Page 41 of Shelter for Shay
“Ah, he’s your work wife.”
“Something like that,” Moose said. “I want to see you. Soon. If you’re up for it.”
Shay’s hand curled tighter around the phone. “I’m up for it. I’ve got that jury summons I’ve got to show up for on Monday and so many things to do here. Decisions to make. It’s all so overwhelming.”
“I’ve got four days of leave starting on Saturday—in two days. I’ll be on the first plane that I can. I’ll rent a car in Albany and try not to get a ticket on the way to your place.”
“I bet Andy could get you out of one if you did.”
Moose laughed. “I bet he could,” he mused. “It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve missed you. Did you get any of my letters?”
“Just the first one.” She pressed her hand against the center of her chest. “How many did you send?”
“Five. I bet they all arrive about the same time I do.”
“I wrote you two. Mailed the first one the day you left. The second the next day.”
“Mail is always slower finding me,” he said. “I’ll get them eventually and I’ll cherish every word.”
“I never expected you to be so corny.”
“I’m not,” he said. “You bring it out in me.”
“Text me your flight information. I’ll see you soon.”
“Text? Hell no. I’ll be calling you every night now that I’m home,” he said. “Before we hang up, I need to tell you something.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“That depends on how you look at it,” he said. “We have an appointment with that PI firm on Sunday. Katie said her team doesn’t normally meet with people on weekends but are making an exception.”
“Did they give you my father’s information?”
“They did, but all they had was an address,” he said. “Before we do anything, we need more information. There’s this woman I know who works at The Refuge.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a place out in New Mexico for people who suffer from PTSD. The guys and I have spent time out there after missions that have gone sideways. You know, to get our heads on straight again.”
Her heart dropped to her stomach like a brick. She knew so much of his life as a child. What he’d had to endure as a teenager, but she had no idea what he’d gone through as a SEAL. However, she’d seen the scars on his body. “Is that something you might need after this mission?”
“No. This one was easy. Nothing happened. Anyway, Ry, she’s kind of the resident computer hacker. I gave her all the details you gave me. I haven’t heard back yet, but she told me she should have something by the time I get to you.”
“I almost wish you’d waited until you had something,” she said. “Did she say anything else?”
“Only that something wasn’t quite right and she needed to do more digging.”
“Am I making a mistake in doing this?”
“No,” he said. “If you don’t, it will haunt you for the rest of your life. You don’t want that.”
She sighed. “Thank you.”
“I’ve got you,” he said softly. “I’ll be there soon. I promise.”
“Text me when you get home and say hello to the chickens for me.”
He chuckled. “I will. Have a good night, Shay.”
