Page 90 of Stone

Go.

Without a thought, I took my shot.

Three seconds later, a body fell from the target point to the ground below.

“Wait, Stone,”came through my earpiece.“We need to check it’s him.”

We didn’t move a muscle.

After what seemed like an hour but was probably only ten seconds, we watched as a team of five Marines, who were bent double, ran toward the body sprawled on the ground.

“It’s looking good,” Spence muttered. “That fucker ain’t moving—”

He was interrupted by another crackle, followed by Laska’s voice saying,“Direct hit, Stone. That fucker’s taken out two top Kuwaiti ambassadors, along with God knows how many others. You played the player. Get the fuck outta there, both of you. Head straight back to base.”

“Yes, Sir,” Spence muttered. “Over and out.”

With a low groan, Spence got to his feet and began to gather up our equipment. “My ass has gone to sleep.”

I rolled to my back and did an ab curl and sat up, ass in the dirt, and clicked the safety back onto my rifle. My leg muscles screamed as I stood to my full height and cracked my neck from side to side. “I need a gallon of fuckin’ coffee.”

Swinging my rifle onto my back, I watched Spence click the rifle’s sight and tripod back into its metal case and close it with a flourish. “All packed and ready to go.” He grinned.

I checked my compass, got my bearings, and pointed east. “This way.”

Setting off toward the area where our transport waited, I swung my ruck on my back, deep in thought.

“We’ve got twenty minutes, or those fuckers will drive off without us,” Spence advised as he ran up behind me.

I shrugged. “We can walk it in fifteen.”

He clapped a hand on my shoulder and barked a laugh. “Race you. We’ll do it in ten.”

My eyes slid to his, and I grinned. “Been belly up all day. A nice evening jog may be just what the doctor ordered.”

Spence set off at pace. “Last fucker back buys the beers.”

I almost groaned out loud. I would’ve killed for a cold one, but the base didn’t provide alcohol so as not to offend the locals. Setting off at a jog, I soon caught Spence up, and side by side, we ran back and met our transport with ten minutes to spare, laughing and joking as we went.

It was a successful night, made better by the fact that when I got back, I discovered I’d gotten a letter. So, I ate, drank, showered, and went to my sleeping bag. Then, with my back to the wall, I opened the envelope, and with a smile, I began to read.

Dear Johnny,

Everything happened so fast. One minute, we were curled up in bed; the next, I was home, and you’d been deployed.

Thank you for calling before you left base. It means everything that you did that. It meant I was prepared in case you couldn’t write. I got your letter this morning, Ithink it came by snail mail because it took almost three weeks to arrive from the date on it, though I’ll forgive the U.S. Marine Corps, given the circumstances.

Mom and I are putting a care package together. Connie and I also spoke to the pastor about the townsfolk doing their own packages to send to soldiers and Marines who maybe don’t have anyone. I also talked to the mayor, and he’s going to get in touch with an organization that can pass on letters to the men who are deployed. It’s not much, but even if we can help build morale a little, it’s worth the effort.

Everything here is as good as it can be without you. The college semester started up, so I’m keeping busy there, and I’m still helping in the mayor’s office on Saturdays. We’re learning basic accounts and all about taxes now. I was thinking, maybe I can do your books for you when you open the garage. It will save you the expense of hiring an accountant, and we can keep it in the family, as they say.

Peter and Monica get married in two weeks at the country club. They sent us an invite, so I’m going with Mom and Dad, but I know I’ll miss walking in with you.

I’m so glad Monica’s getting married because maybe she’ll stop flirting with you now. Peter is a nice guy though not charismatic like you are. I saw him when I did Dad’s banking the other day, and he stopped to chat. It was weird because he didn’t seem too excited to be marrying Monica. I hope Pete makes her happy. Everybody deserves happiness like we’ve got, I guess even Monica Stafford.

How silly is it that I watch the news all the time, hoping to catch a glimpse of you out of the thousands of military personnel there? I miss you so much, John, that myheart hurts. Our weekend in San Diego is something I’ll cherish while you’re away, and I’m so grateful we got that time together, because who knows when I’ll see you next? I thank God for all the beautiful memories we made together: the beach, meeting Ally and Spencer, and even just waking up with you. I can hold onto them when things get too hard. Those two days were the best ones of my life, John. It seems like it happened in another life now.

Whenever I speak to anybody in town, they all ask me to say hi and send their love. It seems the entire town is proud of you, John, and all the boys who have gone out there in sacrifice to keep the world safer. I’m sorry the conditions out there aren’t what you expected. You’re so brave. I think I’d probably have a breakdown if I were in your shoes.

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