Without delay, I hurry to my office and sit down to flesh out my idea, finally losing myself in the words. Time flies by, and it’s only when my stomach growls in loud protest that I come back to reality to find I’ve missed lunch. Not having eaten breakfast either, it’s no wonder I’m ravenous.
I check my phone for messages while I eat and see I have one from Toni letting me know she’s been in touch with her contact, and he’ll get back to her with details as soon as he’s spoken to his sniper.
Dashing off a quick thank you, I sit back and contemplate a list of questions I want to ask to ensure not only accuracy in my writing but dealing with the topic sensitively. Rated one of the most stressful careers, I can only begin to imagine the emotional burden these brave souls carry.
Thoughts of this as yet unknown person run through my head as I eat an early dinner. I can’t help but wonder what they’ll be like. Unbidden, an image of the man I met at court comes to mind – Jessen Ambrose, if I remember correctly.
I’m guessing the man’s somewhere around the six-foot mark, luscious dark hair cut short, and muscles that tell you he takes his job seriously. The beard and mustache he sports are neatly trimmed, spotlighting his totally kissable mouth. Pity I couldn’t convincehimto talk to me.
Finished eating, I rinse my dishes and pop them into the dishwasher before I go back to work. Thoughts of the aloof SEAL sparking ideas for a scene, it isn’t difficult to get lost in the rhythm again.
3
LUCKY
“Hey Cutter, how’s it going?” I ask as I enter the outer office of Commander Hurt.
“Good. You?”
“About the same. So I hear the commander’s looking for me.”
He nods. “Yeah, he’s waiting for you. You can go on in.”
“Thanks.”
Curious to know why I’ve been summoned, I knock on the door and wait to be beckoned in.
“Enter.”
“You wanted to see me, sir?” I ask as I let myself in, closing the door behind me.
“I did. Grab a chair.” He waits for me to do so before he continues. “So I’ve had a bit of an unusual request come down from the base commander, and I think you’d be the perfect man for the job.”
“Sounds intriguing.”
“Bit of a convoluted story, but the long and short of it is a family friend of the commander is the personal assistant to some big-name author. Her client’s in need of someone to help out with some research. Not only does the commander think it’ll be good PR for the base, but the woman appears to be someone he’s rather fond of.”
A little confused by the request, I ask, “So what makes me perfect for this particular job specifically, sir?”
“For three reasons. One, because you’re the only one on my teams who’s currently on home soil. Two, because you’re the best sniper on base. And three, he asked for you by namebecauseyou’re the best on base.”
His words strike me as odd. Coincidence? Two requests in mere days to assist with research. Highly unlikely, I suspect. Difference is the last time I could decline the offer. This time, not so much. I might have been able to talk Commander Hurt out of volunteering my services for this gig, but coming directly from the base commander, it won’t go down well if I flat out refuse to do it.
“In my opinion, not the best use of your time, and I would not have agreed to the request had it come directly to me, but …” He shrugs.
I hear the words he’s left unsaid loud and clear. It wouldn’t reflect well on me to decline this request and could well hurt any further advancement since our base commander has a soft spot for the woman who’s made the request.
“I understand, Commander.” Like the well-trained soldier I am, I simply ask, “When and where?”
“Day after tomorrow, oh-nine-hundred. Here’s the address.” Commander Hurt slides a piece of paper toward me.
I pick it up and pocket it. “Will that be all, sir?”
“That’s it. You’re dismissed.” I turn to leave, and as I reach the door, he calls my name. When I turn he gives me a chin lift. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Exiting his office, I pause a moment to chat with Cutter before rejoining my teammates.
