Part 14 (1/2)
That was okay, too.
Several minutes later, all three of us were free, escorted by police officers back to the hotel. At the edge of an alleyway, a familiar face watched us pa.s.s-our snake charmer. He pressed his palms together and bowed his head as we went by. That was the last time I saw him.
”Thank you again,” the policeman who spoke English said. ”Please, know our people owe you a debt.”
”You don't owe us anything, but you're welcome.” I let out a slow breath and my posture relaxed from military-rigid to freaking-tired.
When we entered the hotel lobby, everyone stared at us, eyes wide. We literally smelled like c.r.a.p, were covered in bright green blood, brown mold and uncla.s.sified slime, and walking on what was probably a priceless Persian rug.
A tall young man in a suit hurried over to us. I was convinced he was going to tell us to use the service entrance.
”My sirs,” he said, bowing low. He actually bowed. ”Please, follow me. Your rooms are ready and I'm to show you upstairs.”
”Do you have an incinerator?” I asked, pointing at my BDUs. ”These could probably be cla.s.sified as a bio-hazard.”
”Yes, sir. We will take care of everything.”
The four of us rode up in a heavy silence. Our host, probably because he couldn't breathe without gagging; the rest of us because we had too d.a.m.n much to digest. I checked my waterproof watch. It was military grade and had been a gift from Aunt Julie and Uncle Mike. Nine p.m. local. That meant it was afternoon at home.
”I'll call in,” I told Lanningham and Blakeney. ”You guys get some rest.”
”You need to sleep, too,” Lanningham said. ”We may be done here, but we'll go somewhere else before long.”
True. Still, we couldn't do much shorthanded. I liked small teams, but we were too small now. I needed another man, maybe two, and I wanted to make sure Dorland was taken care of before we deployed to a new site.
The elevator dinged on the fourteenth floor. The vestibule was elegant, done in black and white. The man showed us to our rooms, one after another, until he gave me my key then left me to my own devices.
The room turned out to be a suite decked out with modern furniture, a high-tech entertainment system and a bathroom the size of a small apartment. Not what I expected on an Army budget, but I wouldn't complain.
As soon as I cleaned up, I prepared to call Mike, not sure how to tell him I lost someone on my first command. The idea that Dorland was gone still felt foreign, like he would knock on my door any second, asking if I wanted to go downstairs with him for a late-night snack.
This was part of the job I'd never get used to, and I hoped I never did. Every death, every loss, should hurt, in my opinion. If they didn't, if I became numb to it, then what was the point of fighting so hard? If people sacrificed themselves to keep me alive until the end, I had to make sure their gift was worth it.
I pulled a blanket around my shoulders. The hotel liked its air conditioning, or maybe I was chilled. Dialing the Pentagon was hard.
”This is Sergeant Davis.”
”This is Archer.”
”Archer! Done already?”
”In Marrakech, anyway. Is the colonel in?”
”I'll transfer you.”
I wrapped the blanket tighter around me and paced around the living area, waiting for him to pick up. My stomach twisted at the thought of his disappointment. I just couldn't win with him lately.
”Chief?” His voice was filled with relief. ”Good to hear from you. Davis said you're done. How'd it go?”
I paused, casting about for the right words. There weren't any. ”Enemy taken out, one civilian saved.” I swallowed hard. ”One man lost.”
”G.o.d, Matt. Who?”
What undid me was how sorry he sounded-not angry, or disappointed. Sorry and worried. My voice shook as I said, ”Dorland, sir. I had my back turned and I tried to get to him in time and I ... ”
”Hey, that's all you have to say. I'll take care of the rest,” he said. ”You sound like you could use some sleep.”
”Maybe,” I mumbled. I did need sleep, but I knew I'd end up with nightmares. ”I'm sorry, Uncle Mike.”
He sighed. Using his name instead of calling him Colonel told him how shaky I was. ”I am, too, for putting you in this position. The bad news is that we need you in Turkey now. And after that, Rome. The calls are coming in from all directions. As much as I want you to have a little time, there isn't any.”
And I couldn't explain it wasn't only Dorland's death that had me rattled. ”I understand, but I need some extra hands. Have anybody to spare?”
”Let me make some calls, but I think we can free up a few people,” he said. ”The general and I will write up your orders tonight. Until then, hang in there for me, okay?”
”Okay. Everyone else good so far?”
”So far. Ramirez hasn't made contact yet, but it sounds like Julie is kicking a.s.s and taking names in Scotland.” He sounded really proud. ”Something was climbing out of the slime at Loch Ness, and she was there, waiting for it.”
I smiled. Aunt Julie was probably having the time of her life, finally able to fight, and she took out the Loch Ness monster? Bada.s.s wasn't a good enough nickname. ”That's awesome.”
We talked about a few logistical things, then hung up. I decided to take his advice and collapsed on my bed, thinking I'd call Ella while we were traveling, when I was in a better place.
As soon as I got comfortable, though, the phone rang.
It was Mamie.
Chapter Eighteen.
”Did I wake you up?” my sister asked right off. ”I had this feeling I needed to call you, even though it's nearly eleven there.”
”How'd you know I wasn't out hunting?” I asked. ”No, wait, don't answer that.”
She laughed. ”Did you find the sewer?'
I closed my eyes and rolled onto my side. ”Yeah.”
I could almost see the light in her eyes drain away. ”What happened?”
”We lost Dorland. Tall black guy, always with a big smile. You saw him in D.C. He was our ordnance specialist.” I shrugged down in bed until I was coc.o.o.ned in the blankets. ”Best grenade man we ever had.”
”I remember him. He seemed nice,” Mamie said. ”I'm sorry.”
”It happens.” And would happen again. That's what hurt. ”We found what we were looking for, though, on both counts. Took out all the snakes and found a new piece of the puzzle.”