Page 109 of No Fear

“Charlie. Thanks for calling me back.”

“Hi, Martin. No problem. I really appreciate you giving me these few days.”

Martin was a great boss. He was based in New York but had been her boss even when she worked out of Albany. They had a great relationship, probably because she was always willing to go wherever he asked. She solved a lot of problems for him.

“How is your friend?”

“Doing better. Still recovering, but I’m glad I was able to come and see for myself.” She hadn't elaborated to Martin, other than saying a friend in the service had been hurt.

“That’s good. I wanted to run something past you.”

“Sure, go ahead.” The microwave pinged and she took out the sausages and placed them in the air fryer.

“I have an ambassador in desperate need of some help. Her assistant is returning home due to a death in the family.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. When are they leaving?” Charlie found a pan and filled it with water for the pasta.

“She’s flying out on a military plane tomorrow.”

“Military? That’s unusual?”

“Safer. Charlie, I’m not going to lie to you. This is a risky assignment. There is a chance we may have to evacuate the embassy. Tensions in the area are high. Normally I would not send anyone there, but Ambassador Clarkson has assured me they are safe right now and talks are ongoing. They beefed up the Marines stationed there.”

Stirring the pasta sauce, Charlie stopped. A beefed up Marine presence likely meant they were certainly envisioning evacuation as a possibility to move people and probably national security materials quickly out of danger.

“Ambassador Clarkson? I know her. I’ve worked with her a couple of times.”

“Yes. She asked for you. Seems you made a big impression.”

“Oh, wow.” Amanda Clarkson had been one of Charlie’s biggest inspirations. In her late forties, Clarkson had served in the Army and decided when her time was done that there was more she could do. The woman was determined to help the people that needed it most and try and stop the unnecessary killings and slaughter that seemed to plague so many countries.

“How long is the assignment?”

“Ideally, we want to get you out there as soon as possible. It will take a couple of days to get our ducks in a row. As for how long? Not sure at this point. I suspect we will be evacuating fairly soon.”

Charlie heard the shower stop.

“Look, I know this is a big ask. Think about it and let me know tomorrow. I’ll understand if you don't want to go. Hell, I’m not sure I want you to go.”

Charlie smiled at his admission.

“If Ambassador Clarkson says it's safe then I believe her. She wouldn't willingly put people in harm's way. I’ve worked in plenty of places where tensions are high. But I will think about it and let you know tomorrow.”

“OK. Good. I’ll email you some information to go over, so you can see what you’d be going into.”

“Sounds good. Is Clarkson still in Daram?”

“Yes.”

***

DONNIE HEARD CHARLIE’S muffled voice as he toweled off. Feeling for the stool, he found the sweatpants and T-shirt she had told him she’d put there.

He dressed slowly, then leaned against the vanity, staring at the mirror he knew was there but couldn't see. He hadn't dwelled much on his sight since Charlie had come home last night. Losing himself in her had taken his mind off everything and he had finally relaxed. He was happy to keep letting her be a distraction from his fears for the foreseeable future. Though he knew she had to go back to work. To her life.

He wanted her here with him permanently, but he’d be an ass if he asked her to give up her life to move here. Not knowing quite what his future looked like yet, it seemed even more selfish. If he couldn't work in the field anymore, did he need to stay here in Coronado? Yeah, he did. It was selfish, but he did not want to leave Onyx. His team. Sam had said they would work something out, and he believed him. Hell, even if he ended up on the intel team, behind a desk, he would still be on Onyx. He wanted that. Needed that. But he wanted Charlie, too.

He’d cut the conversation short earlier because he was conflicted. He had wanted to ask Charlie to stay. She could move in permanently right now. But it was a lot to ask, and he didn't want to frighten her away. She could probably get a transfer to a local office for work, but to move away from her family? Maddie? Being with him would be tough. Not just because he was blind right now. If he made it back to the team, he would be gone often. They hadn’t discussed any of that. They hadn't discussed Simon either. He didn’t want to tell her about what Simon had done. Didn’t want to cause her that pain, but it felt wrong keeping it from her. Then there was Nate and the night he’d died.