Page 115 of Death Wish

“Not a problem,” he said. “You work in an enclosed space at headquarters. I suppose we can use a mascot, although he’s a little small for the job.”

“Small but fierce.”

Her boss snorted. “We’ll see.”

“Thank you, Brent.”

He winked at her, then turned his attention to Sorenson. “How is she, Doc?”

The doctor looked up from checking her vitals. “Everything looks wonderful. If nothing changes overnight, she’ll be able to go home in the morning. Preferably before my patients arrive,” he said pointedly.

Brent laughed. “Got the hint, Doc. We’ll be out of here before the sun’s up.”

“I’ll instruct two of my men to be available to help and for guard duty on the way to the airport. Although Bayside isn’t a hotbed of terrorist activity, I won’t have one of my favorite people caught in the crossfire.”

Jesse grinned. “Aww, Doc. I didn’t know you cared about me so much.”

Sorenson glared at him. “You can take care of yourself most of the time. I’m talking about Simone.”

Brent laughed. “I always knew you had a soft spot for beautiful women.”

“Do you want me to stitch your wounds next time without numbing the injury first?”

His boss sobered. “No, sir. I’m going back to guard duty.” He beat a hasty retreat to the hallway.

Simone stared after him. Wow. She’d never seen Brent back down. Then again, she hadn’t been on staff with Fortress for long. What she knew of him, though, showed he never backed down.

“Young lady, you should be resting.” Sorenson folded his arms. “If you don’t rest, you will stay here longer than one night.”

Oh, boy. Now she knew why everybody obeyed the doctor. He ruled this clinic with an iron fist. “Yes, sir.”

“Unless Goose bothers your rest, keep him with you. He’ll keep you warm. Phelps?”

“Sir?”

“Same order. Rest or you’ll be staying with me. Do you want that?”

“No, sir. I have plans with Simone, and we need to get Goose set up at her place.”

“The next time I check on the two of you, I expect to find you resting. Chapman, I assume you’re not on duty yet?”

“No, sir.”

“Out.”

He saluted the doctor and left the room.

After a few more terse instructions, the doctor left Simone and Jesse alone.

“Whew.” Simone wrinkled her nose. “You weren’t kidding about the doctor.”

“You’re lucky. He has a soft spot for injured women.” Jesse bent and kissed her. “You heard Sorenson. Rest. I don’t want to stay here longer than I have to.”

She rested her hand against Goose’s back and let herself drift off to sleep. Her last thought was of the hunt for the leak. Someone had been giving Trevor White Simone’s location every time she moved.

Time to uncover the identity of the traitor.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

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