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Everett Simpson pulled the door open. He stared at her in shock. “Jen? Is everything okay?” He noticed the blood on her coat first, and then Ben.

“No, it isn’t.” Tegan’s life hung in the balance. “This is my husband and we need your help.” She explained as best she could. “We can’t go to the hospital. Can you help us?”

Everett didn’t hesitate. “Bring him inside quickly.” He glanced around the quiet neighborhood while Ben ran back to the SUV and helped the others carry his wounded soldier into the house.

Inside, Nancy Simpson came down the stairs quickly. When she spotted Tegan, her hand covered her mouth, her eyes shocked.

“Take him into the dining room,” Everett told them before turning to his wife. “Nancy, we have a GSW to the head. We’ll have to remove the bullet here.”

Nancy jumped into action. Within seconds she had a clean sheet on the dining room table and had gathered medical supplies.

“Thank you, hon.” Everett smiled briefly while he unwrapped the makeshift bandage Jen had placed around Tegan’s wound.

Everett did his best to sterilize his hands before putting on latex gloves.

“What can I do to help?” Jen asked as she washed up.

Everett glanced her way. “I’ll need both you and Nancy to assist.” He examined the wound closely. “It doesn’t appear to be embedded too deep. Still, we don’t know the extent of the damage.” He looked Jen in the eye, and she knew what he wasn’t saying. Tegan might not ever fully recover from the injury.

“Forceps,” Everett spoke to his wife who handed him the instrument. “There’s damage,” he said, his face falling. Doctor Simpson worked carefully to extract the bullet. Once it was removed, he cleaned the wound and packed it with gauze before wrapping it. Tegan remained unconscious through it all.

“It’s in God’s hands now,” the doctor said while Nancy made their patient as comfortable as possible.

“What are his chances?” Ben asked her.

Jen touched his arm. “It’s hard to say. He’s strong, though. That’ll help.”

“Ben, we need to get the SUV out of sight. They’ll be looking for it,” Peter told him.

He turned to his friend. “You’re right. Is there somewhere we can put the vehicle?” he asked the doctor.

Everett nodded. “You can use the garage. Nancy and I only own one vehicle and I’ll move it for you.”

“Thank you, doctor, but we can handle it.” Ben nodded to Peter. “Get it out of sight.”

Peter and Will hurried outside to handle the task.

“I’m sorry to show up at your place like this.” Ben waited for the doctor to ask the questions he expected.

Everett held his gaze. “Does this have anything to do with what’s happening around the world? I recognized your photo from the news. Until I saw Jen’s picture, I believed what they said.” He turned to Jen. “But I know you well, and you would not be involved in anything unethical.”

Ben’s gaze shifted to Jen. “You’re right, she wouldn’t. Her only crime is association with me.”

Everett smiled at his honesty. “I suspect she’s a good judge of character, even though she never mentioned a husband before.”

Jen returned his smile. “I’m sorry. I guess I’ve had a lot to think about. I’ve made some mistakes.” She hoped her husband would forgive her.

He clutched her hand. “We all make them, and if I were in your shoes, I can’t say I wouldn’t have reacted the same way.”

Tears filled her eyes and she turned away.

“Why don’t I make us all some breakfast,” Nancy said to the awkward silence.

Jen wiped her eyes and faced Nancy. “Let me help.” The older woman shook her head. “Honey, you look like you need some rest. Why don’t you have a seat in the living room and relax.”

She couldn’t as long as Tegan’s life was on the line. “I’d rather stay close to Tegan in case he needs something.”

“It’s a terrible thing that’s happened. What can we do to help you all?” Everett asked.

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