so loopy she couldn’t distinguish a dream from reality. And if Gavin decided to walk down and pay her a visit, she sure didn’t want him seeing them.
Why it mattered, she couldn’t say. It just did.
Gavin followed Caden into the den and took a seat on the couch. “How’s she doing?” He finally asked the question that had been burning a hole in his brain since he’d followed her and Caden home from the hospital three days ago.
“She’s healing. And she’s struggling,” Caden said.
“With?”
“A lot of things. We had a long chat and she told me what our father did.” He shook his head. “He really got her discharged on ODPMC? Saying the PTSD makes her a danger to herself and possibly to others?”
Gavin nodded. “Yeah, she wasn’t too happy about that.”
“That’s an understatement. She’s mad as fire and plans to fight him—even said something about suing him and the diagnosing psychiatrist.”
“Suing?”
“Libel. HIPAA violations, malpractice. She’s still thinking.” He paused. “I wouldn’t say this in front of her, but I understand my father’s actions on a certain level. He’s a dictator for sure, but what Sarah doesn’t understand is that he really loves her and I know he just wants to keep her safe.” Gavin narrowed his eyes and Caden held up a hand. “However, I’ll be the first to admit that wasn’t his call to make. If she finds out he’s hired you to be security for her, she’ll send you packing.”
“I know.” Gavin sat forward with his elbows on his thighs, hands clasped between his knees. “But I’m surprised you know. The general said he wasn’t going to tell you about any of it.”
Caden let out a laugh that sounded more like a snort. “I’m surprised he thought he could keep it from me. He finally confided in me three days ago when I questioned the security around my home and at Dustin’s funeral. He muttered something about incompetents and fessed up.” Caden shook his head. “He’s been getting threats for his stance on the war in the Middle East and the attack he ordered on a terrorist. The man’s wife, three young children, parents, brother, and two sisters were hit. It was thought it had taken him out as well, but . . . apparently, it didn’t.”
“And he’s vowed revenge.”
“Exactly.”
“I know this terrorist,” Gavin said. “Know him better than I’d like to admit.”
Caden studied him with sudden realization. “You were a part of the strike.”
“I was.” He’d been so much more than that, but he’d let that explanation suffice for now.
A short huff escaped Caden. “The general didn’t tell me that part, but it explains why he wants you as security for Sarah. You know the man and how he works.”
“I do.” Boy, did he ever.
Caden raked a hand over his head. “Sarah wonders if someone got to Dustin. I wonder what the general thinks.”
Gavin nodded. “When I talked to him, he was certain it was suicide.”
“I know. It was. I watched the security footage. He just walked over to the edge and jumped. Didn’t even hesitate like he was having second thoughts.” He swallowed for a moment and closed his eyes. When he opened them, the raw grief sliced at Gavin’s heart. “But . . .” Caden sighed. “I told the general about Dustin’s mood and everything he’d accomplished during his stay in the hospital. He was doing so well. The general finally confessed to the threats. He also admitted that while he knows what the security footage shows, he keeps wondering if the two—the threats and Dustin’s death—are somehow related. That Dustin was set up or there’s something missing from the security footage and Dustin didn’t really jump. Or . . . something. Then he shakes his head and decides that’s impossible.” Caden threw up his hands. “I don’t know. Sounds like we’re all in denial, if you ask me.” A pause. “But I can’t help wonder too. Could Dustin have been working on something that got him killed, and the killers simply had the sophisticated skills to pull it off?”
Gavin pulled at his beard while he wondered how much to say.
“You don’t agree the two could be related,” Caden said. Gavin started, and Caden shot him a tight smile. “I’m trained to read people, remember?”
“And I’m trained to not be read.” Gavin sighed. “Must be getting soft,” he muttered.
“Why don’t you agree?”
“It’s just a theory. Doesn’t mean it’s right.”
“So, let’s hear it.”
“Omar’s a killer,” Gavin said. “He doesn’t try to make things look like