Page 52 of Gwen's Delta
“Copy that,” they answered.
“I’ll head back as soon as Destiny gets here. Later.” Merlin disconnected the call and returned to the kitchen in mission mode, his head clear of the earlier anger and ready to handle anything. Control was his middle name. And if he was correct, and this time the danger was personal, he had to keep his shit together.
The little family huddled together, holding tight to each other at the table. It tugged at his heartstrings, and he wished that he could tell them it would be okay, that he’d fix it. But even though his gut knew the kidnapping and the mission were related, he didn’t have proof. And even if he did, he still couldn’t say anything. All he could do was tell them he’d see if he could find out anything.
“We’ll figure this out,” Merlin said as he approached the little group. Then he kneeled next to Gwen. “Unfortunately, as much as I don’t want to leave you, I have to go to post. I’m so sorry. I asked Destiny to come and stay with you until I can get back. Okay?”
Gwen sniffled, then nodded, but she avoided his gaze.
“I put a sign on the front door saying that you were closed for a family emergency. So you don’t have to worry about the store.”
“Thank you, Luke. I appreciate that,” Gramps said. He looked like he’d aged twenty years in the last half hour, and Grams didn’t look much better.
“Gwen? Look at me, princess,” Merlin pleaded. When she finally lifted her tear-stained face, the pain ripped a hole in his heart. “It’ll be okay. We’ll get through this, and your parents will be okay.”
As the words left his mouth, he prayed he was right. He knew better than to make that promise, but he couldn’t avoid it. He’d move heaven and Earth to make sure she got her parents back alive.
“No one can make that promise,” Gwen murmured softly.
“Then I promise to do everything in my power to make it happen. Can you forward that email to me? I want to see if some people I know can help.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you. I just can’t believe this is happening.” Her voice was stronger this time, more herself as she typed in his email address and forwarded the proof of life.
“Our government doesn’t negotiate with terrorists,” he warned.
“I know. The man on the phone didn’t even mention not involving anyone. That’s weird, right? But who would we tell?”
“You probably shouldn’t involve yourself in this mess, Luke. I don’t want you to get any blowback,” Gramps said as he walked across the kitchen and pulled a bottle of scotch out of a cabinet, then grabbed a couple of glasses.
“Don’t worry about me, sir. And I can get the money if we need it.” Luke smiled grimly. These were good people who didn’t deserve this shit. It didn’t make sense if they were just civilians.
Gwen’s eyes widened and filled with tears. “You’d do that?”
“Princess, I’d do anything for you. I know it seems fast, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real.”
“Thank you, Luke. But that won’t be necessary. I should be able to have the money ready today or tomorrow at the latest. I guess we need to look at flights. With the time difference, we don’t want to be late.”
“You can’t fly with that kind of money, sir. There’s a limit of ten thousand cash on commercial flights.”
“Right, damn, I knew that. I’m not thinking clearly. How are we supposed to get it there? I wonder if I can have money wired to a bank in Cairo?” Gramps ran a hand through his thinning, gray hair.
“I’m hoping none of you will have to go. But you need to trust me. Can you do that?”
All three nodded, and it filled him with relief. The last thing he wanted was Gwen in Egypt when the shit hit the fan. But if she had to go, he would damn well be at her side.
“Thank you, Luke. I don’t know what we would have done without your level head.” Gramps rose from the table.
As he approached Merlin, he figured the man would shake his hand. But when Jack hugged him instead, it surprised him.
“Whether you and Gwen work out, we’ll always consider you family. I want you to know that.” With a nod, he shuffled out of the kitchen with a glass of scotch, probably to work on gathering the money. Banks didn’t make it easy to move that amount of money quickly. It would take time. Time they didn’t have.
While making another pot of coffee, Merlin’s phone buzzed. He wasn’t surprised to see Destiny’s name. She’d made excellent time.
Destiny:I’m at the front door.
Merlin:On my way.
Gwen sat with Grams at the table, holding her hand and talking. Rather than interrupt, he went to the front door to get Destiny. It was strange how things worked out. Fate seemed to play a huge part in his life. If Zip hadn’t crashed their date, Destiny wouldn’t be there now to support Gwen.
