Page 8 of Critical Doubt

Ryker was angry, too, on so many different levels. But he couldn't even get to the heart of his anger, much less let it out. It would probably be healthier if he could, because it felt like it was eating him alive.

"I'm glad the sun is going down," Todd said, sweeping his hand toward the horizon. "It shouldn't be sunny on this horrific day."

He followed Todd's gaze. The church sat atop a hill and from their vantage point they could see the wild Dobbs River that was swollen from the winter rains. The water rushed over boulders, disappearing between thick pine trees, as it moved downstream, where the tributary would eventually dump into the Chattahoochee River.

He'd spent a couple of years in Georgia, when he was stationed at Fort Benning, and while he hadn't been to Dobbs before, he had missed the beauty of the area: the gentle, rolling hills, the acres of farmland, and the neighborhoods where there was a real sense of community. Most of that community was in the church auditorium today. At least Abby had support here.

Todd tossed his cigarette butt on the patio and ground it out with his heel. "What's going on with you, Ryker? I know you've had your own shit to deal with, but why did you disappear?"

He shrugged, not wanting to get into it. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for Paul."

"Or for anyone. You were our leader. You know what happens when the leader goes down? Someone else steps up. Someone a lot less worthy. But the team has to follow, because without the team, what is there?"

His gaze narrowed at Todd's rambling words. "What are you talking about? There's no team. There's no leader."

Todd straightened. "You're right. I don't know what I'm talking about. I haven't slept since Paul went off the roof."

"That's understandable."

"If you ever want to leave the fish, you could always work with my company. I know you have physical limitations with your knee, but your brain is sharp, and you were one of the best tacticians and strategists I've ever seen."

"Thanks, but I'm fine with where I am." He wasn't anywhere close to fine, which was why he couldn't consider Todd's offer. The damn bells tortured him constantly. The only way he could sleep was to live alone on his boat. Hell, the only way he could get through the day was to see as few people as possible. The fishing charters were great, because his charter guests had to be quiet so as not to scare the fish. They had no idea that the silence was more for him than the fish.

"Yeah, sure. I figured."

"Is Mason or Hank coming today?"

"Mason is sick. Hank is out of town."

He didn't know if he felt relieved or unhappy that the other two men from his unit would not be showing up. But he knew one thing. If they were here, there would only be more questions that he didn't want to answer. Clearing his throat, he decided to change the subject. "So, do you know the woman you passed on your way out here?"

"You mean Savannah? Yeah, she's Abby's friend. She's a looker, isn't she?"

"What do you know about her?"

"Not much. I met her a couple years ago at a party. She's a former beauty queen. Abby grew up with her, but I think she lives in California now. She's stunning, but I would never hit on her."

"Why is that?"

"Her last name, dude."

"What's her last name?"

Todd gave him a surprised look. "Kane. As in Colonel Henry Kane."

"Seriously?" He could not believe that Savannah was the daughter of Colonel Kane. The grim-faced, hard-assed colonel had been on him every day of sniper school and beyond that. He'd never found much to like about the man, except for the fact that he'd been extremely good at his job. But the colonel had no compassion, no heart; he was cold as ice.

And the very hot, impulsive, free-spirited Savannah was his daughter?He shook his head in bemusement.

Todd glanced at his watch. "I can't do this," he said.

"Do what?"

"Be at this damned funeral that should not be happening. What did we do it all for, Ryker?"

"We did it for our country," he said automatically, although the words felt hollow in the face of Todd's emotion.

"And what has our country done for us?" Todd asked bitterly.

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