Page 120 of Cry Havoc
“As I said, it looks like Gaston was the only target.”
“Where’re my pistol and blades?”
“I’ve got them. They won’t do you any good here right now in your current state. I’m going to post someone outside your door. They will work in shifts, but there will be somebody here while you recover.”
“How about my cigarettes?”
“No chance.”
“Nick, there is something else going on here. I can feel it.”
“You just rest up. You have a good doc and team here. I’ve talked with them every day. We will get you on the road to recovery and then get you stateside. I’ll be back to check on you. Stay strong. Keep fighting.”
Serrano left the room holding the door open as Nurse Maxwell entered.
“This will help you sleep,” she said, injecting something into his IV. “Rest up.”
Tom closed his eyes feeling the drug take effect, replaying the assassination over and over in his head: Gaston’s head exploding, the screams, his eye finding the front sight of his Hi-Power, the recoil, his turn to the second assassin.
As he drifted off to sleep, Tom could not shake the feeling that there was more to the assassination, and there was no way he was leaving Vietnam until he knew what it was.
CHAPTER 40
IT WAS ANOTHER DAYbefore Ella arrived.
Tom was still immobile.
She moved to the side of the bed and took his hand.
“Ella.” He didn’t know what else to say.
He watched as she took in the room, the IV, and the strap that still immobilized his head.
She was dressed in black, the green amulet still hung from her neck.
There was something else in her eyes. It wasn’t sadness. It wasn’t even concern or pity. He recognized it as determination. He knew what was coming.
“Tom, I am so sorry.”
“You are okay, and that is all that matters.”
She shook her head.
“That is not all that matters, Tom. My father is dead.”
“I know. I wasn’t fast enough to save him.”
She sighed.
“I am taking over the company. My father’s funeral is tomorrow.”
Tom closed his eyes.
“Tom, I can’t see you anymore.”
“Ella…”
“Don’t, Tom. It’s over. America is the reason my father is dead, and thereason my mother is dead. Regardless of my feelings, you are a cog in the machine, in a business that is Vietnam, Inc. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t separate you from the damage your country is doing here.”
