Holding Their Own IV: The Ascent (44 page)

“How’s your husband doing, Terri?” Moreland asked.

Terri’s expression became dark, her voice low. “Just leave. Please, just leave us alone. That man lying there is a better human being than all of you combined. Go back to Washington and play your little power games
. . . just leave us alone.”

Westfield tried to help.
“Terri, we had to do this today. This man is going to take the oath of office in a few hours, and we had to clear his name before the ceremony. You were the only person who could do that. You have to understand how critical this is—how important your testimony is.”

Terri looked at the
general, venom filling her throat. “I understand, all right. I comprehend more than you give me credit for. You’ve all forgotten what this country is about. You’ve all lost sight of the purpose of the whole thing—the people. Individuals like my husband, a man who probably isn’t going to live through this. The father of my unborn child. Go on back to Washington, sir. Do your best. But I want to warn you, it won’t do a bit of good. It’s too late.”

Terri’s words didn’t seem to affect Moreland. He appeared to shrug them off as the ranting vent of someone who had been through too much. After an awkward period of silence, he looked at Bishop. “Godspeed to your husband
, ma’am,” and then left the room.

Westfield hung back for a moment and smiled at Terri. “If you need anything, anything at all
, my door is always open.” Without waiting on a response, the base commander pivoted and exited the room.

Terri was alone again with Bishop, and that was just fine with her.

For a while, she rested her head on the bed at Bishop’s side. Nurses came and went, trying their best not to disturb her, a few suggesting she rest on the couch nearby. But Terri knew her place was next to Bishop’s side, and she never left him.

A few hours later
, the room was filled with a distant roar. Terri stood and moved to the window, curious about the source of the sound. In the distance, she saw Air Force One rise into the air, the giant aircraft’s engines causing the window to vibrate. “Good riddance,” she said and returned to her vigil beside her beloved.

(THE END)

Dear Reader,

I hope you have enjoyed
Holding Their Own IV
.

I’m looking forward to sharing two more volumes of this saga, with the next,
Holding Their Own V: The Alpha Chronicles
to be released around May of 2013.

Regards,

Joe Nobody