Page 105 of Luck Be Mine
Quaid grabbed tissues and put one in her hand. “Go wake Mackey,” he ordered.
She didn’t see who he’d asked.
“Somebody has to tell Elizabeth,” she whispered, her stomach turning.
Harrison groaned.
Quaid swore. “Here I thought we were finally over the hump. She is friends with Bess. She’ll want to be with her for this. It’ll bring Wylie’s death up again.”
Cait pulled back to wipe her face and eased out of Harrison’s hold. “Hunt said to tell you traveler?”
Harrison shut his eyes briefly, then squared his shoulder. “Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
“You don’t need to.”
She didn’t ask. SEAL stuff, she presumed. At the moment, she hated Hunt’s job with every fiber of her being. “I hate this.”
Harrison rubbed her arm. “We all hate this, Doc. But it’s the risk we take. We train for it. They’ve been fortunate over thelast few years to have injuries and not deaths. It’s because your husband is exceptional at what he does.”
“Yes, he is. I’m proud of all of them, but this will devastate Bax’s mother. I’m sick of hard stuff.”
Mackey flew into the room. “What happened?”
“Casualty. Baxter’s down,” Harrison answered, choking up.
Mackey froze mid-step, mouth tightening. He came to them, and put a hand on Harrison’s shoulder and another one on Quaid’s. The four of them had met Baxter in Afghanistan, and the friendship had only deepened in the years since. He leaned to her and kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry, Doc. He was a good, good man.”
“Yes. He was. I have to go. I need to see Rachel Hernandez and go to Bess. I’m the designated one to call Adele Dugan and Patsy Brennan.” She turned to Quaid. “I might need Niles, too.”
“Done.” Quaid took his phone and started a text.
Cait wiped her eyes, struggling to control harsh emotions.
“What can we do for you, kid?” Mackey grabbed another tissue and handed it to her.
“I need coffee and a driver.”
“We can pull Remy?” Mackey looked to Harrison.
He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll get him.” He sent a text message.
Quaid slid his phone in his pocket. “I’m going to tell Elizabeth before word gets out.” He left the room.
Cait remained motionless, aching for Hunt. It was one thing to be notified and another to put plans into motion.
As if sensing her dilemma, Harrison guided her back to her chair. “Let me describe for you what happens next and in what order.” Harrison covered every step and what took place behind the scenes. Mackey stayed close and added his experiences. The quiet discussion oriented her.
The three of them left Operations and stood in the hall discussing her work hours, leave, and next steps.
Elizabeth’s sobs echoed down the hall.
§§§§§§§§§§
Chapter Sixteen
◊ Remembrance and Tradition ◊
