Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(56)
"Karma really is a bitch," James shook his head as we watched the video a second time. The video had been posted by a Seattle news station, and all the national news programs were showing it, along with photographs of the bombed capitol building in Sacramento.
"Too bad Cutter wasn't in the van with them," James mumbled as numbers of the dead in the Sacramento bombing rose from the estimate given the night before.
"Let me know when Corinne and Rafe show up in the kitchen for coffee. I want to speak with them," I said, handing the tablet back to James. "Get me a copy of that video, too, and put it in a file."
"Yes, Colonel."
*
Corinne
"We'll have coffee; that ought to wake you up," Ilya kissed my temple.
"Something needs to wake me up," I sighed. "I'm not sure I can move." All my aches and pains had come to call that morning—my body had stiffened and complained during a restless night.
"Come along, moving will help," Ilya claimed as he sat up on the edge of the bed.
"Right."
Dressing that morning turned into an agonizing chore, as arms refused to accommodate coordinating sleeves. Eventually we wore enough to walk downstairs, which became an uncomfortable trek of uncooperative muscles.
"Cori, didn't you take your pain medication?" James waited in the kitchen for us, a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Not on an empty stomach," I said. "I have it with me." I pulled the small bottle from my sweater pocket, the pills rattling against plastic as I shook it at him.
"I'll get milk," James offered and slid off his barstool to walk to the fridge.
"Thank you."
"I beeped Colonel Hunter; he wants to see both of you," James said, handing a small glass of milk to me. I took my pill while Rafe made two cups of coffee.
"Does he want eggs?" I asked, shuffling to the proper cabinet to get a skillet.
"He's had breakfast, but he might want coffee," James said as Auggie walked into the kitchen.
"I do want coffee," he said, sliding onto a barstool next to James'. Rafe made a third cup and placed it in front of him.
"Ted Ryan and his bombing buddies died after driving off a bridge in Seattle last night," August said pleasantly, as if he were describing the weather instead of five deaths.
"Gee, that's too bad," I muttered, setting the skillet on the stove and heading toward the fridge for eggs. "Honey, do you want eggs and bacon or an omelette?" I asked Rafe.
"Omelette. Let me help."
He chopped ham, onions, tomatoes and mushrooms while I beat eggs and added milk. Honey, I sent in his direction, you are amazing. I've never had a man who knew his way around the kitchen before.
I poured eggs into the skillet, and he followed shortly with enough meat and vegetables to make a nice omelette. Two omelettes turned out to be enough for all four of us—Auggie decided he was hungry after all.
"How's the pain?" Dr. Shaw asked as he wandered into the kitchen twenty minutes later.
"Okay," James answered first, holding up his cast-covered wrist.
"Medication's helping," I said. "Want anything to eat?"
"Just coffee. I had breakfast earlier," he said, turning the coffee pod carousel and choosing the coffee he wanted.
"Coffee?" Maye walked in.
"Have a seat, I'll get it," Leo offered.
"You guys don't look so good," Maye said, nodding to us.
"You should see the other guys," Rafe grinned.
"Will we be sent after Nick?" Maye asked Auggie, her frustration over his absence evident in her voice and expression.
"I haven't gotten a call from the White House yet," August said. "This is a tough decision, Maye. Surely you realize that."
"I know. I just feel powerless and angry. Angry that Kevin and Ken are dead. Angry that Becker is more of an * than anybody suspected. That Gene is leading him down the wrong path. That Nick felt he had to take matters into his own hands."
"We all feel that way," Leo said. "It's understandable. Would you like an appointment this afternoon, so we can talk about it?"
"Yeah. Colonel Hunter, will you let me know the minute you get an answer from the President?" A silent plea clouded Maye's blue eyes as she blinked at August.
"I'll come to you first," he promised.
"Thank you."
Chapter 13
Corinne
We heard the helicopter approaching from a distance. I'm sure half the villa's population was staring out windows as the chopper landed on the helipad behind the house.
The Vice President and two guards stepped out of it and met August, Jeff, Leo and several others on the back patio. They were locked inside Auggie's office for an hour.
The Vice President flew away again after that. Then, the knock came on our door. James was outside when Rafe answered. "Colonel Hunter wants to see you in his office," he said. Rafe turned and motioned for me to follow.
*
"I've been named Director of the Program, or what's left of it," August announced when Rafe, Maye and I were called to his office for a short meeting. What he didn't say was that he'd be appointed Secretary of Defense in a few days, too, following Congressional approval.