Keith (Hathaway House #11) - Dale Mayer Page 0,49

set up something like that, how to get it started.”

Iain’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, that’s interesting,” he said, “and you’re way better off from a skill-set perspective than a lot of guys coming into civilian life from the military.”

“I know,” he said. “It just happens to be something I had a knack for, so I tended to get put into that side of it a lot.”

“The government machine is nothing if not effective at using your skills.”

“Sometimes, but other times they do the stupidest things, and you, with all your skills, find yourself walking around on a foot patrol.”

Iain laughed and laughed. “God, isn’t that the truth! When I think of the number of times I was put out on a job, then looked at the other guy like, What are we doing here?”

“Exactly,” Keith said. “I’m not even sure who mentioned it, but somebody suggested I contact local companies or banks or something, to see just what people could use in that area.”

“Well, it’s certainly timely that you mentioned it,” Iain said. “I was in the same boat not that long ago, and, right now, I am in the process of setting up a center for helping guys like yourself get back into the workforce.”

“Really?” he said. “So maybe you’re the right person to talk to.”

“Maybe,” he said. “The thing is, I do know a couple guys who have already established their company, and they are in New Mexico. About seven of them, and they do all kinds of jobs.”

“Meaning?’

“I’m not quite sure what I’m doing here yet, so maybe I’ll talk to them about their journey into this.”

“New Mexico, huh?” He pondered the thought. “You’re not talking about Badger, are you?”

Iain looked at him in delight. “See? We even have friends in common,” he said. “Badger and his entire team had a pretty rough recovery after a bad accident, but now they’re well past that stage. They’ve set up a big center to help vets. They do everything from security to carpentry apparently. They’re even involved in K9 work now.”

“Well, I don’t have any experience in that,” he said, “but I have a lot in the cyberattack and cybersecurity realm.”

“What about government-level work?”

“I could,” he said. “I’m not against it. I could also do covert contracts. I don’t have any other people to work with, but it wouldn’t hurt to have something just for myself to handle.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said, “and see if I have any connections to pull on.”

“Thanks, I’m doing the same.”

Iain stayed and visited a little bit longer, then Keith said, “Guess I should get ready for breakfast.”

“Yep, I hear you,” he said. “I’m waiting for Robin to pop up, and then I’ll go back down again with her.”

“Good enough,” Keith said. “Hey, if you get a chance, stop by again.”

“I’m back and forth anyway,” Iain said. “I settled in Dallas.” He smiled at him. “That’s something you may want to consider yourself.”

“Why Dallas?” Keith asked, as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

“Because of the girlfriend scenario, to be near her,” Iain said, then he was gone.

Keith thought about that as he grabbed his crutches and made his way to the kitchen. That was a good thing to remember, and he hadn’t even discussed it with Ilse. She might not know what his plans were, but he’d been worried about whether she would have time for him. She had to be considering whether he would be sticking around or not. They really needed to just sit down and talk.

After breakfast he headed to his morning physio session. He was very preoccupied, and Shane was getting pissed again. Finally he sat him down in the chair. “What is with you today?”

He took a deep breath and said, “I just met Iain.”

Shane stopped in his tracks. “And?”

“And nothing,” he said. “Obviously the change in him is unbelievable, and it must be a huge boon to you guys.”

“But—”

“No buts,” he said. “I mean, he’s done a phenomenal job of improving himself.”

“And so would you if you’d pay attention,” Shane said in exasperation.

Keith looked up at Shane. “Sorry, man. Just dealing with some eye-opening stuff today.”

“I hope so,” he said, “because this has to stop. This is a couple days in a row now, and we can’t do that.”

Keith looked at him in surprise. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Shane said. “Every day you need to show up prepared to do the job.”

“I have,” Keith said in protest.

“You have physically,” he said, “but not mentally. And that