Page 75 of Breached

I ran my hands through my hair, trying to shake the shock the explosion brought on. “Surely the townspeople heard that?” I asked the room.

“Yes, but it’s like white noise to Redstone,” Chamness explained. “It’s a ski town, and they set off routine explosions all the time. Prevents unexpected avalanches higher up.”

“It’s a bit late in the season for that, isn’t it? Won’t they wonder?” I asked with my chest pounding.

“Maybe, but most people won’t question it.” He tried to settle my fear, but it wasn’t really working.

A second explosion hit, and Sloane moved to sit on the couch. “This isn’t happening. I’m afraid for John.” She looked around. “I’m afraid for all of us.” She drew in a deep breath, and I hurried to her side as Dr. Roberts sat across from her. “This is our home. I mean, this stuff always happens over there, not here.”

“I know where you’re coming from.” I knelt and hugged her. My heart was heavy in my chest as I pulled back. “It’s what I had been fighting against for so long in Mexico. Trying to get the word out to the world. The local people there live in fear for their lives every day. It’s not fair.”

She slipped her hand into mine. “No, it’s not.”

“War is a man’s oldest shadow—where he goes, it will follow.” Dr. Roberts sighed.

I nodded. “And those who are lucky enough to live in peace rarely see what it costs to keep it.”

“Well said, my dear.” He smiled as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

Sloane pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. “So, what? We just sit here while they’re up there fighting, and where the hell is Liza? She planted that bug on Keith, and God only knows what else she did.” We all knew what horrors she could have caused. “She should have to answer for her part in all of this! Tell me, Quinn, tell me she didn’t know about this early ambush.”

Quinn sat on the table in front of her, angling to include Dr. Roberts. “We have eyes on Liza. After her encounter with Keith and planting the tracker on him, she’s been lying low.”

“I still can’t believe it was her.” Sloane shook her head.

“Me neither,” Quinn agreed. “We grew close when I helped at Camp Green a while back.” He shook his head as if disappointed.

“Cole pulled Davie and Dell back at the last second to have them send in our teams to hit the two tunnels early. We didn’t expect this, or we would’ve moved you guys out sooner,” Chamness added.

“Beta Seven to Fox One,” Keith’s voice broke out over the radio, “you’ve got one coming up on your ten.” I looked at Doc Roberts, knowing Keith was talking to Paul.

“Copy that.”

I rubbed my face—the whole thing was so intense. Having feelings for a soldier was something I promised myself I’d never do. Now I was in love with one, and his son, and I thought my nerves might turn me inside out.

“Fox Two, you’ve got company, brother,” Paul called over the radio, and I squeezed Sloane’s hand.

“Doc?” Sloane sounded frightened. She normally always seemed so in control of her emotions, but at that moment, she looked at him for help. “Talk to me about Abby. I need her right now.”

He ran a hand down his tie and granted us a warm, calm smile, but a hint of mist ghosted his eyes at the mention of her name. “When she first came down here and saw this room, you want to know the first thing she asked?”

“What?” Sloane asked with a sniff.

“If it had a kitchen.” He chuckled. “Because she knew if we were down here with Mark, he couldn’t go more than a day or two without homemade treats.”

We both smiled, knowing how true that was.

“Can you tell us why you wanted to stay to the fifteenth?” I asked, knowing I had no right to ask such a question, but the reporter in me wanted to know.

His mouth dipped like he was about to cry, then he looked up at the ceiling and controlled himself. “The fifteenth is our anniversary. I promised Abby we would always be together on that day.”

“Oh.” I nodded to show I understood why it would be so important for him to honor that.

“Of course,” Sloane closed her eyes, “I’d forgotten.” She shook her shoulders. “Please, Doc, tell us about your wedding day. Nicole hasn’t heard about it.” I smiled to encourage him, and he put his hands on his knees and began to speak. While Dr. Roberts relived that special time with us, I saw Sloane’s eyes go misty, and once he finished, I prompted him for more.

“C’mon, Doc,” I coaxed, “we need to hear a little something fun. Got any secrets? Something juicy. Surely that tie of yours loosens just a little?”

The corners of his mouth turned upward then, and his eyes suddenly looked youthful. He chuckled to himself then tugged at the perfect knot that sat at the base of his throat. “You ladies may be shocked to learn that when I was in my early thirties, I dated a Las Vegas showgirl.” He ignored our gasps. “One night, she volunteered me as a participant for ladies’ night, and keen to impress, I did it. Not only that, I won first place. Some say it was the feathers I wore, but I know it was my hips that sealed that placement.” His face lit up as our mouths sagged open.