Page 316 of Affair
“Do you have a piece of paper?”
“To say goodbye?” she asked.
He closed his eyes.
“No, to say I’m sorry for all of this. He was hurt because of me, and…I need to tell him I love him one last time. Because I do. I’ll never love anyone but Gamble. He will forever have my heart.”
She pulled paper out of her messenger bag, and handed him a pen.
For the next five minutes, the man wept as he wrote the words down.
Elizabeth watched, and this was a man in love. This was a man haunted by his duty.
There was no doubt there.
It was also a man protecting Gamble in his own convoluted way. It was clear he didn’t know the man very well.
When he folded it up, he handed it to her.
“Thank you for giving this to him.”
She tapped on the window, knowing the team was about to breech the upper floor.
When Gunny opened the door, he peeked in.
“Yeah, boss lady?”
She pointed at Poe.
“Get him to a transport. He’s going home. We can’t wait. We need him to be moved now.”
Gunny nodded.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Poe was confused.
“I don’t have my passport…”
She stopped him.
“I’ll have it sent to you. Don’t worry, Doctor. All of your personal things will make it to you by special messenger. I’m very thorough when I pay back a favor. Expect them in a few days.”
He thanked her.
“I appreciate this.”
She went on the record.
“You’ve never loved a Marine before, have you?” she asked.
He was honest.
“I’ve never loved anyone but Gamble. Maybe he’ll forgive me, and if I do get the chance to come back, he’ll speak to me.”
Oh, she suspected that wasn’t going to be the case.
He definitely didn’t know Marines.
