Page 28 of The Entire Team

Baker answered, “Whatever you need.”

“Flash is gonna pick up some clean clothes from my place and bring them. I need to get her cleaned up.”

“Got it,” Baker took up sentry at the bathroom.

“Acushla, water’s ready, I need you to wake up,” Red started. He’d managed to keep hold of her and get the shower on without waking her. “Start at your feet, I gotta put you down.” Bending down and lowering her legs he felt her jerk in awareness as her hands reached for his chest. Her fingers grabbed his shirt as if she was taking hold of his bulletproof vest, her left hand was a little clumsy with the bandages. He saw her black and blue wrists before her body covered them, her biceps flexing, pulling her body into him. Keeping one arm around her, he pulled everything out of his pockets; first one side, then the other; then stepped straight forward into the shower. He turned so he was facing the shower head and Ashe was facing away while under the running water. He felt her start to relax under the warm water, her death grip loosening on his shirt. “We want to get the blood off, Ashe.” She stepped back a fraction of a step as she inspected herself, she shook her head and leaned back into him. He pulled her left hand up over his shoulder to protect it from the water. He started rubbing the blood off, by the time he was finished Tech had arrived.

Red got Ashe dressed in sweatpants and thermal shirt Flash had grabbed for her and changed into dry clothes before leaving Ashe in the bathroom to finish. His brogue was back when he turned to Baker, “where are the investigators?” As if on cue, two plain clothes police officers stepped into the room.

“Quite a crowd,”the largest one said.

The bathroom door opened; Ashe stood still watching the five men sizing each other up. Without looking Red waved Ashe to step behind him, her right hand near his elbow, his hand ather hip. Flash and Baker automatically shifted to cover Red’s flanks.

“We’re all on the same side,” the police officer spoke again.

“Are we?” Red’s accent was heavy. “You left a witness covered in blood and nearly naked in here.”

“We’ve been working all night on this,” the second officer said. “We’re sorry about that. We did have protection at the door,” he motioned toward the door.

“What do you have?” Can you tell us what happened?” Flash took over.

“We were hoping that Ashe could help,” the officers looked at her. “The only other person that was there is dead.”

Baker saw the goosebumps rise on Ashe’s arms. “Maybe we come back to that. What do you have?”

“The deceased was a known associate to a cartel. Had been moving freely across the border. Arrived a week ago, was staying in Waikiki. Not a large electronic signature, must have been paying cash. We have no idea what else he may have been here for.” The older officer listed. “What do you know?” He directed at Red.

“Sounds like he was a bad man that got what he deserved. Congratulations, Officers.”

“I don’t think that’s it,” the officer looked at the men, not buying the easy way.

“You’re more than welcome to take your concerns to our boss. I can give you his information.” Red responded calmly.

“Yeah, we’ll take that.” Directing the next comment at Ashe, the older officer continued, “We do need to get your statement. Please let us know when you’re ready for that, ok?”

Ashe wasn’t ignorant of the testosterone filling the room. Nor was she ready to go over what had happened, but she did want out of the hospital, and no one would stand down. She was about to acquiesce, writing her statement down, knowing how long itwould take, when a doctor walked in. Now the room was super crowded.

“Morning,” the doctor said. “Everyone’s up early. Came to talk discharge,” he looked through the three bodyguards at Ashe. Ashe nodded. “Ok, I need to do an exam, and we can get the paperwork finished.” Unphased, he stepped between Baker and Red, spread his arms, showing Ashe the way back to the hospital bed.

Red looked at the police officers, “you can leave.” Baker and Flash walked the two officers out, leaving Red in the room with the doctor and patient.

As the doctor went through the myriad of beating injuries Ashe had, including the bruised wrists and ribs, he verbally went over the damage to her throat and hand. “In a couple days the swelling should start to decrease and while it may be raspy, or weak, you should be able to talk again. Just do what you can or feel like, you don’t have to rush it. And when the stitches are out of your hand and fingers you should follow up with occupational therapy to make sure all the motion and strength come back. Until then keep the stitches dry and clean. Any questions?” Ashe shook her head. “Okay,” turning toward the door the doctor continued, “You guys have a good day.”

Flash tookRed and Ashe to Red’s. The team had already moved his vehicle. Red escorted Ashe inside. Toby was waiting. She sat down gingerly on the couch, Red headed back out to grab his gear from Flash’s trunk. “Get your own gear. Your stuff’s heavy.”

Red shrugged, remembering to be nice, “I’m bigger than you. Thanks for the assist this morning.”

“Obviously,” Flash shut his trunk and headed around. “Let us know if you need anything the next couple days.”

“Obviously,” Red grinned as he headed back toward his apartment.

Red dropped his gear inside the door. Toby and Ashe were laid out on the couch together, her arms wrapped around him. The click of the door shutting was louder than he remembered, and his eyes shut reflexively, hoping it didn’t disturb the two of them. Leaving his gear where it was, he locked the door and headed silently to his room to shower and get some sleep, if possible.

40

STITCH

Genie’s six-year-old, Billy had a soccer game and most of the team was there. Bethany and Genie with their four other kids, Rave and Sylvie, Flash, Tech, and Stitch took up half the bleachers. Stitch looked across the field and froze recognizing one of the referees. “She’s here,” he nudged Flash.

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