Page 69 of Special Agent Isabella

Bella strode to the front of the house and walked outside from the French windows, making sure not to appear threatening. She meandered up the lawn toward where the newly constructed iron fencing now sat as an added barrier from any crowds. Continuing to look back at the house, she checked out the repairs.

Once she got close to the man in question, she opened up a conversation. “Nice day.”

“Yes, it is.”

“It’s surprising how much better things look without huge crowds of protesters.”

“Were there a lot?” The fellow, who’d slunk down in the wheelchair, seemed to straighten when he understood the mutilation of his face didn’t faze her at all.

“Too many. People were everywhere. Didn’t you see the coverage on the news?”

“Yes, last night. They shipped me in from Germany a couple of days ago to the Vet’s home.”

“So you live here in Arizona?”

“Not sure. Haven’t much memory after the bombing. They say I came from Phoenix after they were able to identify me.”

“Didn’t you remember your name?”

“No. They tell me it’s Hank… Sergeant Major Hank Bolden.”

What? The man in front of her was Stacy Bolden’s husband? My God! How…?

Careful not to overstep the invisible boundaries he’d signaled, she asked gently, “You don’t remember? Your family or your home?”

“It’s fuzzy. What I remember more is the prison where they held me and a few others that they figured were worth keeping alive… you know… to use us as bargaining chips. When my turn came, they were able to get a high-ranking Taliban soldier in exchange. But by then, I was in pretty bad condition. My eyes had been damaged, and it took months before my sight was restored even a little.”

“Didn’t they know your particulars when they were making the exchange?”

“Guess not. My personal identification had gone missing. No dog tags, nothing but some ragged bits of uniform that showed my stripes and therefore, my rank. I had no memory to tell them anything. During the times I came out of the brain fog, I was a mess.”

“Must have been rough.”

“Yeah. Don’t know how I survived. Eventually, in Germany, they operated on my eyes, and thank god, I have my vision back on the right side and some on the left. They also operated on my back. I’m forced to live in this wheelchair until it heals enough to start physical therapy. They say with a lot of effort, I’ll regain the use of my legs. Regrettably, the shit marking my face is as good as it gets. Already went through three operations for it to look this good.”

His mouth quirked up on one side and Bella knew he was joking about his appearance. Seeing that he could do so, made her instantly like Hank Bolden.

“Must have been a nightmare.” Suddenly, Bella’s heart raced with gladness for the incredible news awaiting Stacy. Even knowing the governor for such a short time, she knew what a difference it would make for her to have her husband and Abbie’s father back.

“Kinda was. All I knew was that I was an American, could speak English, and a dark-haired, beautiful stranger haunted my dreams. The same one I saw on the TV screen last night.”

“You mean Stacy Bolden, the governor, don’t you? Is that why you’re here?”

“Yeah. She means something to me. Don’t think me mad but when I saw her, I began to cry. The nurse assured me my reaction was normal.”

“Of course it was. Is that why they didn’t notify your next of kin you were alive?”

“They didn’t know my identity for most of the time. Once they did, they’d wanted to approach her, but I’ve held them off. I figured it was better to let her believe I’d perished. The poor governor is under enough stress without adding a cripple to her load.”

“Is that why you came here today? To see her for yourself? Make up your mind if you should come forward?”

Hank finally looked her straight in the face, and she saw the full extent of his injuries. Because of her training, she didn’t flinch whatsoever and that seemed to make him relax. “I’m a mess, ma’am.”

“I’m Special Agent Isabella Mendez. Call me Bella.”

“Yes, I know who you are from the news coverage. You’re protecting those I can’t. I’ll be forever in your debt.”

The sincerity of his words couldn’t be denied. And Bella felt a gentleness well up inside her. “You have to tell her that you’re alive. You know that, right?”

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