Deadrise 2: Deadwar by Steven R. Gardner Read Free Book Online Page B

murderers.
    “How is he?” she asked, determined not to be deterred by his masculine arrogance.
    “Doc Reilly and Doc Norris are still in surgery with him.” Lt. Larsen said. The big man stroked his fingers through his beard, a troubled look on his face. “I’m going back into the observation room.” Lt. Larsen passed through a large steel door, out of sight.
    “I’m going to join him.” Captain Turner said. He had heard the scuttlebutt among the troops that the General and the Councilwoman had a thing for one another. There was no evidence of them fucking, but Turner wasn’t going to be there to interfere in any chemistry that might develop between them. Without another word he followed Lt. Larsen into the observation room.
Jenkins took a seat in one of the chairs against the wall, and he motioned for Patty to do the same.
“What is the injured soldiers name?” Patty asked.
“Potter. Private Brad Potter. He’s only twenty six years old.”
“Does he have family?”
    “None. He arrived here at the Lake alone.” They were both silent for several long moments. “All the better I guess. That way there won’t be a screaming widow or orphaned children when he dies.”
    Jenkins callous acceptance of Pvt. Potter's assured death angered her. “Don’t you mean if he dies?” Patty asked hotly.
    “Whatever...” Jenkins leaned back and closed his eyes. Patty could feel the pain in him. Despite his macho blustering, he still cared. A man under his command was down, possibly dying. Patty suddenly felt ashamed at her anger.
    “I’m sorry, General.” she spoke softly, gently taking one of his hands in her own. He opened his eyes, hazel, flecked with red, and met her own.
    “Please, call me Blake.” The hard, cynical edge had disappeared from his voice, replaced with warmth that she had never heard from him before. She felt something pass between them just then, and in an instant she was sexually aroused. She was shocked at such uncontrolled behavior. But should she be? She had been divorced for five years, and in that time she had taken one lover. They had shared one encounter, and it had been awkward and uncomfortable.
    “Blake…I…” She began, her stomach a knot a fluttering emotions. She felt open and vulnerable, yet she knew they had started down a path that both of them wanted to continue. But at that moment the door to the observation room opened and out came Lt. Larsen and Captain Turner. Jenkins rose to his feet, giving her hand on final squeeze before letting it go.
    “What’s his condition?” Jenkins voice had hardened. Any sign of the weakness he had shown her was gone.
    “They just finished up surgery. Doc Reilly says he’s lost a lot of blood and not out of the woods yet, but he should survive.” Lt. Larsen spoke with obvious relief.
    “ Should survive?”
“That’s a lot better than won’t survive.” Patty said, rising to her feet beside him.
“General? With your permission I’d like to go spread the good news."
“Dismissed, Lieutenant.” Jenkins said with a nod. Lt. Larsen exited the lobby, headed for the main door. “Captain Turner?”
“Yes sir?”
“I want you to wait here and get a full report from Doc Reilly. Then report back to me. Understood?”
“Yes sir.”
Jenkins looked to Patty. “Ms. Marshall, if you will excuse me. I have a raid to plan.”
    “Of course, General.” She held his eyes for a long moment, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. Just before their gaze broke, the Generals demeanor softened, and a hint of a smile touched his own face. Then he turned and strode out of the lobby.
    Patty watched him go, her mind wrestling with this new complication. Jenkins was an asshole. He was arrogant, cynical and believed most problems in life could be solved by pointing a gun at someone. He was exactly the sort of crude, chauvinistic, testosterone fueled bastard that she had married, and subsequently come to despise in her former life. But now that the world