Tracking Payton

Chapter 1 Alex’s marched through the hospital with his heart in his throat. He got a call from a friend at Fort Carson that his mentor, Nick Weber had been in a car accident and was in critical condition. He hadn’t asked further questions, instead jumped on the first flight out to Colorado Springs after sending a quick text to his teammates that he’d be out of town for a few days. Walking through the silent hall he wished he’d asked more questions so he could prepare himself for what he was walking into. His mind was playing havoc with him imaging the worst possible outcome. Alex knew he’d reached the right room when his friend who called him, Colin stood up from his next to a room with the door closed. Colin looked at him somber and his stomach plummeted. “How is he?” Colin looked away with a grimace. He never did have a good poker face. Alex had known Colin since they were teenagers. They could always tell when one of them was lying or trying to hide something. Colin was the son of another colonel and they’d met through a military function and hit it off instantly. They both joined the army at the same time. When Alex joined the Delta’s Colin joined Special Forces. His life derailed five years ago when he’d lost his right arm from an IUD in Afghanistan. Nick had helped him find a job on base at Fort Carson. “I’m not going to lie, it’s not good man.” “What happened?” “Someone found him late last night when they found the car wrapped around a tree. They called the police right after.” Colin pulled out his phone and showed him photos from the wreck. “I have a friend on the police force and he took these for me. He recognized the car and Nick so he called me first thing.” “s**t, how did he survive that.” Alex asked as he scrolled through pictures. There was nothing left of the car. All the metal was bent and twisted. Debris was scattered all over the road. “Because that man is too stubborn to die.” “Did your friend say what the cause was?” “So far it’s being ruled as an accident. Maybe an animal jumped out and spooked him.” Alex didn’t buy that and by the look in Colin’s eyes, he didn’t buy it either. They knew Nick to well to crash his car because an animal darted in front of him. The man had been highly trained for situational awareness. Anything could happen in a blink of an eye but a spook wouldn’t cause that kind of damage. This had been purposeful. Alex instantly felt guilt, because he thought he was the cause of it. “You said he was in critical condition.” Colin sighed heavily. “Yeah, broken arm, collar bone and ankle. There was internal bleeding but the doctors got it under control now.” Jesus. Hearing the news what happened to the man who was like a father to him turned his stomach. He turned to the door looking at it as if it were a venomous snake about to strike him. Colin understood his hesitation and didn’t push him. Alex finally opened the door. The scent of antiseptic cleaner hit him in the face. The room was dark except for the machines he was hooked up to. The only sound was machines beeping. Alex’s eyes locked on Nick as he laid prone in the bed. His body covered in bandages. He closed his eyes remembering just speaking to him yesterday. He sounded so strong and hale. Now he looked like a shell of himself. Alex walked on leaded legs to the chair situated next to the bed. No doubt that’s where Colin had been sitting. He took the chair and just stared at Nick. He didn’t know what to say. Alex had never been in this position before. None of his teammates had come close to dying. They almost lost Ortiz a few weeks ago but that was because he felt pressured to leave when he learned he had a son for the past eight years. Yeah, he was still having a hard time wrapping his mind around Ortiz as a dad. He’d yet to meet to squirt but it sounded like he was a mirror image of his dad. Men better start hiding their daughters. “I’d really wish you’d wake up, sir.” Alex waited to see if there would be any sign of life from the colonel but he remained still. The continuous rhythmic beating of the machine signaling his heart was still pumping. He didn’t like seeing Nick like this. Broken. Beaten. “I could really use your advice right now.” He admitted. Nick always knew what to say in any given situation. Alex flopped back in his seat and looked around the room as he rubbed his tired eyes. He was going off of little sleep and adrenaline. The room was barren except for the medical supplies. There weren’t any flowers or balloons with get well on them. Just an empty room. It wasn’t surprising. Nick didn’t have any friends. His wife passed away over twenty years ago, and only had one daughter. Payton. She was another reason he’d gone into the military. Payton was two years younger than him and he’d watched her blossom into a woman. Any familial thoughts about her had died a quick death when he saw her filling out in all the right places. He couldn’t leave the only home he’d ever known fast enough. Nick would kill him for even thinking about his daughter that way. Come to think of it where was Payton? Shouldn’t she be here? He didn’t anything about her anymore. When he left, he’d only stayed in touch with Nick. Payton could be married with kids, living on the other side of the world for all her knew. It wasn’t any of his business anyway. “I’ll figure out what happened, sir.” It was a promise. He owed it to Nick to get to the bottom of this. Alex stood to go when he heard raised voices in the hallway. He instantly went in military mode thinking it was a threat against Nick. He slipped out of the room wishing he could have brought his knife he kept in his boot but he’d left it at home. He spotted a woman yelling at a police officer a few feet from the door. The woman’s back was to him but he could tell she was tall. Reaching his chin. He noted her hour-glass figure and her well round ample a*s. Just more than a handful. Just the way he liked. “I asked for the report over an hour ago and I’m still waiting.” The woman demanded, jabbing a finger toward his face. Alex glanced over at Colin for an answer why people were arguing in the hallway but he just shrugged and continued watching them. “I’m sorry ma’am, everything is still being analyzed and cataloged and—” “I don’t want excuses, I want results. I also want to know why the staff isn’t checking on him more frequently and why there isn’t a protection detail on this floor. Now, if you aren’t the person to get things done sergeant, then get me someone who can.” Alex’s heart went out to the woman and the police officer. She was worried about family member but that was no excuse to berate a police officer. He was just doing his job. Police were already understaffed to be assigning officers to guard a floor. “I’m sorry ma’am.” The officer repeated before escaping down the hallway. “Your superiors will be hearing about this.” She yelled after him. “Useless people.” She mumbled to herself before turning around and stopped with her mouth open staring at Alex. It was like being sucker punched right in the solar plexus. “Alex,” She whispered his name in disbelief. “Hello, Payton.” Well, this just got more complicated.