Page 71 of Tango

The lobby was busy with people coming and going, and we waded through hassle toward the door when I heard a man getting frustrated at the front desk.

“I demand you tell me where she is!” His face was red.

“Sir,” the young officer looked to be on his last nerve, “like I told you a few weeks ago, like I told you every week since, and like I told you yesterday, I cannot and will not give out that information to just anyone.”

“I’m not anyone. I’m in your logbook. You can see for yourself I used to be here all the time to visit Dr. Knight.” He placed both hands on the counter to calm himself. “I understand that you’re new, but I’ve been through this door countless times to see my fiancée, Dr. Ivy Knight. I demand to see General Frank or someone who can answer my damn question.”

That stopped me short. I told the guys to hang on as I walked over.

“Everything okay here?”

The officer looked at me in shock. “Major.” He saluted. “Sorry, sir. I didn’t realize you were here.”

“Not a problem. At ease.” He relaxed. “I’m only here for twenty-four,” I explained then looked at the man who was eyeing me up. “Major Beckett.” I offered a hand. “What can I do for you?” He didn’t reach to shake my hand. His face twisted in an unpleasant expression.

“Ty Beckett?”

“Correct.”

“I see her taste has changed,” he muttered as he stood straight. He seemed to check himself. Perhaps he realized he was being rude. “Bronson Fitzpatrick, Dr. Bronson Fitzpatrick,” he corrected himself.

I didn’t think my day could get any stranger, but here we were.

“You’re the ex-boyfriend,” I confirmed.

“Ex-fiancé,” he corrected me, “and you must be the new boyfriend.”

“I am, and how do you know me?”

“Ivy’s mother said she’d moved on. She mentioned your name.” He looked around like he waited for someone to appear. “I recognize you from the video.” He held up his phone to show the TikTok video from when Ivy and I were in Washington. I nodded. “I know she was or is in some kind of trouble, and now she won’t return my calls. All I got was a text message saying she was all right and that I needed to move on.”

“Okay, well, she’s not here, but I can assure you—”

“I’d prefer to speak with her in person.”

“If she’s not picking up your calls,” I shrugged, “that’s her choice not to speak with you.”

“I need you to get her to call me. I need to know she’s all right.”

“Mr. Fitzpatrick,” I held up a hand as he tried to correct the Mr. to Dr., “I can promise you she’s fine. Whatever was going on before now has been handled.”

“Well, where is she? I have a right to know,” he demanded.

Now he was starting to piss me off, so I lowered my voice and spoke clearly and concisely.

“No, you don’t have a right to know. You aren’t together anymore.” He went to speak, but I cut him off. “You have my word that she’s safe and sound. She has a new position where she’s surrounded by good people.”

“But—”

“She’s happy, so let her be happy by moving on. It’s not your place to worry about her anymore.” I added with a pointed look. “That’s my job.”

“I see.”

“Now, please stop bothering these men and let them do their job.” I nodded over his shoulder at two people who waited behind him. “It was nice meeting you, Bronson, but your time here is over.” With that, I went to join my team, and Moore gave me a look.

“Who the hell was that?” he asked while the other guys moved close, all ears.

“That is Ivy’s ex.”

---