Page 112 of Lucky Charm
She grabbed a Kleenex and swiped at the tears rolling down her face. “Go on.”
Hunt sighed, but Jackie had on her doctor’s face. It was like Cait’s. “Broken shoulder, clavicle, arm, elbow, and a couple fingers left side, four ribs left side, collapsed lung and broken hip. The force of the explosion blew her into the side of the building.”
“Taking her to Germany?”
“Yes, after they finish the surgery and let her stabilize. My guess would be tomorrow or the next day.”
“I’ll get on a plane.”
“I’m going with her, Jackie. I won’t leave her alone.”
She nodded her head, biting her trembling lips. “I’ll see you there because she is my family. You understand that.”
“Yes. She’s going to need us both.”
“Call me back, can you?”
“Yeah. Give me a phone number. That’ll be easier.” Hunt opened the notepad on Cait’s computer.
Jackie rattled off a number. “Call me when you know more. I’ll make arrangements for Germany right now. Don’t let her down, Hunt. Don’t.”
“I won’t, Jackie. I’m arranging leave. I’ll be there every step of the way.” He had no idea if that was true. His avoiding Scott wasn’t helping.
They disconnected, and Hunt stared at the blank screen getting his priorities straight.
Carter came to him. “She’s out of surgery and in recovery. The nurse says it’ll be an hour or so before you can visit her. Major Moss is on his way to you.”
“Thanks, Carter. Can you stay? I need to go talk to Scott after I see Major Moss.”
“Yes.”
“Good. Do you have a pen?”
Carter handed off a black camo pen. Hunt scribbled Jackie’s number on his hand, then snapped the lid of her laptop shut. Giving back the pen, he rose. “I’ll be back.”
He left Carter in the doorway with Cait’s laptop and went to the nurse’s station. Timed perfectly, Duncan came toward him.
“Damage more extensive than I thought, but we’ve got her fixed. Now we wait for her to wake.”
Hunt let out a sigh, tension easing. “I’ve got to go see my commander. Evans is here.” He pointed at the doorway. “Any updates, tell him. He’ll find me.”
“It’ll be a bit before you’ll be able to see her. They’re getting her settled.”
He reached for the doctor’s hand. “Thank you.” They shook for a long moment, then Duncan left, going behind the mystery doors of surgery.
He called Doogie. “Where are you?”
“Outside. Too many people crowding the waiting room.”
Hunt went back to the waiting room, collected Cait’s laptop from Carter, and tapped K-Rock and Hernandez. They both snapped out of sleep in a flash. “Come with me.”
Outside, they found the other men. “Tommy, go to the waiting room and back up Carter.” The man took off at a trot.
“Where we going?” Doogie’s casual tone clarified his need to act.
“Going to see Scott. I need to get this leave thing sorted. Cait will go to Germany tomorrow, and I am going to be on that flight.”
“Let’s go.” The four loaded into the vehicle. Hunt separated from them at the operations building and went in search of Scott. Different from the last few days, the Operations Center was quiet. He went down the short hallway to Scott’s office.
