Page 66 of The Hero
“You can’t promise that. Neither can the cops. No one can. We don’t know this West character. All we know is that he has no problem throwing others under the bus to get what he wants. He knew what would happen when he called in that tip about the drugs,” Bob said. “He knew Marlowe would be taken to prison. And he didn’t give a shit. He had her arrestedfor lifejust so he could return to the States with those coins.”
“We won’t do it then,” JJ assured him. “We’ll find another way. And for the record,” he said, sighing deeply, “I’m not surprised youwere doing what you were doing. I knew you were never completely sold on moving to Maine. Hell, you suggested New York City. That’s a far cry from Newton. I just figured you’d either settle in time or come to us with your concerns. That doesn’t mean I’m not hurt that you went behind our backs to work with Willis.
“Damn it, Bob—you’re one of my best friends. We’ve been to hell and back together. Ihateknowing you were out there, in dangerous situations, without us to have your back. I’m not mad about what you were doing, just sad that you felt as if you couldn’t talk to us about it.
“And as far as you not sleeping goes ... why didn’t you say something? You think I don’t have nightmares? That Chappy doesn’t? That Cal doesn’t relive what those fuckers did to him all the time? You aren’t the only one with PTSD. We could’ve talked about it. It probably would’ve been good for all of us. But what’s done is done. We’re moving past it. Got it? We’ll find you a new therapist and see if we can’t get those demons out of your head once and for all ... without you having to go to the ends of the earth and putting yourself in danger in the process.”
God, Bob loved this man. He took a deep breath. “I wouldn’t mind talking with you and the others about what we went through sometime, getting it all out on the table, but I think I’ve finally found the cure to my nightmares.”
“Yeah? What’s that? You aren’t drinking, are you? Or taking medication?” JJ asked worriedly.
Bob snorted. “No way. It’s Marlowe. Somehow, holding her at night ... she keeps them at bay.”
The look of longing on JJ’s face was so fleeting, Bob almost thought he imagined it. Almost.
“I’m happy for you. Both of you.”
“Thanks.”
“So ... no more missions with Willis?” JJ pressed. “We can find something else that fulfills that need within you. I don’t know what, but we’ll figure it out. As a team.”
“No more missions,” Bob agreed. “I’m finally ready to slow down.”
“Good. Now, about that phone call ...”
Bob tensed once more.
JJ dropped his hand from his shoulder and took a step back. “Talk to Marlowe before making any decisions. Listen to her side of things. She was put into a situation where she was completely helpless. No one would listen when she said she was innocent—she was as much a captive as we were, Bob. And even more than proving her innocence ... I think she needs to take her power back.
“I swear on my life that if we do anything involving Marlowe, she’ll be covered at all times. Who better to have her six than four former Delta Force operatives? One phone call. If West doesn’t take the bait, we’ll figure something else out. Maybe let him sell one of the coins and get him that way. But there’s no need for him to know about you, where she is, or that she’s working with the cops.”
“He’ll suspect,” Bob couldn’t help but say.
“Of course he will. But I have faith that Marlowe can convince him otherwise. I think she needs to do this,” JJ said.
Bob closed his eyes. He hated that his friend was right. And he did have faith in his wife. If anyone could pull this off, it was probably her. But that didn’t mean he liked it. “I’ll talk to her,” he told JJ.
“Good. Now, I have to get going. Jack’s Lumber won’t run itself. We got a call from a woman this morning who had three trees fall on her property during the last windstorm. One barely missed hitting her house, and another is blocking her driveway. She needs them chopped up and removed.”
Bob frowned. “You need my help?”
JJ chuckled. “No. You might think you’re Superman, but you’re still healing. When you finish up the antibiotics and are back one hundred percent, I’m gonna work your ass off. Force you to take all the calls to make up for your stupidness.”
“That’s not a word,” Bob told him.
JJ flipped him off and headed back into the apartment.
Bob followed him and saw that Marlowe wasn’t in the living area.
“She went into the bedroom to give us some privacy to talk,” JJ said, obviously seeing Bob’s concern. “She’s a good one. You couldn’t have found a better match.”
“I know,” Bob said. He’d flown halfway across the world to rescue Marlowe, and had ended up being the one rescued instead.
“Call me later. If you decide to try the phone call, I’ll set up a meeting with the chief. The four of us—sorry, five—can sit down with him and discuss details.”
“I will. Thanks, JJ.” Bob wasn’t sure what he was thanking his friend for. Maybe because he’d forgiven him. Because he understood. Because he was empathetic. Because he truly believed JJ wanted the best for him.
“You’re welcome. But it has to be said—don’t do this shit again. We’re friends, Kendric. The four of us have been through too much together. You’re like my brother. If you need something you aren’t getting, you have to speak up.”
