An Arrogant Black Belt Threatens a Rookie Nurse in a Rural ER — Unaware She Was a Navy SEAL Officer
Chapter 16
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"I have served under three female officers in 12 years. I have served under 14 male officers. You are the most disciplined officer I have ever served under, and I have wanted to tell you that since the day you signed out of Dam Neck. I am sorry you spent eight months letting a man like that put his hands on you. We are here now."Reese did not look at him. She nodded once. They walked the rest of the way to the stairwell in silence.Down in the ER, Phelps had stabilized the stab wound patient. The contractor with the chest wound was alive and angry and being prepped for transport. The lead contractor was in the corner of Bay 3 with a sailor standing over him and a flex-cuff on each wrist. Marisol and Pam had come out of triage. Vera was at her station, eyes red but hands working, restocking the cart Reese had emptied during the takedown.The whole ER smelled like ammonia and burned electronics and blood that had been mopped but not fully cleaned. Reese stood in the middle of the corridor and breathed.Hannigan came up beside her. "Ma'am, the chase bird picked up a vehicle approaching from the east: civilian pickup, single occupant, older male. He's flashing his lights in groups of three."Reese closed her eyes. "Three short, three short, three short?""Yes, ma'am.""Let him in. Have a sailor meet him at the south door.""Yes, ma'am." Hannigan keyed his throat mic.Reese walked to the south door of the ER. The rain had not let up; the windsock on the helipad above was still flat against its pole.A blue 1998 Ford Bronco rolled into the lot slow, headlights cutting through the silver curtain of rain. The Bronco stopped 20 feet from the door. The driver's door opened. A man got out: 64 years old, white hair cut short, 6'1", 200 pounds—a body that had been an athlete's once and was now mostly memory and discipline. He wore a civilian jacket over a flannel shirt, jeans, and rubber-soled boots. He stood in the rain and looked at Reese through the glass door.Reese pushed the door open and walked out.Captain Joseph Reeves did not move. The rain ran down his face; his eyes did not leave hers."Commander.""Captain.""I owe you a phone call.""You owe me three Christmases, sir.""I owe you more than that." His voice did not break; his voice was an old voice that had learned how not to break. "I was building the file. I didn't want to call you until I had it. I thought I had more time. Bishop got hit a day ahead of schedule. I got in the truck four hours after that. I am sorry it took this long. I am sorry it took Vega bleeding in your hospital. I am sorry, Reese."She walked the last ten feet through the rain, put her arms around his shoulders, and stood there with her cheek pressed against his shoulder for ten full seconds. Reeves did not move; Reeves did not lift his arms; Reeves did not make a sound. He just stood there in the rain and let her hold him.When she stepped back, the rain on her face was not all rain."The file?" she said.