“Yes, sir. I’ve met Captain Warner.” Troy looked at Gwen.I apparently have a lot more to learn about you.
“Lloyd made some calls, one to Ian Chase. I was given his number and reached out. Five minutes into the conversation, he said he’d help. No payment other than confidentiality. Ian warned me, it might take time. He’d call me again when he brought her or her body home.” Her father swallowed hard.
“Every day was another lifetime. January, I got a call from a woman named Esther, who told me I won a trip to Israel. Strictly tourist, no uniforms. I took leave and was in Tel Aviv in two days. A man, British accent, met me at the gate with a sign. An hour later, I was walked into an ICU at Rambam hospital. In a room, protected by two more British military types, was what was left of her.
“I watched her mother wither away as she fought the cancer, but even on her deathbed, she looked healthier. Gwen’s eyes were sunken in and empty. Her head was shaved—they pulled her hair so many times. She had sores and bruises, and then the lice. Her face was purple. They were feeding her through a tube. Her body had a yellow cast. Her kidneys and liver were shutting down. The nurses were good to her; they bathed her with soft cashmere for fear more of her skin would peel away.
“And then the trauma doctor came to speak with me. Aron Bamberger, a doctor hardened by years of war, took me to another room and proceeded to tell me exactly what they found. I’ll never forget; he asked if I wanted to see the unforgettable. And when I said yes, he showed me a file of photographs with tears in his eyes. Their priority was to fight the infections and repair enough of the damage for bodily functions.” The general’s eyes teared. “The doctor told me the rescue team performed a miracle.”
Troy closed his eyes. The memory of a living corpse strapped to his chest, his entire hand wrapping around her head to keep her airway open, became clear. He opened his eyes.“I know you were asked not to tell her we brought her out, but I think she deserves the truth. We were affected by her rescue.” Troy swallowed.
“You were there?” Glenn North nodded, answering his own question. “Did you know, when she took her mission downtime, she had another restorative procedure? The last procedure three years ago went terribly wrong. She got a destructive infection. She gave up after that.”`
“No, sir. If anyone on the executive staff knew, we would have helped her any way we could.” Troy ran a hand through his hair.We should have known. Kieran had to know.“I had a feeling. She’s been working with a therapist since she was able to comprehend things. Cook didn't help. Scott and I tried to tell her Cook didn’t matter. She had family. All she wanted was to feel herself and stand on her own two feet,” the general huffed. “Her captors caned her feet. She couldn’t stand because there was no protective skin. She forced herself to walk. Then she ran. She did everything she could by herself.”
Troy rubbed his chest. “If she’ll let me, I’ll see to it she’s taken care of.”
Both men stood at a small groan and cough. “Daddy?” her whisper was hoarse. Her hand pushed the mask away.
“Yes, Princess. I’m right here.” Glenn North kissed her forehead. “How’s my girl?”
“I’m okay. The last thing I remember…” She crunched her brows and reached for her father’s hand. “It doesn’t hurt too much.”
Troy rang the call bell. Her elevated heart rate told him she was in pain. “Hey, Gwendolen.”
“You’re here,” she lisped and coughed.
“Where else would I be?” He served her a couple of ice chips.“You gave me a good scare.” A panic attack was more like it.
“Look who’s up.”Eric Seton hit the button to take a fresh set of vitals, then slid a thermometer into her mouth. “General, I’m Eric Seton, a PA.” The thermometer beeped. “Good, 99.2. Scale of one being the least, ten the worst, what’s your pain level?”
Troy crossed his arms over his chest. “Before you answer, I know you wouldn’t lie to your father.”
Gwen puffed out her lower lip. “Eight.”
“I’ll be right back,” Eric said.
Gwen ran her hand through her hair. “Troy, how was your appointment?
“I postponed it just a little. Tim participating in your surgery was more important.” The corner of his lips turned up. “General, see if you can get her to rest.”
Eric returned with pain meds. “Okay, Gwen, magic questions.” She answered with her name and date of birth.
Troy waited for Eric to inject the meds into her IV. “Rest; I’ll see you later.General, you as well.”
* * *
“Daddy, he’s a good man,” Gwen said and adjusted her position with a small cry.
“He calls you Gwendolen.”
“His secretary calls me Miss Gwendolen. Troy asked her why, and she looked at him like he had two heads. She explained Gwendolen is my name. When he found that out…” She smiled.
“Where’s he heading? Mr. Seton looked worried.” The general’s eyes focused on the door.
“He’s stubborn, and he’s working too much. What time is it?”
“1600 hours.”
