Hunt went back to reading the final paragraphs.
We tried for the border, but Pakistan was closed. We ended up in Jalalabad holding for a better solution to present itself. Who knew that at the sametime we’re trying to escape, every special warfare operative would be in the area hunting IQS. Ironic, huh?
I remember a time when our friendship meant everything to me.
I honor that with this letter. You had to have figured out I was there, and I know you won’t understand. I can’t stand that.
But I hope you’ll always know what your friendship meant to me.
We’re at a rental house now. The kid is getting restless. Keeps saying we must go. He keeps trying to get outside, but we must stay low-key until I figure a way into Pakistan. The longer the three of us stay here, the more I feel that we’re destined to be family and that Kaamisha will be mine. We’ll escape to Pakistan then on to Australia, to a life of safety and maybe love. If that doesn’t work, the three of us will be dead.
Reid
Hunt dropped the pages and stayed silent. Finally, he folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. “Hell, he called that, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but not in the way he thought. I think he thought they’d all go together. But they didn’t. Think he knew it?”
“Hard to know, but a bullet between the eyes is pretty much one you see coming unless it’s a sniper. How the kid was armed, I don’t know. Unless it was Reid’s gun and that sucks, too.”
“Nothing about this is good.”
Hunt gave the letter back to Quaid. “My advice is to give the letter and the memory card to Stocker and walk away. Nothing to be gained.”
“Are you going to tell Cait about Shahmeer?”
Hunt sighed and leaned back to stare at the ceiling, too. “I want to protect her, but we got into this mess by keeping secrets. She helped us capture IQS. Did you know that? She saw him in the kitchen with Haquiri.”
“Well, shit. I didn’t know. When Stocker pulls you out of the loop, he really pulls you out.”
A brisk knock with a room service announcement came.
Hunt went to the door. “I ordered Cait pancakes for breakfast this morning. Woman has lost too much weight.”
Quaid rose. “I’ll get out of your way. Let me know when you want to leave for the U.S., and I’ll book the plane.”
Hunt opened the door and directed the waiter to leave the cart by the sofa.
Quaid handed the man some bills. “Thanks, Walt.”
“Mr. Daniels, my thanks. My congratulations to you and your wife, Lieutenant.” He nodded at Hunt and left.
“Man has four kids and seven grandkids. Been with Patton for a couple decades.”
“You’re a good man, Quaid. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
“I like to think friends do for friends. No thanks needed.” He followed the waiter out of the suite.
Hunt bypassed the cart and went to the bedroom. Shedding his clothes, he crawled under the covers, pulled Cait closer, and fell into her warmth. He could kiss her awake. She was his now.
Cait shifted toward him. “Where did you go?”
“Had coffee with Quaid. Breakfast is here. You want to eat, or do you want to be kissed?”
She shifted her hurt arm carefully and groaned. “I want both.”
“Your wish is my command, honey.” Hunt gathered her close, more than satisfied when her lips found his. In love and war, a lucky charm changed everything.
THE END
