I needed to come up with an idea, quickly. Two of my friends were in this hospital, barely hanging onto life. My team, and extra volunteers, were in a very dangerous position. More could be hurt, or even killed. Is it really worth it? This is not about some jewels, but about losing some sensitive information, military information perhaps, and a doctor working on some experiments that could be dangerous to a great many people. Maybe.

But how do we really know for sure what is going on? Is it worth getting people, perhaps quite a few people, on the team getting killed? This is not an easy decision. But I know what needs to be done. Then Saranna called me and asked me to come to Chung’s room quickly. That did not sound good. I went in, but Saranna kept Sky out. I touched his hand and he opened his eyes. I could see it in his eyes. We talked for about 5 minutes. Then he said “goodbye” weakly and closed his eyes, for good.

I was numb. I lost one of the best friends I ever had. Kat asked me to look after Chung if anything should happen to her. He was her family, even though they were not related. Chung had helped her a great deal. She loved him like he was her own father. I had promised that I would take care of him. No one would kill him with me still alive, though I did not say that part to her. But I was still alive, and Chung was not.

I had failed. Three times now. I failed to protect Kat. I failed to protect Jennifer. I failed to protect Chung. And Baldwin lay in another bed, clinging to life. He should not be there. He was not supposed to meet Chung at the airport, I was supposed to do that. Only Baldwin and I knew when Chung was coming back, no one else, not even Sky knew. But somehow the doctor knew.

There is only one person that could have given him that information. Baldwin. Yet not Baldwin himself. Baldwin has a bad habit of talking to himself. It would not be hard to listen at his office door to pick up information to sell. We regularly, though irregularly, check Baldwin’s office for listening devices. Even the cats help with that. We never found any in all those inspections. But, in the outer office is Baldwin’s secretary. She has been with Baldwin for years and he trusts her completely.

Sky does not, neither does Muffin. She could easily listen at his door and pick up sensitive information to sell. She will be stopped. I come out of the room. Sky could read it on my face. I put out my hand, she took it and we walked back to my room. First Saranna gave me a piece of paper with some info on it. I was still numb. I called Annelie and asked her to get Rock for me.

“Hi Steve, what is the news?” he asked. “Get out of there, and fast,” I said, “no questions, no arguments, just leave. When you are 15 minutes from the pickup location call for the choppers. When you have been in the air for 15 minutes, then call me.” “Got it Steve,” he said, “on the way.” “I will let you know why when you get here,” I told him. I then called Mandar, then our mystery visitor, to tell them of my decision.

“Good decision Steve,” said the mystery man, “so sorry to hear of Chung, I know how much he meant to you. If you need anything, just call me, anytime.” “Thank you,” I said, “do you still trust me?” “100%,” he said, “right from the beginning.” “Thanks,” I said, “I still think you are on the wrong side.” He just said that maybe I was right. Then Saranna called me. “Would you like me to take care of that phone call Steve?” she asked.

“No, that is my duty,” I said, “I failed to keep Chung safe, but I will not pass this off to anyone else. Chung was the only family she had, it will be hard for her.” I was still numb. But all was now quiet. I sat down and Sky sat on my lap. That is when it hit me and I fell apart, crying uncontrollably. Sky had her arm around me and her head on mine. No words spoken. Muffin woke up when she heard me crying and came over too.

Meow,meow?=My human Chung not here now? “No, he is not little one,” said Sky quietly, then she too began crying. Muffin lay down on the arm of the chair, with her head down, tears coming from her eyes too. After what seemed like hours, though it really was not, Rock finally called. “We are 15 minutes out,” he said. “Good, you will be brought directly to the hospital,” I told him. Then I made another call. “Okay, it is your turn,” I said, and hung up.

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.