Running Off Radar, page 25
“There it is,” Maji told her as she watched Rose throwing up over the stern. A man in tactical wear stood with a hand on her back. Not great, but safe at least. And the others?
Seeing another man, dressed for hiking but no doubt also on the strike team, turn and move to block their approach, Maji called out to him. “Strike team, what is your sit rep?”
“Target down, hostages secured,” he replied. “Ma’am.”
Dee emerged from the cabin, another outdoorsy SEAL behind her. “There she is,” Maji said. She was going to add something reassuring, but just then Dee wobbled and the SEAL grabbed her arm. She wrenched away from him.
“Dee!” Taira called out as she tried to dodge the one-man blockade in front of her.
He scooped her up with one arm, getting as far as, “Ma’am, you need to—” before her boot found his groin. He crumpled.
Both men in the boat’s cockpit reached for their sidearms.
“Hold fire,” Maji barked, lifting both arms high as she stepped over the wheezing SEAL to try to catch Taira before the misunderstanding turned deadly.
“Liv, stop!” Dee yelled, the panic on her face mirrored on Rose’s.
Taira broke stride so abruptly she slipped on the damp dock. Close behind her, Maji reached out to steady her. Taira flailed. Maji dodged to avoid being hit in the face, felt her foot catch on something, and pitched toward the water.
Don’t inhale. She hit the frigid water sideways, sensing it enveloping her even as all her muscles clenched at the wave of cold. Darkness overtook her and, right behind it, panic. Maji surfaced coughing, trying to breathe and keep her head above water at the same time. Nearby, blurry faces shouted and waving arms reached out for her.
Maji felt herself being pulled forward, banged against the dock’s impossibly high sides, and then dragged up onto the flat. She struggled to turn over, to sit up. Her muscles wouldn’t cooperate, shaking and jerking. Through the jumble of voices she heard Rose calling her name. A blanket covered her and a body pressed against the length of her. Rose’s face filled her field of vision.
“Breathe, sweetheart. Slow and deep.”
“C-crying,” Maji said, seeing Rose’s tears. “Hurt?”
“Not me,” Rose answered. “But we need to get you in the ambulance. Let Dev and the EMT help you now. Okay?”
“Y-yes.”
* * *
Rose woke with a start when Dev touched her arm. “What time is it?”
“Nearly dawn. They have a bed for you too. She’ll be out until the sedative wears off. Why don’t you lie down?”
Rose shook her head. Maji looked so peaceful now. Watching her thrash in the cold water had been the hardest part of the day. As hostages, they’d been together and ready to act to save themselves. But on the dock Rose had felt helpless and alone, unable to stop Maji from falling in or to help her out again. Green had promised to watch out for Maji; but even SEALs couldn’t stop gravity. Rose could live with not knowing when Maji would come home from duty, with logistical inconveniences and even lying to friends about it. But every time Maji left, not knowing if she would come home—how could anyone live with that?
For the first time since Maji broke up with her the previous summer, Rose understood why. She would never willingly put someone she loved through the helplessness she’d experienced today. “Dev, were you in the service when you got married?”
“Yeah. I was a Ranger then. But I’d known Mira since we were kids. Why?”
“And when you took the…other job, didn’t Mira worry about you?”
“Not going to lie. It was really hard on her.”
“I bet she likes having you home on a regular basis finally.”
He chuckled. “Some days she encourages me to reenlist. It’s not always easy to downshift back to normal life.”
Rose didn’t reply, and he gave her forearm a gentle squeeze.
* * *
Maji woke to an insistent thirst, a dull headache, and every spot she’d banged or scraped vying for her attention. But worse than those, the memory of Rose crying. She tried to lift her head. “Rose?”
“She finally went to get a shower,” Dev said. “Spent most of the night there.” He pointed to the chair, clearly disapproving. But he also raised the bed so she could sit up and brought her a cup with a straw in it.
Maji sucked down the water with gratitude.
“She’s got questions that deserve answers,” Dev said. “If you don’t marry her, I will.”
“Dude, you’re taken.”
“Yeah, well, if it’s not me, somebody will. And it should be you, if she’ll still have you.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Anytime, dude.” He gave her a visual scan that felt clinical. That was never good. “How do you feel?”
“Like death warmed over.” Everything hurt, right down to the sting where the IV fed into her vein. “How soon can I get out? I still have one day here, right?” If she’ll still have me.
“I have your phone, dried out and operational, if you want to check.”
“Thanks. Hit speed dial for me?” She took the ringing phone in her less bandaged hand as he walked out of the room.
Command center was staffed by a reassuringly familiar voice, Captain Alvarez. “Rios, that was a long nap. What’s your status?”
“Not quite ambulatory, and somebody hid my pants. Where’s debrief happening?”
Alvarez chuckled. Then she said with a note of sympathy in her voice, “Back here. I’ve got you on the first flight out tomorrow morning.”
Damn. “Anything I need to know today?”
“We should have better intel by the time you arrive, but our sources say the Jayhawk made a safe landing. SEALs took the cargo ship, and Tom got away in the firefight. Stole a lifeboat and headed toward a sub that surfaced a couple miles away.”
“And the Coast Guard pilot?”
“Negative. Sorry to bear bad news. Speaking of which, have Dev bring you a paper.”
“Roger that. Rios out.”
“Hey—we’re looking forward to seeing you, Ri. Travel safe.”
“Thanks. Rios out.” Maji took a moment alone to digest the news. Not a surprise, but still. She’d lost others who had risked their lives to help with a mission, civilians and soldiers both. It never got easier and maybe it shouldn’t. “Dev,” she called.
He popped back in and gave her a minute to scan the front-page story of the Jayhawk going down on a test flight to Air Station Kodiak, along with its valiant pilot. “There’ll be an inquiry, and Fitzsimmons will get some posthumous award, no doubt. If you’re good here, I’m going to step out and call Mira.”
Maji closed her eyes and listened to the soft pinging of machines in her room, the hum of the fluorescent lights overhead, the sound of voices and rubber-soled shoes in the hallway.
The next time she woke, Rose was gently stroking her forehead, smoothing away the dream Maji couldn’t remember but knew she’d been having.
“Shush,” she said. “You’re safe.” Rose looked wonderful, her hair still damp and her fresh outfit a bit rumpled. Circles shadowed her tender brown eyes.
“How are you?” Maji asked.
“I’ve been better. I’ll pull through. Are you up for visitors?”
“From the Navy?”
Rose smiled gently, with a reassuring hint of amusement. “No. Liv and Dee.” Seeing the look on Maji’s face, Rose said, “They could come later.”
“No. Let them in. Stay?”
Rose nodded. “Of course.”
Seeing Dee walk in holding hands with Liv lifted Maji’s spirits a fraction.
Chapter Twenty-two
Rose recognized the look that passed over Olivia Taira’s face when she saw Maji sitting in the hospital bed, bandaged and attached to an IV drip. Remorse.
But Liv gave Dee’s hand a little squeeze and stepped resolutely forward, straightening her spine. “Ma’am, I’ve come to apologize. I read the situation wrong, overreacted, and—”
“Freaked out. Yeah. It happens when you care about someone. No matter how good you are at handling a stranger’s crisis.”
Liv looked at the wall beyond Maji. “It was a bad day all round.”
“I heard about Jack. I’m sorry.”
Liv cocked her head. “He knew the odds. He was always going to keep going out, until the day he didn’t make it back.” She frowned. “Still sucks.”
“Still does,” Maji agreed. “Have you paid respects yet?”
Liv shook her head. “The Navy people were there, so we came here first. I’ll go back in a few.”
“I’d like to go with you. Would you tell the charge nurse I need my walking papers?”
“Sure.” Liv looked relieved to have a reason to step out.
Dee stayed behind, sitting quietly.
“How are you?” Maji asked her. “Really.”
“Can’t complain,” Dee replied. “Least we know what happened to Charlie now.”
“They won’t get charged, I suppose,” Maji said. “The ones that lived.”
Dee’s face betrayed a hint of satisfaction. “No, but that Navy…Lieutenant Green was real clear. She’s taking them in her plane to someplace they won’t hurt anybody else—ever.”
“And the guy they worked for didn’t get what he wanted. Before long, we’ll get him too.”
Liv popped her head back in. “Sergeant? They want some info on you. That tribe you’re from doesn’t come up in their database.”
“The what now?”
Rose saw Dee smile for the first time since dinner with the family. A lifetime ago. “You’re at Southeast Area Regional Health Center. I think your people wanted you off radar, you know, from the local news. This is a Natives-only place. For enrolled members of tribes.”
“Oh. Who did the fast-talking?”
“Nate. He was at the marina, soon as they opened the bridge back up. Heard your folks fussing about where to take you. Told them to tell the hospital that you’re Mapuche, from down south. I guess the folks here assumed that meant one of those Southern California tribes. There are a lot, and they only keep a list of Alaska Natives on hand here.”
Maji shook her head. “Trickster. Well, we’ll get that straightened out. Rose, would you fish that card out of my wallet?”
“Sure.” Rose went to the little closet and found Maji’s things. She held the ID out for Maji to see. “Just this?”
Maji nodded. “They can give it to the hospital administrator. My folks will tell them how to bill.” Then she looked a little embarrassed. “Could you help me get dressed?”
* * *
As they approached the little house on Lifesaver Lane, Maji spotted Lt. Green and Lt. Kim about to get into a rental car. She wondered if the other SEALs had left town already. By sea or air, since land was not an option. “I’ll be right there,” she said to Taira, Rose, and Dev.
She gave Kim a firm handshake, and Green a nod across the car. “You clearing out?”
“Done as much as we can for now,” Kim confirmed.
“At least we set Sirko back a ways,” Green said. “We’ll see what we get from the two we’re rendering.”
“Good. I’m being called in tomorrow, so I guess the hunt is on.”
“The only easy day was yesterday,” they said in unison.
Not in the mood for another pithy SEALs saying, Maji frowned. “Is that what you told Jack’s widow? Yesterday sucked for her.”
Green shrugged. “We gave the widow the usual reassurances. And a story everybody can live with, even if nobody believes it.”
So at least this whole mess wasn’t being hung on Jack. He deserved a hell of a lot better. “And AET Taira?”
“She’s on admin leave. They’ll clear her, of course. Not real recognition for being such an asset, but no blowback, either.”
Maji suspected the loss of Jack, and the mystery surrounding what really happened, would haunt the young Coastie. “Okay, then. I’m going in.”
“We’re off,” Green said. “This was a long way from a perfect op, Rios. But it was a pleasure working with you.”
Maji nodded. “Thanks for having my back.”
When she reached Jack and Tina’s door, which already had a black wreath hung on it, Maji paused and listened to the voices inside. “I promised him I would. It’s no burden, really. You can visit him anytime you want.”
The dog, Maji realized. And on cue, Jasper bounded out to greet her. Taira followed after, leash in hand. She gave Maji a cautionary look as she clipped it on his collar and brought him to heel. “She’s a mess.”
“And you? I heard you’re on admin leave for a bit.”
Taira shrugged. “I’m going fishing with a real Tlingit captain. She needs the help right now, and I need the hard work.”
“Good. Safe travels, eh?” Maji offered her hand but got a hug instead of a handshake.
“You too, Raven.” She was out the door, restraining the dog with voice and leash, before Maji could respond.
In the living room, Tina lay back on the couch with a washcloth over her eyes. The woman sitting quietly in an armchair by her startled at the sight of Maji. “Who are you?”
“A friend of Jack’s.”
She looked skeptical. “I don’t think so. Tina—”
“It’s okay, Sally,” Tina said. She uncovered her eyes and sat up, putting on glasses. “Would you give us a few minutes?”
Sally looked suspiciously at Maji but took the empty glass from Tina’s side and disappeared into the next room. The door clicked shut behind her.
Tina gave Maji a sour look. “They already gave me a bullshit story about Jack being a hero and doing some top-secret flight test for them. And a posthumous promotion. As if.”
“No, they can really do the promotion thing. Better benefits, I guess. For you.”
“Oh.” Tina looked immeasurably tired. “What do you want?”
“I thought I should pay my respects—but I kind of suck at that. Mostly I wanted to see if you’re okay, after yesterday’s little bit of hell.”
Anger perked up Tina’s fatigued expression. “Okay? No, I’m not fucking okay. Every time I fall asleep, I wake up sweating, certain I’m…you know. I can’t stay here.” She looked down. “And I’m afraid to go out.”
Maji moved to the couch and took her hand, which was clammy. “You have family here, right?”
“They all knew Jack. And why I left him. Everybody here does.”
“Who’s Sally?”
“My sister-in-law.”
“And how’s she been?”
Tina blew her nose. “Really nice. So kind.”
“Good. Let them be nice to you, Tina. And get hooked up with trauma counseling as soon as you can. You deserve to be happy.”
“Says who?”
“Jack.” When Tina stiffened, Maji continued. “I was with him before he went out. I know why he went.”
“But you can’t tell me. What bullshit.”
“I can tell you what matters. First, he wanted to save you. It tore him up that you were here in danger and he couldn’t help. But we promised him we’d get you out safe if he helped us.”
“Helped you what?”
“Get in the way of one of the worst criminals alive. The guy whose men grabbed you.” Any more about Sirko she decided to leave out. “Jack knew when he flew out of here that he probably wouldn’t make it back. So he gave me a message for you.”
Tina looked torn about whether she wanted to know or not. Finally, she closed her eyes. “Go ahead.”
“Be happy.”
Tina leaned in to Maji and sobbed. When she came up for air, she said, “Thank you.”
“Promise me you’ll get counseling. Here, in Anchorage—wherever. But let people who love you help, and see a professional too. Okay?”
“Okay.” Tina straightened up. “I promise.” Her breathing calmed, bit by bit. “Do you love her? That woman you introduced me to?”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Like, you’d fly off the edge of the world to save her?”
“If that’s what it took, yeah.”
Tina looked away. “I always wanted to feel that way about somebody. I wish it had been Jack. But…”
“You can’t be happy trying to be someone you’re not. He knew that. Take the blessing, and take care of you.”
“I’ll try.”
* * *
Dev stayed a good distance behind them as they walked back to town. Pausing across the road from Sealing Cove Harbor, Rose stopped and looked at the boats bobbing gently in their slips. Hard to believe just a few hours ago the place had been her prison.
“You okay?” Maji asked.
Rose took her hand and kissed the palm. “I love you, Maji Rios. And I’m grateful to Hannah for all the training. But I’ll never unsee that man being shot.” Or you nearly drowning. “Should I be getting trauma counseling too?”
“Probably. It’s never a bad idea.” Maji looked worried. “How much did you hear?”
“Everything. I didn’t realize you didn’t know that Dev and I were on the stairs. I’m sorry, I guess.”
“No worries. You know more than I could tell you already, anyway.”
Rose thought of Tom pretending to work for Sirko. As the O’Connell Bridge came into sight, she realized they would have to walk right past the spot where Javi had died. Did Maji know about that? She stopped. “They killed Javi. Up there.”
Maji followed her gaze, then met her eyes. “That’s why the bridge was closed?” She sighed. “I’m so sorry, Rose.” After holding her tight for a moment, she asked, “You want me to call a cab?”
“No. I want you to catch that bastard. I want him gone.” That didn’t sound like her, or feel like her. But the fury she felt was too real to deny. “I know that’s not your job, but…”
“It’s a team effort. And terrible as it seems, you helped.” Maji paused. “But we’ll make sure you never have to again.”
Rose thought about that concept and about the risk to soldiers she knew as well as ones she’d never meet. At the top of the bridge she looked for signs of the accident but found only small bits of glass and some tire marks. “I don’t want anyone else giving their life for me.”
