by Lexi Post
Meghan stood and raised her hand then lowered it to strike Alix.
The woman immediately blocked her. “What the hell are you doing?”
She took her hand back and smiled. “I’m proving to you that there are things you can do.”
Alix glared at her. “Big deal. You have no idea what this is like.” She gestured toward her still legs. “What makes you the expert all of a sudden?”
She sat back down. “You’re right. I don’t know what it’s like to be paralyzed from the waist down or have both my legs broken, or have lost a leg all together. If I did have firsthand experience of all the traumas my clients went through, I’d be worthless to them. I wouldn’t be able to learn from them and read studies done or firsthand notes about their experiences with any objectivity.”
Alix gave her a guarded look.
“By not having had your experience, or Leo’s or Drew’s or even my sister’s, I have the capability to bring you perspective and the best solutions discovered to date for dealing with your trauma.”
“Your sister? Is she the one who lost her leg?”
Meghan relaxed, happy that Alix had taken the bait. “Yes, in Afghanistan.”
With lowered eyebrows Alix half turned away, but kept her gaze steady. “How? IED?”
As much as she didn’t like to think about it, Meghan had to. She just hoped Jessie didn’t get pissed at her. “No, she was shot in the knee. The entire joint was shattered and the leg from there down couldn’t be saved.” She left out the part that it had been part of Jessie’s torture. Alix had her own problems to deal with.
Alix looked away as she sucked in the left side of her cheek.
Meghan let her think about that for a minute then stood. “My sister said, if you wanted to talk, you’re welcome to call her.” She held out one of her business cards with Jessie’s name and number written on the back.
Startled, Alix turned her head toward her. “Really?”
She nodded. “Yes. Here.”
Taking the card, Alix stared at it as if it was an alien object.
“I’ll see you again on Monday, but if you want to talk to Jess, call her anytime. She said it would be a great break from work.” Meghan turned and strolled toward the door. She’d just grabbed the handle when Alix spoke.
“How long ago?”
She looked over her shoulder. “I’ll let Jess fill you in.” Then she opened the door and walked out. As she entered the elevator, she took a deep breath. Having so many physical injuries among the Coast Guard personnel was keeping her on her toes. It might be time to do a little more research on Air Station Crystal Waters to see exactly what conditions they worked in.
* * * * *
Tyler turned the truck down the dirt road with the sign Broken Oak straddling it. The road curved left past a stand of trees. As he passed it, he took his foot off the gas. The farm’s namesake stood in front of the grove, a Live Oak complete with Spanish moss was split neatly down the center by a lightning strike years ago. Both sides of the tree continued to grow upward and out, making it twice as large as it might have been.
Now he understood why Ryan had told him he had to buy the place for veteran rehabilitation. To be split like that and still grow was impressive and a great symbol of what Ryan hoped to accomplish here.
Pushing the gas pedal once again, his determination grew. If a tree could overcome a lightning strike, he could certainly get over a fear he’d never had before. He slowed as he pulled into the parking area, or what he assumed was the place to park. The packed dirt in front of a large white ranch house with flaking paint had three vehicles parked in three different directions.
He stepped out and immediately heard swearing coming from the barn.
A female’s voice followed the expletives. “Quit your complaining you overgrown ox and move it to the right two more inches.”
“You’re worse than a drill sergeant.”
“Stop. Hold it right there.” The sound of a hammer followed.
The male voice wasn’t Ryan’s so Tyler strode to the front of the house. When he reached the three steps, he kept his gaze on the screen door. He could handle three steps. The inner door was open giving him a peek inside. “Hey Ryan! You home?”
No answer. Tyler opened the screen door and walked in. The inside looked in better shape than outside. To the right was a living room and to the left was a room with empty built-in book shelves, a mattress on the floor and a chair with a lamp on it. He thought Ryan had bought the place six months ago. Was he so busy working on it that he hadn’t bought a bed for himself?
Tyler continued through the home, past the staircase to the second floor and into a kitchen and dining room both which looked out on the back fields. Tyler paused. The view was impressive, the muted hills of northern Florida dotted by a grove of trees here and there would be any horse’s dream.
When his gaze rested on new construction to the right of the house, he found the back door and headed for it. The sound of a saw greeted him. When he walked the ramp into the structure, he found Ryan on his knees, putting down plywood. His friend’s dark hair was still cut in military fashion and his shirt was covered in sawdust. A quick glance to the left where two saw horses and a circular saw sat, explained the mess. “So, you traded in your wrench for a saw?”
Startled, Ryan looked up before a wide grin split his lips. “I’ll be a gator’s lunch. Never expected to see a Coastie so far inland.”
His friend rose and limped toward him. Tyler smiled right back and gave Ryan a man hug. When they broke apart, he stepped back. “What’s with the limp? Last time I saw you, you were safely working in an Afghan Compound garage.”
“You know the Army. You never get to stay in one place for too long. Wherever they needed a mechanic, that’s where I went.” Ryan scanned him. “Looks like you made it through in one piece.
“Yeah. Glad that stint is over. You’d be amazed at how many people don’t have a clue the Coast Guard is over there.”
Ryan nodded. “Civilians. So, are you out? What are you going to do? Want a job here? I’ve got plenty of openings.”
Tyler shook his head. “Nope. I love my job. In fact, I’m stationed out of Crystal Waters right now.”
“What? How long? And only now you come and check out my spread?” Ryan shook his head in mock disappointment.
Tyler made a point to scan the single square area. “Well, it’s not like there’s much to see.”
“Asshole, come on inside.” Ryan bumped into Tyler as he brushed by. “I’ve got some cold beer, orange juice, and a few bottled waters. Lynzie just went to the store.”
He followed his friend across the back lawn, or what there was of a lawn. It was more like weeds mowed close. “Lynzie? Don’t tell me you got married.” As far as he’d known, Ryan didn’t even have a girlfriend when they met.
Ryan opened the back door, but spoke over his shoulder. “Yup, and damned happy about it.”
Meghan Haskell suddenly flitted across his mind. He had a gut feeling she’d like this place. “Sounds like you’ve adjusted to civilian life just fine.”
His friend opened the fridge and pointed at the selection.
“I’ll take a water.”
Ryan handed him the bottle and grabbed an orange juice for himself. “Yeah, I got lucky. I found a purpose and my old flame all in the same three months. A lot of the veterans coming back aren’t so lucky.”
Tyler motioned toward the back pastures. “This place is impressive. I’m guessing you’re not open yet.”
“Not even close. I still need to hire staff, finish the bunk house, paint the outside of this house and my first three horses don’t arrive until next month.”
Tyler motioned toward the back with his water bottle. “Anyone who gets to rehab here will be lucky. Wish I could have done mine here instead of in three different facilities.”
“Rehab?” Ryan scanned him again. “Did you get shot overseas too?”
Tyler tensed, knowing that by
talking about it he’d see it all over again. “No, I made it through that okay, but four months ago, I was being hoisted back up to a Dolphin when the cable let go.”
Ryan’s eyes widened. “Let go?”
“Yeah.” Tyler ran his hand through his hair. “The fall broke both my legs.”
The whistle through Ryan’s teeth, made Tyler feel a little better.
At least here he spoke to someone who knew what pain felt like. His shrink was clueless. Ryan’s rehab farm suddenly didn’t sound so farfetched. “Actually, that’s why I’m here.”
“I knew there had to be a reason.” Ryan winked. “But you don’t look like you need any more rehab.
“I don’t.” Not entirely true, but he wasn’t about to share his acrophobia with Ryan. He hadn’t told anyone about that except his shrink. “Remember when you said anytime I needed your expertise all I had to do was ask?”
Ryan swallowed his mouthful of orange juice before answering. “I do. What do you need me to fix?”
Tyler shook his head. “Not fix. I want to find out how it’s possible that my hoist cable let go.”
“Aren’t they doing an investigation?”
“Yeah, but it’s taking forever and I have to go back in the Dolphin in seven days. I need to know before I climb into the helo if it could happen again.”
Ryan studied him. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”
Yeah, there was plenty he wasn’t telling him. He didn’t know Ryan that well, but he had saved his ass back in Afghanistan. “You’re right. There’s been a lot of ‘accidents’ at the Air Station in the last six months. Three have been mechanical and a couple have been just someone in the wrong place at the wrong time, or so it would seem. My buddy Kolbe thinks it’s voodoo or something.”
Ryan straightened, his face serious for the first time since Tyler had arrived. “You think it’s more.”
He moved his hand through his hair again. “Yeah. I think it’s sabotage made to look like an accident. I need your expertise to figure out how these issues could have occurred.”
“Let me guess, the reports aren’t in on half of them.”
He nodded.
“You do realize that if you’re right, that means you have a traitor on base.”
Tyler’s gut tightened, every nerve-ending on edge. “Yeah, I know.”
“Damn.” His friend shook his head. “That’s serious shit. Think you can get me on base by Wednesday?”
With Ryan’s Army record, that shouldn’t be a problem. “You were honorably discharged, right?”
“Asshole.” Ryan threw his empty bottle in the trash.
Tyler chuckled, releasing some of the tension in his body. “I can get you on base. You’ll just be a friend I’m showing around. In addition to my accident, one crew member was hit by a rotator blade that came loose and one of our pilots was paralyzed when her Dolphin went down.”
“Got it. I’ll pull up the specs before I head over so I know exactly what I’m looking at. Your choppers are closer to navy ones than Army.”
“Hey, anything you know about them is more than I know. If we can manage some time around the equipment without Drew or Steve, the two mechanics, it will be a lot easier.”
Ryan shook his head. “Even if we figure out what caused these problems, if it was someone setting them up, then you’ll still have to prove it.”
Yeah, he knew that, but he was hoping they really were just accidents. “Let’s take this one step at a time.”
“Okay.” Ryan held his hand out toward the back door. “Since you’re here, you want to take a look at the place?”
He took the final swallow from his water bottle and threw it in the trash. “Of course, it’s my day off. Lead the way.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Meghan strolled into the hanger at Air Station Crystal Waters. “Wow, that helicopter looks bigger up close.” She walked forward, fascinated by how different it looked compared to when it was in the air.
Drew brushed by her and opened the front door. “I can fix these birds in my sleep. Go ahead. Sit in the pilot seat.”
She looked inside but didn’t clamber in. Her pencil skirt would have to be hiked to an indecent level to make that step. She faced Drew. “So, this is the helicopter Samantha flies?”
“Or Kolbe.”
“Did I hear my name? Are you swearing about me again kid?” Kolbe’s voice came from the other side of the helicopter.
As footsteps approached, Drew frowned at her. “I told you. They all think of me as a kid. Kolbe’s only a year older than me.”
As the man in question came into view, she had a hard time believing he was only a year older. He and Drew were opposites. Kolbe was tall, broad and had a chiseled look about him, but wrinkles around his eyes and mouth proved he smiled a lot, and his black hair was wavy and messed.
Drew, on the other hand, was slender, like a cyclist, with slicked back blond hair, large blue eyes, and full lips. His skin, though, was what made him appear so young. It was pale and flawless. Something a woman might want. Someday he’d probably be happy he looked so young.
“Hi Doc. What are you doing here? If you’re looking for a date, I’m available.” Kolbe held his arms out as if he were her heart’s desire, but his smirk made it clear he was only giving her his usual bull.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She winked as he lost his smile in shock. “I wouldn’t want to step on Alix’s toes.”
Kolbe shook his head. “We’re just team mates, but it doesn’t hurt to butter up the best pilot in the Guard.”
“She’s not the best.” Drew turned toward her. “But she is damn good, if you will pardon my language.”
She spoke to both men. “I understand if Alix hadn’t been so good, lives would have been lost.”
Kolbe sobered. “What she did was just, well, above and beyond. Steve, Leo and Emilio wouldn’t be here right now, if she hadn’t forced them off that bird.”
She could tell that the two men were still deeply affected by the mishap, so she didn’t break the sudden silence.
Drew finally spoke. “I was just showing Dr. Haskell around.”
Kolbe gave Drew a look that made it clear he didn’t quite believe him. “Sure.”
“I am. She wanted to see where we work, so she can better understand where some of us are coming from after our accidents. We haven’t all been as lucky as you.”
The resentment in Drew’s voice caught her attention. She had noticed he gravitated toward the victim mode a lot, but he was the youngest there. It was easy to feel picked on, especially with the ribbing he took. At least that’s what it sounded like based on what he told her.
Kolbe crossed himself. “But for the Grace of God and my good luck charm.” He pulled out what looked like a sterling silver medallion with a jaguar head in relief on it. He kissed it before dropping it back beneath his flight suit.
“Pilots.” Drew threw up his hands. “Superstitious to the core.” He moved his gaze from her to Kolbe. “It’s a good mechanic that will keep you up there, not your necklace.”
Kolbe gave Drew a genuine smile. “It doesn’t hurt to have both.”
She touched Drew on his arm to get his attention. “So, you were the mechanic on the flight when your friend Tyler had his accident?”
“Yeah. That was just weird. One minute he’s coming up and the next he’s gone. We were so close to the shallows, I didn’t think we’d find him alive. If you look in here, you can see where we operate from.” Drew slid the back door aside.
“I’ll show her, kid. The Chief is looking for you.”
“Now you tell me?” Drew turned toward her. “I swear I’m going to be thrown in the brig one of these days because of these clowns.” Leaving the door to the helicopter open, he stalked away.
She looked askance at Kolbe. “Did you do that on purpose?”
“No, the Chief really is looking for him, and I did just temporarily forget.” The flirtatious gleam came back into his dark
eyes. “It must have been your beauty that wiped the Chief from my mind.”
She rolled her eyes. Kolbe was so over the top, she couldn’t imagine anyone taking him seriously, yet he was a pilot. “You were onboard the night Tyler fell. What happened?”
Kolbe’s face lost his grin, but he didn’t reveal anything. He just shook his head. “I don’t have a clue. I’m guessing the Department of Defense will tell us in the report.” He lowered his voice. “I think there’s a curse. I’ve been looking into the background of this station. I haven’t found anything yet, but there must be some upset spirits of some sort for so many things to go wrong.”
She didn’t believe in curses, so she nodded that she understood what he was saying, but turned to look inside the helicopter. She didn’t know anything about them, but just seeing the space Drew and the others worked in, gave her a better appreciation for their job.
“I sit up here next to Samantha.” Kolbe paused to wiggle his brow. “It’s a sweet seat.”
She glanced at the two seats in front, understanding better how the crew functioned. Alix had been in one of those in her helicopter. “Do you ever go in back to help?”
“Haven’t yet. If I do, it means things are really bad. We have two pilots for a reason. If the helo doesn’t stay aloft, no one lives. Sam often does the actual flying while I oversee the mission, but I fly a lot too. Don’t want to get rusty.” This time he didn’t insinuate anything, and she caught a glimpse of the responsible man beneath the flirting.
She stepped back. “What if Tyler hadn’t rescued the woman from the capsized boat before he fell. Who would have gone down to get her? Drew?”
“The same person who got Tyler that night. One of the boat rescue swimmers. Jorge or Ernie. That job is brutal physically and the Coast Guard only lets those who can handle it get in the water.”
“So, you all just left Tyler floating in the water unconscious and headed back here?” She tried to keep the panic from her voice, but knowing what happened to the man from Drew’s session, made her more empathetic than she probably should be.
Kolbe looked at her as if she was an idiot. “No. We have protocols. We radioed in to the station and the closest boat was dispatched. Even if we had a rescue swimmer on board, our cable was useless, so we couldn’t bring Tyler up. We hovered over him and the boat crew rescue swimmer pulled him out.”