Page 73 of Knot Guilty

I do try. Try to focus on Aaron's softly spoken words, but the blackness creeps in, too strong for me to push away. When I wake again, I briefly open my eyes to see three men posted as sentries around the little room where I’m hooked up to various machines— Knot, Aaron, and Sambi.

My head is so fuzzy I can’t seem to make sense of any of the images or memories floating around in my head. I open my eyes again, determined to keep them open for long enough to ensure I’m not dreaming or dead.

My first attempt at speaking comes out as a croak, and Aaron is at my side the next second. He lifts a cup with a straw to my lips, and I take a small sip. “How?” is the only word I can get out.

Knot walks over, the rigid set to his shoulders broadcasting his current state of mind. “You made it out of that cave because Aaron is a stubborn prick. A resourceful, stubborn prick.”

“I monitored my text messages online,” Aaron admits. “One from Knot said that you and Maxen had taken on the investigation from the other side. I figured that meant Iran, so I called in a favor. Sambi managed to get me from the US to Iran undetected.”

The Indian man in our group steps forward. “I knew he could not be guilty of what he was being accused.”

Aaron squeezes Sambi’s shoulder and continues. “You were talking out your thoughts through text, unknowing that I was reading every word. My thoughts were to join up with the two of you, and Sambi helped with that, even though he didn’t tell me why.”

“When I asked Gates where Grim was, he lied to me. I do not like lies. I was afraid for you and kept track of my vehicle’s location.”

“In the tunnel, we heard what Maxen said but didn’t have a clear shot to take him out. Sambi snuck back out to find the cave’s secondary entrance, indicated by the spring in the rear. We figured a crossfire was our only shot at getting you out alive.”

Sambi places his hand on my uninjured shoulder. “I’m sorry we didn’t get there sooner.”

Maxen’s words taunting Aaron begin playing on a loop in my head, and I turn my eyes away from the group. “Maybe it would have been better if you hadn’t been there at all.”

The shame of my stupidity will be prominent in the aftermath as it plays out for the federal prosecutors, whatever press gets wind of the news, and my team.

“Don’t you dare say that,” Aaron growls, pulling my gaze back to him.

Knot places a hand on Aaron’s bandaged arm, dousing the fury burning in his eyes. Voice flat, I change the subject. “Where are we?”

“Hospital in New Delhi,” Knot answers. “You were in pretty bad shape. You’ve been asleep for thirteen hours.”

“Maxen is dead? You’re sure.”

“Yes, he is,” Sambi answers proudly.

My face falls, and Sambi’s does in response. “I do not understand. Why are you sad?”

“With Maxen dead, the truth died with him. How are we supposed to prove Aaron’s innocence now?”

“About that,” Knot says. “You know your satellite watch can uplink and upload live audio.”

“Yeah. We use it all the time.”

“Right. What you don’t know is that we have the ability to remote activate that uplink. This is the first time it’s ever been used. And to protect operatives’ privacy, it takes two passcodes to do so. The only ones with the codes are me, Birdie, and our attorneys. Birdie and I activated your device when you came out of the cave. I figured you wouldn’t leave a man behind and wanted audio in case you were taken and separated from your watch.

“In this case, the uplink died as soon as you were out of satellite contact. Your device would have continued recording anyway and transmitted as soon as the uplink was re-established. Basically, we’ve got all we need to have Aaron cleared of the charges. I just didn’t expect to hear what was recorded.”

With my face flaming red, I lower my eyes at what my boss and friend must be thinking. “At least you’ll get your life back now,” I whisper to Aaron.

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I squeeze my eyes shut, mortified because I knew so little about the person that has meant the most to me my whole adult life.

“Sadie.”

Aaron’s one word pleads with me to look at him, but I can’t do it.

Knot leans in and places his hand on my head, brushing his thumb over my temple. “Let’s go so Sadie can get some rest.”

Two sets of footsteps head for the door, and Knot says, “You too, Hosfeld.”

I’m held at the Indian hospital for two more days. The only visitor I’m allowed is my boss. It’s not the hospital staff keeping Aaron out, but Knot. Despite not being able to look him in the eye, Knot seems to understand that my mind is not in a good place when it comes to Aaron.

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