“That would be lovely.” Gwen’s blue eyes met Neil’s. “Shall we get our things?”
“I’ll meet you in my office in ten, Neil,” Chuck said. “If you need anything, Gwen, just ask.”
Gwen thanked him and Neil walked with her back outside to the car.
“Chuck has never been a warm man. Try not to take offense,” Neil said as he removed their bags from the trunk.
“Ruth seems nice enough.” Translation…Chuck wasn’t. What Major Blayney lacked in decorum he made up for in his ability to protect and serve.
“Once you’ve cleaned up, Ruth can take you to the commissary…get you some new clothes.”
“Isn’t a commissary a supermarket?”
“They have basic clothing there, too. Or maybe Ruth has another suggestion here on base.”
“Which means you don’t want me leaving the base.”
“Not without me.”
Neil could see the situation weighing on her. Her tired eyes held acceptance and her nod said she’d comply.
With his hands full of their belongings, minus some of his arsenal he’d brought with them and their camping supplies, which he’d left set up in the mountains, Neil leaned down and kissed her briefly.
Her smile broadened as he pulled back.
“What was that for?” she asked.
“For trusting me.”
“Always.”
Neil let himself into Chuck’s home office and closed them off from the house. Chuck had already poured them drinks and suggested they sit on the couch while they talked. “Thought you could use one of these.”
“More than you know.” Neil let the liquid slide down his throat with a soft burn. “Nice.”
“Tell me again why you think someone is trying to kill you.”
Neil started from the beginning and didn’t stop until he and Gwen fled California. Chuck listened with a blank expression and refilled their glasses once during the explanation.
“How did you get Blondie to come with you?”
“Told her that someone from my past was using her to get to me.” Not the complete truth, but as close to it as Neil was going to tell Chuck.
“So she knows nothing about Raven?”
“She’s the one who found the dead birds.”
“Birds die all the time.”
“Which is why she refrained from telling me about them. Ravens are found in the higher altitudes of California…not in the basin. They weren’t an accident, Chuck.”
“I’m not suggesting they were. Just wondering what kind of sick mind would do this.”
Neil took a drink. “Been trying to figure that out for a week. I thought if anyone had information on Raven’s allies it would be you.”
Chuck shrugged. “There are plenty of parties seeking revenge for his death. None of which are creditable let alone have the ability to do what you’re suggesting.”
“This attack is personal.” Gwen’s image swam in his head. Very personal.
“These guys don’t attack people, they attack nations. Who do you think is behind this?”
“Had to be someone with a grudge…someone who knew about Raven. I’ll find out soon enough. Rick’s on his way and we’ll flush this bastard out.”
Chuck tossed his hands in the air. “Don’t incriminate yourself, soldier.”
“The right to defend myself and my family is still legal in this country.”
Chuck grinned. “So what you’re telling me is you plan on trapping this man so you can bring him in for prosecution…right?”
Neil read through the cracks. “That’s what I said.”
“That’s what I thought you said. What do you need from me?”
Neil set his empty glass aside and crossed his ankle over his knee. “I need to keep Gwen here. Safe. While I do what needs to be done.”
“She’s willing to stay?”
“Yes. For a while.” For how long Neil couldn’t be sure.
Chuck widened his eyes. “For a while?”
“She doesn’t have all the facts and I’ve yet to meet a woman who takes orders like a marine. She’ll stay without question for a while…a day or two, maybe three. But I need to know she’s here and safe so I can wait this bastard out.”
“Keep her against her will?”
Gwen wouldn’t approve, which was why Neil hadn’t told her this part of his plan. “If need be. For the sake of the country and all that.”
Chuck stood and rubbed the back of his neck. “Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”
Neil’s jaw clenched. “Nothing I wouldn’t do for you and Ruth.”
“Ruth is my wife, Neil. I believe you introduced me to Gwen as your friend. She’s not even an American. And didn’t you say her brother is a duke or some such sissy-ass thing? I can see the headlines now…‘Major Blayney holds British Lady hostage on an American military base because her boyfriend said so.’ You’re asking the impossible, Neil. Perhaps if she were your wife I could. Then at least she’d be an American by default and I’d be protecting her because her husband would be in danger if she was walking the streets of Colorado Springs.”
Everything inside Neil tightened, and several life-changing blood vessels threatened to pop at the same time. Chuck was right. And even if Gwen didn’t try to leave, it was only a matter of days before Blake searched for them or got a call from her. Then all their cloaked running across the country would be for nothing. Raven would eventually find Gwen and they’d be back to where they were right now.