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Much love to you all!

Chapter 31

Knowledge Is Power

0005 – Hereford, UK

Georgie padded to the doorway of the spare bedroom and saw Elvis hunched over his laptop keyboard typing away and squinting at the screen seeming to digest every piece of information he was viewing. She knew tonight would be like this. He would shun sleep and carry on with this mad investigation. She leaned against the door frame and smiled as their child tumbled inside of her. "Don't tell me you're gonna be just like your daddy." She said tenderly. Elvis heard that amid the soft key strokes and looked up.

"George. Everythin alright?" He asked sitting up, eyeing her all over.

"Yeah. Fine, yeah. I was hoping eventually ya would come and lie down with me though" She said waddling into the room. He watched her and smiled. She was petite and the blossoming bump was becoming awkward for her.

"Come 'ere." He said, quickly standing and began arranging the pillows on the bed so she could lie back comfortably. She looked at the video screens as she moved towards him. On the laptop screen she saw topographical maps. He extended a hand to her.

"I can get in the bed Elvis."

"Yeah I know. I can help ya too."

"If it makes ya feel better." She said waiting to lie back as he punched more pillows.

"How's 'at?" He asked, leaning over her to position one behind her head.

"I feel like a queen." She said regally, pulling him down for a kiss.

"What is your command your highness?"

She stroked the side of his face. "Get some rest."

He chuckled. "Soon babe. Just finishin something up 'ere. Can I get ya anythin? Havin a mad craving or 'at?"

"No. But you could tell this little one to settle down."

"Seriously? Gettin loads of action?"

"Constantly it seems tonight."

Elvis placed a hand on her belly hoping to finally share what she was feeling. He looked surprised and pressed down gently. His eyes shot to Georgie, then slowly closed. She watched as his face contorted into every emotion he was experiencing in response to feeling their baby for the very first time. A huge smile appeared when he finally opened his eyes saying, "I think he just said hello." Georgie felt a warm flush in her chest and placed her hand over top of Elvis' They both grinned. "It's a miracle Georgie innit? This little life that we made."

She nodded and blinked back heartfelt tears. This man who wreaked havoc in battle was so loving and a good father. "Awww Elvis. I love that you can feel it now." She said happily. He burst into a toothy grin.

"Yeah. Me too. Makes it even more real for me. He knows I'm 'ere as well."

Georgie's face crinkled with joy. "He's heard your voice for some time though."

Elvis smiled and leaned in close to her belly. "Oi! Little mate…..Let yer mum get some rest, eh?"

"Daddy should be telling himself that." Georgie said, reaching down and tousling her husband's hair.

"Soon." He said.

"What kinds of maps are ya looking at?" She asked as he moved away from her and returned to his laptop.

"Ya won't believe it."

"Elvis at this point nothing would surprise me."

"Afghanistan."

She sat up. "You are fuckin kidding me !"

He chuckled, "No. No I'm not."

"I will personally pull out each and every one of your toe nails if you even joke that you're going back there!"

"I ain't goin back." He said with a breathy laugh.

She watched him type and zero in on a particular location. "Are you gonna throw me a crumb as to what's got ya interested?" She asked. He pondered her request for a moment, rubbing a finger across his lips. The future was unpredictable and she needed to be prepared, be informed.

"There was a cache of heroin reported missin from a base and I am tryin to sort potential extraction sites."

Georgie's eyes narrowed. "Heroin? How is that relevant to everything going on here?"

"At's wha' I'm trying to sort."

"Shit Elvis, do ya think Pettigrew knows about it?"

He laughed sardonically. "He may 'ave been the reason it's gone missin."

"What?!" Well how did you find out about it?"

"Intel George. It 'appened months ago. They ain't been able to locate it or establish how it may 'ave been diverted."

"How do ya reckon Pettigrew knows about it?"

He looked at her pointedly. "He was in Afghanistan the same time the cache disappeared…as was Adam Jones."

"Oh you have got to be shittin me!" He slowly wagged his head negatively. "OK. You need to back out now! Let Dave Warner handle this!"

"I'm too involved now. Can't just close the door and expect that no one is gonna come knockin." Georgie swallowed the hard lump in her throat. "Which is why we need to talk." He added.

She blinked and held her head high." "Go on."

"I don't reckon it's safe for ya 'ere George."

"Elvis?! What the fuck are ya saying?"

"I'm sayin I want to conceal your whereabouts. Tuck ya away so Pettigrew can't find ya."

"What!?" I have nothing to do with Pettigrew or any of this bullshit!"

"I know. But I do unfortunately and from what we suspect now, when his actions are brought to light, he will lash out. If he can't get to me physically, I guarantee he will try to do so through you."

Georgie felt her heart beat thud. She felt dizzy. She wanted to vomit. Elvis could see the pallor creeping over her. "Georgie!" He bolted from the chair and placed an arm behind her to help her lie back. "I'm 'ere babe. I gotcha." She fought the lightheadedness that threatened to overtake her and immediately began to take deep breaths, exhaling through pursed lips. "Georgie, are ya alright?" His voice sounded like an echo in her head. He leaned over her touching the side of her face, worried sick, willing her to answer him.

"Don't hover, get me a wet cloth will ya!" She said brushing him away and panting.

"On it!" He rushed out of the room. Georgie rolled onto her left side and continued the deep breaths. Elvis was back in an instant with wet wash cloths and planted one on her forehead, smoothing her hair away. "Please tell me yer OK!" He begged, his hands flitting over her.

"I'm…OK….better…..thanks. It was a panic attack. Ya shocked the shit out of me that's all." She said peevishly

"I'm sorry…..I am truly sorry." He said and the pain in his voice made her squeeze her eyes shut. She wanted him to be honest with her, she just never expected things to become so dark for them. Elvis sat down on the bed and she slowly turned onto her back, adjusting the wet cloth on her forehead, peering at him from beneath the edges.

"I'm OK Elvis. I'm good."

"I'm gonna call the midwife." He said and she grabbed his hand.

"No. No, I'm fine. Really."

"Yer sure?"

She smiled and said. "Yeah." Squeezing his hand for reassurance.

He raked his hair back and blew out a relieved sigh. "Maybe I should call anyway." He said reaching for his mobile.

"No. I'm fine, the baby is fine…believe me, if I thought there was a problem I would have ya make the call."

"Alright. I'm buyin it for now, but if anything changes I'm not listenin to ya."

She smiled wearily. "Deal. When do ya propose to move me out?"

He fiddled with his ear as he gauged whether she was up to further disclosure of his plan. "You 'ave the sonogram on Tuesday." He finally said.

"That's right."

"Directly following I will 'ave ya takin away."

"Where am I going? Not to some…."

"Hoddesdon."

"Hoddesdon?" She asked blinking her surprise at him.

"Affirmative. You will be safe with Nonna." He said confidently. "Most of my extended family is there and several have served. Pettigrew could never get near ya."

"How can you be sure?"

"Trust me. He doesn't know about Hoddesdon. Marco will transport ya along with another cousin. After your exam you will go out a different exit with them 'at way if Pettigrew has eyes on us, I'll be the only one headin back to the Garrison."

"And when he wonders where I am?"

"You were admitted to hospital. You will be entering with baggage in tow. If he wants to go out of his way to pay ya a visit, Peters will be waitin for him dressed up in a wig."

She laughed then. "You're joking."

"Maybe I'm not. He always wanted to do undercover work. Don't worry, we 'ave a good team."

Georgie chewed her lower lip. He had plotted this whole thing out. She knew Elvis would never separate them unless he felt it was absolutely necessary. "Since I have to do this, and I agree you are right, I'm glad that you told me what's going on. I want to know what you're up against because that bastard will never draw another breath if anything happens to you."

Elvis' brow lifted as he smiled. He admired her tenacity. "Are ya ready for combat corporal?"

"I am ready to protect my family."

He placed a hand on her belly. "Roger 'at babe. 'At makes two of us. The three of us are in this together." He said, gently gliding his hand over her bump. "All will be well, I promise ya 'at!"