Improvise or Die

2

Mac spoke up in utter surprise "I didn't know Jack had a daughter. He didn't mention that." I was just as astonished. I figured he would have at least mentioned my existence, but I also knew he did his best to protect me-as difficult and annoying as that sometimes was.
     "He's been trying to keep me safe all these years. Do you know where he is? He's not answering my calls," I asked. I was seriously worried about him.
     "Yeah. He's uh, he's overseas right now. He didn't tell you?" Mac asked cautiously as if he thought that information was something that was just given knowledge.
     "No," I admitted softly. This wasn't looking good for me getting protection.
     "Come in for a second. I just need to make a phone call. What's your name?" Mac asked
     "Hannah."
     "Ok. Keep her company, Boze. I'm giving Matty a call." Mac stepped outside but I could still hear him. Bozer just sat there silently, looking at me as if he was concerned that I'd attack him any second. "Hey Matty. There's a girl who just showed up to my house who says she's Jack's daughter. Can you run a background on her? Hannah. Yeah. Ok. Thanks." He waited a bit before I heard his phone ding with a notification. He came back in. "Sorry about that. Just needed to check that you are who you say you are. So, what's going on?" he questioned. He sounded genuine but still looked at me as though he thought I was dangerous.
     "I was at home and I was about to leave to go to the store when people started shooting. They were at the back of the place and shot through the walls and windows at me. The bullets were just flying everywhere, and one might have grazed my arm. I didn't know what was happening," I told him as my eyes welled up. "And I was just scared so I went to my kitchen and grabbed the key to an extra car my dad had down the road for emergencies. I drove off. My dad had this extra place that's kind of off the grid and he had it for a safe place if we ever needed it. I went inside and this was on the table." I handed him the note. "My dad always told me that if I can't get ahold of him and I'm in danger to get this notecard that we hid and go where it says." I also handed him the notecard. "Now I'm here and I just want to talk to my dad," I explained as best as I could. Tears began to fall, and I clearly made Bozer uncomfortable. I didn't normally freak out and cry like that. With Jack as my dad, I was always someone who felt like they had to hold it together and be strong. I always kept my cool. This was all too scary, overwhelming, and real. Mac looked up from the note.
     "Mind giving us a bit?" Mac asked Bozer. He walked down a hall and to another room. "I know Jack isn't here, but you have my word I will keep you safe. I work with Jack. He's my partner and he's had my back more times than I can count. We swore we'd always protect each other, and I'm gonna do the same for you, ok? My name is Angus MacGyver. I go by Mac because who in their right mind wants to go by Angus?" he asked, causing a slight chuckle from me. "The other guy is my friend. He goes by Bozer or Boze. He also works with us. How much do you know about what we do?" he asked me gently.
     "I know you aren't really a think tank and that you're actually the Phoenix Foundation that tracks down people who the FBI and cops don't want to go after. You save lives and that's about all I know. My dad keeps everything that is specific, super confidential," I told him. "He shouldn't have even told me that but you're the only person I've told so far."
     "Ok. That's helpful. Without giving too much away, Murdoc is a guy we've put away before. He's seriously cunning and his ultimate goal is to destroy me and this whole foundation. Why he went after you, I don't know. But I can promise that we can get you put in protective custody until we sort it out," he told me kindly. "No one can hurt you there."
     "Mac, I don't trust anyone else. Don't get me sent away somewhere. Please. Dad told me to trust you and I can't trust anyone else. I've been paranoid all day as I flew here and everything and I don't trust anyone but you right now," I begged. A few more tears fell. "I don't know who I can trust."
     "Hey, just relax. Take a few deep breaths. It's getting late anyway. Why don't you crash here for the night, I'll take you to work tomorrow morning and we'll sort this out? You can trust Bozer too." I nodded sadly. He put a hand on my shoulder gently. "It's ok. I know it's a lot happening right now. How old are you by the way?"
     "Didn't my background check tell you?" I asked. It seemed like a dumb question from a guy who just learned everything about my life.
     "Yeah. I just checked to see if you were really Jack's daughter. I didn't really ask about age."
     "I'm 25. Sorry I'm so upset. It's been a long day," I admitted.
     "Don't apologize. I think anyone would be scared and overwhelmed in your shoes. You mentioned you may have gotten grazed by a bullet?" he assured me. It actually sounded like he cared. I hadn't heard someone care in a long time.
     "Maybe. I wrapped it in the airport bathroom, but I don't know if it's bad or not."
     "Can I see it?" he questioned gently. I took off my jacket and rolled up my sleeve.
     "I didn't have much to work with, so I put a tampon on it for the bleeding and wrapped it tightly with some toilet paper and a rubber band because it's all I had to work with," I told him as he gently undid the toilet paper.
     "Smart thinking. That's something I would do. I'm really surprised your dad never mentioned me. You're sure he didn't?"
     "No. Unless he just didn't tell me your name," I admitted. I thought for a second. "Wait. Are you the guy who's always fiddling with paper clips and you always get out of situations with your pocket-knife or some other crazy contraption?" he nodded as he chuckled.
     "That's me."
     "So you're why my dad always has to get a new phone," I commented.
     "Yep. Sometimes the battery or inner workings come in handy, ok?" I chuckled before wincing in pain. "Well, there's good news and bad news," He added.
     "What's the bad news?"
     "The bullet definitely grazed you and you've got some burns along the edges that will definitely hurt for a while."
     "And the good news?"
     "I can fix you up right here. It only grazed you, so you don't need stitches or anything. You'll just be in pain for a while." That was definitely good news. I didn't want to risk going out in public just yet. "Hey Bozer?" He hollered. "Can you bring the first aid kit?" Boze returned with a first aid kit which Mac promptly opened.
     "You can stay out here if you want. Mac trusts you so I trust you," I admitted. Mac bandaged me up and Boze put the first aid kid back.
     "Did you get dinner?" he asked. I had gotten to his house pretty late, but he knew I had been flying most of the evening.
     "No. I was too worried about getting here to try to find food. I took a taxi so I couldn't stop on my way over and I worried I was being tailed so I didn't stop in the airport."
     "Well, Bozer and I got pizza so if you'd like a slice or two, you're welcome to it," he offered. I nodded and went with him to the kitchen. I had a couple of slices that he had left in the box and we small talked as I ate. "So, Jack really didn't mention that he was going overseas on a mission?"
     "No. He and I didn't talk super regularly. Once a month or so we would talk, but I lived on my own. We've been fairly distant for a while.
     "I gotcha. Well, I'm sorry he didn't tell you." We talked for a while before heading to bed. "I'll give you my bed for the night. I'll take the couch just to be safe."
     "Will you stay in your room too or let me take the floor in there or something? Please? I need your protection," I begged. "I don't mean to sound like a little kid. I just don't want to be away from you right now since you're literally the only person I trust right now."
    "I'll take the floor in there if it makes you more comfortable." I nodded and we got settled in.