Page 90 of Lucky Charm
Cait kept her posture firm as she mentally relaxed. “It’s not a problem, sir. For obvious reasons, it must be a woman medical professional for many of these patients, and I’m next on the list. When?”
“Monday after Thanksgiving, I believe. Six hours. Get with Colonel Cartwright. She has the all the information for this rotation.”
“Yes, sir.”
He went behind his desk and stood with his hands on the smooth surface. His dark eyes stayed on her face; his expression was as somber as she’d ever seen it. “There’s something going on outside my purview, Captain. I hope you’d know that if you’re in difficulty you can come to me.”
Drat! She thought she’d escaped his notice. She knew better than that and could only blame her preoccupation with her PTS and Hunt. She stood straighter. “It only involved what I saw while on the mission, sir. I don’t know anything else and hope they never read me in. It’s not my job here.”
“Keep that in mind, Captain. The gossip is getting out of hand.”
“I’m not generating that, sir. I’m doing my job.”
“It would help if the Lieutenant wouldn’t sit in the waiting room or leave with you.”
Cait bristled and had to force herself to maintain her composure. Temper was unusual forher, but criticize Hunt and she’d be a banshee. “Permission to speak freely, sir.”
“Within bounds.”
“I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me by the Army and the Navy.” She wouldn’t mention the freaking CIA in any way. “I would appreciate it if gossip and assumption wasn’t used to judge my actions, sir.”
“Your report was bereft of information.”
“They asked me to keep it on need to know, sir.”And I was expendable, even to you.She drew in a long, silent breath to stifle the shock at that thought. Did she really believe that? She hadn’t been expendable to Hunt, but the rest of those involved in the mission? She didn’t know. Hell, she didn’t even know if her own commander realized she’d been put in place to achieve a spying goal and the domino of violence it had caused.
He stayed silent studying her face. “Noted, Captain. You’re dismissed.”
She wanted to add that he should ask the freaking Special Operations Command for explanations, but throwing gasoline on the fire of Colonel Banner’s temper was never advisable. Her own wasn’t stable either.
“Yes, sir. I’ll get with Colonel Cartwright.” She turned smartly and left, wondering when all the people in her life had gotten insanely nosy.
Heading to the break room, she stopped short at the end of the hall. Hunt stood at the central desk. He looked tough and mean and tired, and she wanted to touch him so bad she was weak with it.People furtively looked, whispers spread, and an atmosphere of anticipation quelled the touching him idea. What did they think? That he would kiss her in front of all these people? He wouldn’t, and she wouldn’t touch him either. It would be best if they stayed in plain view. They’d disappoint all the watchers, and the gossip would die.
She walked to him and stayed silent.
He pulled out his phone and pointed her to the waiting room. He went ahead of her, searching for something on his phone. She frowned but followed him.
In the doorway, he handed her his phone and stepped aside for her to enter.
She moved inside the room, exasperated. So much for her plan to stay in public view. “What?” She couldn’t help the snarl.
“Look.” While he might visually present as mean and tough, his voice stayed even and calm. He turned his phone to her.
She dropped her eyes to the picture and gasped. “The boy. You found him?” She dropped her voice to an out-of-character hiss.
“We know where he was. Is that him?” Hunt crossed his arms and stood like a redwood in a forest.
“Yes.” She twisted the phone and enlarged the photo. “Yes,” she said again after a minute. “He shouldn’t be on that leg. He needs crutches.”
“Least of our worries.”
“Not mine. I’m his doctor.”
Hunt sighed. “Noted.”
“Why is he there alone?”
“He’s not.” He took his phone back and manipulated the photo, showing her the other man.
