“Do you know? You can’t. I asked every contact I had. I have a lot of friends in law enforcement and computer science, and some who might have broken some hacking laws themselves. So it’s really weird they couldn’t find out what happened to Shelly.”
“That’s an odd assortment of friends. How’d you manage to get them?” Clint sat down with his foot resting on his knee.
“You tell me what you know first. And, how you know it.”
“I know it because I’m military. What I know is Shelly was recruited by Uncle Sam, and she’ll be enlisting on her eighteenth birthday.”
“It’s not against her will is it?” Lydia leaned against the bedrail so she could get closer to Clint and see his expression even more clearly.
“No the draft ended years ago. Like I said, she was recruited and she’s pretty excited. She is going to be able to play with the biggest and best toys, and some of the brightest minds. She’ll never be bored again.”
“How exciting for her.”
“You mean that, don’t you?” Clint gave her an odd look. “So tell me how you got such an interesting group of friends in the US.”
“Not just the US, but all across the world. I have a double major, Criminology and Computer Science. I did a lot of social networking. I’m almost finished with my-” Lydia bit her lip and looked down at the white blanket covering her.
“What Lydia? What are you almost finished with?”
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter.” She didn’t want to talk about it. She gave him a big smile. “Clint, I’m so happy you came and found me.”
“Talk to me Lydia, don’t hide from me. We’ve been through too much to start hiding now.” His chair scraped as he dragged it across the floor so he was now sitting right next to her and he held out his hand. She clasped it.
“You’re right. It’s not that it’s a big secret. Anyway, I’m surprised you haven’t run a check on me.”
“I thought about it, but I wanted to get to know you the old fashioned way.” She could see he was telling the truth.
“I appreciate that. It seemed like there were a lot of things ripped out of my hands when we first met. I appreciate you not violating my privacy—except for the hospital records of course.” She hoped her grin took the sting out of her words. It must have, because he grinned back.
“So now will you tell me?”
“I was working on my Masters of Computer Science.”
“Pretty impressive. What were you planning on doing with that?”
“With my education in Criminology I intended to work for the Federal Ministerial Police.” She watched him carefully. It was her experience that men were not happy about her career aspirations. She’d only had two boyfriends before, and in both cases they thought she should do something a little more feminine. Preferably, along the lines of becoming a housewife.
Stupid girl, you’re looking at a Navy SEAL and thinking he’s going to be okay with you wanting to work in law enforcement? Dream on!
“Being a police officer is a noble profession, but isn’t it pretty difficult in Mexico City?” She couldn’t get a read on him. He seemed sincere, but she heard a ‘but’. She waited. “What type of career were you hoping to have?” His thumb caressed the top of her hand.
“I spoke to some of my professors at the University. There is definitely a need in the cyber-crimes unit. They’re also trying to get more women in higher ranks within the police force.”
His hand tightened on hers.
“What?”
He let out a long breath. “Haven’t a lot of the higher ranking officers been targeted by the cartels and gangs?”
“The police can’t let fear stop them from doing their job. Anyway, it would be years before I would be promoted. I would first have to prove myself.”
“Jesus, Lydia.” He looked at her and she couldn’t drag her eyes away from his, this time it was her turn to question him.
“What?”
“You amaze me. It wasn’t just circumstances in the jungle. You’re just as noble and brave in your normal life as you were when you saved your sister.” She snatched her hand back.
“I’m nothing. I just do what needs to be done.”
“Lydia, you know that’s not true. You’re special.” He took her hand back and clasped it between both of his. He was so warm and it felt good. She shook her head.
“How about saying you’re a tiny bit above the norm?” he teased.
“Well I am pretty good with computers.”
He laughed and she joined him.