Page 60 of Savage Reckoning

Tony has a theory. “Maybe he was waiting for something. Or perhaps he just wanted to take out as many as he could. That chopper was a prime target, with me, Aaron, and Rome on board as well.”

“Or maybe he prefers to strike on his own turf,” Aaron suggests. “It’s like Beth said, it’s unusual for us to be so far south. That flight path over Northamptonshire offered an opportunity, saved him the bother of transporting his missile launcher several hundred miles to the Highlands.”

Jack inclines his head. “Whatever the reasoning, we know who our target is, and we’ve isolated and blocked the leak. And we have our strategy in place. You all know what you have to do.”

CHAPTER 13

Megan

“Do you fancy getting up? Maybe a bit of fresh air?”

I’ve been trying to prise Magda out of bed for three days now. The sooner she’s up and about again, the better for her recuperation.

She sets aside the glossy magazine she was reading. “Perhaps tomorrow…”

“You said that yesterday. You need to practice getting about on crutches, build some muscle tone ready for when you get started with the prosthetics clinic.”

“I’m not sure…”

“Well, I am and I’m a doctor. Just for a few minutes to start with.” I peel back the blanket and hand her the first crutch. “Swing your good leg out first and put your weight on that, then ease yourself upright using the crutch.”

“What if I fall?”

“I’ll have to catch you. Or you’ll have to get up again on your own.”

She sends me an irritated glower but does as I’ve told her. I don’t think anyone is more surprised than Magda is when she’s suddenly upright and perfectly stable.

“Yay. I did it!”

“You certainly did. Try a few steps, just in here.”

She manages to complete a couple of laps of her bed without mishap before collapsing back onto the mattress, exhausted. I decide that’s enough for a now.

“Okay, you can chill again for a while, and get your breath back. I’ll check your dressing later.”

She waves to me from the bed. “Go do your ministering unto the sick. Well, sicker. I’ll be fine.”

By ‘sicker’ she means Ethan. He’s in the next room, and as usual, Cristina is by his side. She looks up when I enter.

“I was just reading to him. You said I had to talk to him, but I ran out of words, so…”

“What’s the book?”

“Far from the Madding Crowd. Hardy.”

“Is that his thing?” Ethan strikes me as more of a Russian tragedy sort.

“It’s mine,” she replies. “I thought I’d go on to a spot of Dickens next.”

As good as anything, I suppose. I run through my observations.

“Is there any change?” Cristina asks me as I complete the notes.

I shake my head.

“It’s been nearly two weeks. Surely there should be…”

“He’s comfortable and he’s stable. Don’t give upon him.”

---