212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Utk3Ef50
Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot glanced at the consecutive text messages his wife sent. Fifteen in a comparable matter of minutes. In each, the expletives became fuller and more complicated. Reading between the lines, he understood the situation. Liz and her friends remained stuck in Kingston, Jamaica. Quarantine orders held them. She demanded the orders lifted and that he EVAC the group stateside.
As far as Ollie was concerned, she could stay there. From the moment he married her, Liz became a thorn in his side from the moment he married her. Sure, daddy rescued her from all her follies as a child. She expected her husband to continue the practice. Previously, he jumped at her command. However, he must draw a line in the sand somewhere. Mentally, he envisioned a sandy Jamaican beach and, harshly, drew that imaginary line.
The last thing he needed was yet another distraction. Elizabeth provided a wealth of distractive possibilities. A strict lesson hovered on her horizon. Frustrated, Oliver prepared to provide her with one.
Time and again, he explained the situation to her. Dramatics did not occur in his life. In his line of work, he must remain at the top of his game. It became a matter of life and death—not only for himself but also for his colleagues. A disruption during a sensitive mission could result in loss of life. Although he made it clear, Liz continued on her self-destructive course. Too often, he found himself jumping in to save her.
“Any news yet, sir?” Major Gonzalez questioned from the doorway.
“Not yet,” Major,” Talbot responded. His irritation peppered his voice. “Unless finding your wife quarantined in Jamaica is news.”
Rarely did he bring his personal life into a military surrounding. However, this time, he spoke without consideration.
"You gotta be kidding," Alberto Gonzalez breathed. Then, he whistled through his teeth.
“Do I look like I’m kidding,” Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot smartly responded. Leaning his elbows on his desk, he pushed his hands through his bristled brown hair.
“Jesus Christ.”
As Alberto turned away, Oliver’s private smartphone buzzed again. Glancing down, he received the news of Karsyn Crane’s sudden demise. The following message revealed the illness of Gayle Martin. His wife’s expletives halted. The subsequent texts contained only straight information.
“Did you know Karsyn Crane?” Lt. Col. Talbot abruptly asked.
“Can’t say so, sir,” Alberto responded, his flat voice emphasizing the negative.
“She died of the plague,” Talbot flatly stated. His professionalism rose to the surface.
“Sorry to hear it.” Gonsalez returned, equally as flat.
“Gayle Martin is sick.”
“Damn.”
Major Alberto Gonsalez knew Gayle Murray. During a Gulf War tour, he'd worked closely with her husband, Major Willis Murray. It remained an unspoken fact that Gayle was Elizabeth Talbot's secret female lover. The known fact remained deeply hidden from the Lieutenant Colonel. However, in the same way, Oliver kept his knowledge private. The truth dawned on him many years ago. Something Hank said clued him in.
A slow, grim smile crept across Oliver Talbot's face. Leaning back in his chair, he dismissed Major Gonsalez. He picked up his regulation phone and began making calls. Once again, his wife dragged him feet first down the rabbit hole. He felt forced to coordinate an EVAC for his wayward spouse and her simple-minded group of girlfriends. Behind his temples, a slow staccato beat.
Then, Oliver snapped the cell phone closed. Tossing it on his desk, he leaned back in his chair. Mentally, hands reached out of the earth and grasped the sides of the rabbit hole. A head and a set of shoulders rose above the short grass. The insanity had to stop somewhere.
Throughout her life, Liz’s father rescued her from her folly. Closing the door on the enabling, Lt. Col. Talbot decided to pass the buck back where it belonged. The Amberley’s spoiled their three daughters. His wife received the worst of it. Moving from place to place created a lack of discipline within the household. Chaos reigned as June Amberley grappled to keep her family in check. In the meantime, the General allowed the girls to run all over him.
It had been dissimilar to the Talbots. Considering Ivan's difficulties, Jeff and Beatrice worked together to overcome the bumps in the road. They held family meetings giving each member a voice in the situation. They worked and moved together. A natural-born organizer, Bea planned for all events and swiftly pulled them together.
After all the misfortunes of his marriage, Ollie knew the time arrived to pull back. The word DIVORCE flared into his brain. He considered a separation many times. All too often, military marriages fell apart in the same way. However, Oliver consistently pushed the idea away. For some reason, it felt like a failure. Throughout the years, he tried to prompt Elizabeth to make the ultimate suggestion. Stubbornly, she held on with the fierce grip of a gorilla.
Lt. Col. Talbot picked up his phone and searched for Tom Amberley's number. He rarely used it. However, it appeared near the top. Naturally, it was an "A" name.
"Liz is stuck in Jamaica under quarantine. Requires EVAC," Oliver tersely typed. Then, he hit the send button. He sent the phone flying onto the desk again.
There, he did it.
Regardless of the tight churlish feeling in his stomach, Ollie believed his behavior righteous. A retired General still held more weight than a Lieutenant Colonel. Let him make the phone calls and give the orders. Tom’s reach remained long; he knew the right people. Little more than a child in an adult body, Liz still needed her beloved daddy.
Despite his mother’s protests, Oliver realized he should have married Nicola. He sighed and ran his hands through his bristled hair again.
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5bz4PXEqD
Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot glanced at the consecutive text messages his wife sent. Fifteen in a comparable matter of minutes. In each, the expletives became fuller and more complicated. Reading between the lines, he understood the situation. Liz and her friends remained stuck in Kingston, Jamaica. Quarantine orders held them. She demanded the orders lifted and that he EVAC the group stateside.
As far as Ollie was concerned, she could stay there. From the moment he married her, Liz became a thorn in his side from the moment he married her. Sure, daddy rescued her from all her follies as a child. She expected her husband to continue the practice. Previously, he jumped at her command. However, he must draw a line in the sand somewhere. Mentally, he envisioned a sandy Jamaican beach and, harshly, drew that imaginary line.
The last thing he needed was yet another distraction. Elizabeth provided a wealth of distractive possibilities. A strict lesson hovered on her horizon. Frustrated, Oliver prepared to provide her with one.
Time and again, he explained the situation to her. Dramatics did not occur in his life. In his line of work, he must remain at the top of his game. It became a matter of life and death—not only for himself but also for his colleagues. A disruption during a sensitive mission could result in loss of life. Although he made it clear, Liz continued on her self-destructive course. Too often, he found himself jumping in to save her.
“Any news yet, sir?” Major Gonzalez questioned from the doorway.
“Not yet,” Major,” Talbot responded. His irritation peppered his voice. “Unless finding your wife quarantined in Jamaica is news.”
Rarely did he bring his personal life into a military surrounding. However, this time, he spoke without consideration.
"You gotta be kidding," Alberto Gonzalez breathed. Then, he whistled through his teeth.
“Do I look like I’m kidding,” Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot smartly responded. Leaning his elbows on his desk, he pushed his hands through his bristled brown hair.
“Jesus Christ.”
As Alberto turned away, Oliver’s private smartphone buzzed again. Glancing down, he received the news of Karsyn Crane’s sudden demise. The following message revealed the illness of Gayle Martin. His wife’s expletives halted. The subsequent texts contained only straight information.
“Did you know Karsyn Crane?” Lt. Col. Talbot abruptly asked.
“Can’t say so, sir,” Alberto responded, his flat voice emphasizing the negative.
“She died of the plague,” Talbot flatly stated. His professionalism rose to the surface.
“Sorry to hear it.” Gonsalez returned, equally as flat.
“Gayle Martin is sick.”
“Damn.”
Major Alberto Gonsalez knew Gayle Murray. During a Gulf War tour, he'd worked closely with her husband, Major Willis Murray. It remained an unspoken fact that Gayle was Elizabeth Talbot's secret female lover. The known fact remained deeply hidden from the Lieutenant Colonel. However, in the same way, Oliver kept his knowledge private. The truth dawned on him many years ago. Something Hank said clued him in.
A slow, grim smile crept across Oliver Talbot's face. Leaning back in his chair, he dismissed Major Gonsalez. He picked up his regulation phone and began making calls. Once again, his wife dragged him feet first down the rabbit hole. He felt forced to coordinate an EVAC for his wayward spouse and her simple-minded group of girlfriends. Behind his temples, a slow staccato beat.
Then, Oliver snapped the cell phone closed. Tossing it on his desk, he leaned back in his chair. Mentally, hands reached out of the earth and grasped the sides of the rabbit hole. A head and a set of shoulders rose above the short grass. The insanity had to stop somewhere.
Throughout her life, Liz’s father rescued her from her folly. Closing the door on the enabling, Lt. Col. Talbot decided to pass the buck back where it belonged. The Amberley’s spoiled their three daughters. His wife received the worst of it. Moving from place to place created a lack of discipline within the household. Chaos reigned as June Amberley grappled to keep her family in check. In the meantime, the General allowed the girls to run all over him.
It had been dissimilar to the Talbots. Considering Ivan's difficulties, Jeff and Beatrice worked together to overcome the bumps in the road. They held family meetings giving each member a voice in the situation. They worked and moved together. A natural-born organizer, Bea planned for all events and swiftly pulled them together.
After all the misfortunes of his marriage, Ollie knew the time arrived to pull back. The word DIVORCE flared into his brain. He considered a separation many times. All too often, military marriages fell apart in the same way. However, Oliver consistently pushed the idea away. For some reason, it felt like a failure. Throughout the years, he tried to prompt Elizabeth to make the ultimate suggestion. Stubbornly, she held on with the fierce grip of a gorilla.
Lt. Col. Talbot picked up his phone and searched for Tom Amberley's number. He rarely used it. However, it appeared near the top. Naturally, it was an "A" name.
"Liz is stuck in Jamaica under quarantine. Requires EVAC," Oliver tersely typed. Then, he hit the send button. He sent the phone flying onto the desk again.
There, he did it.
Regardless of the tight churlish feeling in his stomach, Ollie believed his behavior righteous. A retired General still held more weight than a Lieutenant Colonel. Let him make the phone calls and give the orders. Tom’s reach remained long; he knew the right people. Little more than a child in an adult body, Liz still needed her beloved daddy.
Despite his mother’s protests, Oliver realized he should have married Nicola. He sighed and ran his hands through his bristled hair again.
212Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg3OEKyt3W
Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot glanced at the consecutive text messages his wife sent. Fifteen in a comparable matter of minutes. In each, the expletives became fuller and more complicated. Reading between the lines, he understood the situation. Liz and her friends remained stuck in Kingston, Jamaica. Quarantine orders held them. She demanded the orders lifted and that he EVAC the group stateside.
As far as Ollie was concerned, she could stay there. From the moment he married her, Liz became a thorn in his side from the moment he married her. Sure, daddy rescued her from all her follies as a child. She expected her husband to continue the practice. Previously, he jumped at her command. However, he must draw a line in the sand somewhere. Mentally, he envisioned a sandy Jamaican beach and, harshly, drew that imaginary line.
The last thing he needed was yet another distraction. Elizabeth provided a wealth of distractive possibilities. A strict lesson hovered on her horizon. Frustrated, Oliver prepared to provide her with one.
Time and again, he explained the situation to her. Dramatics did not occur in his life. In his line of work, he must remain at the top of his game. It became a matter of life and death—not only for himself but also for his colleagues. A disruption during a sensitive mission could result in loss of life. Although he made it clear, Liz continued on her self-destructive course. Too often, he found himself jumping in to save her.
“Any news yet, sir?” Major Gonzalez questioned from the doorway.
“Not yet,” Major,” Talbot responded. His irritation peppered his voice. “Unless finding your wife quarantined in Jamaica is news.”
Rarely did he bring his personal life into a military surrounding. However, this time, he spoke without consideration.
"You gotta be kidding," Alberto Gonzalez breathed. Then, he whistled through his teeth.
“Do I look like I’m kidding,” Lt. Col. Oliver Talbot smartly responded. Leaning his elbows on his desk, he pushed his hands through his bristled brown hair.
“Jesus Christ.”
As Alberto turned away, Oliver’s private smartphone buzzed again. Glancing down, he received the news of Karsyn Crane’s sudden demise. The following message revealed the illness of Gayle Martin. His wife’s expletives halted. The subsequent texts contained only straight information.
“Did you know Karsyn Crane?” Lt. Col. Talbot abruptly asked.
“Can’t say so, sir,” Alberto responded, his flat voice emphasizing the negative.
“She died of the plague,” Talbot flatly stated. His professionalism rose to the surface.
“Sorry to hear it.” Gonsalez returned, equally as flat.
“Gayle Martin is sick.”
“Damn.”
Major Alberto Gonsalez knew Gayle Murray. During a Gulf War tour, he'd worked closely with her husband, Major Willis Murray. It remained an unspoken fact that Gayle was Elizabeth Talbot's secret female lover. The known fact remained deeply hidden from the Lieutenant Colonel. However, in the same way, Oliver kept his knowledge private. The truth dawned on him many years ago. Something Hank said clued him in.
A slow, grim smile crept across Oliver Talbot's face. Leaning back in his chair, he dismissed Major Gonsalez. He picked up his regulation phone and began making calls. Once again, his wife dragged him feet first down the rabbit hole. He felt forced to coordinate an EVAC for his wayward spouse and her simple-minded group of girlfriends. Behind his temples, a slow staccato beat.
Then, Oliver snapped the cell phone closed. Tossing it on his desk, he leaned back in his chair. Mentally, hands reached out of the earth and grasped the sides of the rabbit hole. A head and a set of shoulders rose above the short grass. The insanity had to stop somewhere.
Throughout her life, Liz’s father rescued her from her folly. Closing the door on the enabling, Lt. Col. Talbot decided to pass the buck back where it belonged. The Amberley’s spoiled their three daughters. His wife received the worst of it. Moving from place to place created a lack of discipline within the household. Chaos reigned as June Amberley grappled to keep her family in check. In the meantime, the General allowed the girls to run all over him.
It had been dissimilar to the Talbots. Considering Ivan's difficulties, Jeff and Beatrice worked together to overcome the bumps in the road. They held family meetings giving each member a voice in the situation. They worked and moved together. A natural-born organizer, Bea planned for all events and swiftly pulled them together.
After all the misfortunes of his marriage, Ollie knew the time arrived to pull back. The word DIVORCE flared into his brain. He considered a separation many times. All too often, military marriages fell apart in the same way. However, Oliver consistently pushed the idea away. For some reason, it felt like a failure. Throughout the years, he tried to prompt Elizabeth to make the ultimate suggestion. Stubbornly, she held on with the fierce grip of a gorilla.
Lt. Col. Talbot picked up his phone and searched for Tom Amberley's number. He rarely used it. However, it appeared near the top. Naturally, it was an "A" name.
"Liz is stuck in Jamaica under quarantine. Requires EVAC," Oliver tersely typed. Then, he hit the send button. He sent the phone flying onto the desk again.
There, he did it.
Regardless of the tight churlish feeling in his stomach, Ollie believed his behavior righteous. A retired General still held more weight than a Lieutenant Colonel. Let him make the phone calls and give the orders. Tom’s reach remained long; he knew the right people. Little more than a child in an adult body, Liz still needed her beloved daddy.
Despite his mother’s protests, Oliver realized he should have married Nicola. He sighed and ran his hands through his bristled hair again.
ns 15.158.61.51da2
