Page 96 of Space Cowgirl: Houston, All Systems Go
“It’sNASA. They don’t let just anyone on site.”
“I’m not just anyone. I’m… I’m…” Just whatamI?
“You’re nothing that the United States government recognizes unless you have a badge. I’m not there either. I’m holding down the fort with Flynn at his house. Trish is with me. Flynn is getting updates from Jackie, and when she’s released, Jules is coming here.” There’s some murmuring in the background. “Yes, call the security team I used before. They know their stuff.”
That gets my attention. “Why are you calling for security?”
Rose doesn’t answer, still talking to someone else. “Just tell them that Rose West is ordering the service. I—”
“What thehellis going on, Rose?”
Everything is silent for a moment. “Sorry, Holt. There’s just a lot going on.” Her sigh blows through the line. “It’s too much to say over the phone.”
Gritting my teeth, I try not to take my frustration and fear out on my sister. I take and release my own deep breath. “Okay then.” I grab my keys off the hook. “I’ll be there soon.”
* * *
JULES
“Jules?”Jackie’s head peaks around the door of my room at the medical center.
“Hey, hooker.”
Her ponytail hangs loose and one of her Converse is untied. That’s all I notice before she throws herself on my bed and wraps her arms around me. “I was so worried.”
After the divers got me out of the water, it only took a second to get my helmet off and an oxygen mask to my face. I came to almost immediately, but NASA whisked me over to the medical facility anyway. And for the past two hours I’ve had a million tests run and a million questions asked and I’m about to lose my shit.
Turns out old Chip Whipple is pretty smart. In a diabolical way. He simply walked in through the NBL’s parking lot exit, having parked at the Boeing building down the street, and snuck into the lab.
It was smart in that the NBL isn’t as secured as Johnson Space Center. It doesn’t have national security secrets or achieves of data. It’s just a pool with equipment.
All he had to do was lie in wait, turn some valves, then hightail his cowardly ass out of there.
So yeah. I almost died at the hands of the deranged Tastykake motherfucker.
“I’m all right.”
Jackie squeezes tighter.
“You know, if you wanted to cop a feel you didn’t have to wait until I almost drowned.”
“That’s not funny.” But she’s laughing, so mission accomplished.
“The cops wanted to let you know that they picked up Susan.” Jackie and I lift our eyes to see Dr. Sato entering the room, closing the door behind her. “They were already en route with a warrant when Whipple entered the NBL.”
“One down.” Sigh. “I’m sure they’ll pick up Whipple soon enough.”
Part of me is pissed that I don’t get to dick punch Whipple myself for everything he’s done. But this is real life. The US Government isn’t going to sit back and wait for me to cowboy up. Someone trespassed on federal property and fucked with their national treasure (me). Now that there’s been a positive ID by the security cameras at the NBL, Whipple’s days are numbered.
“And all your test results are normal.” The doctor smiles as she cradles her baby bump. “You’re free to go. But take it easy for a few days. Each time the stalker texted you or emailed you, it was like a separate attack, affecting your adrenaline and sending you into fight or flight. Your body’s still dealing with a lot of stress fallout.”
Jackie pulls back, swiping under her glasses. “Let’s get you home.”
“Home?”
* * *
“You guys are going overboard.”I squint against the light coming through Jackie and Flynn’s guest room window as Trish fluffs the pillow behind me.
