Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Foster hated that so many officers had shown up for this meeting.
It was like they wanted a piece of Pen so they could gain bonus points when promotions were given out.
He got that they wanted to show off or something like that, but they weren’t helping Pen feel comfortable.
He saw her flinch every time they addressed her by her last name.
“Miss Warner, we hope that the information you have to give will benefit us greatly.”
Flinch.
“Miss Warner, your experience will help us in the end.”
Flinch.
“Miss Warner, thank you for coming in.”
Foster wanted to tell the officers to go to hell, but that wouldn’t help anyone involved.
He hoped Pen could relax before they started questioning her.
There were times he thought the structure of the military harmed their objectives rather than helped.
Some people in the officer’s ranks didn’t have enough sense to not make a mess of everything.
Finally, they were winding down, and the lieutenant Pen didn’t like was trying to weasel his way into questioning her. There wasn’t any way she would talk to that guy. He was about as aware of circumstances surrounding him as a sack of dog shit.
If he let the jerk get Pen in a room alone, it would be a problem. He had to say something to stop the guy from cornering her.
He stepped forward, interrupting the lieutenant. “Pen has asked to be questioned by people she knows. She wants Kevlar, Smiley, Flash and me.”
The lieutenant looked like he was about to throw a fit when one of the colonels intervened. “Yes, I think she should talk to people she trusts. This isn’t an interrogation, it’s a conversation. Whatever she can remember will help us all. Let’s do what we can to make her comfortable.”
Wave moved closer and nodded. Foster had thought they would have trouble with Wave wanting to speed up the process and get Pen talking quickly. He’d been good, hanging back today, not pushing. Foster wondered if part of the reason Wave was holding back was because he would be leaving soon.
Most of the officers filtered out, going to their offices to shuffle paperwork. Pen looked more at ease. When the lieutenant left the room, she seemed to breathe easier. What was it about that man that set her off? He didn’t have time to look into it now.
“So, are you okay if all of us stay in the room?” Kevlar asked her.
Pen glanced around at everyone remaining. “I think so. I don’t know everyone’s name.”
“We’ll go around and introduce ourselves,” Foster said.
“Okay.” Pen sounded uneasy as she looked at each man, studying them intently. Then she nodded. “Yes, I don’t have any unsettling feelings with you all. You can stay.”
Foster wanted to know what she was looking for in each person. If he knew, he might be able to help her by seeing potential problems in people. Maybe it wasn’t something specific, just a look or the way the person held themselves.
Kevlar took the lead, and Foster was glad he was willing to do so. “We want to hear any information you have on Kaya, no matter how small you think it is.”
Pen nodded, her eyes focusing on the table in front of her.
“Okay, so I don’t know much. If this is a waste of your time, I’m sorry.
Let me think. He likes wine. Not just any wine, but Rioja and Super Tuscans.
Not a particular vineyard, that’s just what he always drank.
He also does a lot of cocaine. But I don’t know if that helps.
” She got a far off look on her face and she started shaking her head.
“He forced me to watch football with him. Not American football, but what he called real football. His favorite team was Galatasaray. He said he’d been watching them since he was a kid. ”
The air seemed to thin out as Pen talked. Had she just given them the area where he grew up? Kaya had liked Galatasaray since he was a kid. That had to mean something.
Pen talked and talked, staring at a spot on the table. No one interrupted her, and after a long while, she started feeling self-conscious. She trailed off, worried that she’d said too much.
Her throat was sore, and she felt a little dizzy. Were they unhappy with the information she’d given them?
Foster stood. “How about a break? Pen, we can get you some water, maybe some more food.”
“Any hot tea? My throat is sore.”
“Sure, we’ll find something.”
“Hot tea with lemon and honey,” Bang said. “It helps with throats that are sore from talking.”
Pen nodded. “Thank you. That would be good.”
Foster waited for her to stand and then led her out of the room. She worried that she hadn’t given them any good information, but when she glanced to Foster, he looked like he was in awe of her.
“What?” she asked, feeling very self-conscious
His lips tipped up in a smile. “That information was great. I’m sure the guys will have questions. They’ll probably want to talk to you again in a few days.”
A funny feeling slid through her. “I’m surprised. I didn’t think I was giving any good information.”
“You told us things we didn’t know, personal things. Like the fact he owns a flat in Paris. No one knew that little tidbit. That means he travels to Paris.”
She shrugged. “I don’t think he ever took me there. I just heard about it one evening.”
“He probably didn’t take you there. Paris would be tricky. We are going to find him and take him down. He’s done too many bad things.”
Someone came over and handed her a cup of hot tea. She took a sip, grateful for the honey they’d added to the tea. It had been ages since she’d talked so much. They wanted to ask her more questions, but did she have more to tell?
She went through her memories, trying to remember everything. There were times she’d been in pain and not aware of what was going on around her, but one memory played at the back of her mind, teasing her with flashes that wouldn’t quite form fully.
“There’s something I’m trying to remember, but I can’t get it all together.”
Kevlar and Flash had wandered closer and when she spoke, they stepped over.
“I know people have thoughts about hypnotism, but would you consider it?” Kevlar asked.
“It could be useful in getting you relaxed enough for the memory to form fully,” Foster said.
She narrowed her eyes as she stared at them. “You don’t think it’s weird?”
“It’s a relaxation technique. Nothing more.”
Maybe it was a good idea. “I guess it would be good. Who would do it?”
“A psychologist we work with. She’s good, and she would make sure you’re safe.”
“I want to remember. I can feel it itching the back of my brain. Maybe it’s not important.”
“We’ll set it up for tomorrow or the next day,” Kevlar said.
They stepped away, and she moved closer to the wall to lean against it. This was the longest she’d stood since getting free. She was getting used to stretching out again. Standing straight felt like a luxury but also was painful if she stood for too long.
“How about we go back in and sit,” Foster said.
“Sure. Thank you.”
“I guess you’ll be starting PT in a few days.”
She shrugged. “I think so. The doctor gave me a list of exercises and stretches. I’ve been doing them, but sometimes I don’t want to. She said the physical therapist would give me additional information, though I’m not sure how many sessions I’ll be able to afford.”
“Don’t worry about that right now. We’ll figure something out.”
She had no clue how she would figure anything out. “I still don’t know what I’m going to do.”
“I’ve sent an email to a friend who can track down any bank accounts left open in your name.”
“Really? Someone can do that?”
“Yes, I’ll tell you about him later. He and his wife work together on things like this.”
“Oh. That’s interesting.”
“He’s good. If there’s any money or anything that will help you, he’ll find it.”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what would be left of hers. If her father had the resources, he would have stolen every penny she had. She hoped the banks hadn’t given him access to her savings. She didn’t have much money in her account, but any amount would help.
It surprised her that these people were willing to help her. Her own family had turned on her, and these people were out here trying to make her life better. Maybe they just wanted information and then they’d kick her to the curb, or maybe they would help her get back on her feet.
Foster slid into the seat next to her. His shoulder brushed against hers, sending a shiver straight through her. She had to stuff down the feelings running through her. The last thing she wanted was one of these men thinking she was hitting on Foster.
There was no way he had feelings for her.
It would be too much to hope for. One thing she’d learned over the last year was hope was a dangerous emotion.
She needed to watch her feelings and thoughts.
One wrong move could destroy everything, and she couldn’t live through another terrible season in her life.