Page 15 of Crash Over Us
The radio crackled to life when Fletcher tapped the side button. “Permission to see Guthrie.” There was a beep when he let go of the button.
I held my breath. Please. Please. Please. This had to work. I knew I had potentially ruined my chances of being allowed to stay when I bypassed the front gate.
There was a long crackle followed by a muffled voice.
“Repeat,” Fletcher requested.
“Granted,” a voice crackled.
I almost jumped in place. It was the first piece of good news I’d had since Josie showed up at my door.
Fletcher grinned. “Come on. Guthrie doesn’t like to wait.”
We walked past Caleb’s barracks apartment and past the gym. He had pointed out all the major landmarks and buildings when I had stayed with him. But it was always late at night, and he had to sneak me in and out through the beach passageway. It felt different to see it with someone else, knowing Caleb wasn’t here. Worse—no one knew where he was.
Fletcher led me to the main office building. The hallway was long and narrow.
“Remember what I told you. This is out of my hands.” He opened the door and pushed me through.
I didn’t have a chance to prepare a plea or a speech. I stood in front of a man with bushy eyebrows and a scowl. He was on the phone and placed a hand over the receiver when he saw me. He scanned my clothes and my face. It didn’t take long for him to realize who I was.
“Margot Delaney, sir.”
He nodded. “Margot, please have a seat. I’m almost finished with this call.”
I had heard Caleb’s stories about his commanding officer, but I never imagined I’d be on this side of his desk, awaiting instructions. Permission. Information. Everything felt like a dream state. I didn’t know if when I awakened, it would be with Caleb or not.
Commander Guthrie finished his call and faced me. “Margot, I’m sorry about Officer O’Connor. We are doing everything we can to bring him home tonight.”
I leaned toward his desk. “Does that mean you know where he is?” I asked.
“No. We don’t.” He sighed. “But I understand why you would want to be here.”
I nodded. “Please. I’ll stay out of the way. You can even put me to work. I don’t know what I could do, but I’ll do it.”
He pushed back from his desk. I expected him to move around to my side of the desk and haul me out of his office and into the hands of a military police officer who would ban me from the base.
He pressed his lips together. “I can’t let you assist in a military operation, but I can have Fletcher take you to get a visitor’s pass.”
“Really?” I squeaked.
“Yes. We’re a close group here. Officer O’Connor is family to every member of this base. But no more stunts like the one you pulled, sneaking past the front gate.”
I shook my head. “No. I won’t, sir. I promise.” I felt the tight grip my ribs had on my lungs start to ease. I was going to be able to stay.
He patted me on the shoulder. “Fletcher can also show you the break room. You can get updates from there?”
“Thank you.” I rose from the chair and walked with him to the door. “Thank you for not making me go home.”
He opened the door. Fletcher was waiting for me on the other side.
“Let’s hope for good news soon.”
I turned and stopped. “Commander?”
“Hmm?”
“He’ll be back, right? You’re going to find him?”
