Stories in the series (in order):

The Lady for a Lady

No Easy Way

Sleeping Beauties

An Act of Betrayal

The Devil You Know

Demons

The Riddle of the Night

Hawke was just at the door ready to open it when the radio sparked to life. He hesitated. Caitlin was leaving the cabin and her words right before she left were still ringing his ears.

The radio squawked again. Hawke dropped his hand from the doorknob and grabbed the receiver to the radio. "This is Hawke," He spoke into it.

Michael's voice crackled on the other end. "Everyone's in the clear," He said. "Whatever my people found in the box isn't harmful after all. You and Caitlin can leave the cabin."

"That's good," Hawke said into the receiver, "because Caitlin just took off. How's Dom?"

"The doctors are releasing him with strict instructions for bed rest. He has the flu. You'll need to pick him up at the hospital. You said Caitlin left before the quarantine was lifted?" A harsh crackling made Hawke take a step back from the receiver.

"She left a few minutes ago. Hey, Michael."

"Yes."

"Can you send a helicopter for me? Cait took the Jeep."

There was quiet on the other end and Hawke thought Michael had missed his question. He opened his mouth to ask again when Michael came over the radio. "I'm sending one for you now. I owe you that much."

"By sending us into South America for a box that possibly contained a contagion after we spent a month doing jobs for you, brother, you owe us more than a chopper ride. Hawke, out."

"They'll be there in forty-five minutes."

Hawke took the time to change, pack Caitlin's dress clothes, and grab the journal. He was waiting on the porch when the white helicopter came into view.

After the FIRM helicopter dropped him off at Santini Air, Hawke found the Jeep exactly where he parked it every morning. The keys were under the floor mat.

Hawke drove the twenty minutes to the hospital where Dominic was waiting for him in the waiting area.

"Where's Caitlin?" Dominic asked, before he sneezed into a tissue.

"She went home a while ago." Hawke turned left at the red light and headed for Dominic's apartment. "I have a problem, though. Cait found the journal."

"So, it's about time you told her about the journal."

Hawke continued. "The journal had a letter I wrote to her after she died. I didn't' get to finish the letter and Caitlin wants me to finish it now."

"So, what's the problem?"

"I don't know if I can finish the letter. It's one thing to say the words when she's not standing in front of me and it's another thing to say the words when she is."

"Sure, it should be easier."

Hawke pulled into a parking spot in front of Dominic's apartment and put the Jeep in park.

"I see the way you trust Caitlin," Dominic said. "I know the way she makes you laugh. You trust her with Airwolf, with my life, with your life. I know first hand what you're like when she's not around. The words are there, Hawke. You feel them for Caitlin. All she wants you to do is tell her."

Dominic got out of the Jeep. "I'm at home for the next week per doctor's instructions. Try not to burn, sell, or bankrupt Santini Air while I'm not there."

Hawke waited until Dominic was in the apartment building before he drove off.