Two Days Of A Dream (16 page)

Colonel Broan put his elbows on the desk and dropped his weary head in his hands. His sigh was long and exasperated. "Sergeant Davis, send her information to Command and see if they can confirm her story."

"Yes, sir." The sergeant got up and left.

Colonel Broan rubbed his temples, sighing again. "If your story checks out, then we have quite a mystery on our hands." He sat back and looked at Kelly through tired eyes. "If your story doesn't check out, I'll hand you over to Lieutenant Pendle."

A shiver ripped through her. There was no doubt about it, that woman scared Kelly. What if her story didn't check out in this dream? Would he really let Pendle torture her? After their exchange, earlier today, Pendle would take great pleasure in Kelly's discomfort.

She felt Cap's arm slip around her trembling shoulders and she leaned into his side. He could be nice after all.

Colonel Broan huffed. "I wish I could just ship you to Command and let them deal with you." He gathered his papers. "Unfortunately, the next transport doesn't arrive for two more days." He put the papers in a drawer and locked it before he stood. "Captain Duran, she's your problem." Cap stood her up. "Make sure she's guarded at all times."

Chapter Twenty-two

Outside, most of the crowd had gone. Only a few die-hards had stuck it out to catch a glimpse of the mystery woman.

Over by a stack of crates, Larsen sat on the ground with Coleman's head in his lap. The sandman had snuck up and whacked them both with an entire bag of sleep dust. They were out cold. Coleman looked comfortable.

Poor Coleman. The private had a very long day, with all that Kelly had put her through, and now it had to be midnight.

Cap kicked Larsen's foot. "Wake up, Sergeant." Larsen's head snapped up, and he blinked a few times as he rubbed his neck. "Come on, Larsen, time for you to go to your tent."

Groggily, Larsen looked down and shook Coleman. "Valecia, wake up."

Valecia, what a pretty name, it fit her
.

Coleman sat bolt upright and slid away from Larsen. She was a little disoriented but got quickly to her wobbly feet. She rubbed her eyes before putting her hand out to Kelly. "I'll take her now, sir."

Cap chuckled. "You're in no shape to guard anyone. Larsen, make sure Coleman gets back to her tent."

"Yes sir!" Larsen all but shouted.

His enthusiasm wasn't so surprising even as tired as he had to be. And any excuse to keep Larsen and Coleman together made Kelly happy.

"I have to go on patrol and check my men.” Cap talked over her. “Do you know anyone who could guard her?" Cap spoke as though she weren't there, which irritated Kelly, but before she could call Cap on his offense Talbit spoke.

"I could guard her."

Cap narrowed his eyes. "Anyone
but
you."

Talbit’s face almost looked serious. "At the hospital, she can accompany me on my rounds." Talbit raised his hands to Cap’s coming objection. "Have you a better idea?"

Cap thought a moment before the dreaded resignation settled on his face. Kelly's stomach dropped. She really didn't want to go anywhere with Talbit.

She had to stop this idea from going any further. "Cap, I could go with you. I can walk around with you as easily as I can walk around with him." Her eyes met his, and for a moment she felt the pull of his dark chocolate lava. What was with him?

"No, where I'm going is dangerous." He looked down her, all the way to her toes. "Sides, you would distract my men."

"I don't know why you would say that. I certainly haven't distracted you."

"Oh, yes, you have." He turned quickly to Talbit. "Okay, you take her, but if anything happens to her, your butt won't be worth spit."

Talbit offered his arm but his wasn't the arm Kelly wanted. When she didn't take it, Talbit took her hand and wound it around his bicep. It wasn't nearly as big as Cap's, she noted.

Chapter Twenty-three

Duran had to move fast before he changed his mind. He guessed he could have taken her with him since the attack had been averted and she wouldn't have been that much of a diversion for the men still on duty. It might have been a treat to meet the mystery woman, and it would have given them bragging rights. Bragging rights were almost as valued as treats from home. When you didn't have much, you found other ways to get the spotlight. His men, that is, not Duran; he preferred to stay as far from attention as possible. Being nondescript kept you alive in his line of work. The less the enemy noticed you the safer it was. He had to stop second-guessing himself or he was bound to turn around and go back for her. Not a good idea.

After half an hour, Duran’s tour came to the northern artillery bunker, which looked and sounded quiet. That should not have made Duran nervous, since the bunkers normally had little activity at night. Instead of relaxing in their tent Millam and Tanyard were on duty because of their prank. It was too quiet. What were they up to now, Duran wondered?

Tanyard jumped, spilling his cards all over the dark, shadowed ground. "Ah Cap." Tanyard ignored Millam’s stifled laughter. "You ‘bout gave me a heart attack," he whispered as he searched the sand for the lost cards.

"Nah, Cap." Millam straightened their discard pile. "We promised we wouldn't, and we keep our promises." He was a little too convincing and Duran eyed him, as he never felt comfortable when Millam talked.

"Yeah, Cap, we switched to spades, 'sides it takes longer to play a hand."

"That's better, but don't forget you're supposed to stick your head up once in a while to make sure you're not being overrun." Being well inside the camp, they weren't likely to have much trouble, but a smart soldier didn't take chances.

"Sure, sure Cap, we check after each hand." Millam was that nagging problem Duran hadn’t quite figured out what to do about. The young man stayed on the fence, neither really good nor really bad. He had so much more potential, but Duran hadn't figured out how to drag it out of him.

"Hey, Cap?" Tanyard had found all his cards and straightened them in his hand. "What happened with the attack? We never heard for sure."

"Yeah, we heard some infiltrators were caught and that your birthday ... uh ... er, the lady helped?" Millam hid his smile behind his cards.

Duran knew he’d never live down the Birthday Present remark and felt he owed Talbit for that. Talbit, who was with the woman right now. That had not been one of Duran's better decisions.

Tanyard cleared his throat. "Cap, what happened?"

She’s a headstrong woman. She can take care of herself
. Duran shook his head. "Pretty much what you heard. Three insurgents were hiding in the sand on the east perimeter. It turned out they were the real attack we were waiting for.”

Millam closed his card hand, tapping his chin. "Do you think the attack this morning was a cover to get the three so close?"

Duran hadn't thought of that. "Could be, it would make sense why the ground attach came from the west." Millam definitely had so much potential. "That's a very interesting idea. I'll mention it to the colonel." Now, how had he missed that possibility? He had to get that woman off his mind, the woman who was probably being seduced by Talbit right now. If he lays one finger on her--

"I thought you said she was fine, what's she doing at the hospital?" Tanyard’s boyish face shone concern in the moonlight.

"She's fine. She's just being guarded there."
Yes, in a twelve-bed hospital that has three exam tables, two operating tables, and miles of sheets and blankets to use.
Duran was going to pound Talbit.

"Are you all right, Cap?" Tanyard's concerns made Duran realize he was breathing heavily.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It's just been a long day and it's not over yet." It wouldn't be over until he could see Kelly safely back to Coleman. "Carry on." He felt a need to clarify. "With guarding."

Duran left the two and inspected the other artillery bunker for firering-pin safeties and cleanliness, as much as he could in the dark with his small flashlight. The two guarding there had the same questions. He gave them short replies so he could get back to the hospital. After all the equipment was inspected, he continued his walk of the perimeter and the other bunkers. Just like every night, to cool off, he took the long way back, walking the outer perimeter of camp. But cooling off wasn't easy in the hot predawn air.

"Our guys caught the insurgents, so we scored first." Stover held his hand steady, moving only his fingers when Pickle hesitated.

Pickle pulled a crumpled bill from his front pocket and smoothed it out in Stover's hand. "There that makes fifty. Remind me to never bet against your hunches." He took out a cigarette and lit it as he walked away. "Good night, sirs."

Stover straightened the money before putting it in his wallet. "Remind me, when we get out of this desert, that I owe you a steak dinner."