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The Right Reasons 3: Checking In
Rating: IM15 Summary: Webb opens up to Gunny – a little. Disclaimer: See Part 1 for disclaimers. Spoilers: All the way through the Season 9 finale. Let’s hope I get this done before Season 10 begins.
Undisclosed LocationEvening
Gunny pulled to the side of the deserted highway. He looked over at his passenger, who was still fast asleep. He knew they were getting closer to their destination and figured Webb would want to move to the back seat to be less visible to eyes that might be watching.
“Wake up, sir.” He gently nudged Webb, who didn’t wake. He raised his voice and pushed harder. Still no response. Finally, he took the keys out of the ignition and pushed the “panic” button on the key fob. That woke Webb up. He glared at Gunny, who shrugged and hit the button again to turn off the alarm.
“I don’t know how that happened. My finger must have slipped,” Gunny said, an innocent look on his face.
“I’ll show you a finger,” Webb snarled at him, his voice raspy with sleep.
“Well, now that you’re awake, we’re getting close to town. You should probably get in the back seat so no one can see you, sr.”
Webb grumbled, but did as he suggested. “Why couldn’t you just wake me up the normal way, Galindez?”
Gunny replied, “I tried that, but you’re a pretty sound sleeper, sir.”
“Well, next time, just let me sleep.” Webb was very irritable. “Do you have anything to drink back here?” he asked.
“There’s some Gatorade and water in that bag on top of my duffle, sir.”
“I guess that will do for now.”
They got to the motel and Gunny checked in and got the room key. “Back section of the motel, with a view of the river, just as you requested, Mr. Webb.” He unlocked the door and they walked in. The room was nothing fancy, but it was clean.
“We’re here now, so can I see that file, sir?” Gunny asked Webb. He handed it over without comment and Gunny began reading, while Webb paced around the room.
“Why are you so antsy, sir?” Gunny looked up from the folder. “No one followed us here or saw us check in. You can relax.”
Webb stopped. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was doing that. It’s just … never mind.”
“Just what, sir?”
“This is the longest I’ve gone without drinking,” and Gunny knew what he meant, “since Paraguay.” He started pacing again.
“How much would you drink?” Gunny asked gently.
“Not too much, usually. Just enough to take the edge off. So I could sleep through the night. Sarah – Mac – didn’t like to see me drink, but sometimes I couldn’t help it.” He rubbed his face.
“”Are you okay for this assignment, sir?” Gunny was concerned.
“I’m not going through DTs, if that’s what you’re asking.” Webb sat down at the table. “But it is one of the reasons I left the way I did. I had to make a clean break. Mac and I were going down a self-destructive path. I was drinking more and more, and she was making excuses for my actions.” He shook his head to clear it, and he changed the subject. “So, do you have any questions about what you’ve read?”
“Just a few.” Gunny pulled out a piece of paper and they began discussing the men they were going to be watching. They were former CIA employees who had been working with the agents Webb had eliminated out in the ocean.
They had set up a profitable business selling information to the highest bidder. Information that could allow another terrorist attack to occur. The CIA had found out about the traitors and fed them false secrets to give to their associates.
Now Gunny and Webb were waiting to catch them selling this information. If all went well, they would get leads on Al-Qaida cells inside the United States, as well as cut off a security breach. If all went well.
Finally, Webb gave in to exhaustion – the nap he had in the car really didn’t make up for the three days without sleep in the ocean – and they went to bed for the night.
Meanwhile …
The sound of Mac crying woke Harm from a sound sleep. He hurried into her bedroom to find her curled up on the bed in a fetal position, her body shaking with sobs.
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