Road of Tears
Chapter 3
Charles was in his Porta Cabin in Bastion, laying back in his cot his hands behind his head staring at the ceiling. What a bloody day it had turned out to be!
Firstly, they had set off from the FOB at dawn only to find a sheet pinned down in the road. He was walking up to it with the vallon and Private Molly Dawes gives him heart failure running up behind him to tell him that nothing happened in Newport and that she was very fond of him. She had to tell him in case they got blown to bits and she wanted him to know. He couldn't believe his ears when she went on to ask him if he loved her, he was left absolutely speechless and as a Captain that didn't happen often. He could do nothing other than stare at her open mouthed. They were on tour for fucks sake, does she still have no concept of rules and the chain of command? He was fortunately saved from answering by a hand coming out from under the sheet.
She had not long left his cabin. She was very upset when they found it was her nemesis Sohail under the sheet and very badly beaten. When they questioned him at the hospital, just before he died, he had told them he had been asked to kill Molly, but he refused. Why the hell would anyone want to kill Molly?
Stay focused, stay alert, stay alive he said to himself, she's Private Dawes, not Molly, not here.
He could see her lip quiver and her expressive green eyes fill with tears that this man had been beaten rather than kill her, a man she didn't even like very much. He put his hands on her cheeks, his fingers in her hair, his thumbs wiping away tears that were increasing as their foreheads met. They couldn't stay there like that someone would see them. He had grabbed her wrist and virtually dragged her out of the hospital to his porta cabin which was only a short distance away. He could see just how upset she was and he needed to calm her, console her and let her know that none of this was her fault.
He had made her a cup of tea with plenty of sugar while he made himself a coffee using one of the pods she had brought back for him. That was another thing, as he shook his head grinning, she hadn't forgotten him but gone to Regent Street got his coffee all tied up with a red ribbon and left on his pillow.
They talked for hours, he told her he was divorced that he had a son, Sam who was 4 and would always be an important part of his life. He thought that might have driven her away, with her being so young, but it didn't, said she loved kids, which was just as well as her mum kept popping them out. Christ her little brother is younger than Sam.
He told her that nothing can happen here, it would destroy both their careers and it would be a travesty if hers was wrecked because they didn't wait out. She was an excellent soldier and he had learnt more from her than in four tours. He saw the wide eyed look of disbelief when he said that and he had that urge again, to grab her by the shoulders and shake her till her teeth rattled for her lack of confidence in herself. She could be brilliant and he wanted that for her, from their conversations while on tour he felt she had never been given encouragement from her school or her family, well maybe her Nan who she had spoken of in glowing terms and sounded quite a character.
They agreed when they got back home, they would meet up and have a dinner date. That was the plan and he for one couldn't wait. She was calmer now and they stood so she could go back to the women's quarters, but not before he kissed her, a soft and gentle kiss that was full of promise. Not long now and they would all be back at Brize. He admitted to himself he couldn't wait, he had fallen hard for her and getting her back to the UK in one piece was for him a priority.
-OG-
Hopefully this will be the last mission before we leave thought Charles. The Americans had intel gleaned with the help of Molly. Badrai was crossing the area to get to Kabul. This was the opportunity to apprehend him.
This day had also started badly with Molly saying she didn't know how she kept her hands off him, while it did make him laugh and say 'Ditto'. Her response made him worry someone might hear or notice what was going on between them and he felt he had to bring it back to a professional exchange. Of course, she read it all wrong. Accused him of regretting what had been said and walked away.
It didn't get any better when Major Morley asked that Dawes go on a mission with Afghan Special Forces to identify Badrai. Where was bloody Elvis and his team when he needed him, but there was no way she was going on her own, without a doubt he was going with her, to keep her safe. When she looked at him and told him she was scared, well she didn't need to say the words he could see it in her eyes. He just wanted to scope her up, hide her somewhere. The state of her when those idiots let that insurgent hit her, it felt ages getting back to Bastion so he could take her to the hospital and Jackie was now seeing to her. Seems the insurgent was Badrai's son and this was all part of the belief that Molly had somehow brought dishonour to his family. This is why she was a target and why they wanted Sohail to kill her. How many others had they engaged to try, he couldn't describe just how he felt about this, the tour was nearly finished and he was desperate to keep her safe.
That evening they were leaving for the county border crossing to apprehend Badrai, the last mission, then they would be holed up in Bastion until the end of the tour and he could get her home safe, get all of them home safe.
-OG-
It was pitch black and they were trying to acclimatise with night vison goggles. There was a huge explosion and he rushed to her side, asking if she was alright and she nodded still dazed by the noise as he went to check on the rest of the section. Turned out it was just thunder as it started to rain, they were all soaked by the time they got to the outpost. Baz the class clown saying he wasn't coming here for his holidays next year. But he had to acknowledge that it released some of the tension he was feeling about this mission as he heard the quiet laughter from the rest of the section.
Molly had gone into the back room to set up a temporary medical area, just in case. When she had finished she just sat there contemplating what they were about to do. It was all her fault, her friendship with Bashira had caused all this, how were they going to keep her safe and more importantly what about all her mates in 2 section, what if one of them got hurt. Smurf was the only one that seemed to be happy about the situation. It was payback for his brother. She was so deep in her thoughts of regret and guilt she didn't hear Captain James walk in.
"Are you OK?" he said softly as he stood in front of her "It will be alright, I promise."
"You can't do that" she sniffed "Smurf thinks this is an adventure and he can avenge his brother."
"I'll keep him near" he sighed "I promised his mother I would wrap him in cotton wool" she couldn't help but giggle at that.
"Well, her so called physic powers ain't helping, she sent him her engagement ring, look" she held out her open hand to show him. "He wants me to look after it for him but I ain't putting it on my finger," she was desperate for him not to get the wrong idea.
"Might be best if you tie it to something so you don't lose it Dawes" he responded calmly although he didn't feel it. What the fuck was Smurf doing trying to give her a ring.
He put his hand out to help her stand then put his hands either side of her face forcing her to look up at him "When that thunder…" he looked briefly up towards the ceiling "I thought that was the end" and she nodded in agreement "I want you to be the last thing I see."
"Ditto" she whispered back her eyes filling with tears as he brought his head down to kiss her. This one was different, this one was harder and full of the passion he wished he could show her, how much she meant to him. But as quickly as it started he pulled away.
"Come back into the main room with the rest of the section Molly" he whispered. "I don't want you here by yourself"
-OG-
The guards let the truck go through the first barrier but was halted at the second. They had further to go now, were exposed on the bridge. He would have loved to leave Molly behind but had no choice but to take her as she was the only one that could identify Badrai.
The section spread out behind barriers and the ANA soldiers behind a second set. He, Qaseem, Smurf and Molly walked to the truck. He saw the goat herder and told Smurf to cover him while he went on with Molly and Qaseem.
It felt like seconds when all hell broke loose. Captain James turned to see Smurf had shot the goat. What the fuck was he playing at as he told the section to hold their fire and ran back to him leaving Molly and Qaseem.
"What the fuck are you doing Smurf?" he shouted.
"He's got a gun, I know he has."
"Lower your gun Private" he ordered "He is a goat herder."
Another shot rang out and Smurf dropped to the floor, he had been hit in the shoulder but where had it come from. He started to look around, Molly where was she? She was unprotected. He turned to see her running towards him.
"It's Badrai" she screamed at him just as he saw what he thought was a woman get out the truck to reveal a gun. He managed to raise his weapon and shoot him before he had a chance to get Molly. There was still more shooting but he didn't know where from as he was focused on Badrai. He felt pain in his side, that knocked the wind out of him and a second excruciating pain in his leg as he collapsed. He saw Molly look to her right raising her own weapon and firing. Looks like Smurf was right and the goat herder was armed, but where had the shots come from that hit Smurf?.
He could hear Kinders shouting orders, where were those shots from, then another burst. He was in so much pain, struggling to breath and knowing they were still exposed out there on that bridge. Where was Molly, and he opened his eyes straight into the worried eyes of Molly. He thought of the sea as he looked at them. They calmed him.
"Molly, I'm sorry" lifting his arm his hand on her face. She had got her medical kit out and was holding bandages to his stomach, grabbing his hand and putting it on the wound.
"Come on Boss, direct pressure."
"How's Smurf?" he panted.
"He's OK Boss, shoulder wound" and Molly looked across to him "Tie this round, can you do that Smurf" and Smurf nodded.
"Hold this tight Boss, let me look at your leg" she applied a tourniquet before running more checks and holding her hand tight to his stomach.
The rest of the section were running onto the bridge, there was lots of screaming from the women in the truck, he could hear orders being issued through his comms set as he shut his eyes. So much noise. He felt something against his cheek.
"You promised, it would be OK" he felt the warmth of her breath "stay with me, please."
"I'm sorry" he said again as he opened his eyes to look into hers.
"Come back to me, don't leave me." She pleaded her eyes focused on his.
-OG-
Decompression and normalisation in Cyprus was hell, she couldn't get peace in her nut. All she could see in her mind's eye was the goat herder shoot Captain James, the ANA soldier who had shot Smurf. She knew that Badrai was dead at least Bashira should be safe now, Captain James managed to get him before he was shot.
While they were in Bastion Jackie had given her updates on Captain James and to check she was OK. He had arrested a couple of times in the mert, lost a lot of blood. If it hadn't been for her trying to stem the flow he would have bled out before even getting off the bridge, or so she said. It didn't really make her feel much better because he was still critical. But since getting to Cyprus Jackie only managed to text her to say that he was stable and being flown back to Birmingham that day and they were due to leave Cyprus at the end of the week so she would go straight there to see him. She needed to see with her own eyes he was alright and would make it.
-OG-
Two men came to knock on the door at Royal Crescent in Bath to inform Charles parents he had been wounded in action he had been stabilised enough to be flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as they speak.
Sylvia turned into a whirling dervish and had a case packed for both of them and got in the car with her husband Graham for the drive to Birmingham, refusing to be taken by Army Welfare. On route she phoned Rebecca to let her know. Rebecca had asked her to let her know how he was and when he was up to it she would bring Sam with her, she didn't think it suitable for him at the moment to see his father like that. Sylvia also phoned his friend Elvis to let him know.
"I'll leave now" he said, "I should get there before you."
"Thanks Elvis" said Sylvia tearfully.
-OG-
What the hell had happened out there, Charles was always the careful one, looked at a mission from every angle, it was him that was Special Forces and took risks.
He drove as fast as he could to Birmingham from Hereford. Went racing through the hospital looking for the military wing. He finally found him and flopped into the hard plastic chair outside his room, looking through the window to see his mate wired up to all sorts of machines. He was transfixed staring at his friend looking so helpless as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Can I help you Captain" said a voice near to him which broke him out of his revere. He had forgotten when the call came through he had just got home from an exercise and was still in his muddy uniform.
"Sorry" he said looking down at himself "I'm his mate, his parents are on the way, can I sit with him for a bit?"
"He's unconscious but stable, if you sit quietly, don't touch anything then it should be alright until his parents arrive" she smiled down at him "Let me find you a gown before you go in."
"Thanks" he beamed at her "I'll get someone to come over with a clean set of clothes" getting his phone out his pocket. Spanner would do it for him he was sure and promptly fired off a text to him while waiting for the nurse to come back.
He sat there for ages not saying anything, then sighing "Charlie what the fuck happened out there" pulling his chair a bit closer as Charles looked like he was getting agitated although his eyes didn't open. He just about heard him call for someone called Molly. Who the bloody hell was she?
The nurse who had spoken with him earlier came into the room "Someone called Spanner left you these and to get in touch if you need anything else" she handed over a holdall to Elvis "He should wake up soon" she carried on while looking at his stats. He nodded and smiled in thanks "Put the blinds down if you are going to change in here Captain" she grinned while watching him open the holdall and turning to leave the room closing the door quietly.
Perfect he thought as he took off his combats, and put on the jeans, t shirt and hoody that Spanner had brought up for him. He wouldn't have minded having a shower before changing but beggars couldn't be choosers. "Where's Molly is she alright?" came a quiet voice from behind him. He swung on his heels looking straight into the eyes of his best mate. He sighed with relief that Charles had finally woken up.
"Sorry mate" he walked back to his bedside "Who's Molly?"
"Molly, where is she?" but his eyes were already closing as he went back to sleep. Elvis was still none the wiser.
At that moment Charles parents came into the room, his Mum tearful and his father standing back shocked at the state of his son. He knew he had been shot but he didn't think he would look so pale and be hooked up to so much machinery. Elvis had always got on well with his parents and hugged both, telling them he didn't know much but he had briefly woken up and spoken, before leaving the room to find them both chairs, it was probably going to be a very long night.
"Has he said anything?" asked his mother still with tears streaming down her face her husband holding her hand.
"Been asking for someone called Molly" responded Elvis "do you know who that is?" both Sylvia and Graham looking at each other and shaking their heads.
-OG-
The doctor came in to talk with Sylvia and Graham, but they said that Elvis could stay. It was explained that he had a stomach wound and leg injury. He had lost a lot of blood and he would be there for many weeks before he was fit enough to be released for rehab. They had stopped the internal bleeding and his leg was pinned as the bullet had broken the bone. The Doctor warned them that there was no reason why he wouldn't make a full recovery but it would be a long journey.
"He has been asking for someone called Molly" asked Elvis "Is she one of the nurses?"
The doctor shook his head "No, might be a medic in Afghan."
"In Bastion?"
"Or the one on the bridge that stopped him bleeding out, her actions no doubt saved his life. I believe she was female" replied the doctor shrugging his shoulders "You might be better talking with his CO, he probably has more detail as to what happened" he added as he started to walk out of the room.
"What happened out there?" asked Graham looking broken at his only son so pale and unconscious in a hospital bed with tubes coming out of nearly everywhere and he was finding it difficult to stop looking at the monitor all the time.
"Don't know" replied Elvis "but I know a man who can find out for me" and walking out the door, this time to phone Spanner.
-OG-
"Hello Boss" picking up his phone on the second ring knowing this would come "How is he, Captain James?"
"Holding his own, long recovery" sighed Elvis "I wondered if you could find out what happened?"
"Thought you would be phoning to ask that" laughed Spanner "Already got in touch with my contacts"
"Well?"
"It was a shit storm boss" started Spanner "They were sent to apprehend an insurgent, not just any insurgent but a ring-leader, name of Badrai"
"So, what happened?"
"Seems that the female medic was a target" started Spanner "the Yanks had intel that the insurgent was moving to Kabul to plant a bomb, but their intel didn't include how many other insurgents were involved to make sure he got there."
"Come on Spanner, I know you like to milk it but what happened?"
"Seems that there was a corrupt ANA who let the truck cross the bridge to the second check point, it meant Captain James had to cross the bridge with his medic who was the only one that could identify the target."
"Yes"
"Well one of the team had a melt down and shot a goat."
"What?"
"Yeah! Captain James went to him leaving the medic on her own, then the corrupt ANA shot the meltdown, the insurgent they were looking for was in the truck and tried to shoot the medic" he sighed "But Captain James popped him, lucky for him because the goat herder did have a weapon, opened fire and shot him" Spanner snorted a laugh "the bloody medic took him out and went to treat Captain James and the meltdown" sighing again "Fucking nightmare of an operation if you ask me Boss."
"What was the medic's name?"
"Don't know Boss, didn't ask or who the meltdown was" shrugging although Elvis couldn't see "the section didn't know which of the ANA had fired and had eyes on all of them while all this was going on leaving the medic dealing with the goat herder and the casualties."
"Would your contact know?" asked Elvis
"Can ask, will text you if I find out."
"Thanks mate" replied Elvis and hung up, turning round to see his sleeping mate lying in a hospital bed with his parents either side of him.
-OG-
At bloody last, Molly was finally back at Brize after having spent 10 days with the under 5's mucking about in Cyprus. She had lost some weight and had bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the goat herder pull a gun from under his tunic his dead goat lying beside him. Smurf already lying on the ground as she tried to scream that Badrai was in the truck and run towards her Captain and her injured friend. She stopped in her tracks as she saw him raise his weapon and fire towards her, not sure why he was doing that and watched in horror as he also collapsed to the ground. She just couldn't seem to find any peace. The gunfire, the blood, her worry for Captain James now that he was back in the UK and she didn't have Jackie keeping her updated.
As she moved into the terminal walking beside Kinders, she made the silly joke of what's worse than having your family turn up, was actually them turning up as she spotted her Mum, Dad and Nan.
As soon as Belinda saw her she knew there was something wrong. Molly had lost weight, she looked pale and had tired dark rings under her eyes. She shot a look at her own Mum who nodded also noting the same thing. They could both see that Molly had pasted a grin on her face as she walked towards them.
"I need to get to Birmingham, see Smurf and that" she told them her Nan not quite sure she was telling the truth looking at her face.
Her Nan offered to drive her there. She wondered if her dad realised that she was going AWOL by doing this when he said that she was never one for following the rules.
She ran through the hospital, asked where he was, a nurse taking pity on her and looking him up on the system, telling her where he was. There he was in a room, the doctor finishing off his checks. She put her hand up to the glass of the window, just staring at him realising he was still here, still alive. He turned his head and his face lit up as he saw her, her own matching his sappy expression. He nodded her into the room. The doctor leaving with a nod as he had finished his checks.
"You're back" he grinned as he put his hand out to hold hers and she grabbed it and with her other she stroked his hair back. He felt warm, alive, and so different from when she had last seen him on that bridge. Both of them smiling at the other.
-OG-
Elvis had returned from getting his coffee and was looking through the window at the touching scene. "Well, well, well" he thought it took him a moment or two to place the face he recognised "If it isn't the cockney, Georgie's mate" Out the corner of his eye he saw a shadow run past and open the door, looking back into the room he saw Sam. Turning slightly, he saw Rebecca following.
"Should have known you would be here" she sneered but continued walking into Charles room. He watched as the dark haired girl shot back from Charles, he could see from here she was uncomfortable and couldn't get out the room fast enough. He watched as Charles eyes followed her out. He almost sunk into his bed as she left.
Elvis continued to sit outside giving Charles the opportunity to see his son and you could see just how much he had missed him, even in his weakened state he put out his arm to hug him. Rebecca had taken up the position of the dark haired girl who had fled the room. He waited patiently while Rebecca and Sam caught up with Charles, gave them all their news since he had left for Afghan six months ago. Finally, they left.
"Uncle Elvis" grinned Sam and ran up to him and gave him a hug "Daddy's getting better."
"I know he is Scamp" and ruffled his hair "We'll catch up later, yeah?" and Sam nodded enthusiastically, he loved his Uncle Elvis, he let him climb trees, took him to football and for a McDonalds and a Milkshake afterwards. He was never allowed one of them with his Mum. It was their secret. He hadn't seen him for ages and was looking forward to seeing more of him now his Daddy was back. Rebecca just glared and nodded her head in recognition but that was no surprise and Elvis had long since given up trying to be friendly to her.
"She trying to get back in your pants again Charlie." He said as he went into his room closing the door behind him
"What?" huffed Charles turning his head to look at his friend coming through the door to his room, shaking his head at his remark "Don't be so bloody disgusting, of course she's not, she's just brought Sam to see me that's all" but he couldn't help but snigger Elvis had a knack of making him laugh.
"So, who is the little dark haired beauty that was in here?"
"No one you know" started Charles "She was my medic on tour and came in to check on me."
Elvis grinned his cheeky smile, now here was a story he wanted to know "But I do know her Charlie boy" waggling his eyebrows and watching as a look of horror swept across his face, got him he thought.
"Met her a while ago actually" he shrugged his shoulders watching the changing expressions on Charles face "In a pub in Aldershot as it happens."
"Oh God" sighed Charles and closed his eyes, images flashing before him.
"You are still so easy to wind up Charlie boy" laughed Elvis, he sat down on the chair near the bed "So Charlie do I take it you like her then and it's her knickers you want to get in rather than Rebecca's?"
"You really do have to lower the fucking tone don't you" sighed Charles "She's only just got back from decompression in Cyprus, we haven't had much chance to talk yet and bloody Rebecca turned up didn't she."
"So just got back from Cyprus, in her uniform, to see you" he laughed "She hasn't gone AWOL has she?"
"Oh bloody hell" his hand coming up to wipe his face "I didn't think, shit, shit shit" looking agitated, "I wouldn't be fucking surprised! Elvis go find her bring her back and then do me a favour fuck off for a bit."
"Charming"
"Do me one last favour, get her back to Aldershot before she gets into serious trouble" he sighed "I can't help her from here."
Elvis grinned did a fake salute to his friend and left the room in search of Molly Dawes.
-OG-
Charles had shut his eyes, why didn't he realise that Molly being here was all wrong, she should have been on the coach back to Aldershot. Did she never follow bloody orders? He felt a cool hand on his forehead opened his eyes to look straight into the concerned eyes of Molly.
"Molly" he sighed his hand coming up to hers to take hold of it, kissing her knuckles and holding her hand against his chest.
"Was that your wife and little boy?" she asked.
"Yes, my ex-wife and son" he replied, "I couldn't give her what she wanted, a stable home, a 9-5 desk job, she left me on my third tour."
"I'm so sorry Charles."
"Don't be, we were too young and got married for the wrong reasons" he sighed "Did you tell Corporal Kinders you were coming here?" and watched as she looked down shaking her head "My friend will get you back you back to Aldershot, I'll text Corporal Kinders and tell him you wanted to check on me and Smurf."
"He's alright Boss."
"What?"
"Smurf, he's alright, should be discharged at the end of the week."
"Good for him," he couldn't help the sarcasm in his voice or the slight bitter feeling that his meltdown on the bridge meant that he would be in hospital for weeks and then months of physio to get back to the fitness he had before. Funnily enough he didn't worry that it could be the end of his army career, as he looked at Molly he knew what was more important and that was her. She was safe, she hadn't been shot. She had crept under his defences without him even realising, demolishing the wall he had built around himself brick by brick until he couldn't imagine her not being in his life.
They talked for ages, exchanged telephone numbers promised to text and phone and once he was back in Bath they would go for their first date. Take her somewhere special just the two of them.
-OG-
Elvis was back outside Charles room watching them talking, the way they looked at each other. He felt his own heart flutter as he thought of what he had thrown away, albeit he had his reasons. What a small world though, that Charles was smitten with Georgie's mate. He grinned as he opened the door and walked in, both of them looking across to him.
"Well, if it isn't the little cockney gobshite" he grinned.
"Well, if it isn't the fuckwit" replied Molly.
Charles looked between the pair of them. Molly's eyes ice cold and blazing with Elvis smirking.
She swung round to face him her face still displaying the anger at seeing Elvis "S'pose you're the mate that told Georgie he weren't turning up?"
Did neither of them realise he had been shot twice, was still in the early stages of recovery and medicated to the eyeballs for pain relief. "Elvis do you mind waiting outside, don't go anywhere?" said Charles his voice sounding like it was in command although he felt that Molly was maybe slipping through his fingers because of flaming Elvis.
Again, Elvis grinned and took himself outside the room sauntering to the coffee machine for something to drink while he waited.
"I didn't realise you knew her, Georgie I mean" said Charles quietly looking at her and hoping this wasn't the end before it even started.
"We were all in Keogh" sighed Molly.
"There are hundreds of medics there" he sighed "Didn't think you would know her."
"Bit like me turning up at Brize to see Smurf" she grinned "small world ain't it?" he nodded grinning back.
"We all good then?" he asked taking her hand.
"Yeah! But she's a good mate, we're close so I don't wanna know what went on" raising her eyebrows "or I'll have to tell her."
"Look Molls, I'm not a 100% sure he did the right thing, but it was done with good intentions, that's all I can say" he gave her his puppy dog expression that made her weak at the knees, if only he knew "Give him a chance, he's my best friend and we have known each other since…..well since the beginning of our careers."
Molly nodded "Not promising nothing mind, he's still a fuckwit" she giggled and he picked up her hand kissing the palm "Thank you."
"You're welcome"
"Right Dawes, you've gone AWOL haven't you?" he looked at her intently, her eyes downcast as she shrugged telling him everything he needed to know.
"Elvis will get you back to barracks" he held up his hand as Molly tried to speak "No Dawes, you stay in barracks, do what you are told for once, please. Be brilliant at the parade, start your leave, visit your family then come to Bath for lunch."
Her face broke out into one of her huge toothy grins as she nodded "Yes Boss."
"Give me a kiss goodbye, then double away Dawes" he grinned back at her "He really is an alright chap."
She bent down to kiss him goodbye and asked, "Why does he keep calling you Charlie?" as she pulled away.
"Because he knows it pisses me off" he raised an eyebrow "So stop sniggering at my name."
She nodded before grinning again "OK Charlie" and swung on her heels to join Elvis so he could take her to Aldershot.
Charles laughed and wished he hadn't the pain he felt in his side "Dawes, I can still put you on a charge" she only laughed, then bloody winked at him, opened the door and was gone.