Page 16 of Every Last One
“Help yourselves.” Kreiger grabbed a container and dropped onto the bench of the booth. He opened it and took out a pulled-beef sandwich. “What’s the latest on this end? I haven’t heard anything about communication being established yet.” With that statement, he shot a look at Sandra.
“We’re all still working on finding a way in,” Neal said, stepping in on her behalf. He then opened the lid on another container and licked his lips.
Sandra filled him in on the leads so far.
Kreiger bobbed his head. “Some headway then. We’ve had some too. We got our hands on the blueprints, and ERT’s studying them. If all turns to hell, we need the fastest and safest route inside.”
“Which is even harder when we’d be going in blind.” Including herself in the summary hurt, but it would build some camaraderie. “We don’t know how many gunmen we’re dealing with or where they are all positioned.”
Kreiger’s mouth was full, but he raised his sandwich to show his agreement.
Everyone else helped themselves to a container and started eating.
After Sandra finished, she stepped outside for some fresh air. The hope was a few minutes to herself would clear her mind. But there was no luck ditching the nagging thoughts about her mother. She took out her phone, and there was a text from Olivia.
Okay, be safe. If u r late, I’ll go to Avery’s.
Avery was Olivia’s best friend, and the girls were practically inseparable.
Sandra stared at her daughter’s name, wondering if she should mention the news about Margo.If I were in her shoes…This had her selecting her name and calling.
“Mom? What’s up?”
“Liv, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“I responded to your message. Did you not see it? And if you’re busy with a negotiation, why are you calling?”
Sandra’s heart pinched thinking about the reason. She could come up with something to explain the call and back out of telling Olivia. But if she were in Olivia’s place she’d want to know. It was a two-way street. Sandra couldn’t expect her daughter to communicate openly if she didn’t. “I have some sad news.” She paused there. Not because she’d intended to but anxiety gripped tightly around her throat.
“Mom, you’re scaring me.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie. Everything should be all right, but your grandmother fainted this morning.” She pushed past Olivia’s gasp. “But Dana’s with her, and the doctors are taking care of her.”
“I don’t understand. But she is okay? Right?”
Avery asked Olivia in the background, “What’s going on?”
“It’s Grandma.”
Hearing her daughter’s voice sound so fragile, stung. “She should be fine,” Sandra rushed out, trying to salve the wound. “Dana said the doctors are running tests to tell us if there are any underlying reasons that caused her to faint.”
“When you know, I want to know.”
“I promise.”
“Grandma’s gonna be all right, Mom.” Now it was her daughter reassuring her.
Sandra squeezed her eyes shut. Her girl had been fortunate not to have lost someone, and Sandra didn’t relish the time when that innocence would be taken. “Well, if I had any reservations, I wouldn’t be at work. Let that assure you.” Guilt snaked through her at the white lie. Sticking around here didn’t stop bad feelings from making inroads. She was using her work to preoccupy her mind, or at least keep her worrying at bay.
“Should I go and see her?”
Sandra thought of what Dana had told her about Margo resting peacefully. Also what she’d told her earlier about her being disoriented. “It might be best if we catch up with her a bit later today or tomorrow. She needs her rest, and she’s a bit confused.”
“I can’t believe she’s going through this. Isn’t the Alzheimer’s enough?”
Sandra glanced heavenward. That was a question for a greater being. “Life doesn’t always play out how we want. Speaking of, sweetheart, I need to get back to work.”
“I love you, Mom.”
