Page 78 of Keeping Amanda
Buck nodded at Mandy to go ahead. It was just as maddening, infuriating, and baffling the second time he heard the story as it was the first. But Buck stayed calm, determined to be the man she needed right now, instead of the pissed-off soldier he truly was deep inside.
“Shit. Okay. First things first, don’t worry about the school. I can take care of that.”
Typing on a keyboard was easy to hear in the brief silence that followed.
“What does that mean?” Mandy asked.
“I’ve got money I can send. And by money, I mean enough to keep the school and orphanage running for years.”
“Oh, but that’s not why we called—” Mandy began to protest.
“I know. But look, trust me when I say, I’ve got enough money to be able to fund athousandorphanages from here to eternity. There’s no better way to spend it, I think, than on the future of the world. I’ve already done enough research to know that Desmond Williams is a good man. Compassionate. Smart. Business savvy. He’s not going to just blow this donation. And regardless, I’ll see to it that doesn’t happen. But he’ll have enough to get more staff, build more housing, as well as hire security—which is perhaps the most important thing he can do with the money, considering the school and orphanage is so close to the border.
“Moving on to more difficult things…I can find Blair, but it’ll take time.”
“How much time?” Buck asked.
“I don’t know. More than either of us would like though. But the fact that she has a child with her will work in my favor. It’ll make her stand out more…hang on…Hmmm, doesn’t look like she’s used her passport recently.”
“Holy crap, you can see that so quickly?”
“Of course. It’s an electronic record, and it’s easy enough to check the Customs database.”
Mandy looked at Buck with huge eyes, as if to say, “What the hell?”
He wanted to laugh, but this really wasn’t a laughing matter.
“At least she didn’t enter using her real name. I’ll keep digging, see what I can find out. And the intel about Blair setting up the kidnapping makes sense, in a warped way, I guess. She probably met with one of the rebels in person, which is why I haven’t been able to find an electronic trail. But now I’m more than curious. I want to know who her connection is, and if they’re a threat to the kids still living at the orphanage. Because that isn’t acceptable. Buck?”
“I’m here.”
“I don’t like this. Don’t leave Mandy alone. Take her with youto the base. She can wait there while you work. With Blair being so unstable, it’s not safe for her to be at your apartment alone when you aren’t there.”
Mandy was frowning now—and looked as if she was ready to cry.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” she said softly, staring at the phone.
“No, you don’t. You need a bodyguard,” Tex said firmly. “Look, I know this sucks. But ever since my kidnapping, I’m way more sensitive to this kind of shit. I don’t wantanyoneto go through what I did. And if Blair gets her hands on you, or sends someone else to do it—which is more what I’d expect her to try—things won’t go well for you. The woman hates you for whatever reason. Doesn’t even need to be a good one; she’s mentally unstable, so it is what it is. You need to have eyes on you at all times until I can find her. She could be there in Norfolk now. Looking for you. Wanting revenge.”
“I didn’t do anything to her,” Mandy said, her voice wobbling. “All I wanted was to give some children a good home. To love them.”
“I know,” Tex said gently. “And I have no doubt any kid will be lucky to call you Mom. But that can’t happen if you aren’t careful. If Blair or someone she’s paid off gets their hands on you. This won’t be forever. Just until I can find her. Okay?”
Buck hated this. Hated that Mandy was so upset. Hated that someone she trusted was upending her life so much.
“Okay,” she said after a long moment.
“I’ll see if she can hang out with Laryn in the hangar. When she hears that Mandy might be in danger, she’ll go all mother-hen on her,” Buck said.
Tex chuckled. “That’ll work. And you’re right. I can see her now, with her wrench in one hand, ready to knock out someone’s kneecaps if they dare look at Mandy the wrong way. Be safe, be vigilant, and I’ll be in touch.”
The line went dead.
Buck immediately put his finger under Mandy’s chin and turned her head so she was looking at him. “Nothingis going to happen to you. Tex will figure this out, I will keep you safe. Me and my friends. Life will go back to normal soon. I swear.”
She nodded. Then sighed. “Can Rain come to the base with me?”
“Yes.” It would probably require the colonel’s approval, but Buck would make sure it happened.
