“How can you say that? You wanted to have me banned from Nirvana.”
“A lot has happened between then and now.”
“And that makes a difference?”
“Yes, it does.”
“Bullshit.”
“Look, I’ve been doing this a long time. All you need to do is stop dwelling on the fear and put on your big girl pants. You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out. The people of Nirvana need a strong, confident leader.”
“See, that’s the problem. I’m not that person.”
“Of course you are. You’re one of the strongest people I know, even though you can be a little snot sometimes, and a bit selfish.”
“Not exactly the qualities of a great leader, now are they?”
“But you have the kind of bravery that most only dream of.”
Summer pinched her eyes and didn’t respond. The comment caught her off guard, especially coming from her number one nemesis. It was tough to accept that an enemy could turn it all around in an instant like Krista had done.
Krista continued. “How many times have you gone out there, unarmed and alone, and run into trouble?”
Summer shrugged, running a quick count in her head. The number was larger than she cared to admit. “I don’t know, kind of lost track.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. Going out there, mission after mission, knowing that you’ll probably end up risking your life for nothing more than a can of soup.”
“Actually, it was two cans of soup.”
“Exactly. That takes a special kind of bravery. The kind that makes a great leader. One who’s willing to put her ass on the line for others.”
“I guess I never looked at it that way.”
“Like I said before, you can do this. Just give yourself time to settle in and get a handle on things.”
Summer took in another breath, but didn’t respond.
“If we change things up again now, this place will fall apart. People need consistency, Summer, even in the face of tragedy. Trust me. I’ve got your back, no matter what happens. But you need to step up. I can’t do that for you.”
Summer paused, feeling some of the tension in her chest fade. “Okay, I’ll try.”
“The number one thing is you can never let anyone see that you’re the least bit hesitant. They have to know you’re in charge, every step of the way. Can you do that? Please? For everyone’s sake, especially the kids.”
Summer nodded, though her heart wanted her to run to the surface and go hide in her favorite bookstore across the No-Go Zone. “I’ll do my best.”
“Everyone around here knows that you and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but deep down, I know you can do this. You have to. You just need to believe in yourself. Like I do.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“If they see us standing side by side as a team, in total agreement, they will believe in us. And that’s what matters. They must trust us and know we will keep them safe, no matter what.”
“You’re right. A united front type thing.”
“Precisely.”
“Okay. I can do this. I think.”
“Oh, and while I’m gone, you need to go have a talk with Liz.”
“About what?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. But it’s important. She’s been waiting to speak to you ever since we got back.”
Summer didn’t like the tone of those comments, but she wasn’t about to show it. Not after Krista’s speech about stepping up. “Sure, I’ll head to medical next.”
“Actually, she’s in the brig.”
“Patching up the prisoners?”
Krista nodded. “You also need to get your speech ready. It’s time to bring everyone up to speed. I’m sure the rumor mill is working overtime. The citizens of Nirvana will need answers.”
“All right. I’ll work on it. When do you think you’ll be back?”
“Not sure. Depends on how well the tracks hold up. The wind is whipping around pretty good out there.”
“Okay, but be extra careful. I need you back here in one piece. I can’t do this alone.”
“I will. That’s my job,” Krista said. “So now I have to ask the hard question. What if the fugitive won’t come in peacefully? What am I authorized to do?”
Summer thought about it for a moment, then felt a sudden rush of confidence as the answer became clear in her mind. “Put her down. Our people come first. We can’t let Fletcher get his hands on her.”
“Now that’s the mark of a good leader. Making the tough decisions. Most could never do that.”
Summer nodded. She was starting to believe.
Krista continued. “You just need to accept your new role and grab it with both hands.”
Summer smiled, appreciating the woman’s support. “Maybe you should think about taking Horton along, like he suggested. If Helena really does trust him—”
“Already ahead of you. Decided that ten minutes ago.”
“Good, do whatever it takes to complete the mission,” Summer said as the pain in her chest vanished.
“Roger that, boss.”
CHAPTER 12
Dice waited to speak until Fletcher was done stuffing a high-capacity magazine with three more 7.62 caliber bullets, clicking the rounds in one at a time with a press of his thumb. “Finished our search, sir.”
Fletcher spun the magazine around in his hand and put it on top of another six that Dice assumed he’d already checked.
His boss then picked up a fixed-blade knife from the table and stuck it into a sheath next to it. There were three more Ka-bars like it sitting side-by-side, each nestled into their sheaths as well. “It better be good news.”
“It’s not.”
“Damn it! Doc has to be here, somewhere. Did you check his quarters?”
“Just came from there. Nobody has seen him since about the time we went to the monthly meet.”
“Is he AWOL or did something happen to him?”
“AWOL, most likely. His travel pack is missing and so is his fedora.”
Fletcher nodded as if he expected that answer. “He never goes anywhere without that stupid thing.”
“Found some empty hangers in his closet. Must have slipped out while we were away.”
“Slipped out to where?”
Dice shrugged, wishing he had better intel. “Good question. It’s not like he can survive out there on his own.”
“Hell, he can barely survive in here.”
Dice laughed, but didn’t respond.
Fletcher shook his head, his lips in a thin line. “What the hell was he thinking?”
Dice took that question as rhetorical, deciding to deliver the next bit of news instead. “Armory reports a handgun is missing. Plus a box of hollow points.”
“Lipton?”
“That’s my guess. Though I’m not sure he knows how to shoot.”
“What about the refinery? And the vehicle mods?”
“Jeeps are done, but the refinery is still offline.”
“Shit.”
“Do you think that’s why he took off?”
“To avoid fixing it?”
Dice raised an eyebrow. “Or because he couldn’t fix it. He had to know Frost wouldn’t have put up with any more delays.”
“That would explain his sudden disappearance.”
Dice agreed. “He certainly was acting a little more squirrely than normal right before we left. He must have been planning his exit for a while.”
Fletcher shook his head, looking as though he was ready to pummel someone. “That’s why the threat of a knife is the wrong motivator, Dice.”
“Couldn’t agree more, boss.”
“Men make mistakes. There has to be some leeway on occasion. Otherwise, this shit happens.”
“Plus, Frost hated that guy,” Dice said.
Fletcher smirked. “Who didn’t?”
“I’m sure Lipton thought his days were numbered either way.”