Page 12 of Alistair

“Hey, I need you to dial it down,” said Joseph, staring at her. “We told them it was a hiking accident. No one needs to know what really happened. You can’t help us with that wrist. We’re going home.”

Clark wanted to argue, but something in his eyes told her she should just count her blessings and walk away from this one. Once on the Osprey, they gathered around the table.

“Clark, tell us about the last mission,” said Dalton.

“I was dropping Marines, DEA, and FBI near the camp, or at least that’s what I was supposed to do. There wasn’t a clearing anywhere except where they were cooking that shit up. I hovered while the teams fired and then finally had clearance to land.”

“That means they didn’t have the rocket launcher then,” said Liffey, frowning at the group. Clark shrugged.

“I guess not. They didn’t use it. That’s for sure. We killed a lot of them, but a Marine brought two over to me and had them cuffed to the floor of the bird. One of the men was making sexist, snarky remarks, trying to get under my skin. He said, ‘I never forget a face, girly.’ I know he was one of the men chasing me because I heard him say that again.

“The weird thing is that when I left the convention center to head to the airport, I felt this weird sensation like someone was watching me. But it couldn’t have been him. He would have never made it from there to West Virginia in that time.”

“No, but it could have been someone else,” said Alistair. Clark stared at him, unsure of what to make of the statement.

“What do you mean? Someone else who was arrested?”

“Maybe. Or someone that you thought were the good guys. If they were at the convention center, they could have been with one of the agencies,” said Alistair.

“My fellow Marines wouldn’t have done that to me,” she said defensively. Sor looked at her, then at Alistair.

“I don’t think he was accusing anyone,” said Sor. “We’re just trying to lay out all possibilities. Who would have anything to gain by this? You’re right. It doesn’t make sense for a Marine to have done this, but if a member of the DEA was involved, maybe they’re getting a cut of the drugs.”

Clark stood from the seat, rubbing her temples. She was getting a headache, the adrenaline finally bottoming out. She just wanted to sleep.

“I-I don’t know. All I know is that was the same man that was on my bird.” Alistair stood, and she shook her head. “I have a headache. I think I need to lie down.”

“Okay, babe. Get some rest, and I’ll wake you when we land.” She disappeared into the small bedroom and closed the door.

“She’s struggling with the idea of someone betraying her and potentially her team. We need to notify her command to see if anyone has been attacked.”

“Already done,”said AJ.“Two of her team were involved in a bar fight the other night. Three guys, half the size of the Marines, started the fight. When they suggested to take it outside, they found themselves in the midst of eleven men waiting for them. They were beaten but not dead. Another was involved in a hit-and-run accident. Someone is picking off that team.”

“Thanks, AJ,” said Alistair. “We need to find out who is involved in that opioid ring. They know someone or someone is involved with them and protecting them.” Joseph nodded at his friend.

“First, let’s get your girl home.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Hi,” smiled the woman standing at the door. “I saw you on the cameras. They’ve become quite handy.”

“I’m glad you feel safe with them,” smiled Sor. “I was just checking on you. Wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything.”

“No,” said Nelly. “Do you, I mean, did you need for me to find somewhere else to live? I mean, I can. It’s okay. This is your home.”

“No,” he said, holding up his hands, shaking his head. “Not at all. I’m living on the property with the security team. I work there now.”

“Oh, wow! That’s great. They’ve all been really nice to me.” She stared at him, smiling. He really was handsome and rugged. Everything her ex-husband was not. “Would you like something cold to drink? I don’t have any alcohol, but I have soda, water, iced tea.”

“Iced tea would be great.”

“I’ll be right back. Have a seat.”

He nodded at her, taking a seat on the front porch rockers. He smiled, noticing that she’d placed floral cushions on the chairs. His ex-wife tried that once, and he tossed them in the bayou. What did it say that he found it endearing Nelly had done it.

“Here you go,” she smiled, setting the tray between them. “I made some of Mama Irene’s lemon bars. I’ve never been much of a baker, but she’s converting me.”

“Oh, these are my favorite,” he said with a big smile, taking a bite of one. “Mmm, delicious!”

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