“Do you want some privacy?” Ziva asked.
Brooke shook her head. Why? It wasn’t like she was about to say anything Ziva didn’t already know. Besides, it felt good to have some moral support. She pulled out her cell phone and searched for the number for Lawson Steel. Once she had it she hit call.
“Good morning, thank you for calling Lawson Steel, how may I direct your call?”
“Hello, I’m . . . I’m calling to speak to Dylan. Dylan Lawson.”
“And who may I say is calling?” the woman asked.
“Brooke Cortes. A . . .” She wasn’t sure how to describe herself. “A friend of his brother Gareth.”
“One moment please.”
She listened to some classical music that did nothing to calm her nerves. When she heard the click, she took a deep breath.
“This is Dylan. You are?”
“Hello Mr. Lawson. I’m Brooke. And I am a . . . friend of Gareth’s.”
“The woman in Tabiq?” Dylan asked.
Guess he knows more than I thought.“Yes. There has been an accident. He’s in the hospital. He just came out of surgery, but the doctor believes it’s best he is flown back to the States right away to avoid any infection setting in.”
“Fuck. What the hell happened?” Dylan barked.
Brooke could hear the concern in his voice. She proceeded to tell him exactly what had transpired. At least from the point when the truck hit the house. “The doctor is optimistic, but it is very bad. The doctor said it was a close call that he didn’t lose his arm.”
“It sounds like he almost lost a lot more than that. He shouldn’t have fucking gone to Tabiq in the first place. Nothing is worth what just happened to him.”
It was like a slap in the face, because his injury happened saving her. “I’m very sorry this happened to your brother. But I’m sure he will be okay. May I give you the contact information for the doctor so you can make arrangements to transport him home?”
“Yeah. And I can have a jet there in a few hours. He’s getting the fuck out of there. I knew nothing good was going to come from him being there. He should’ve left days ago when I told him to. But he wouldn’t listen, and I have a feeling it has to do with you. If he had listened to me, he wouldn’t be in this condition.”
God. Is Dylan right? Did he stay because of me? If I would’ve said no, would he be okay now?
Her hands trembled and she said, “You’ll have him back home soon. I’m sure they will take good care of him until you do.”
Dylan said, “Thank you for calling and letting me know.”
“I wish it wasn’t to deliver such news.”
She ended the call and the phone dropped from her hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Ziva pulled her into her arms.
“It’s okay, Brooke. You did the right thing calling.”
“But he . . . he said . . . Gareth coming here was . . . all a . . . mistake.”
“He’s angry that his brother is hurt. His words weren’t meant for you. If anything, it was meant for my husband.”
Brooke looked up. “I thought they got along?”
Ziva smiled. “It’s amazing what one can overcome when they choose to. And trust me, Brooke, this too will pass. Soon Gareth will be up and back to his normal self and you two will have a story to tell your grandchildren.”
If that was Ziva’s way of making her feel better, it wasn’t working. This was all she and Gareth had. He was going home to his family and so was she.
“Thanks, Ziva. I should be talking to Janet about this, but I would like to cut my contract short, if that would be okay.”
“With everything that has happened, it doesn’t surprise me one bit.” Ziva gave her a quick hug. “But you do know you’re welcome back anytime. Work or vacation or just for a visit. Don’t forget that, Brooke.”
“I won’t. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to sit with Gareth. Even though he’s asleep, I just . . .”
“Want to be with him. And you should be. It’s where you belong.”
Until the Lawson family arrives and I’m . . . what put their brother in the hospital.