Cloud Rebel (R-D #3)(43)
Katya was pleased to be reunited with her friends, and I hoped she—and they—could reel Sergei in if Finch threatened in any way.
I considered contacting Colonel Hunter to describe the potentially volatile situation, but held off. The weather promised to clear the following day, so an outing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion could serve to calm Finch down.
"Papa?" Katya placed a cup of hot coffee in my hands.
"Thank you," I gave her a smile.
"I didn't know it would feel so uncomfortable here," she whispered as she leaned her head on my shoulder.
"When Corinne comes back to us, things will be better," I soothed.
"I hope that's true," she agreed. "And I hope it happens soon."
*
Corinne
"Dearest, Father has sent information while you slept," Val woke me with his words and a kiss.
"What?" I mumbled, still half asleep.
"He says that present day, which is his past as you know, Norian Keef, Lendill Schaff and one other have embarked for Earth. They will arrive in three days."
"Perfect news to wake to," I sighed.
"Sarcasm?"
"You know it."
"Are you ready to face the others?"
"I suppose."
"They feel your absence," he kissed my forehead.
"I hope that's all they feel. I don't need or want murderous attacks."
"Come, I believe there is coffee if you want it."
"My hair's a mess," I complained. I'm sure Val recognized my words for what they were—a stalling tactic.
"I will take care of your appearance if you wish," he said. "Rise with me, my darling, and we will go out to the others."
I went, but I wasn't happy about it. The impending visit by Norian Keef didn't sit well, either. For me, that was the icing, which would land on the snow-covered cake in our part of Canada.
I swear I felt cold, even with Val providing a constant balloon of warm air around me. When I walked into the kitchen with Val, I could see and feel the tension gathering.
Leo was still with Auggie and Matt, so he couldn't help calm the emotional waves emanating from everybody. Poor Bekzi and Gerrett were making sandwiches and coffee for everyone while both shook their head at the state of things.
Well, f*ck.
"Everybody, listen up," I announced our presence, which until then had gone unremarked. "If you can't get along, then go sit in the corner. If you can't get along and don't go to a corner, then I'll put you in one. We have bigger fish to fry than dealing with pettiness and jealousy, right now. The Director of the ASD will be here in three days, looking to avenge those ass-hats we offed in Oklahoma. We have to stand together and make sure nobody dies, okay? It's important for the future."
"What the hell would you know," Finch snarled.
I didn't have to put him in a corner—Val did it for me. He was forced to sit there, his nose in a small circle and unable to move it, for half an hour. I hoped he was a good boy after that, because Val had lost patience with him.
*
Notes—Colonel Hunter
"I have a ride back to D.C. arranged for you and Dr. Shaw," James informed me over the phone. "Matt, too, if he wants it. A jet is waiting at Tinker AFB for you."
Tinker was located in Midwest City, a suburb of Oklahoma City. It would take roughly an hour to get there from Cordell, with smooth traffic. I considered calling Corinne, then thought better of it.
The bodies of the two beheaded ASD agents had been taken away at Matt's orders; they'd be examined at a facility located south of Atlanta. The others—all locals—had already been sent to a facility in Oklahoma City. Most of them bore burns on their bodies. I wanted to curse for the hundredth time at the dead Elemaiya who'd killed innocents. Those four may as well have declared war on us the moment they arrived in the Oval Office.
I blew out a breath—Madam President was waiting to be briefed on the incident, and I wasn't looking forward to giving the information to her. The locals were already gossiping that this was a terrorist act and frankly, I couldn't say they were wrong.
"Meeting tomorrow with the President," Matt said when he ended the call on his cell phone. "You got us a ride?"
"Yeah. We just have to get to Oklahoma City, first."
"No problem; Winkler sent a car and driver," he said. "Grab Shaw and let's get on the road. Oklahoma gives me the fidgets."
*
Corinne
"You think they'll sneak out of bed and cause trouble?" I asked Val. It was late and the others had gone to bed.
"I say they will," Rafe walked in, a bottle of imported beer in his hand.
I went still. I hadn't expected him to still be up.
"Cabbage, it's all right," he held up a hand. "Keep a shield about yourself if you want—I can sense it from here. I believe Nefrigar has done more for me than I may have imagined—I only wish to touch you, now."
To tell you how much I love you. And how I've missed you, he added in mindspeech.
"I think I'll have to get used to that," I held up a hand. I could see how much my words and gesture upset him. I was upset, too, but I didn't say it.