Free Special Forces: Operation Alpha: Saving Sarah (Kindle Worlds Novella) (New Orleans Connection Series Book 7) by Kathy Ivan Page B

she stared at him.  "This proves somebody knows where she is.  She didn't leave or wander off.  Walter can tell the police what he saw…"
    "Walter ain't gonna talk to the cops.  He don't trust 'em.  They approach him, he's gonna disappear." 
    "Think he'd talk to Remy?  I think he's dealt with Walter before.  I know I can get Remy to meet him outside the police station." 
    Gator considered his words for a long moment, the silence stretching out.  Ranger could hear the pulse beating inside his head, one beat, two, before Gator finally nodded. 
    "He might be okay if he sees you too.  Though he's liable to be a bit skittish, so go easy on him."  He turned toward Sarah, explaining, "Walter's a vet, served in the Gulf War, and he's got PTSD pretty bad.  Not a whole lotta folks he trusts."
    She nodded.  "We won't pressure him, just ask a couple of questions.  I promise we won't upset him.  But he might have seen something that could give a clue about who took my sister.  If we ask the right questions, it might jog his memory." 
    Gator stood and walked around the table, and pulled Sarah from her chair.  "Come here, darlin'."  He wrapped his arms around her, much to Ranger's shock.  His daddy was just full of surprises today.  Never much of the touchy-feely type, he sure had taken a shine to Sarah.  Though he'd much rather she was in his arms, with him offering her comfort and support.  He listened to Gator speaking softly, telling Sarah not to worry, that everything was going to be fine. 
    When she smiled at his father, it was like a glimpse of heaven right in the center of the old family kitchen, and he felt his gut clench.  The look on her face, the joy—he wanted to see that expression there all the time.  Didn't want any sadness touching her life, and made a promise to do everything within his ability to make sure she stayed happy. 
    Sarah stepped back out of his father's arms, and turned to him.  "Why don't you call Remy and see if he can meet us and we'll go talk to Walter?" 
    "Good idea, son.  While you're doing that, I'm gonna take Sarah outside and show her around a bit." 
    Gator gave him a wink, before opening the back door, leading to the outside deck.  The old coot, flirting with his girl.   He did smile, glad his daddy liked Sarah.  Not that it mattered, but he wanted his approval, since he planned on keeping her, once he convinced her that he'd be a good catch. 
    Which meant dealing with his own damned PTSD issues before he could offer her anything resembling a real life together.  He'd been avoiding going back in to see the therapist.  The shrinks tried to teach him some coping techniques for when things got bad, and he'd used a couple of them, but truthfully hadn't paid all that much attention, just wanting to get back to the bayous and away from the crowds and noise, which drove him crazy. 
    But for Sarah, he'd do whatever it took.
    He made the call, setting up a time with Remy to head over to Bimini Jack's and meet Walter.  While he almost wished he could leave Sarah here, he knew that wasn't gonna happen.  She'd fight him if he even suggested it.  Plus, Walter might open up to Sarah, once he knew that the girl he'd seen leaving the bar was her missing sister.
    The sound of laughter drifted through the open kitchen window, and he spied his daddy leaning against the railing of the porch.  Their eyes met through the screen, and he gave a single short nod, letting him know it was time to go. 
    He knew Gator wouldn't stop asking questions, especially now that he'd met Sarah.  The man was like his namesake, once he sank his teeth into something, he never turned it loose.  And he'd definitely latched onto his girl.
    His girl .  He liked the sound of that.
    Stepping out onto the porch, he inhaled the briny tang of the lake water.  The house wasn't far from where the lake gave way to the beginning of the swamp.  The small camp where he spent most of his time was a couple of