Page 18 of Silent Dust
“Absolutely! I’ll swing by the grocery store too. We need to stock up Lindsey’s kitchen. You know how we eat!” Zulu replied with a grin.
“I’ll haul all our gear over to Bear’s and set up workstations. We won’t disturb the bedrooms; I think I can still crash on the floor,” Red joked, adding with a chuckle, “though I might need a crane to get back up again.”
Before Ghost could reach the front door, Kenzi came flying in, her excitement contagious as she spotted “her” friends. Rhys and Amelia followed closely behind, their voices ringing out in cheerful chaos. “We’re back!” they yelled, their energy infectious.
Zulu and Red knelt down to give the kids hugs, showering them with the attention they craved, while Hawk helped Lindsey clean up the kitchen. The sight of Kenzi’s bright smile and the laughter of the kids brought warmth to his heart, a brief respite from the storm brewing outside.
“How was the movie? Did you remember to thank Jessica’s mom?” Hawk asked, trying to keep the conversation light, buthis mind was still racing with thoughts of Flora’s safety and the looming threat.
“It was awesome! There were explosions and everything!” Kenzi exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Yeah, and Spiderman saved the day!” Rhys chimed in, his fists pumping in the air. “Oh and we did say thank you, Uncle Greg!”
Hawk chuckled, grateful for their innocence and the momentary distraction from the weight of their reality. “Well, I’m glad Spiderman was there to save everyone!”
The guys split forces, each taking on their assigned tasks with a sense of urgency. Ghost headed to the hospital, prepared to guard Flora’s room. Zulu made his way to the airport, the hum of the engine a comforting backdrop as he picked up Hank and Swede. Meanwhile, Red gathered the equipment and headed next door to Bear’s house to set up a workspace for the team.
Finally, after supper and a loud and boisterous game of Candy Land, Lindsey and Hawk got the kids settled down to bed.
Before he could get into bed, Hawk needed to call Bear and update him on everything. He pulled out the secure phone that Commander Michaels had lent him to stay in touch . The line clicked, and Bear’s familiar voice came through almost immediately.
“How is she?” Bear blurted out, his concern spilling over before Hawk could reassure him.
Hawk hesitated briefly before answering, not wanting to jump all the way into the deep end. “Flora’s doing alright. She’s still struggling with the crazy withdrawals, but she’s holding it together. The kids are fine too; Lindsey’s keeping them busy and making sure they stay caught up with the homeschooling plan. They miss you, of course.”
Bear sensed Hawk was holding back. “What aren’t you telling me?”
A long sigh escaped Hawk, “Bear,” he started, his voice carrying the weight of what he was about to say. “Lindsey and I found out about the divorce from Rhys.”
He could hear the way Bear’s breath hitched—that sinking feeling in his voice when he realized what Hawk was saying. “How the hell did he find out? She hasn’t even talked to me about it.”
“Rhys said he saw the papers on the desk and got upset.” Hawk explained, trying to keep his tone calm. “He’s been acting out, not his usual self. I had to step in when he back talked Lindsey and take him aside to talk, like you would have. He didn’t know how to handle those feelings. After he told me about the papers, Lindsey went to visit Flora at the hospital. That’s when she opened up about being attacked a couple of months ago. And now, she’s been getting threats—people warning her to stay quiet.”
“What the hell!” The news hit Bear hard, a terrible chill creeping down his spine. “Attacked? Threats? What kind of threats?”
“Pictures of you on base, Bear. They’re telling her how easy it would be to kill you if she doesn’t cooperate,” Hawk said. The gravity of those words hung in the air.
The weight of it slammed into Bear like a punch to the gut. “Is she safe? What’s being done? I can’t believe this was going on and she didn’t say anything.”
Hawk hesitated briefly, then shifted his tone, acknowledging that he’d acted without first consulting Bear—things he hoped Bear wouldn’t mind. “Bear, I took some liberties. I talked it over with Flora, and I’ve got the guys from my old SEAL team keeping watch over her at the hospital on a rotating schedule. Also, since the threats come from someone who has access to you on the base, I called Commander Michaels and explained everything.”
“Hawk, do whatever you feel is necessary! I know you have my six; you always have.”
“Bear, I also have someone who can help with these threats. Remember Hank Patterson? He left the military and started Brotherhood Protectors in Colorado. I reached out to him and got his team involved to track down where these threats are coming from. I can handle your family’s safety, so you can stay focused on the mission—no distractions.”
Bear whispered into the phone, “Damn it, I need to be there to protect her.” Then louder, he tells Hawk, “I trusted you enough to name you and Lindsey as my kids godparents, I trust you to do whatever you feel you need to do.”
“I’ve got this,” Hawk said with firm conviction. “You need to focus. We can neutralize the threat and keep Flora and the kids safe, you just do your job without worry.”
Bear took a steadying breath, weighing all the options. “Thank you—they’re in good hands. You have access to my house and anything else you need.”
“Of course,” Hawk assured him. “I’ll keep you updated on everything. Just concentrate on your mission. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it,” Bear said. “Hopefully we can get this mission done and be home soon.”
“Take care, Bear. We’ll talk soon,” Hawk replied before they hung up.
As he settled into bed, Hawk felt the exhaustion seep into his bones. He pulled Lindsey close, savoring the warmth of her body next to his. It was a balm for his weary soul, a sanctuary amidst the turmoil they faced outside their walls. He nuzzled her neck, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair, a mix of lavender and something uniquely her. It was grounding, a reminder of the love they shared even in the midst of chaos.
