| |
The next few days consisted of the team just enjoying the simple routine of life at the compound. They had been under a lot of pressure lately and were happy to just enjoy the luxuries that had been afforded to them.
It was the day of Mendoza’s gala and Kat, Thomas, Shawn, and Jako were assigned to surveillance in the van. BJ would be outside with the limo. Jake and Janie were in their best professional evening attire. They would continue to play the role of trusty bodyguards to Reese and Sarah. When the pulled up in front of Mendoza’s home, he was already waiting at the door with Absame and the woman from the other night. This time, Mendoza introduced her as Lisa.
“Her real name is Carly Hatch,” Ryan said into their earpieces. Sarah was ready to leave the party before they even made it to the front door. It just made her sick to realize how easily a good cop could turn dirty. Was serving your country not sacred to anyone anymore? During dinner, she was seated between Mendoza and Carly, which she thought was odd. Reese was seated a few chairs down at the other side of the table. Carly attempted making conversation with Sarah, but Sarah could tell that she was just fishing for information so that she could determine if Sarah was who she said she was. Oh come on honey, you can do better than that, Sarah mused.
Throughout dinner, Mendoza mentioned plans to obtain a larger shipment of guns, but Absame showed no interest. This was a red flag.
“I have a bad feeling about this outcome,” Ryan said, more to himself than to anyone else. Kat reported that Absame had left the restaurant and was headed straight to a private air strip. “Alright team,” he said, “Get back to the compound when you can. I am leaving for DC to keep an eye on Carly there. Be ready for anything; I think this is all going to come to a head sooner than we think. Oh and Kat, come to my office when you get back. I want to talk to you before I leave.”
“Yes sir.” Janie and Sarah just looked at each other.
“What’s going on?” Jake asked the women quietly.
“She’s still in some pain,” Janie answered.
“Is there a bigger problem that I should know about?”
“No,” Sarah and Janie answered together.
“You would tell me if there was, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, Jake. She’s one of is now. We have her back.”
After getting back to the compound, Kat went straight to Ryan’s office. He was still sitting behind his desk reviewing some documents.
“Kat, do you honestly feel that you are up for this mission?” he asked, getting right to the point. “If you are still in that much pain, you can stay in command and work the mission from there.”
“No sir, I can do this.”
“There is no shame in admitting when enough is too much.”
“I know that sir, but it’s not too much. I’m ready for this.”
“Alright, well get some sleep because things are going to start moving a lot faster around here.”
“Yes sir,” she replied and left the room. Making it back to her room, she suddenly didn’t feel as confident as she led Ryan to believe. But, she just knew that she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she stayed behind. She went to her drawer and took her medication—with water instead of liquor this time. He’s mine. I have to get him, she thought as she drifted to sleep.
The next morning, the group went for a run. Kat made it all the way through without stopping and without needing any pain pills. But, the adrenaline of the run soon wore off and as soon as she made it back to her room, she began to feels the aches and pains creeping into her bones. She took her last couple of pills, then went downstairs to request a refill from the doctor. He talked to her about managing her pain and told her to take it easy the rest of the day. On her way back to her rooms, she asked Jako to just send a lunch tray up for her.
When she didn’t come down for dinner either, the team was beginning to get concerned. Janie went up to check on her. She knocked, but there was no answer. Janie tried to knock one more time, and this time, Kat made her way to the door.
“Hey Janie. What’s up?”
“Just checking on you. Everyone was worried when we didn’t see you at dinner.”
“No need. I’m just tired. The last couple of days have been pretty strenuous.”
“Can I come in?”
“Sure. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you.”
“What’s on your mind Janie?”
“Kat, are your pills becoming a problem for you?”
“Not at all. The fact that I’m still in pain and having trouble sleeping is becoming a problem for me.”
“We’re your family now—no matter what. We will walk through all kinds of things together. Even the strongest warrior needs a little help sometimes.”
“Thanks Janie, I’ll keep that in mind. Please tell the others that I’m fine.” Janie gave her an understanding smile and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before leaving. Kat closed the door and went back to her mini bar to pour another shot of Patron. She crawled into bed and popped a small cluster of pills, refusing to believe that she had a problem. One of the world’s deadliest terrorists couldn’t kill me, she thought as she drifted into sleep. I’m not afraid of a few little pain pills.