Chain of Command (8 page)

Trent cringed inside. Diane was right. Cal wouldn’t be happy. He’d consider it an invasion of his privacy instead of what it really was: someone who loved him watching out for him.

Diane went on. “Yesterday I got a call.”

“And?”

“We met for breakfast. I had to drive up to Warrenton to meet him. I can’t tell you who he’s with, but he said that in the last two days there’ve been repeated mentions of Cal.”

“From who?”

“He couldn’t say.”

“Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”

“I think couldn’t. He did say that he thinks it’s someone in government based on certain systematic indicators.”

Trent nodded. “What was the context of the conversations?”

Diane reached in to her purse and pulled out a thin stack of folded paper. “The transcripts are right there. I’ll leave them with you.”

Trent took the stack and asked, “Diane, what do they say?”

The composure she’d been trying so hard to maintain left her, tears streaming from her eyes as she said, “They want him dead, Willy. They want to kill Cal.” 

Chapter 14

Montego Bay, Jamaica

1:34pm, December 7
^th

Rear Admiral Joseph Gower nodded to the Jamaican customs agent who looked as bored as anyone he’d ever encountered. It made him wonder how diligent their screening process really was. Then again, who was trying to bring illegal substances
into
Jamaica?

He grabbed his civilian passport from the counter and made his way to the Sandals Lounge. A bubbly concierge named Martha greeted him and ushered him inside where she said he could have his pick of complimentary snacks, soda or Red Stripe beer on tap. He would’ve loved a flimsy plastic cup of beer, but he opted for a bottle of water instead.

Five minutes later, his date arrived, taking in the lounge like a child seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time.

“It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed as she set her carry-on bag next to him and kissed him on the cheek. “I won’t even ask what you paid for all this.”

Gower shrugged as if it didn’t matter and that nothing was too good for her. In fact, he hadn’t plunked down a nickel for the trip. The man he was supposed to be meeting had insisted he come.

The Navy admiral had at first refused, citing work as an excuse, when in reality he really just couldn’t picture himself on the impoverished island. Although he didn’t come from money, Gower appreciated the things that money bought. He believed America was a shining example of that fact. Go to most U.S. metropolitan areas and you’d find clean streets and a safe place to live and work. It was one of the reasons he’d gone into the service, to preserve that way of life.

He had friends who paid ungodly amounts of money to visit places like Africa, Haiti and Vietnam. Gower had always preferred to stay in the continental U.S., enjoying the luxuries his service to his country had bought.

But then he’d mentioned the proposed trip to his current girlfriend Nancy, a fifty-year-old administrative assistant who worked at the Pentagon. She was attracted to his position and he, well, he was attracted to the prospect of an occasional roll in the hay. The trip was all Nancy had talked about for the last week. He was sure it would lead to much hay-rolling.

Their names were called and a porter led them out to a waiting oversized van as he pushed a cart overflowing with luggage. Once he’d ensured his own bags were tucked neatly in the back of the vehicle, Gower boarded the mini-bus that was thankfully blasting cold air from overhead vents. He sat down next to Nancy, who was gabbing away with another middle-aged woman a row back. He smiled and tried to seem sociable, but was glad when they started moving as it turned Nancy back to the task at hand.

Her hand rested on his leg and he briefly imagined her topless.

“Aren’t you excited, Joe? I swear if I hadn’t stopped by the ladies’ room that I might just pee in my pants.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “Only the best for you.”

She kissed him on the cheek and then turned to look out the window with wonder. Gower imagined what she must be seeing. All he could take in was the contrast to the U.S. It reminded him of the couple times he’d visited Tijuana as a brand new Navy ensign. Trash littered the streets and natives just seemed to be hanging out for no better reason than they had no other place to be. There were even multiple signs advertising personal security services as they drove away from the airport. What did that say for the state of the small island nation? Gower was glad they’d soon be ensconced in an all-inclusive resort.

An hour later, they were over halfway to their destination in Ocho Rios. The driver asked his passengers whether they’d like to stop to use restrooms up ahead.

“Discovery Bay is just up the hill,” he announced. “It is where Christopher Columbus first discovered Jamaica.”

There were impressed murmurs from some of the other passengers, but Gower wanted to roll his eyes. He resisted the urge and raised his hand instead.

“I wouldn’t mind stopping for a quick bathroom break,” he said.

There was a barely concealed groan from someone in the back, but he ignored it.

The request didn’t dampen the driver’s spirits. “All good, mon. One minute.”

Two minutes later, Gower stepped off the bus and made a bee-line for the restroom. After relieving himself, he took a circuitous route back to his ride and found a spot overlooking Discovery Bay. It was nothing too impressive in his opinion. They’d made sort of an open-air museum in tribute to Columbus’s landing, complete with a replica wooden ship’s bow that allowed visitors to take in the view of the bay below.

He made his way there and was soon joined by another man who seemed consumed with taking pictures of the vista.

Without stopping what he was doing, the man said, “Look on the ground against the wooden railing.”

Gower did as instructed and found a small brown paper shopping bag. He picked it up and inspected the contents. There were a couple Jamaican baubles along with two bottles of water and an envelope.

He looked up from his perusal, but the man with the camera had already moved on. Gower ripped open the sealed envelope and smiled at the stack of traveler’s checks. Under the money were instructions for the next day’s meeting. While he understood the need for the secrecy, he wondered if his host was taking things too far.

Gower wouldn’t question it though. The thousands in his hands were tiny crumbs compared to where things were headed. If his new friend wanted to play spy, so be it. As long as he kept his promises, the career Navy man would go along. After all, what were a few harmless games and a trip overseas compared to millions flowing into your bank account?

Chapter 15

Charlottesville, Virginia

4:22pm, December 7
^th

Diane Mayer lay curled in a ball, the shivers refusing to release their hold on her prostrate form. Occasionally another tear trickled down her cheek and onto the pillow. Even exhaustion couldn’t send her to soothing sleep. Worry kept her going.

Cal was late. He was never late. Not once in the months they’d been together had he failed to show up on time. It was one of a million reasons she loved him, why she couldn’t go fifteen minutes without thinking of him. It was so against everything she’d prepared her life for. She had one semester left in school and then it was off to serve her country once again, this time as a Naval officer.

Years of planning and preparation had been swept away by one man, the man that she couldn’t see herself living without. They were like two forces of nature that tried everything they could to stay apart, but somehow kept getting pulled back together.

Her friends thought he was a little stiff at times, but she understood where the hesitation came from. He was cautious with strangers, showing just enough emotion to be cordial. Despite her Naval intelligence background, Diane was the exact opposite. Since arriving at U.Va, she’d cast off her prior distrust and embraced the community of bright and enthusiastic young men and women. There weren’t many places she could go without seeing a friend.

Cal, on the other hand, had a small group of loyal friends for whom he would do anything. He guarded them even though they didn’t need guarding. They were his family. It was yet another reason she loved him and couldn’t live without him.

He challenged her. She challenged him.

But now Diane wondered if she’d gone too far. After revealing what she knew to MSgt Trent, she’d only gotten one phone call from Cal. He’d been brief, almost curt. “I’ll be in town tomorrow. When can I stop by to talk?”

She’d told him that all her semester finals would be done by 3:30pm and that she could be back at her apartment by four.

“I’ll see you then,” he’d said, and then the line clicked off.

That was the night before. It had taken every ounce of self-control she had to a) make it through her last two exams, and b) not pick up the phone and call him.

Conclusions banged around in her weary head as she waited.
He doesn’t want me anymore. I crossed the line. He’ll never trust me again. I love him. I lost him
.

As another tear slipped down, Diane heard a key being inserted into her apartment door. She sat up and tried to compose herself.
I must look like a basket case
, she thought.

Cal stepped in the door and locked it behind him. He didn’t say a word, quietly removing his jacket and hanging it on the coat rack next to the door. In the dim light his face looked drawn in shadow. She couldn’t read him in that moment. What was it in his stare? Anger? Sadness? Disgust?

“Hey,” he finally said, still not moving from where he stood.

Diane hugged the pillow tight against her chest as if pushing the word from her diaphragm.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“No. You?”

He shook his head. Still he stayed where he was. Her stomach turned. She wanted to run to him, throw her arms around him and never let go. But she resisted, waiting to see what, if anything, he would say.

“I don’t know what to say.” The words slipped from his mouth and entered her heart like a poison dagger. This was it.

“It’s okay. I understand,” said Diane.

He looked confused. “What?”

“I said I understand. I understand why you have to…why you have to say what you have to say.”

Still the look of confusion in his eyes, those eyes…

Cal took a hesitant step forward.

“Diane, I—”

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have done what I did. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay.”

Another step forward and she could see him better, his eyes soft, wondering.

“Wait, did you think…did you think I was coming here to break up with you?”

“Aren’t you?” the words came out in a sob.

Suddenly, he rushed forward and enveloped her in his arms. All the waiting, all the worrying, it all converged as the emotions burst forth and Diane allowed herself to be consumed.

She didn’t know how long they sat there, saying nothing, his arms never budging from their protective embrace. The beat of his heart against hers. His steady breathing. She couldn’t find the courage to look at him, keeping her face nestled against his chest.

If this was going to be the last memory she had with him, Diane prayed it would last forever.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

She didn’t reply.

“Top told me you stopped by the house.”

Her body tensed involuntarily. Here it was. The axe to cleave them apart.

“Uh huh,” she muttered.

“That’s why I came by as soon as we landed.”

Diane sucked in a huge breath and pushed herself back. If he was going to do this she would have the courage to look him in the eye.

“I shouldn’t have—”

He silenced her by putting a finger to her lips.

“Let me explain,” he said, adjusting his position on the bed. “You don’t know how many times I came to see you with the plan all laid out.”

“What plan?”

Cal looked away. “I’m no good for you, Diane.”

Her hand reached up to his cheek and turned his face back to hers.

“You are perfect for me.”

His eyes hardened, again the resolve. “No. You don’t know what I do. It’s no life for someone with your potential. You have so much to give, and I’m…well, I’m…”

“You’re mine,” she said softly.

“That little scratch I got was nothing, Diane. I could disappear and you’d never see me again. You don’t deserve that. You should be with some hotshot lawyer who’ll take you to Bora Bora.”

The absurd comment made her burst out laughing. She couldn’t control it, eyes closed, head thrown back as the ridiculousness of the situation bubbled over.

“I don’t see what’s so funny,” he said, his tone with that edge that she usually heard when he was on one of his rare anti-politician rants.

Finally the laughs and giggles subsided and she could look at him again.

“We are both complete and total idiots, Cal Stokes.”

His eyebrows shot up at the comment.

“What are you…?”

“Just shut up and listen to me.” She laughed again. “I love you, Cal Stokes. Do you think I’d go into something as huge as love without doing a little homework? I don’t know exactly what you do for a living, Cal, but I sure as hell know it isn’t wining and dining as a consultant.”

“But I—”

“I told you to shut up!”

She was overjoyed to see him smile, that mischievous grin that came out when they were alone. He put his hands up in surrender.

“Thank you,” she said. “Do you think I’m the first woman to fall in love with someone in your line of work? I know the risks. I know it won’t be easy. We’ll have crappy days and unexpected absences. But I don’t care. I want to be with you, despite the risks, despite the sacrifice. I’ve lived the last eight years thinking I knew what I wanted. And then one day you step into my life like the stubborn Marine you are, and I’ll be damned if you’re not the only thing I want. I’m sorry that I kept tabs on you, but I love you, Cal. I worry about you. Not in a crazy stalker way, but from the beating heart of a woman who loves her man. I would do anything for you. It’s not conventional and it’s not convenient, but that’s not who I am and neither are you. So you can tell me to butt out and mind my own business, and that’s fine. But just know that as long as you’ll have me, I’ll be here, for you, for me, for us. Always.”