Page 74 of The Flame of Carson
Chapter 16
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Krista was just puttingthe last of the dishes in the dishwasher when the land line rang.She reached for the cordless.“Hello?”
“Hello ma’am.I’m looking for Staff Sergeant Blackstone please.”
“Oh, um, sure just a second.”Krista stuttered as she walked out of the kitchen.She found Ethan sitting on the sofa.“Ethan, there’s a guy asking for you.Well, asking for Staff Sergeant Blackstone, I should say.”
Ethan sat up straight and took the phone, “Blackstone.”
“This is Major McCandles.I got your message from my admin about Sergeant Carson.May I ask why you are inquiring about his time under my command?”
Ethan sighed as he stood from the sofa and walked toward his office.He saw the worried look in Krista’s eyes before she returned to the kitchen.Once alone in his office, he spoke.“Major, you know that Gage was part of my team in MARSOC.After we got out, he, me and three other teammates opened Blackout Security Inc, here in Austin.Now, Gage has become a target.It started when this person contacted his girl, Stacey Carlin.”
Ethan spent the next ten minutes filling the Major in on what had happened and where they now stood.He also told him about Danny’s theory that whoever this was, it was someone that knew Gage and could have even been in Gage’s old unit before he joined MARSOC.
“Sounds like a hell of a shit storm you boys have on your hands.”McCandles stated.
“Yes Sir, it is.I’m still kicking my own ass for not thinking of this line of investigation, once we realized that Gage was the actual target.”Ethan agreed.
“I will do some digging.I remember Sergeant Carson.He was a solid Marine and a bloodhound for finding intel.Give me a few days Staff Sergeant and I will have everything sent to you.Do I send it to your home or to Blackout?”
“Just send it to Blackout.I want to thank you for this Major.I know it’s not the right chain of command, but my gut is telling me I may not have time to go through the proper channels on this.Gage is my brother, he and the rest of my Alpha team.I protect my family, Sir.”
“I understand and from what you’ve just told me, I am in agreement with you.Since Sergeant Carson has been out as long as he has and was Honorably discharged, I can go around some of the red tape.I should have everything you should need and sent to you by Friday morning.”
“Again, thank you, Sir.I owe you.”
“No, you don’t Staff Sergeant.Simper Fi.We watch each other’s back.I’ll touch base with you soon.”
Ethan hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair.He didn’t even open his eyes when he heard the door open.He sighed as he felt the gentle hands of his wife begin massaging his shoulders.Neither said anything.When her hands stopped, he ranched up and covered hers with his.
“Ethan, who was that?”Krista asked softly.
“That was Major McCandles.He was Gage’s CO before he joined MARSOC.”Ethan answered on a sigh.
“It’s getting bad, isn’t it?”Krista replied, laying her head on top of his.
“Yeah, and I’m afraid it’s going to get worse, once I get the information I need from the Major.I just hope it will help us get ahead of this guy before...”Ethan broke off.
As if sensing his worry, Krista moved from behind his chair and sat in his lap.When she slid her arms around him, Ethan just pulled her closer and kissed her.He needed to turn off his worry right now, and he knew he could only do that right now with Krista.Deepening the kiss, he gathered her in his arms, stood from the chair and headed upstairs.
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Gage groaned as Staceydug the heal of her hand between his shoulder blades.“Good lord Gage.You’re tense.”
