"The surgery was a sess. Mr. Thompson is out of danger, but he''ll still need a period of rest," the doctor said, giving the family a few more instructions before leaving with the nurses.


    Emma sat by the bed, holding Bet''s hand and starting to nag.


    Bet was surprisingly patient, nodding along as he listened.


    "That''s enough. Bet just woke up. Spare him the useless chatter," Mr. Thompson Sr. interrupted, annoyed.


    Frank noticed his father''s impatience and gently tugged on Emma''s arm.


    Emma let Frank lead her out of the room.


    Suddenly, only Mr. Thompson Sr., Tobias, and Bet were left in the room.


    Tobias helped Mr. Thompson Sr. to a seat by the bed.


    "I''m sorry to have worried you," Bet said to his grandfather.


    "As long as you''re awake. What doesn''t kill you makes you stronger," Mr. Thompson


    Sr. said, patting Bet''s shoulder.


    Bet''s pale face grew serious.


    "I don''t think what happened to me was an ident. I suspect it was an inside job."


    "What do you mean?" Tobias asked sternly.


    Mr. Thompson Sr. remained silent, but his eyes darkened.


    Bet wouldn''t have risen to his current position in just a few years without being exceptionally capable.


    During the final phase of the mission, he knew the exact number of hostiles and their positions. The bullet that hit him came from the direction of his own men.


    He could have dodged it, but one of his men had let his guard down and walked into the line of fire. Bet took the bullet to protect him.


    He had tried to avoid a fatal hit, but the shot was aimed directly at


    heart the shooter was skifter


    clearly a well-trained soldier like himself.


    "The bullet they removed was from one of the hostiles'' weapons," Tobias said.


    "Someone must have picked up a discarded weapon at the scene to make it look like it was the enemy Bet reasoned methodically see two possibilities: either someone on our side was bought off, or I was specifically targeted.


    After Bet finished, both Mr. Thompson Sr. and Tobias fell into deep thought.


    After a moment, Tobias spoke. "Don''t worry, I''ll have someone start investigating as soon as I get back."


    "Find out who did this. If someone is targeting Bet, I want them found, no matter who it is," Mr. Thompson Sr. said gravely.


    Bet was the most promising of the younger generation of Thompsons. Attacking him was like poking a lion.


    "Rest assured, I''ll handle it," Tobias


    replied. He had spent years in the militar if he couldn''t solve


    Something like this his career would have been for nothing.


    "Until this is resolved, keep the news of Bet''s recovery quiet. We don''t need any


    moreplications," Mr. Thompson Sr. added.


    Tobias: "Don''t worry, I understand."


    Mr. Thompson Sr. and Tobias spoke with Bet for a little longer before preparing to leave.


    "Yvonne should be nearby. Could you ask her toe in?" Bet requested. Tobias just pointed a finger at him, a silent, knowing gesture.


    Mr. Thompson Sr., however, spoke up unexpectedly. "I like her. You''re not getting


    any younger. If you''re serious about her, it''s time to settle down."


    Mr. Thompson Sr. didn''t care much for social status; he just wanted to see his grandson build a family.