’s better if you memorize.”

  “Already did.” I tapped my temple. “Photographic memory.”

  “Excellent. You know we’ve got y
our back, right? I’m on this 24/7 until you come home.”

  “Thanks, Mark. That makes me feel better.”

  He gave me an awkward hug—which was strangely comforting—then whispered in my ear, “Follow me.”

  He pulled away and left the room.

  I glanced over at Woodward. “I’ll be right back. Bathroom.”

  Woodward nodded and I exited the room. Mark was waiting in the hallway looking really nervous.

  “What’s this all about?” I asked.

  He led me down the hallway to a room about three doors down.

  “Go in.” He motioned toward the handle and then disappeared down the hall.

  I opened the door.

  A man stood by the window, dressed in a black leather jacket and jeans. He turned when he saw me.

  My heart skipped a beat. “Slash.”

  I started to go to him and then stopped, unsure if things had changed after our big fight.

  I shouldn’t have worried. In three steps he’d closed the ground between us and wrapped me in a hug so tight I could hardly breathe. I wound my arms around his waist and held on, pressing my face against his chest.

  “You came,” I mumbled, holding him tighter. “I didn’t think you would.”

  “How could I stay away? I don’t like what’s happening, but I’m with you. I’m always with you, cara.”

  He pulled back and studied my face, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear and touching one of the diamond stud earrings he’d given me for Christmas. “I understand why you have to do this, even if I don’t agree with it.”

  I looked at him. He hadn’t shaved and looked like he’d spent the last several hours like I had, wide awake and troubled.

  I touched his stubbly cheeks with my fingertips. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you came. I thought you were never going to speak to me again.”

  “You’ve made your stand, so I’m making mine next to you. Do what you need to do to get Broodryk and I’ll work my end. We’ll meet in the middle, okay?”

  I knew how much it cost him to say that. “I’m sorry, Slash. I never wanted to force you into this position.”

  “You didn’t force me. I’m here of my own volition.”

  “Are you sure?”

  He caressed my check. “Never surer of anything in my life.”

  “I’m glad. I’m really scared. It helps immeasurably to know you’re still in this with me and you understand. Everyone else is depending on me.”

  “You were right.” He rested his chin on the top of my head. “You can do this, and so can I.”

  I managed a small smile. “That’s the spirit.”

  He pressed his lips to my hair. “Do you want to know what I really want? I want to stop time and keep you safe in my arms. Freeze time right at this moment. I never want to lose you. But you were right. This is bigger than us. I didn’t want to acknowledge it because of the risk to you, but Broodryk won’t ever stop. I might be able to protect you for a while, but I couldn’t be everywhere all the time. I don’t like any part of this, but I understand why you made the call you did.”

  My throat tightened. I had to go soon or I might change my mind after all, something I knew I’d regret for the rest of my life.

  “Thank you for coming,” I whispered. “Thank you for staying with me.”

  “For as long as you want me.”

  We stood for another minute in silence. “I have to go. They’re waiting for me.”

  “I know.” His arms tightened around me. “Go bring Elvis home. Be smart, be careful, but more than anything, don’t let anyone manipulate you. You may have to play the game, but you don’t have to let Broodryk or anyone else push you around. You’re smarter and a lot more in charge of this operation than you know. Follow your head and your heart. They are your greatest strengths. Broodryk won’t stand a chance against that combination. More importantly, remember I love you. No matter what happens.”

  He kissed me with both tenderness and fire and then let his lips linger a moment more. Without another word, he released me and strode out of the room.

  As the door clicked behind him, my heart hurt so much I staggered sideways and braced a hand against the wall.

  “I love you, too,” I whispered.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  I returned to the briefing room. Gray and the SEAL we’d been talking with were now there, along with two new guys dressed in camouflage. One of the men was about six feet tall with shaggy blond hair, a surprise because I thought all military guys had to have short haircuts. The other man was extremely large and muscular with bulging biceps. His teeth flashed white against his dark skin as he gave me the most charming smile I’d ever seen. I couldn’t help but smile back. He was the first to approach me.

  “Hey there, I’m Hulk,” he said, holding out a hand. His palm was two sizes bigger than my entire hand, but his handshake didn’t crush me.

  “Nice to meet you, Hulk. I don’t even have to ask why they call you that.”

  He grinned. “I like a woman with smarts.”

  Wow. His smile was really infectious. “I’m Lexi Carmichael.”

  “Hello, Lexi Carmichael. The pleasure is mine.”

  The blond guy joined us. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Wills. Nice to meet you.”

  “Hi, Wills.” I shook his hand, too. “Glad to meet you, as well.”

  I glanced over at the first SEAL Gray and I had met in the waiting room. He was chatting with Gray, who’d changed out of her suit and had dressed in camouflage pants and a T-shirt.

  “I bet that’s Hands.” I tipped my head toward the guy.

  Wills nodded. “The one and only. So, you’re the asset.”

  “What do you mean, asset?”

  “Our pot of gold.” Wills tapped my shoulder. “It’s our job to protect you. We’ve only gotten a quick briefing so far.”

  “Oh. Right. I guess that’s how it will work.”

  “Who’s the woman talking to Hands?” Wills asked.

  “Grayson Reese. She’s coming with us. She’s an analyst with the CIA.”

  “Ah, a spook.”

  Wills leaned over to me and lowered his voice. “Just a heads-up, Hands isn’t much for babysitting, which is how he sees this mission. He doesn’t have much of a bedside manner either, if you get my drift. But he’s a damn good SEAL and an even better leader.”

  I stiffened. “He doesn’t have to babysit me. I can take care of myself.”

  Will grinned. “Well, at least you’ve got spirit. Guess we’ll see what you’re made of soon enough.”

  Woodward made a farewell speech and gave us some final instructions before we were loaded onto the plane. I looked out the plane window as Andrews Air Force Base disappeared below me and thought of my parents, brothers and Slash.

  Once we’d taken off, Wills gave Gray and me a briefing on our equipment and some basic survival tactics. It was hardly exhaustive, but he gave us some good pointers. I discovered that Wills was a medic and a communications specialist. It seemed an odd combination, but Wills told us the SEALs were trained in numerous areas. Hulk was a killing machine—an expert in martial arts and jujitsu. I decided I never wanted to get on his bad side. He was so large he wouldn’t have even had to use any of his moves on me. He’d just sit on me and I’d be squashed. Hands was the team leader and sniper, although according to Wills, he’d officially hung up his sniper role when he was promoted to team leader.

  After that I sat in an uncomfortable jump seat with the laptop balanced on my knees, getting familiar with Broodryk’s techniques and reading all I could about his life and methods.

  “How is it going, Keys?”

  I looked up from the laptop and saw Hands looking at me. “What did you say?”

  “I aske
d how it was going.”

  “No, I mean what did you call me?”

  “Keys. That’s what you’ve been doing for the past hour. Banging on those keys.”

  I looked down at the keyboard. “Oh, right.”

  “I didn’t officially introduce myself. I’m Hands.”

  “Hi, Hands. Nice to meet you. I’m Lexi.”

  “I know. You’re the asset.”

  “So I understand.”

  “You ever been to Africa?”

  “No.”

  “You know how to shoot?”

  “I’ve had a couple of lessons.”

  “You any good at following orders?”

  I thought about my fight with Slash and how by just being here, I was going against Elvis’s wishes, too. “Probably not.”

  “You better get used to it.”

  I sighed. “Don’t worry. I know what I have to do on this mission. You don’t need to hold my hand.”

  “I’m counting on that.”

  It wasn’t the start I’d hoped to have with the team leader, but he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes, so I resumed my work on the keyboard.

  The entire flight lasted seventeen hours, including a refueling stop at Ramstein Air Force Base in Frankfurt, Germany. By the time we arrived in Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier I was exhausted. We landed at eleven o’clock in the morning local time. I had dozed on and off for a good chunk of the flight, but never quite reached REM. Altitude, stress and emotional exhaustion all worked against me.

  After grabbing our gear, we filed off the plane and were greeted by a sailor who stood stiffly next to an unmarked white van. Oppressive heat enveloped me, and the landscape shimmered so brightly it hurt my eyes. We climbed into the van and headed out.

  Gray looked out the window as we drove. “This is a pretty impressive base. Paved roads and real buildings. What’s that over there?” She pointed to a huge, white, domed structure.

  “It’s the Thunder Dome,” Wills answered. “A huge meeting place, but also a basketball court. They’ve really built this place up the past several years.”