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Chapter 40
Sunshine and Rain
1330 – Hoddesdon, UK
Nonna Sofia was on her tip toes looking out the kitchen window. She saw Georgie alone, siting on the swing. Her nipotina appeared sad and in deep thought. Perhaps she needed a gentle shoulder to lean on. The senior wiped her hands on her apron and headed out the back door. Georgie had one hand on a support chain, the other resting on her bump, inwardly focused on her memories when she noticed Nonna approaching.
"Do you need me Nonna?" She asked, wondering why she ventured out to her.
"It is the other way perhaps. Do you need me?" Nonna said, peering at her intently.
"I….." Georgie answered haltingly, not expecting to be read quite so easily. Nonna smiled, her wrinkled face displaying the depth of her caring. Georgie's eyes searched the older woman's in return.
"You miss him." Nonna answered for her.
Georgie pressed her lips together and nodded, replying "I do. I should be used to it though."
"You will never be used to being away from him. He is your life partner, your soul mate."
Georgie felt a mild constriction and warmth in her chest. Those words were so true. "You said this morning one more week Nipotina."
"I did. Yeah."
"At least you know that." Nonna came closer. "Look at all you can do in that one week."
Georgie rubbed her bump and looked at her, deeply considering what she was being told.
"You and Elvis have your whole life together ahead of you and you are preparing a home for your bambino….so much to look forward to." Nonna said, reaching a hand to Georgie's cheek and patting gently. Georgie leaned into the kind touch.
"I have always been active, been involved. Lives depended on me Nonna. I feel like I should be there with Elvis."
"You are helping the two most important lives in your life Georgieea. Elvis and your bambino depend on you…more than you know." Georgie's eyes were fixed on the older woman's face.
"Elvis would not have had you come here if it were not necessary. He will always protect you Nipotina. You mean everything to him. It is a special love that you share. Now you have a ragazzino together because of your love for each other. Such a beautiful gift after all you two have been through, si?"
Georgie's eyes began to well. Nonna embraced her, letting Georgie's head rest against her breasts.
"I'm worried about him Nonna….."
"Of course you are il mio piccolo. You love him. It is easy to worry about Elvis. His mama has cried many tears over the years worrying about him. Not knowing where the army sends him. But he always came back, came back home smiling….come uno scemo…like a fool."
Georgie smiled at that. Elvis was always a risk taker.
"I don't want them pulling him in any deeper. I just don't. I want to go home next week and I want our lives to be normal, but I'm afraid that's not going to happen." Georgie said.
"We never know what tomorrow will bring Georgieea. We must be thankful for now. My Paolo always said this to me."
Georgie physically pulled back and looked into Nonna's eyes. "Very wise words." She said, remembering Elvis often uttering the same philosophy. He was good at brushing disappointments aside and cracking on. She leaned in to kiss each of Nonna's cheeks. "Grazie Nonna. You always manage to help me feel better."
Nonna Sofia smiled. "I call you Nipotina because you are as a true granddaughter to me Georgieea. Never forget how important you are to our family and to me." She grasped Georgie's face, kissing her on the middle of her forehead.
Xxxxx
1500 – SAS Garrison - Hereford, UK
"Toni said the verdict should be announced by tomorrow." Spanner said. Elvis laid his dismantled pistol down and looked up.
"It's takin 'at long?"
Spanner shrugged.
"How's she holdin up?"
"Quite well actually. Not that I didn't reckon she would, but she had a lot of weight on her shoulders." Spanner said, adjusting the spring on his pistol slide.
"Acknowledge mate. I could see Georgie holdin her ground. She did not 'ave to face Abu in a court room, but she did go head to head with him in that auditorium."
"But you sent her in to distract him, eh?" Spanner said.
"Fuck no I did not! She did 'at herself. She approached one way and I was essentially her back-up."
"You let her go after him?"
"I did not let her go after him. Jeez, she is a trained soldier. She kept herself alive in that compound. She knows what she is about!"
"Maybe a little bit of you rubbed off on her." Spanner said with a modest grin. Elvis gave him a look, which caused Spanner to grin wider. "A fiver ya almost shit when Abu grabbed her." He challenged.
"For a second…Actually I was relieved he didn't shoot her outright. I was proud of her Spans. She helped to save lives 'at day. Just like she always does."
Elvis resumed wiping down his pistol and seemingly had nothing further to say. Spanner continued re-assembling his weapon in silence, but periodically glanced at his boss. Elvis was certainly uncomfortable about something.
Xxxxx
1800 – Hoddesdon, UK
"Georgie Harte!" Marco bellowed along with equally loud barks from Manny. Both burst into the kitchen disrupting the after-dinner clean-up. Nonna snapped her drying towel in the air.
"Shut you mouth! What are you yelling for?" She exclaimed.
"I have the carpet Georgie wants in stock Nonna!" This is important!" He responded loudly.
"So was your zio's medical appointment. Where were you?!" Nonna said snapping the towel again.
Marco looked as though he was considering bolting out of the room. "I had a late job." He said, withering in his attempt to defend himself.
"You had a late trip to the Pub!" Nonna countered harshly.
Georgie had to turn away to keep her amusement hidden and was grateful there were dishes that needed placed in the cupboard. Geno was in the lounge, but appeared in the doorway to take in the exchange.
"I bought my lads a round for a job well done. It was like that." Marco said.
"With you it is always like that!" Nonna said raising her hands in the air. "You knew Rocco had doctor appointment. What's wrong with your head?!" She yelled.
"I'm sorry! I lost track of time!"
"Pay attenzione! Good thing for you the dog was here! He has more sense than you!"
Red-faced and defeated, Marco asked, "What's for dinner?"
"I don't know what you are having." Nonna said.
Marco looked at Geno, who simply shrugged. "What did everyone else have?" Marco asked looking between Georgie and Geno.
"We had pappardelle all Bolognese. I do not know what you are having." Nonna said, raising her chin at him.
"It was good." Geno said, leaning against the doorframe. Georgie was biting the insides of her mouth as she turned towards the action.
"Nonna!" Marco pleaded.
"No! What you eat at the Pub?"
"Nothing."
"Make a sandwich." Nonna said, wiping her hands on her apron.
"I'm sorry Nonna! I always treat the boys. It was a big job!"
"Next time you ring me! How do I know what job you have? You are the boss, you're not putting down the floors!"
Marco resigned himself as the loser in this match. Nonna was right. He should not have gone to the Pub. Thank God Geno did not pipe up about his responsibility to shield Georgie. His shoulders sagged as he pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table. Nonna uttered a "Humph" as she opened the refrigerator door and pulled out a plate of left overs for him, scrunching her nose at him.
"You smart uomo. Put it in the microwave." She said placing the plate onto the table. "I'm tired of your shit."
"Grazie Nonna." He said grasping her offering.
"I'm done." Nonna said and walked out of the kitchen, discarding her apron as she went. Georgie watched as Geno followed behind her and Marco proceeded to heat his plate of food.
"So you have the carpet in stock?" She finally said, sitting down at the table. Marco turned towards her.
"Yeah. It's got your name on it. Once Elvis gives the nod I will take care of it for you."
Georgie reached down and began to stroke Manny's sleek fur. Marco observed. "Bet you weren't late for dinner." He said to the dog.
Georgie chuckled. "Nonna's tough."
"Uh, did ya notice?" Marco said sarcastically. "She's right and I was wrong. Elvis said he wanted two males here. He shot orders at us like we were in the fucking army." He said grabbing utensils from a drawer.
"You offered." Georgie said.
"Yes I did. Look. It's fine. It won't happen again. I forgot about the appointment." Manny rested his head on Georgie's thigh. "The big guy there would have taken the bastard down for me." Marco said, pouring a generous glass of wine. "I'm sorry Georgie." He said taking a seat. "I would be singing soprano if Elvis found out." Her expression indicated she was inclined to agree. "He is one cugino I would not mess with." He said shoveling a fork full of pasta into his mouth.
"And of course there's Nonna….." Georgie had to add. Marco rolled his eyes dramatically as he chewed, needing to quickly wash it down with a gulp of wine. "Careful now, you're gonna choke." She said.
Marco wiped his mouth. "Thanks."
Georgie rested her arms on the table. "The cottage has hard wood floors. Did Elvis talk to ya about that?" She asked.
"He mentioned it."
"I reckon they just need cleaned up. I was fancying area rugs in some of the rooms."
"Sure…whatever you want Georgie."
Xxxxx
…. The following day…..
1030 – SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
Colonel Godfrey stopped at the doorway when he observed Elvis talking to a trainee in the front of the classroom. Elvis' keen eyesight caught the movement and he paused, noting the grim expression on his CO's face. Elvis promptly stood to attention as did the younger soldier when he noticed the captain's actions.
"Relax." Godfrey said making his entrance. "Finish up there captain."
"Yes sir." Elvis said turning back to his trainee. "You 'ave better clarity of the situation now corporal?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. We can review again at 0900 hours." Elvis said.
The soldier gathered his belongings and saluted both officers before he left.
Elvis stared at his CO and watched him pace a bit. "Why do I get the feelin you are going to drop a bomb sir?" He said slowly enunciating each word. Godfrey perched himself on the edge of a desk.
"I received an inventory report this morning captain."
Elvis' eyes narrowed. "Inventory?"
"Indeed. There is a tank of propane missing from the Garrison armoury. A fucking military grade tank of propane!" Godfrey said between clenched teeth.
"Fuck!" Elvis spat. "At's wha' he used for the explosion!" He rubbed both hands down his face. "Do the investigators know about the missin propane?"
"Affirmative. Explains why Pettigrew would not have noticed the odor. The supply in the armoury is pure." Godfrey acknowledged.
"Still no trace of Evans?"
"Nothing yet."
"He can't 'ave just fallen off the face of the earth." Elvis said shoving papers and folders into his briefcase.
"CCTV has picked up nothing." Godfrey said.
"Wha' about his wife? Wha' does she say?"
"She does not have a clue. She told Internal Affairs he left for the Garrison as usual that morning. Nothing peculiar was found in their home or garage."
"But they confiscated his computer, eh?"
"Yes."
"They are sure no other remains were found?" Elvis asked.
"Quite. It does not appear another vehicle was parked nearby either."
"Have they confirmed it was Pettigrew inside the dwellin?" Elvis asked, his mind relentless with possibilities.
"Negative. Dental records were dispatched, but that takes time." Godfrey said. "DNA takes even longer."
"Yeah." Elvis shoved his laptop into the briefcase, zippering it closed. "I can't wrap my head around why Evans would come forward and then do an about face…I mean, come on, I doubt Pettigrew was tryin to fuel his home with stolen propane."
"That is for the authorities and Internal Affairs to sort."
"Yes sir." Elvis said, waiting for his CO to make a move to the door.
"Have you gotten any more text message?" Godfrey asked.
"Negative."
"Then perhaps you were correct about Pettigrew being the source."
"Maybe." Elvis replied as both officers made way for the exit.
Xxxxx
…Two days later …..
1400 - SAS Garrison – Hereford, UK
"Have ya seen the field range? Proper mud bath!" Spunky said, still shaking his wet jacket and flinging droplets all around.
"That's when you know you are good. When you can hit your target through the raindrops." Jackson said.
"Raindrops?!" Spunky exclaimed. "Mate that is a torrential downpour out there!"
"Wasn't when I came in." Jackson said. Spunky responded with a middle finger and flung his soaked gear into a stall.
"Forget your brolly?" Spanner asked and chuckled at his teammate's withering expression.
Elvis took in the exchange. It felt good to be with his team. He thought about the trainees out there trudging in the rain. Soon he would be joining them at the pistol range. An SAS operative's mission was not dependent on the weather. You showed up for your assignment. Wet or dry. He donned his rain jacket and as he approached the door, his mobile rang. "Good timin." He said to himself then answered, "Harte."
"Elvis. Dave Warner."
"Yes sir."
"I doubt this has hit the airwaves as yet, but we have developments in the disappearance of Brad Evans."
"Wha' kind of developments sir?" Elvis asked, pulling back from the door. His team watched closely, exchanging glances.
"Two fishermen notified the authorities that they discovered a jacket floating against some rocks along the River Wye."
Elvis froze, already concluding in his mind what Warner was about to further state.
"It contained a wallet with Brad Evan's ID and driver's license, a fair amount of cash. I understand the weather has been foul there. Terrible storm the other night."
Elvis rubbed his chin with a thumb and index finger, scratching the stubble on his face. Spanner looked at Jackson, who gestured quizzically. "Nothing else was found?" Elvis asked.
"Negative. Your local authorities said the river is quite turbulent following the storm. It could take days to search for a body."
"Right."
"I will keep you posted. The civil authorities will be investigating. Nothing further can be done on our end at this time." Warner said.
"Roger that. I will wait out for further intel." Elvis said, ending the call and staring into his thoughts.
"Boss?" Spanner ventured, concerned about Elvis' demeanor. He moved closer. "What is it?"
Elvis tucked his mobile into a pocket and eventually looked at his lieutenant. "It appears Evans drowned in the Wye."
"The shit you say!" Jackson said.
"Warner called?" Spanner asked.
Elvis nodded. "A couple of fishermen found a jacket with his wallet inside."
"Well that ends it then doesn't it?" Spunky said.
"It is an assumption at this point Spunks." Elvis said, pulling the hood of his rain jacket over his head and opening the door. It was still raining. Elvis walked out letting the cool wetness strike his face.
