The Last Hour (Thompson Sisters), Sheehan-Miles, Charles [reading an ebook .txt] 📗

out of the bed and hunted around the dim room. My panties were on one of the nightstands. I had no idea how they got there, but I slipped them on and tiptoed toward the bathroom.

Then I had second thoughts. I loved Ray ... everything about him. Everything. But that didn’t mean it was a good idea to surprise him in the dark. So I intentionally bumped into the dresser so he’d hear me coming and walked normally into the bathroom.

He wore nothing but boxers and the t-shirt, and in about three seconds it was clear he was very happy to see me. He pulled me into his arms, hands running down my back, my butt, and whispered, “Now I’ve got you all to myself.”

I whispered back, “You will after I’m finished in here.”

He chuckled and said, “I’ll be waiting,” then stepped out of the bathroom.

Unlike Ray, I’ve got privacy needs. I shut the door and took care of what I needed to. A few minutes later, as I opened the bathroom door, we heard a loud knock. On the hotel room door.

I answered immediately, calling through the door, “We don’t need service today, thanks!” then started to walk away from the door.

Ray gave me a smile and said, “We should put out the do not disturb sign. I don’t think we should go anywhere today.”

I started to answer. But then a voice called through the door, “Sergeant Ray Sherman, Miss Thompson ... open up!”

I froze in place. That wasn’t the maid service.

“The fuck?” Ray said.

“Hold on a minute,” I called, my voice trembling.

Silently, in a rush, we both threw on clothing from the night before. Ray went to the door and looked through the peephole, and then he let out a curse and opened it.

Outside were our two favorite people. Major Janice Smalls ... this time in uniform, and Jared Coombs.

“What the hell do you want?” Ray said, his voice high-pitched, tense. “It’s New Year’s Day, in case you hadn’t noticed.

“May we come in?” Major Smalls said.

“Hell no! Why don’t you call and make an appointment?”

Coombs, in a threatening voice, said, “You can make this a lot easier on yourself, Sergeant. Let us in.”

Ray was so angry he was shaking, the huge muscles in his shoulders and biceps literally trembling, and I reached out and took his arm. I was afraid. I was afraid he was about to do something stupid, something that would get him in deep trouble. In as gentle a voice as possible, I said, “Ray ... stay calm, okay? Let’s let them in and hear them out. I’m sure there’s some kind of explanation for this.”

His brow was drawn down, eyebrows bunched together, glaring at the two visitors. Finally, he sagged, the tension releasing suddenly, and he said, “Fine. Say what you’ve got to say. But I want you gone in five minutes.”

He pulled away from me, walking to the opposite side of the room, and yanked the curtains open, letting the daylight in. My eyes glanced to the clock. It was twelve-thirty in the afternoon.

I stepped to the side, and followed the two federal agents into the room, then realized I’d made a mistake. I didn’t want them in between me and Ray, so I pointedly pushed past Major Smalls, walked to Ray, and took his hand.

Major Smalls shook her head then said, “I’m sorry to do this, Sergeant. But I’ve not been given any choice.” She set her briefcase on the bed, opened it up, and handed a brown manila envelope to Ray.

He muttered and tore it open. Inside was one page. As he read it, his brow furrowed, the rage reappearing on his face. Then he passed it to me, and said to Smalls, “Am I under arrest then?”

I glanced down at the page. It appeared to be a faxed message, which had been sent at 5:00 a.m. this morning. Full of military jargon, but the meaning was clear. “You are hereby ordered to report for a period of active duty service for a period to be determined at the convenience of the government. You will report no later than 2400 hours, 2013 JAN 1 to HHC US Army Criminal Investigation Command, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.”

He was being ordered back to active duty. Immediately.

“No,” Major Smalls said. “You’re not under arrest. But I am taking you under my command, and we’re going to Fort Myer today.”

“Why are you doing this, Major? I don’t understand why I’m being treated like a criminal.”

She frowned. “Sergeant, this is for your own protection. Some of the former members of your platoon are going to be very upset about these charges. My utmost concern is for your safety.”

“And my ability to testify.”

She gave him a grim smile. “That too.”

Ray was still shaking. He said, “How far is this going to go?”

She raised her eyebrows. “As far as it needs to, Sergeant.”

He turned away from her, away from me, and faced the wall. He was still breathing heavily, his shoulders rising slightly up and down, the anger almost palpable. Finally he turned around and said, “Let’s go then. Let me get my stuff together.”

I couldn’t stop myself. I gasped. I knew he didn’t have any choice. I knew he had to go, and if he didn’t pay attention to those orders, they would simply arrest him. But at the same time, it was as if they’d opened up a black hole under my feet, ripping away what little firmament I had.

Ray turned to me and pulled me into a fierce embrace, his arms wrapped around my waist, and he whispered, “I promise. Nothing will happen. I’ll be there,” he said.

“Forever,” I whispered, trying not to break into tears.

“Forever,” he whispered back.

“I’ll find a lawyer. I’ll talk to my dad about it today. He knows people, okay? And I’ll be down there in a day or two.” I was talking practicalities, but what I wanted to do was fall apart. I hated that my voice was cracking, that tears