Page 29 of Operation: Sharp Angel

She shook her head. “No, you’re not. You’re compassionate, kind, and you’re even keeled. Doesn’t anything get to you? You were fired at tonight. That man tried to kill you.”

“Tried being the operative word. Which of us is lying in the hospital under arrest right now?”

“Even as a Marine, you had to see the bad in life. How do you deal with it?”

He shrugged. “It might sound corny, but I believe good triumphs over evil in the end.”

“Well, I’m having a hard time believing that right now.”

“Do you believe whoever killed your sister’s family will be found and punished?”

“I hope they will be, but I have to admit that as each day passes, the odds of them being caught seem smaller. When the police closed the case, ruling that Nick had done it, I think my faith in justice died.”

“We’re going to get to the bottom of this. And I’m sure that once Davis looks at that full report that we did, he’ll come to the same conclusion and the case will be re-opened.”

“I hope you’re right, Carter,” she said.

“Come on, I’ll walk you up to the apartment. Shoot me a text when you wake up in the morning. It’s late and you deserve to not have to set an alarm.” He stood and took hold of her backpack and laptop bag. They walked back to the elevator. He pressed nine. “My office is on seven. I’ll be there all night.”

“I’m sorry if you can’t go home because I’m staying here.”

“I sleep on the couch in my office more often than not when I’m in town. It’s quite comfortable,” he said. “We all have one in our offices, as many of us end up sleeping here for a variety of reasons.” He wouldn’t tell her some of the God-awful places he’d slept during his time in the Corps. Nor would he tell her that the guy shooting at him this evening was nothing compared to some of the intense firefights he’d been in where he’d swear all hell was raining down on him and his Marine brothers. No, she didn’t need to hear about any of that after her horrible night.

Indigo

Seated on the bed, alone in the room, Becca breathed deeply and realized how exhausted she was. The digits on her phone told her it was nearly midnight. How had it gotten so late? It was the first time she’d looked at her phone since she’d text messaged Carter while hiding in the closet.

She glanced around the comfortable room. There was a microwave and Keurig coffee maker with a counter, cabinets, and shelves that were fully stocked with snacks, plus a dorm-sized refrigerator that Carter had told her had bottles of water, juice, and soda. No liquor, though, he’d joked. And in front of it was a small table and three comfortable chairs. The bathroom was on the other side of the table and chairs. Behind her on the far wall was a large window with the drapes closed, and a television was atop a chest of drawers across from the bed. They called it the apartment, but it resembled a hotel room more.

She grabbed her toiletries and pajamas from her backpack and went into the bathroom. There was no tub, just an okay sizedshower stall. She turned the water hot and then disrobed. As she’d planned, she stood beneath the downpour for a long time.

The bed was comfortable, the sheets crisp, expensive. They held a hint of lavender. She drifted to sleep immediately.

She was surprised when she woke up to find it was nearly ten a.m. And she was starving. She made a cup of coffee and unwrapped a large chocolate chip muffin that was on the shelf. There were even individual creamers in a variety of flavors in a basket in the cabinet. Carter had said Angel kept the room stocked with comforts for guests. She’d have to thank Angel if she saw her today.

She’d charged her phone overnight. She grabbed it and reviewed emails, both personal and work, while she enjoyed her coffee and muffin. It surprised her, but she did feel very relaxed. After her second cup of coffee, she messaged Carter to let him know she was awake.

His reply came right away. He was obviously awake already, too.

I hope you slept well. Can I get you something for breakfast?

Thank you, not necessary. There are packages of muffins here and coffee. I already ate. What time is the meeting with your boss?

When can I come up? I really hate texting.

She smiled seeing his message. She preferred talking on the phone or in person as well.

Give me ten minutes to get dressed.

In his office, Tessman called Angel. “Hey, Becca Elliot just messaged me that she’s awake. When can we get in to see Shepherd?”

“He can see you in twenty minutes, if that’s not too soon,” Angel offered.

“That should work, thank you. I’ll let Jackson and Brielle know,” Tessman said.

“Bring her by my desk after the meeting,” Angel said.

“Will do, thanks, Angel.”

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