“Merde, that hasn’t changed. You’re still stubborn as all hell. The question was, do you need anything?” Julian laughed.
Troy sighed. “A bottle of water. And hand me that leather case. That’s my portable pharmacy.”
Julian returned minutes later to find Troy making a pile of pills beside him. Troy twisted off the cap of the water bottle, swallowed the meds, and followed it with a swig. “My bedtime snack.” His shoulders rose.
“You okay with the schedule for tomorrow?” Julian asked.
“What time do we need to pull out?”
“0730.”
“I’ll be good to go. Now get to bed with your wife,” Troy said. Alone in the bedroom, he let his shoulders drop and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he said a silent prayer.
Chapter 4
Monday, May 28th
Troy answered the knock on his bedroom door. Wearing his dress uniform, he opened the door, expecting Julian. “I told you I’d be ready in time. Shit, I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Bremen. I’m Logan Shepard, part of 3 Sierra Team and one of the PAs.”
“And a big white snake hurt you, and you played a good pirate. Sadie gave me the low down.” Troy smiled. “What do you need, Logan?”
“It’s Ms. North. Mr. Seton asked me to check her bandage and give her the prescribed antibiotics. She is dressed in her uniform, insisting on coming to the ceremony.”
“Stubborn woman.” Troy’s heartrate increased, though his outward demeanor remained calm. “Let’s go.”
Troy walked down the hall and knocked on her door. “Gwen?”
Gwen opened the door dressed in the uniform of a Marine First Lieutenant. “Good morning,” she said in a bright tone.
Troy crossed his arms, more like tree trunks, across his chest. “What do you think you’re doing? I expressly remember telling you I expected you to stay back and rest.” His lips formed a thin white line.
Gwen took a small step back from Troy’s intimidating form. “I’m concerned about your safety, sir.”
“And why is that?” Troy asked.
“According to DC, the dog was rabid, and it breached the area through a freshly cut piece of perimeter fence. The examination of the front wheel of the jet shows it blew from a small explosive device, likely an M-80 firecracker inserted preflight. And, finally, I read Mr. Dupart’s report about suspicious phone calls you are receiving.” Her chest heaving, she crossed her arms to match Troy’s position.
Julian had kept her name out of the report until they could brief her. “Mr. Shepard, I appear to be at a stalemate. Your opinion?” Troy’s eyes shone as he opened his palms in a conciliatory manner.You are an exasperating and beautiful woman.
“Mr. Bremen, I can touch base with the doctor on call. News of the positive rabies-afflicted animal changes things.”
“Gwen, sit. Mr. Shepard, call.” Troy glared.
Logan tapped his comm. “This is Shepard; I need a connection to the doctor on call.”
Troy heard footfalls from the upper stairwell before Julian hit the landing. “What’s going on?”
When Troy explained the situation, Julian laughed. “Gwen, have you met Lieutenant Commander Bremen, known as The Hump?”
Gwen raised her hand to her mouth. “No, sir, I have yet to meet him.”
Troy’s brow arched. “Hmm, Mr. Grumpy Pants.”
Logan returned to the room with his medic bag over his shoulder. “I spoke directly to Dr. Sommerfeld. The proper treatment for rabies and the prophylactic treatment of tetanus were initiated yesterday. The dog’s mouth was also loaded with the bacteria Pasteurella. He would like me to examine the wound and administer a dose of Cefazolin IV. Then the lieutenant will continue on an oral form. If the wound has not worsened from yesterday’s boundaries that Tuck Hanlon marked, Lieutenant North may also attend the memorial on crutches or in a wheelchair.”
“Does Sommerfeld always find middle ground?” Troy mumbled.
