Page 80 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

I know Zed will feel bad later but, to be fair, it needed to come out. We were all thinking the same thing, but no one wanted to be the one to upset the apple cart.

Mac, Adam, Paul, Alex, and Jamie all file into the secure room where North, West, South, and Zed are sitting quietly.

The debrief starts, and everything they document is exactly how it happened until we get to the part where Jamie shot two of the guards.

“What happened? Why did you go for the chest?” West asks calmly.

“I thought they were wearing vests, and it would have just stunned them.”

“Nope, not buying it. We never take that risk, and you know that. I will ask you one more time, and I want the fucking truth. Why did you go for the chest?” West’s voice is firmer and more authoritative.

“I can’t man, I can’t tell you!”

“Yes, you can. You have to or you’re off the team.”

“Seriously, West, I promised I would never tell anyone.”

“You know that we are not just anyone, Jamie. We are family, and whoever you made that promise to will understand. We need to know why.”

“Those two bastards were the ones who kidnapped and raped Malita.”

“Malita? As in Malita your wife?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s no secret that we met on a mission, you all know that, and you know that the premises we saved her and those girls from was a grooming house. Well, those two were her captors. She drew me a picture of them both. It’s been engraved on my brain for the past three years. Every mission, I took another look at the drawings to remind myself of what they look like. Every mission, I wondered what I’d do when I came face to face with them. It was only a matter of time.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I made a promise. A promise I’ve just broken.” His voice cracks. “I made a decision there and then. I knew that if I didn’t kill them, I would regret it for the rest of my life—”

“They would have served their time,” West interrupts.

“That’s all well and good, West, but when your wife wakes up most nights screaming and wet through with sweat and you’re faced with the people that did that to her, you make the choice that’s right for you. She was petrified they would find her and take her back. No amount of protection and security eased her fears.”

“And are you going to be able to live with it?” North asks.

“Last night was the first night in all our married years that she has slept a full night. So, yes, I can live with what I’ve done. I’ve given my wife her life back.”

The room falls silent as we take in the scene described to us. I remember Sutton and Kara after their abduction. They were both scared, but because the people involved were in prison, I suppose it made it a little easier for them to continue with their lives as best they could. I’ve seen a huge difference in Sutton and Kara since Stella and Ralph departed this Earth. That’s where your moral compass comes in. You need to make decisions you can truly live with. I just hope Jamie can.

The meeting wraps up soon after. I don’t think anyone wants to keep rehashing everything that happened, and with the tensions between the brothers and Zed, it’s probably wise.

“I’m going to find the girls. I’ll see you guys around, but please don’t make it soon.” I laugh, blow them a kiss, and go to find Kara and Sutton.

It doesn’t take me long. They’re in the games room which now hosts mostly baby toys and a huge crib.

As soon as I open the door, Kara smiles widely, and Sutton starts to giggle.

“Don’t smirk at me, you little witches. I know that last night was planned. But thank you.”

“What? Thank you? What for? We didn’t do anything.”

“I know you sent me there, and I know that you told Zed he couldn’t stay here so he had to stay at the Majestic. It was no coincidence.”

“It wasn’t our plan, though. It was Margaret. She said she had to make amends with you both, and this was her way of getting you back together,” Kara explains.

“Well, you may be pleased to know we are going to see how it goes. No promises.”

“North doesn’t know, but you can have his ‘shag pad’ for as long as you need it.” Kara winks.

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