Connections: Conexiones (Mercenaries Book 3) Read online

  “Okay, you’ve all seen her.” Josie said. “Back up a little. She’s hungry and lunch is here.”

  After Beckie had forced as much lunch in as she felt likely to stay, she gave Ian a Can-you-get-rid-of-this look. He smiled and pulled the over-bed table away.

  “Thanks. It was good, but that’s enough for now.” She used her good arm to sit up a little straighter. “Okay, I know my situation. What about Shalin? And Amy? And… and everyone. I noticed bruises on Millie’s face; what’s that about?” She sighed and reached for her ponytail. “Sure hope everyone’s okay.”

  Ian’s expression wasn’t as rueful as she’d expected. Hope that’s a good thing. If I’m the only one…

  “Your injury is the worst the team suffered, and Doctor Krishna believes you will recover fully.”

  “But there are other injuries?”

  “Indeed. You are aware of Shalin; she also will recover fully. Her wound did not affect her bones or major blood vessels. Amy Rose… Amy Rose and her young man assisted Bethany and Elena in keeping Millie from worse than cuts and bruises. Dylan? Is that his name?” She nodded, wondering what might have happened to him. “He and Amy Rose both suffered beatings, he more than she although according to Millie and Josie, the results damaged her more than him.”

  “What… what do you mean? Did my getting shot—”

  “No, not at all. Our best estimate, based on what everyone recalls, is that the men on Bon Secours had been directed to avoid the hospital and the Administration building, and seek individuals who could inform them of the location of the gold and the video tapes. Failing that, where Ms Rochambeau might be found.”

  Beckie’s gasp echoed in her ears. “They’re still looking for her? Com’on! They can’t be that stupid.”

  “No, but the men attacking certainly believed she could be found and questioned. Perhaps…”

  “Perhaps what?”

  “I thought for a moment the principals might expect she had died, but wish us to believe, as you said, they are foolish. I do not believe that, however. They were unaware.”

  “Were?”

  “Shen exclaimed she was dead when one of the men told him of their goal.”

  “Oh. Well, I guess I’d have done the same thing.”

  “Indeed.” He paused to gaze out the window, then went to the small in-room refrigerator. “Would you like a juice or water?”

  “I’m good,” She said as she tipped her head at the bottle on the table beside her. “So I couldn’t have had any effect?”

  “I think that is accurate.”

  “So, Millie, then? Worse than the bruises I saw?”

  “I think not. Doctor Krishna gave her first aid once she’d finished with you, and she indicated the only other concern was that Millie had lost consciousness briefly after a blow, but earlier today, her concern had been allayed.

  “No one else of the team reported more than bumps and scuffs.”

  “How many were there?”

  “One who had beguiled Shen and Rou into a position in the security force, and eleven or twelve more. We have ten in Shen’s lock-up; they will be transferred to Nassau for processing by Customs and Immigration.”

  Beckie’d been counting as Ian spoke. “That leaves one, two or three?”

  “The man who’d snuck into Shen’s force hanged himself once he provided the attackers the information they required. Kevin, along with Mr. Daniels and Samuel, ran one and perhaps two others off in the direction of Matthew Town.”

  “Wow! Oh, and señor Gomez? Almost forgot him. Is he okay?”

  “He is fine. Also, he is anxious to meet with us.” I love that look of, interest? curiosity? on Ian’s face. He threw a glance at Josie before refocusing on Beckie. “When… How long…”

  Josie’s gaze bounced from Ian to Beckie and back before she excused herself and left.

  “I’ll bet either Millie or Shakti will be here. Soon.” Beckie snickered. “Not today, I’m afraid. The drugs haven’t worn off if I think rousting either of them is funny.”

  “Indeed.” However, Beckie noticed his lips curving slightly.

  “Actually, I’ll bet by tomorrow I’ll need something to take my mind off the pain. If it’s as much as Josie was warning me.”

  “We will—”

  The door slammed open. Beckie’s gasp died when she saw Millie’s look of embarrassment. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to make quite so audible an entrance. Josie tells me you were discussing Beckie going back to work?”

  Both Beckie and Ian nodded, Ian more contritely than Beckie. A little scuffle drew Beckie’s attention; Melissa and Mike were easing toward the door. She gave them a nod and mouthed “Come back later, please.” Melissa nodded.

  “We already decided today is not the day for me to do any thinking, Millie.” She smoothed the sheet. “You’ll let me go home tomorrow, right?”

  “If this was a for-profit operation, probably. But it’d be better for you to stay here a couple more nights.” She apparently correctly read Beckie’s expression. “If you’re careful, I’ll let you out during the day, as long as the pain isn’t too bad.” She patted Beckie’s leg under the sheet. “We’ll reconsider Monday.”

  Beckie grimaced, then looked at Ian. No help there. “If you insist. A better question for me to ask might be when will I be able to think?”

  Millie chuckled before saying, “You might be a little fuzzy this afternoon, but you should be okay tomorrow.” She giggled. “No, I won’t say that.”

  Beckie gave her a look she hoped would telegraph her confused feelings.

  “However,” Millie continued, “no matter how you feel about medicine, you will be better off if you take the pain killers Shakti prescribed. Before the pain gets a foothold.” She picked up the bottle of tablets on the bedside table and read the label. “Yeah.” She turned to Ian. “Will you make sure she takes them? I don’t want to see her doubled over vomiting because of pain.”

  “I will do my best,” he said, squeezing Beckie’s hand.

  “These won’t affect your mental processes. Josie will start you on them this evening when the blocks should begin to fade.” She eyed both of them. “I’ll be back later to check on you.” She opened the door much more quietly than before and slipped out.

  “Will Gomez be able to stay?”

  “Yes. We planned to return mid next week. I know—”

  “I still don’t trust him. He rubs me the wrong way, laughing all the time. And wiping his face.” She stared at her hands, right holding the left in her lap. “I know that’s a lousy reason to judge a person, but he…” She trembled. “Yeah, he makes me feel like that.”

  “I have some sympathy for that opinion.” But your face doesn’t show it, Beckie thought. I’d better base my likes and dislikes on actual, you know, facts and actions. “We can meet tomorrow morning. Rather than take extraordinary measures to move you for a few hours, we will talk to Gomez in Shen’s conference room.”

  Beckie smiled. “That’s not my choice, but in my medicated state, it’s probably for the best.” She grimaced as she reached for his hand. “Probably I shouldn’t be swimming anytime too soon.”

  The door opened and Josie returned. With a smile, she walked over to Beckie’s bedside. “While we have a minute, I’ll explain to you both about the fixator. First, you’ll have it until the external wounds heal, three or four weeks, probably, unless you’re particularly quick or slow healing. We’ll take pictures to see how the bone is doing, and Doctor Krishna will decide when she wants to take the fixator off and replace it with a normal cast. So that’s what’s coming up.

  “Now, keeping the pins clean.”

  For the next fifteen minutes, Josie instructed both Beckie and Ian in the care of her arm.

  When she finished, she looked at Beckie’s face, now drawn more than it had been. “One of these with water.”

  Beckie made a rude gesture, but immediately took it back. “I apologize. Uncalled for and… I don’t know what else.” He
r gaze dropped to her hands again. “Sorry.”

  The nurse waved the words away as she had the gesture. She handed Beckie the pill and a small cup of water. “I think it’s a good sign you’re getting feisty.”

  Beckie swallowed, but Josie was already out the door.

  “Thank you for making the effort to… ask pardon,” Ian said softly. When Beckie looked up, his eyes wanted to say more.

  “It was uncalled for, especially after all she’s done. All the whole of Millie’s crew have done for me. When I was stupid enough to step out there.”

  “What happened?”

  She leaned on her good arm, rolling away from him, just a little. “I saw movement across the runway, and I stepped out from the shadow to see what it was. I did a short sweep, west to east, but there seemed to be nothing.” She rolled back and raised her hand to rub her forehead. “I thought the danger would be from the buildings. Never the bush across the way. I actually thought it might be Trillian.”

  “Trillian was on Port, if we accept the evidence of one of the invaders. He suffered slashes which Millie ascribed to her claws.”

  “I’ll thank her myself. Has anyone seen her?”

  “Boynton took it upon himself to walk Port, through all the underbrush she loves. He found her, uninjured and, if I may use Josie’s word, feisty.”

  “Cool! And how is Shalin?”

  “You and Shalin are both lucky—”

  “Lucky!” She swung her legs off the bed and grabbed his arm with hers. “I damn sure don’t feel lucky with this piece of ironwork sticking out of my arm!” She dropped her hand. “I’ll bet Shalin doesn’t feel lucky either.”

  “Indeed. The word is relative. Had it been one of our shooters, your arm would be gone.”

  “Huh?”

  “When Elena went to check yesterday, she found the rifle was loaded for, ‘paper punching,’ she said. Targets,” he said responding to Beckie’s incredulous look. “Fully jacketed rounds. While the shooter was a marksman, he was obviously unaware those cause far less damage in flesh.”

  “So, we don’t use them?”

  “No. When we use weapons, the goal is to bring the enemy down with no casualties to our side.” He ran a finger along her chin. “You were down but not disabled. Had no one been available to assist you, you would have used the weapon you were carrying.”

  “I don’t know, Ian. It hurt like hell.”

  “If the attacker was running at you and Michael had no weapon? Or Amy Rose?”

  “Or you,” she whispered. “Even if it killed me.”

  He pressed her head back and kissed her. “Rest now. I will be here.”

  Her sleep was fitful, but each time she opened her eyes, Ian was sitting beside her. Once, she recalled, he’d given her another tablet and helped her sip enough water to gulp it down.

  Sunday

  Beckie awoke Sunday morning to find Ian waiting patiently. A shower, and dressing, and she was ready for the day’s meetings. Ian drove her wheelchair to the Admin building, but Beckie stood and walked in and to the conference room. “Woof,” she whooshed her breath out. “Harder than I thought. And that’s only two days lying on my back!”

  Ian smiled sympathetically as he brought her a bottle of water, then seated himself beside her.

  “So, what’s the agenda?”

  “Wide and varied, as suits you,” he replied, his smile morphing into a large grin.

  Beckie felt her forehead wrinkle and forced a more neutral expression. “And that means?”

  “Ms Ardan and her friend asked to visit with you. Millie says Amy Rose views you as the ‘big sister she never had,’ and… Well, I will allow her to speak for herself. Elena will join us to discuss the recordings you sent from Brewster, and finally, señor Gomez. He wishes to speak with us about Mamani, and we agree you should be included.”

  Beckie took the bottle and drank several swallows. “I hope you brought the meds.”

  He nodded. “It is not yet time, however. If this is too much—”

  “No! No, that’s not a problem.” She reached across to take his hand. “Yet, at least. Just making sure. Thanks.”

  She had barely finished when Shen opened the door and ushered Millie in, followed by Amy and Dylan.

  It took only moments for Amy and Dylan to ask for Beckie’s help in remaining together under more acceptable terms than she just moving to Chatham or he to the Nest, which options the parents had dismissed out of hand. But it took past lunch for Beckie to describe and then convince first Amy, then Dylan and finally Millie, of their joint best option. “Amy, you move to my place in Coral Gables. Where you’ll attend public high school. One weekend out of four, you two will spend in Coral Gables. With me. Holidays, you both will spend in Chatham with Dylan’s family or here at the Nest, alternating.”

  “But… Why?” Amy straightened in her chair, then sagged as Beckie watched. Dylan clutched her hand, but he looked lost, too. “Why?” Amy said. “I mean, it’s great and wonderful of you and all, but… what’ll it do to Mom?”

  Beckie flashed a glance at Millie, whose astonishment was clear. At Amy’s concern? “To be brutally honest, I think it will relieve her.” Millie nodded, slowly at first and more firmly as Beckie continued. “That’ll make her feel even more inadequate, so we’ll have to work on that. That’s the reason you’ll come back home here every weekend except when Dylan visits.”

  “But… No, I don’t get it. Am I stupid?”

  “No. It’s simple to me. The only reason not to let you and Dylan live together or get married or whatever is because we all think you both need more life experience first. Especially you. I have no idea how you could get peer experience if you stay here. This is the best way I can think to have you learn and still have time together.”

  “But… How?”

  Beckie looked around the room. Yeah, I guess it makes more sense to me than everyone else. Except Ian. He’s got that little I-know-what-you’re-doing smile. That’s good! She grabbed Amy’s hand—the one Dylan wasn’t clutching— and drew her closer. “By putting you in high school there. Socializing you. Same thing Dylan will be doing in Chatham.”

  “But… But what if I find someone else? Or he does?”

  “Then you will. The whole point of kids growing up is they learn things, and they meet people. They figure out what they want to do, and who they want to do it with. And who they don’t want to do it with.”

  Amy stood and came around behind Beckie’s chair. “Okay. So how do we keep Mom from feeling like she’s being replaced?”

  Beckie reached her good hand up to take Amy’s again. “You tell me.”

  She fidgeted for a minute or more, then wandered around the room without making any eye contact Beckie could see. Looking out the window, she said, “By keeping her a part of what’s going on.” She turned back to face her mother. “That’s why I come back weekends.” She snorted a little laugh. “I think I’ll need a new computer just for Skype.”

  Beckie laughed. “If that’s all you need…”

  “Yeah. Now you can tell me why you’re doing this.”

  “I told you before. You’re my sister.”

  “Hmm.”

  “You’ll do it for someone else.” Beckie turned the sternest look she could manage on Dylan. “This applies to you, too, Dylan. It’ll be easier, I hope, since you’ll be with your family more, but don’t forget them while you’re all-the-time calling and messaging and Skyping with Amy. And studying, too, I hope.” Internally, she grinned, but kept her unrelenting expression facing the two teens. “Grades will be reported. Minimum standards apply. Got it?” Dylan nodded, carefully enough that Beckie could believe he meant it. Amy’s face had gone from lips curved up, though compressed and ended slightly down-turned at the warning. Beckie was about to respond when Amy’s face flashed into a smile. “That’s right, girl. Benefits accrue to those who earn them.”

  Amy turned her smile to Dylan. “We’ve got a chance, Dylan. We won’t screw it up
, right?”

  His answer involved a warmer, somewhat longer embrace and kiss than some adults felt appropriate. When she thought it sufficient, Beckie laughed and said, “Okay. Sit back down. Your parents, Dylan. Can you ring them up?”

  In twenty more minutes his parents, like Millie, had decided Beckie’s plan improved the odds the couple wouldn’t do a bunk and declared Amy would be welcome in their home on the holiday plan Beckie laid out. They had pressed for a one-in-five week schedule for visiting weekends in Coral Gables, but relented when Beckie proposed the one-in-four be moved to include special occasions, dances for example, instead of being in addition to them. Neither Amy nor Dylan were pleased with that compromise, but accepted it.

  “Amy and I will bring Dylan home, probably tomorrow,” Beckie told Dylan’s parents, “if I’m cleared to travel. Amy’s mom will come along, too, so everyone will at least have met. Tomorrow night, we’ll stay at Eilís O’Bannon’s house rather than fill your home with strangers.”

  “I’ll call tomorrow morning with final details, Mom. Thanks from the bottom of my heart!” Dylan clicked the disconnect icon and Shen closed the laptop.

  As Dylan offered a hand to Amy and Millie, Ian looked around, taking attendance, Beckie guessed. “Who should we invite for señor Gomez’ session?”

  “I doubt Millie or Dylan would add anything,” Beckie said. “Or Amy, either.”

  Ian nodded, and from the doorway, Amy said, “If you change your mind, Mom will know where we are.”

  Beckie turned to Ian. “Can Elena go over the stuff I sent before he gets here? I’m still not comfortable with Gomez.” He wrinkled his brow at her, adding a one-sided smile. “Yeah, I know,” she replied, “I’m pushing because he makes me… I don’t know. Uncomfortable?”

  Ian nodded. “Perhaps due to his temperament? Not his heritage, I hope.”

  She nodded. “No! Not that. I don’t know…” She closed her eyes and frowned. “I also remember thinking I need to get over that.” With a toss of her head, she continued, “I’d still like to hear Elena’s report first.”