Chapter Eighteen #2
“It’s just a means to an end, Naomi,” Liis said. “Make them understand. The better they cooperate, the quicker it will go. Just don’t veer away from what we’ve recommended.”
“What about detainment?” Naomi asked.
“Possible,” I said. “Standard, but also temporary. No one walks away from something like this without questions. But just remember, and tell your people, it doesn’t mean charges.”
She studied us for a second. “And you?”
“Our presence works to your benefit,” Liis said.
“We were already working the Carlisi case. We’ve been targeted by them before.
This doesn’t come in as a random militia incident; it translates as being tied to an active federal investigation.
That gives us a lane to frame what happened before someone else does. ”
“Frame?” she repeated.
“Control the narrative early,” I said. “This was a targeted attack. Organized. We were on site. You assisted in defense. That’s the version that sticks if we get it in first.”
Naomi’s jaw set, not tense but deep in thought. “And if someone decides they don’t like that version?”
“They’ll look for holes, of course,” I said. “Types of weapons used, how organized your people are, how this place is set up. They’ll ask if you were ready for this.”
“We were ready to defend ourselves. It’s our entire reason for existence,” she said.
“That’s the answer,” I said. “And it’s the only answer.”
She held my gaze. “So, you think we’re in the clear?”
“I think you’re on solid ground,” I said.
“You were attacked. You responded. You didn’t escalate past that.
You’ve had run-ins with federal government before, and not to their credit,” I said gesturing to Zeke.
“All of that with federal agents on-site points to the high likelihood of somewhat of a happy ending.”
“Is there a Plan B if they try to make an example of us?” she asked.
I waited a beat, carefully choosing my words.
“The rest is noise. Scrutiny. Questions. Headlines. Opinions. Congress getting face time on the networks. People will want to understand this; they may even demand consequences. It’ll take time, it’ll be uncomfortable.
But it’s a process, not a verdict. Your best course of action is to do what you’ve always done—lay low.
No interviews, no media access to the compound. ”
Naomi nodded once, slower this time. “So, you’re saying the AbrP won’t be effectively dismantled at dawn.”
“No,” I said. “It’s the beginning of a long process of the agencies sorting this out.”
She glanced toward the hall. “It’ll be a lesson in patience for the General.”
“I’ll walk him through it,” I said.
Naomi tested her balance before pushing to her feet, then gave a small, tired nod.
“We’ll handle it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to hit the rack for a few hours.
I’m responsible for planning the service for the men and women we lost.” Her eyes glossed over for a moment. “A send-off well earned.”
As she turned away, she allowed Zeke to help—something she wouldn’t have tolerated an hour ago—leaning into him as he murmured something low before kissing her cheek.
“Naomi?” I said, standing and waiting for her to face me.
She raised her eyebrows, the most she could manage with her adrenaline spent and her body screaming for rest so it could heal.
“I’m sorry to keep you, but you lost good people tonight—your people—to protect my family. I don’t know if saying thank you means anything after that… but thank you.”
Zeke offered an appreciative grin. One corner of Naomi’s mouth turned up, a single tear falling down her cheek. “We did. But they died doing what they loved. And we’re going to honor them for it.” She held my gaze for a second longer, then turned with Zeke to slowly make their way home.
After that, it was quiet again, each tick of the clock above us thinning our patience, the silence between us the only way to keep our fears and frustrations muzzled.
After another half hour, there was something happening beyond the wall, movement and voices, then a moment later the waiting room doors opened.
Dr. Frances stepped out, pulling off his surgical cap. “Bodhi is in recovery,” he said, tension absent from his expression.
Olive was on her feet before he finished. “How is he?”
“He’s a tough kid. He tolerated the surgery better than I expected.”
“What about his arm?” Olive blurted out, then faltered. “It’s just that he… he plays basketball for George Mason and”—she exhaled, shoulders lifting in a small shrug—“he loves it so much. I just… I need to tell him he’ll play again.”
Dr. Frances listened, giving her his full attention, then waited a beat before answering. “Bodhi took a round high through the shoulder. It wasn’t a clean pass-through—the bullet fragmented on entry. We went in, removed what remained, and cleared out the damaged tissue.”
Olive swallowed and reached back for Trenton, somehow knowing he was there. He stepped in without hesitation, taking her hand in both of his.
“The good news is that we were able to preserve function,” the doctor continued. “The bullet missed the joint and the major structural components. No direct damage to the humeral head, and the rotator cuff is intact. All very good news, and that gives him a great chance.”
“What’s the bad news?” Olive asked, fidgeting with her free hand.
“He lost a significant amount of blood. Nearly two liters by the time he reached us. We transfused four units during surgery and he responded well, but I’ll be frank. He’s extremely lucky he arrived when he did.”
Olive glanced to Liis and me and offered a small smile of pure appreciation.
“There was vascular damage,” Dr. Frances went on.
“Smaller vessels, nothing catastrophic, but enough to accelerate the bleeding. We repaired what we could and controlled the rest. The wound’s been cleaned thoroughly.
Infection is still a concern, but we’re ahead of it with intravenous antibiotics and will continue that protocol for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. ”
Olive swallowed. “So, what happens now?”
“He heals,” Dr. Frances answered simply. “He’ll be immobilized at first. After that, he’ll begin controlled movement, then rehabilitation. The shoulder is complex. Even when the major structures are spared, recovery takes time.”
Liis leaned forward slightly. “And long-term?”
Dr. Frances nodded to her, then turned his attention back to Olive. “If he follows the plan—strictly—he has a real chance of returning to full activity. Not this season. But next? I’d say his odds are better than most.”
Olive blinked, then heaved a heavy sigh. “Oh my God. He’s really going to be okay?”
“He is,” the doctor said. “Range of motion, strength, stability—he can rebuild all of it. But it’s going to take time. He’ll need a strong support system. Ten to twelve months, depending on how he heals and how disciplined he is with therapy.”
Olive nodded quickly. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t miss a thing. Can I see him?”
“Soon,” Dr. Francis said. “One or two at a time. He’ll be groggy, but he’ll know you’re there.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I have another case waiting. A nurse will come get you when Bodhi is ready for visitors.”
Olive pulled Trenton to her, then buried her face in his chest, squeezing him tight.
“He’s good, Ew,” Trenton said, his hand on the back of her hair. “He’s going to be just fine.”
She pulled back, raising her shoulder to wipe her tears with her sleeve, then scanned each of our faces, beaming. After a moment, her gaze settled on Liis and me. “You saved his life.”
“Oh. I…” I began to protest.
“Shut up,” she said with a small laugh, then threw her arms around us. “Thank you. So much. For everything.”
I cleared my throat, feeling my eyes sting. “We should, uh… we should go check on Stella.”
Liis rubbed my arm with a sympathetic grin. “It’s been a long day, Uncle Tommy.”
“Yeah,” I said with a tired laugh. “I need sleep. Trent? You good to stay with her?” I asked, looking to him for confirmation.
“I’ll be here for as long as she needs,” Trenton said without hesitation.
I turned to leave, but he stopped me.
“Hey,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I just wanted to say… thanks, big brother.”
“Yeah,” I said with a single nod, fighting back tears as if my life depended on it.
“Let’s go hug our little girl,” Liis said, holding my arms with both hands as we walked.