Gwen retreated to her office, shaking like a leaf. Suhail el-Saab was yards from her. Her hand waved in front of her gun safe. As she was reaching inside, Kip and Martin joined her. “Do you want to do that?” Kip asked.
Her face was contorted with fear and anger. “Yes. Damn it, how could you bring him here?”
“Because I chose speed over a complete investigation. Gwen, I’m sorry,” Ian Chase said, coming in behind them. He lifted his chin and cocked his head toward the door. Martin and Kip left them. “Come sit.”
Ian waited for Gwen to sit before he joined her. “The material we were given specifically said el-Saab joined the ISIS faction you were with the day before you were traded. Shame on us for failing to put it through our usual level of checking out information.
“Zach and Wes have taken him downstairs and are beginning an interrogation. I can substantiate that they received a tip you were in the area. They also knew where the other platoon was posted in Mosul. It was thought that two Marines and a girl were easy pickings.
“Where it gets murky is they were specifically approached by another group of CIA operatives willing to trade one of theirs for you. They referred to you by name. el-Saab is claiming he thought it was a rescue attempt.” Ian leaned in. “Gwen, tell me what you need. Tell me what you want.”
“I’ve spent years untangling my emotions and working to put the past behind me. I thought I was doing well until I transferred here. I realize I’ve done a poor job, through no fault other than my own. I feel hollow. I certainly am useless to you.”
“You are not useless to me or the company. If you want to step back and focus on you, that’s fine. If you want to spend your time with Troy, it’s fine. If you want to stay and work, that’s fine too, as long as you stick to Kip as his XO.” Ian looked at her with caring eyes.
“After what I did in the conference room?” Gwen shook her head.
“You had sniper’s aim with that pitcher.” Ian’s lips turned up, eliciting a little smile from her. “I do think you need to unload the pain from what happened.”
“I know. I vomited my pain at all of you. How do I tell Troy?” Her shoulders sagged.
“I want you to take a breath and think. Do you think Troy is going to judge you by what someone else did to you?” Ian’s eyes swallowed her. “He adores you.”
“No, he won’t, but I do,” she admitted.
“Then that’s what you need to work on,” Ian said. “I’d like to arrange that help for you.”
“Who was the other man in the room?” Gwen asked.
“Agent Feldon. He was one of the two agents who gave you your original assignment.”
Gwen scrunched her brows. “Why don’t I recognize him?”
Ian shrugged. “Your body and mind went through so much trauma. Him speaking to you was only a tiny blip. You didn’t need to retain it.”
“Mr. Chase?” Gwen asked, and Ian nodded. “If it’s alright with you and Kip, I’d like to keep working. And I’d like to take advantage of the help. I have a therapy appointment this afternoon, if that makes the process easier.”
“Let’s ask Kip.” Ian walked to the door. Opening it, he found Martin and Kip leaning against Verna’s desk talking.
“Hey, Verna. I’ll take these two lollygaggers away from you,” Ian chuckled.
Kip and Martin joined Gwen and Ian in her office. “Martin, I want answers from el-Saab. I also want you to pressure Feldon. He knows more than he told us. Gwen, ask Kip,” Ian said.
“Kip, if you will have me, I’d like to work as your XO. I’m still on light duty, but I feel I can still make a contribution. I promise I am working on the issues I clearly have not processed. I also apologize for my rage in the conference room.”
“You never stopped being my XO. So that’s a moot point. And apologize? I want to learn to throw a pitcher like that. Come here.” Kip opened his arms and hugged her.
* * *
Unable to hold him back,Trask sat beside Troy as they both worked on laptops. Gwen came inside, smiling and carrying a paper bag. “Lunch.”
“What did you bring?” Trask asked.
“Containers of their Italian wedding soup and grilled chicken breasts over a bed of rice pilaf. With a side Greek salad. And, you, kind sir, I also brought you rice pudding.” Gwen opened the bag and began passing out containers. She handed Trask a can of soda and Troy a cup of cranberry juice.
Troy puffed out his lower lip. “They’re killing me: no soda, no caffeine.”
“On that note, Gwen, thanks. I’ll be at the nurses’ station if you need me.” Trask excused himself.
