“The most pressing question is, do you have any information on the other team members that were declared killed in action? Is there any chance any of them are also alive?” the general asked.
“We don’t,” Paige said. “The only reason we had definitive information on Foster and Drake was because Michael Drake managed to get access to a phone and call his parents.”
“Do you know how he was able to do that?” Colonel Jefferson asked.
“No,” Graham said. “But we haven’t asked. I’m sure it will come up during his debriefing with the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency once he’s reintegrated back in the U.S.”
“Why didn’t you come to us?” General Dixon asked.
Graham laced his fingers together and rested his hands on the table in front of him. “Several reasons. The primary one being your inability to operate against a private citizen in a sovereign country quickly and expeditiously.”
“Mr. Graham, we are the U.S. Central Command. We are the very definition of expeditious,” the general said.
“With all due respect, General—”
“Graham.” Addison leaned forward. “The reason I didn’t contact you is because I didn’t trust you. I spent weeks trying to get someone—anyone—to believe me instead of dismissing me as a hysterical, hormonal woman. The Drakes were dismissed when they did reach out after being contacted by their son. So instead of explaining why we didn’t contact you, why don’t you explain why we should have.”
Her voice vibrated with anger and her grip on Devon’s hand was punishing. He’d never been more awed by another person in his entire life.
“You had an obligation—”
She was having none of it. “I had an obligation to find my brother. That is the only obligation I had. Unless you requested this VTC to tell me I’m being court-martialed, I need to check on my brother.”
Colonel Jefferson wiped a hand over his mouth, but neither man said anything.
“Have a good day, gentlemen.” She picked up the remote and ended the call, then folded her arms on the table and dropped her head into them. “Fuck. I may get court-martialed after all.”
“Nah.” Paige stood and walked toward the door. “You’re pretty much untouchable right now. We’ll give them some time to cool down and then we’ll set up another VTC to walk them through everything that happened. They just want answers—they don’t have to get them from you.”
Addison raised an arm and gave a thumbs-up but didn’t lift her head.
Graham squeezed Devon’s shoulder on the way out of the conference room.
“You okay?” Devon asked once the door closed and they were alone.
She raised her head. “Yeah. I just need everything to settle down and not be so chaotic.”
Speaking of settling down… “What would you say to taking some time off once all this craziness dies down?”
She propped her head on her hand. “That’s the general idea. I’m going to need some serious downtime once Braedon gets back to the U.S.”
He rubbed the back of his neck and turned his seat to face her fully. She didn’t understand what he was asking. “What I mean is—”
A knock on the door interrupted him. It opened, and the NCO from earlier leaned the upper half of his body in the room. “Major Foster, Colonel Tarek asked me to inform you they’re moving your brother to a room and to ask if you want me to take you there.”
Addison popped up from her chair. “Yes!” She looked at Devon. “I’ll catch up with you in a little bit?”
He leaned back in his chair. “Sure. Yeah. Of course.”
“Thanks.” She kissed him on the cheek and rushed to the door, disappearing through it.
He’d have plenty of time later to ask her to take time off with him.
