“Safe enough. Safer than here.”
She didn’t want to cry. Despite all the emotions gripping her heart, most of her tears lately had been tolerable. But a little snuffle slipped out anyway. It was enough to make Christine grip her hand a bit tighter.
“I know it’s a lot to ask,” Caroline said. “But I can’t – the past few days have been wonderful. I don’t think I can leave you and the girls. I really don’t. But I – that is, Jack and I – we can’t stay here either. Chrissy, how attached are you to this place?”
The other woman’s eyes got bright. “I want to go home. All three of us do.”
“California isn’t home,” Caroline said. “Not really.”
“It is if I’m with you,” Christine said softly.
Caroline sniffled. “Sometimes you inadvertently say especially nice things. Did you know that?”
Christine laughed, the tears in her eyes spilling over. “I’ve been getting better at it lately.”
“What about your leadership position? Your other responsibilities?”
“Roger can take over. Brian can help. We can talk to them about it tomorrow. My biggest obligation has always been to you and your children. I don’t need anything that’s here.”
Caroline looked over at Jack, who was rubbing his forehead. “I probably should have told you before I sprung it on both of you like this.”
He smiled gently. “I’ve already made some calls.”
Was she that predictable? “Really?”
“You gave me a little hint yesterday when we chatted.” Jack turned to Christine. “I may have told our medical personnel they could be expecting another doctor soon.”
“I’m not sure how qualified I am to take on that kind of role.”
“It would be marginal,” Jack said. “Mostly filling in when needed now and again. You could help out the way you have here, and assist us in making strategic planning decisions and conducting outreach to potential allies. Since we’ve all but outed ourselves, it makes sense for you to be with us. We have a better chance of keeping you safe.”
“Is this about that jackass Murdock pulling the wool over my eyes?”
Ugh. Caroline had tried to put him at the back of her mind. Closure was a long, tedious journey. “No,” she said. “He’s an ass, he’s a sociopath, and he would have fooled anyone. I hope his flight had a ton of turbulence.”
Christine narrowed her eyes. “Jeffrey Murdock is a motherfucker and I hope he drops his soap in the shower and receives everything that comes along with that stereotype.”
“Christine Spencer Sullivan!” Caroline exclaimed. “Such a…vulgar yet remarkably diplomatic joke.”
“I’m writing that one down,” Jack said.
“I’m not sure you’ve ever used that word before, Chrissy.”
“My vocabulary has expanded,” she said. “I’m not sure it’s an improvement.”
It was a definite improvement. “It’s hilarious.”
“You’ve thought about this,” Christine told Caroline. “Us coming with you. You’ve thought about it a lot. Haven’t you?”
Since the moment she’d entertained the possibility they were alive. “Yes.”
“I’ll be honest, Punky. I was hoping you’d bring this up.”
Christine arguably would have never raised the topic herself. “Will you consider it?” Caroline asked. “I know the girls want to be with us.”
“If we come with you, Marguerite may demand to join your corps of soldiers.”
She’d cross that bridge when she got to it. “I’d rather have her under our watch than running off in the dead of night to do God knows what. Our base is remarkably safe. We can make it work.” Caroline looked at Jack. “I have it on good authority that Commander McIntyre has the ability to keep people under home confinement if they cause trouble.”
“Is this what’s best for you?” Christine whispered. “For the movement?”
It didn’t matter anymore. “Chrissy, I can’t say goodbye to you again. To the girls. I-” Caroline put her head in her hands.
“You need to come with us, Christine,” Jack said quietly. “I can’t think of any alternative that won’t involve us doing irreparable damage to ourselves.”
“You don’t need to say anything, Jack. I love your entire family. Including you. And I’m not letting you leave without us. We’re going and that’s all there is to it.” Christine patted Caroline’s shoulder. “Does that meet with your approval?”
Caroline sat up and threw her arms around Christine. “What do you think?”
*****
“Well, I’ll be damned. No wonder security was so tight.” Brian Capwell extended a hand. “Jack.”
“Didn’t expect to see us, did you?” Jack asked.
“Us?” Brian glanced around the room. “Who else is with you?” When his eyes rested on Caroline he blinked. Once, twice, three times, before lifting Caroline up in a giant bear hug.
“He never hugs me like that,” Christine said.
“I barely got a handshake.” Jack crossed his arms. “I don’t know how to feel about that.”
“Where’s Roger?” Caroline asked, when Brian lowered her to the floor.
“Right here,” he said, breezing into the room. “Apologies. Traffic. And who-” He took a step back, his expression changing. “My goodness.”
“She gets that a lot,” Jack said.
“Holy hell,” Roger said. “Both of you?”
Jack shook his hand. “If you’re going to hug Caroline, just get it over with.”
Roger gave him a pat on the back before kissing Caroline’s cheek. “Apparently I’m the only person in this room who knows how to behave professionally.”
“How’s your wife?” Caroline asked. “And your kids?”
“Fine, fine,” he said. “That’s not why we’re here. Shit, I can’t believe this. The rebellion is real. And you’re…”
“Not dead?” Caroline offered.
Brian chuckled. “I was about to say the same thing before Roger blazed in here.” He gave her another hug. “Boy, am I glad to see you.”
“Really starting to feel left out,” Jack said.
Christine swept into one of the chairs at the conference table. “Get used to it. Caroline is going to overshadow all of us today. Denis, what’s the plan?”
“I figured Jack and Caroline would take the lead,” he said. “I’m happy to provide advice but they’re the ones who know what the rebellion needs the most.”
“Troops,” Jack said instantly. “Military weapons, aircraft, and support. Intelligence compilation and analysis. Bodies on the ground. Spies.”
Denis laughed. “Okay, okay. Message received. Anything and everything.”
“That’s not quite accurate,” Caroline said. “We have people infiltrating the Santos White House. The Hague knows what he’s been doing. You know based on the leaked documents. What we need is help for that final push – if and when we make an assault on Washington.”
“Full scale invasion?” Brian asked.
“I’d prefer not,” Caroline said. “He has the nuclear codes. It has to be more subtle. Troops on standby are great, but if we march into D.C. with thousands and thousands of soldiers, we lose whatever advantage we have.”
“Here’s the bottom line,” Jack added. “He’s unpredictable, always has been. We’ve had a hard time getting a read on him. But it’s safe to assume he’s on the cusp of figuring out that every American in this room is still alive. That makes us all targets.”
“Representative Capwell and Senator Bailey will be given an upgrade in security,” Denis said. “Along with Senator Sullivan, of course.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Jack said smoothly. “Christine and the girls will be traveling back to California with us.”
“Congratulations, gentlemen.” Christine draped her arms over the chairs on either side of her. “You two are in charge.”
Brian shrugged. “Roger, I’m happy to hand the re
ins to you. I’m quite content just sitting in on meetings and doodling on a notepad.”
“You two can divvy up responsibilities later,” Denis said. “In the meantime, Parliament is prepared to authorize troops in alliance with the American rebels in California. I’ve reached out to some of my counterparts in Europe and they’re willing to provide the same assistance. All you have to do is say the word.”
“It may be more of a logistical issue,” Caroline said. “If something were to happen, if Santos were to be removed from office or if a coup were to occur, we’d need extra support to maintain order while the system is repaired.”
“The ironies of life,” Christine murmured. “Martial law to protect freedom.”
“Gotta do what you gotta do,” Caroline said. “You know your history. You know politics. A short period of intervention is far preferable to permanent totalitarianism.”
“This is why Caroline is our spokesperson,” Jack said. “She makes too much damn sense.”
“Whatever you need,” Denis said. “We will do whatever we can to make it happen. It’s to the benefit of us all for the U.S. to resume a sense of normalcy. This disruption affects trade, immigration, global humanitarian policy, everything. Even if Senator Sullivan is in California, our amenable relationship will continue.”
“I’ll make sure she remains your main point of contact,” Jack said.
Denis stood up. “I think that’s all we need to discuss for now.” He pulled a bag of chocolate out of his pocket. “One for the road, Ms. Gerard?”
She cheerfully took it out of his hand. “I love Canada.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Nice fatigues,” Christine said.
Caroline twirled around. “They are flattering, aren’t they?”
“Please don’t tell me you have a beret.”
She pulled it out of her back pocket. “I do, in fact.”
“You could borrow another suit.”
Caroline adjusted her beret and holstered her gun. “Not with us crossing a tarmac. Much easier to react to something while properly outfitted.”
Gig poked his head in. “Got your AR, Gerard.”
Christine scowled. “Now you look like Patty Hearst.”
Caroline examined her weapon. “Oh, I do not. Her hat was way bigger than mine. Plus I don’t plan on robbing any banks.”
Christine looked exceedingly uncomfortable, following Caroline out into the living room. “Is this really necessary?”
“It’s completely necessary,” Jack said, handing her a bulletproof vest. “We aren’t taking any chances. Wear this.”
Christine held it between her thumb and forefinger, like a dirty diaper. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“No, ma’am,” Crunch said. “Security is tight but you can never be too careful. You can take it off once you get on the plane.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“I already put one on,” Marguerite said. “They wouldn’t give me a gun, though.”
“Sophie has a vest too,” Caroline said, before Christine could ask. “May as well suck it up and put it on. Stay close to me once we get to the airport. I don’t have time to find another suitable guardian.”
“Fine.” Christine unbuttoned her suit jacket. “I’ll just note that unlike you, I’m dressed appropriately for air travel.”
Marguerite nudged Caroline’s shoulder. “Your outfit looks fine to me. When do I get my BDUs?”
“Never,” Jack said. “Take all the clothes you have here. That’s enough.”
“Cars just arrived,” Jones said. “You ready to go?”
Soon they’d be home. Or, as close to a home as they had. Caroline checked her weapon one final time. “Yep.”
*****
“I’m glad you sat next to me,” Sophie said.
“Still not a fan of flying?” Caroline asked.
“Not really.”
Genetic deficiency, evidently. Would it be inappropriate to offer her child an anxiety pill? She’d had to delay taking hers until they boarded the plane, since she wanted to be clearheaded while carrying a rifle. “It’ll be fine. Been a good few days, huh?”
“Yeah.” Sophie lifted up her armrest and snuggled into Caroline, bringing back memories of when she was younger. “The flight isn’t too long, right?”
“We’ll be there before you know it.”
“I’m excited about going to California.”
“It’ll be good to have you there with us,” Caroline whispered. “But next time Mo gets to dominate my time.”
“I guess so. Her birthday’s coming up. She can have the entire day with you.”
What a thrill to look forward to holidays and special occasions and want to celebrate them. “Yours will be here soon enough.”
“Do we get to do something special?”
“I don’t see why not. We could all use a little more fun.”
Sophie squeezed her hand. “The past two years have been pretty lousy.”
Caroline tugged at her seat belt. Anxiety medication couldn’t diffuse every nervous tic she had. “I hope to make up for it soon.”
“Mom.” Sophie straightened up. “You have to stop feeling so guilty.”
“I can’t help it. So much has changed. We don’t even have the space to share an apartment with you. I’d rather we all be together.”
“It’s fine. That means Mo and I can have parties every night, right?”
“Bite your tongue.”
“Can I have my own place?”
Caroline tweaked her ear. “You still have to play nice.”
“Fine. Can we go to Disneyland for my birthday?”
The kid wouldn’t quit. “I was thinking more along the lines of homemade cake and hanging out by the lake. Something that’s feasible. Maybe we can shake it up a little.” She swallowed hard. “I’m sorry we can’t do more.”
“That’s okay,” Sophie whispered. “I just want to be with you.”
Caroline put her arm around her daughter. “I spent so much time dreaming about you and your sister. Wondering what you’d be like as you got older. You’re both so much more than I ever imagined.”
Sophie leaned in for a hard hug. “It’s okay, mommy.”
She’d only used that term of endearment a few times. She was far too old for it. But Caroline knew damn well what it meant when she said it. She brushed back a tear. “I know. I’m sorry.”
Sophie held her tighter. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“How bad was it?”
They’d danced around the topic during their last days in Ottawa. Caroline didn’t know if Marguerite had shared some of her knowledge with her little sister. Probably not. “Really bad,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
“Nothing you can do about it.” Caroline shuddered. “The worst part was when they told me – when I thought I’d lost you. I almost gave up.”
“But you’re here now.”
“I am.”
Sophie closed her eyes and sniffled loudly. “I missed you.”
Caroline tugged her closer as the plane started to roll down the runway. “We have a lot of time to make up for. I hope you won’t get tired of it.”
“I don’t see that happening. Can I take a nap on your shoulder?”
She placed her beret on Sophie’s head. “Sure. I’ll wake you up when we land.”
*****
“I want to take you to meet someone,” Caroline said. “Chrissy should come too.”
“We just got here,” Marguerite said. “Can’t we get settled first?”
There was plenty of time for that. Caroline wanted a shower and a hearty meal before she helped anyone unpack. “This won’t take long. Jack has to get the keys to your apartment anyway.”
“Where are we going?” Sophie asked.
“The infirmary. It’s a short walk.”
Marguerite frowned. “After that can we come back and hang out?”
In oth
er words, keep doing what they’d done in Canada. “Absolutely.”
Christine motioned toward the plane. “What about our belongings?”
Caroline waved at Jones. “I might have bribed someone to cart your luggage to your new residence.”
“You’re going to force me to like your bodyguards, aren’t you?”
“They’re not the only ones you’re going to be forced to like.”
“That sounds ominous,” Marguerite said. “Now that we’re on the rebel base, are you and Jack going to give us orders and stuff?”
She hadn’t thought of that. What a splendid idea. “I very well might. If I order you not to train with the other soldiers, will it work?”
“Nope.”
Eh, it was worth a try. “Here’s the deal,” Caroline said. “You can train with them, but that means you do have to obey any orders Jack and I give, along with your other commanding officers. That includes staying put if need be. Understand?”
Marguerite gave her a crooked salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
Caroline helped her daughter straighten her arm. “You’re going to have to work on that. Nothing less than perfection when it comes to our recruits. Come on.”
The infirmary was fairly quiet. But it was late afternoon, the sun was setting, and there was about to be a shift change. Caroline knew where to find Natalie, doing paperwork at one of the nurses’ stations. She decided to be a little authoritative, just for fun. “Working hard, I see.”
Natalie brought her head up. “Heard you were coming back today. Nice hair.”
“Jack seems to think so.”
Natalie gave her a hug. “I bet. You do that all by yourself?”
“The munchkin helped.”
Sophie stuck her tongue out. “I’m almost fourteen, mom.”
Natalie stepped out from behind the desk. “So these are your children?”
Caroline gave her a faint smile. “Yeah.”
Natalie covered her mouth with her hand, putting her arm around Caroline. “They look just like you.”
“Except for the hair.”
“Yes. Except for the hair. Which looks so much better than that blond crap.”
“They’ll probably let you hug them if you ask nicely.”
Natalie turned to Caroline’s eldest child. “You’ve got to be Marguerite,” she said. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Triumph (The Bellator Saga Book 6) Page 21