A Merciful Promise (Mercy Kilpatrick #6)(23)

The syringes that the ATF agent had casually tossed aside while sorting her medical supplies, and Mercy had grabbed back. Eddie’s lifesavers.

Pete moved behind his desk and stood silently watching her. Her heart pounding, Mercy surveyed the items and then met his gaze.

“I’ve learned from Vera that Advil is frowned upon,” she stated. “Is that the problem?”

Pete lowered his gaze to the items on his desk. “I see a lot of problems here.”

Mercy tilted her head. “I guess it could look that way to you. To me these are smart items to always have on hand.” She paused. “Is the Leatherman considered a weapon?”

She’d known there were strict rules about weapons, but she’d never mentally classified the tool as a weapon.

“It has two sharp blades, so yes.”

“I can see how it looks that way. I backpack a lot,” she lied. “It’s an important tool for me, but I guess I won’t have much use for it here.”

Pete picked up the sealed XStat packet. “I’ve heard of these but never seen them before. I find it odd that someone would carry them, even if you are a nurse.”

Mercy would never be without one. A small quiver shot up her spine, and she fought to calm her breathing. Keep the lie as close to the truth as possible.

She looked away from Pete and gnawed on her lower lip. “I came across a hunting accident while backpacking one time. I didn’t know the man—but I could have saved his life if I’d had one of those with me.” She raised her eyes to meet Pete’s gaze. “I told myself I’d never be caught without one again.” She sucked in a quivering breath.

Pete stared at her for a long moment. “Are you often in the position where the people around you are shot?”

Yes. “No—but carrying this makes me feel as if I have my bases covered. I’m a nurse, and I wasn’t adequately prepared.”

“You can’t save everyone.”

“I do my best to try.”

He studied the XStat package. “I’ll add it to our medical supplies, so it will be available. Same with your other medical items. The Leatherman will be confiscated.”

“Understood.”

He moved her collection to the top of a bookcase behind him, and a sense of loss swamped Mercy. She wanted her things. She needed to physically touch them. She frequently inventoried her GOOD bag and medical kit, knowing full well they were completely stocked; the action of touching and seeing her supplies calmed her.

Now she felt twitchy.

“Sir, I’d like to view your medical supplies. It would help to know what the camp has on hand.”

“Only the quartermaster is allowed in the supply depot.”

Mercy tried again. “Don’t you think the medical supplies should be more readily accessible to a professional? You suggested I might oversee health care here. The first thing I would recommend is making those supplies available to the person who knows how to use them.”

Pete was silent.

“If I have a person going into anaphylaxis because he was stung by a bee, there won’t be time to requisition a dose of epi from the quartermaster before the victim’s throat closes up—and that’s assuming the epi on hand hasn’t expired.”

“Are you always this aggressive?” His voice was tight and controlled.

A loaded question.

She had seen how women were perceived in Pete’s camp. A smart person would duck her head and keep her mouth shut. Mercy didn’t feel accommodating.

“A man with an accidental gunshot died in front of me. I wasn’t prepared. I can help make your emergency care the best it can be. Accidents happen in rustic locations like yours. To me, being prepared for them is worth fighting for.”

The silence in the room was suffocating.

Mercy had dropped eye contact after her bold statement, waiting for his judgment. He’d either assign her to clean the toilets or he’d see the logic.

She was betting he was a logical man.

“Did you know we have a pregnant woman?”

Her gaze flew to his. “Yes. Cindy. Very pregnant.”

“Can you handle a birth?”

I don’t want to.

“I’ve never attended a birth, and I have absolutely no confidence in handling a delivery that develops issues. A million things can go wrong.” Mercy pictured the exhausted woman. “She needs to see a doctor. Her blood sugar should have been tested, and her blood pressure needs to be monitored. These don’t sound important, but they can reveal hidden deadly problems for the mother or baby.”

His lips twisted up on one side. “You sound like you’d rather handle a gunshot wound than a birth.”

Mercy thought for a long second. “I would,” she admitted.

Pete rubbed his forehead. “I’ll think some more on the pregnancy, and I’ll have the quartermaster pull all the medical supplies, but I’ll decide where they should be kept.” His eyes grew stern. “I expect economy with the supplies.”

“That’s the only way I operate.” Pride filled her. She’d gotten through to the commander on her first day here. Maybe he’s not so bad.

“You can go.” He waved a hand at the door.

Mercy turned away.

Guns. I’m supposed to uncover missing guns and the plan to hurt the ATF.