Streamline (46 page)

“You ever eat a grape leaf,
hombre?”
Benito whispered.

Standing at attention during a rifle drill, Leo took a quick sideways glance at his roommate. “Uh, nope.”

“It’s a staple in the Arab diet, according to my textbook,” he said.

“They put rice and crap inside and roll it all up.”

“Fascinating. Sounds disgusting.”

A section leader called out commands, and the company, one-hundred thirty members strong now that the fleet had reported for the school year, spun and shifted their rifles in unison. The infantry drilling went on for over an hour, and Leo derived deep satisfaction from the precise, choreographed movements. It was a thrilling syn-chrony of bodies moving together, command by command.

After the section leader dismissed them and the company dissipated in a scrambled chaos, Benito spoke to Leo again. “Hey, I think somebody’s trying to get your attention over there.”

“What’re you talking about?” Leo looked toward the perimeter fence. Sure enough, two people waved their arms in wide overhead circles. Leo squinted. “Is that Jase?”

“Who?”

“He’s my brother.” His face was transformed by a brilliant smile.

“I’m gonna see what he wants.”

“Dude, you need to turn in your rifle and get back to our room,” Benito warned.

“I’ll make it,” Leo called over his shoulder, already jogging toward the fence.

When he arrived, still wearing a silly grin, he noticed Jason’s left hand grasping a set of binoculars and Cameron’s left hand sporting some major bling. “Whoa, Jase, how’d you afford that rock?”

“CS gave me the money for the ring.”

“What?”

Cameron nodded. “It surprised me too.”

“I think Mom put him up to it. Anyway, you’re damn near impossible to get a hold of,” Jason said. “You didn’t answer my emails, and you’re not allowed to take phone calls? What if there’s a family emergency?”

“You could go through my company officers.”

“Yeah, well.” Jason glanced at Cameron. “What I need to tell you can’t go through them.”

Intrigued, Leo stared through the fence. “Did you guys drive here?”

Cameron seemed to avoid looking at his rifle. “Yes, and we have to drive back soon so we’re not late for work on Monday.”

“Wow, that’s a long road trip for a minute-long conversation. This has to be quick or I’m gonna get in trouble.” Leo glanced over his shoulder at his fellow company members, now filing into Bancroft Hall. “What do you have to tell me?”

“Can’t we meet somewhere later to talk?” Jason asked.

Leo shook his head. “Sorry, I’m stuck in my dorm room all night for evening study.”

“On a Saturday night?”

“Welcome to the Navy.” Leo grinned. “I can receive phone calls on Friday — can this wait till then?”

“No,” Jason insisted. “Listen closely, Leo. I want you to get reassigned to another company.”

“What?
I can’t do that!”

“You can and you will.”

“What’s this about, Jase?”

“We were packing up Cam’s father’s office, and, well, we found a letter he wrote to Darnell Keaton.”

“The lieutenant?”

“Yeah, your company officer. It looks like they were having an affair.”

Leo turned to Cameron. “Your dad and Lt. Keaton were having an affair?”

Cameron nodded and looked down.

“I’m sorry, Cam.” Leo couldn’t think of anything worse than a cheating father. “But what does this have to do with me?” Jason took a deep breath. “I think your company officer murdered Cam’s dad.” Leo’s eyes widened. “She fled Pensacola right after he died, Leo. It’s got to be a scorned lover exacting revenge.”

“Except my dad was pleading for Darnell to take
him
back,” Cameron said.

Jason let out an exasperated sigh. “That letter could mean a hundred different things.”

Leo watched them argue, absorbed in thought. “Wait a minute.

So maybe we can free Audrey’s dad if we can prove the lieutenant was the real murderer?”

“No, Leo.” Jason stepped right up to the fence. “I don’t want you anywhere near that lieutenant. She’s bad news. That’s why you have to get reassigned.”

“You don’t understand how things work here, Jase. I can’t just change companies. What am I supposed to say — ‘I request reassignment because my company officer’s a suspected murderer’? No way!

Second Company midshipmen are my friends, my family.”

“
We’re
your family!” Jason hollered. “I’m not sitting back and letting my kid brother hang around a killer — just to follow some stupid protocol.”

“Have you told Mom about this?” Leo asked.

“No, we just found the letter early this morning and Patti, er, Mrs.

Walsh doesn’t even know. I had to beg Cam to tell you about it, but she agreed since she thinks you’re in danger too.” Leo glanced back at the dorm. “Crap, I’m gonna be late. Jase, I gotta go. Sorry. I’ll be careful. I promise. Thanks for visiting, and congrats on getting engaged.”

“Leo!”

His brother’s shout did nothing to break his swift stride.

Leo hustled to the small firearm storage unit in Bancroft Hall, and his stomach dropped when he found the metal gate locked. There’d be hell to pay if he didn’t get his rifle logged and stored properly, and he couldn’t exactly tote the weapon to his dorm room.

His heart hammered. Evening study time had already begun, and he had to get back to his room. Pronto. Scanning the empty hallway, he yanked open a storage closet and stashed the rifle, hiding it behind some mops and buckets.

Leo sprinted through the passageways, and final y made it to his wing. He slipped into his room and gasped when he discovered his company commander already there, dressing down his roommate.

Leo snapped to attention as Ms. Nevington halted her harass-ment mid-sentence. “Where’ve you been, Midshipman Scott? And don’t try to tell me you were in the head — your roommate here already checked.”

Leo winced. He’d involved Benito this. “I was talking to my brother by the fence, ma’am.”

“No visitors permitted!” Her eyes flared.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Both of you drop and give me fifty.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the roommates responded in unison.

Once they finished, Nevington glared at Leo. “I hate to see what Lt. Keaton will do when she finds out you’re in trouble again.”

“Lt. Keaton, ma’am?” Leo’s voice rose with alarm.

“After the assault incident, she ordered me to report your rule infractions directly to her.”

“Please don’t tell her, ma’am.” He hated the telltale fear in his voice.

“You’re not up for a twenty-four hour march again, Midshipman Scott?”

Leo paused to collect himself, willing his voice to stay steady.

“I’ll take any punishment you dole out, ma’am. Just please, let’s not bother the company officer with this. It’s Saturday night, ma’am.” Nevington sighed. “Tell me one good reason I shouldn’t report you to her.”

“What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, ma’am?” The strangling noise from Benito was probably his attempt to stifle a laugh.

Nevington glared at him. “Hilarious, Mr. Scott,” she finally said.

“I guess we’ll give the lieutenant a reprieve from seeing your sorry butt in her office again. But I hope that little chat with your brother was worth it, because you just earned yourself five company tours after lunch this week.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Gentlemen, there’s been far too much drama. It’s only the middle of October. I want you to settle into plebe life and stop causing problems, got it?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Carry on,” Nevington instructed as she walked out, shaking her head.

Leo’s shoulders slumped. He didn’t exactly welcome the drama either.

“
Lo siento
, roomie.”

“Just don’t do it again,
gringo
.” Benito grinned.

Leo settled at his desk and extracted a textbook from his backpack.
How was Lt. Keaton involved in the death of Lt. Commander
Walsh?
He stared blankly at the page before him. He was determined to decipher this connection. He owed it to Audrey.

Leo’s mouth spread into a huge yawn as he tried to focus on his ocean topography textbook at his desk. Could this crap
be
any more boring? He struggled to clear his bleary eyes. If a firstie caught him snoozing during evening study, he’d get into even more trouble.

Company tours would already cut into his study time.

Leo winced again as the thought of Ms. Nevington’s disappointment in him. He hated the look of disapproval: tight jaw, downturned lips, annoyed eyes.

He’d dodged additional looks like that by hunting down the midshipman second-class in charge of stocking ammunition for the small firearm storage unit. Leo had heard the guy was saving up to buy an engagement ring, and thankfully $100 was enough to get his rifle back where it belonged.

Leo’s heart raced all over again just thinking about the morning’s subterfuge. He felt more awake with fear pumping through his veins, and Leo returned his attention to reading.

The room was quiet until Benito’s frustrated sigh. He shook his head as he stared at his computer screen.

“What’s wrong?” Leo asked.

After another long sigh, Benito said, “No good. Lucia went out with my cousin.”

“Okay. But isn’t she your ex?”

“My cousin’s a snake. She deserves better.”

“Sucks.”

“Yeah.” Benito tapped his laptop, as if unable to keep still. “I need to be there. Protect her from that
cabrón
. Thanksgiving can’t come soon enough.”

“A whole month.” Leo imagined Audrey in her swimsuit, and his focus was totally shot. He returned his attention to his roommate.

“At least your shoulder’s holding up okay.” Benito nodded.

“But you’re still slow as molasses,” Leo added. “I thought you were a
good
swimmer.”

He barely had time to duck as a pillow whizzed over his head.

He chuckled as Benito cussed him out in seven different languages.

Leo approached, holding out the pillow as a peace offering.

Benito grabbed it and glared. “Ain’t enough Percocet in the world for the beating I should give you.”

Leo froze. He wheeled around and trudged back to his desk, remembering what Dr. Ina expected him to do.

He tried to read, but the words swam across the page. Abstract sea surface temperature readings and plate tectonics couldn’t hold a candle to the thoughts bouncing around his brain.

Leo cleared his throat, his cheeks flushed before he even spoke a word. “So, I have therapy tomorrow.” Benito gave him a strange look.
“Sí?”

“And, um, kind of an interesting topic came up in session last time.” Leo kept his eyes focused on his desk. “You were just talking about Percocet, and well, you know, pain medication came up in my conversation with Dr. Ina too.” Leo’s head stayed down but his eyes peeked up. “Do you need those pills anymore?” Benito shrugged. “Nah, I haven’t taken any since July. They make me feel like crap. I was going to give them to my mom at Thanksgiving.”

“Okay, good. Dr. Ina kind of ordered me to give them to her? Could I have them?”

Benito looked confused. “She wants my Percocet? What, she run out of hers? Is your shrink a junkie or something?”

Leo smiled. “Yeah, she probably could use some meds — she hurt her knee.” He jangled his leg. “It’s more like, wel , it’s more like…
I’m
the junkie,” he finally said. He held his breath as he waited for his roommate’s reaction.

Benito looked puzzled at first but then grinned. “Good one, Leo.

You had me going there for a second.
Payaso.”

“I’m not being a clown.” Leo swallowed. “I was hooked on Oxycontin.”

Benito’s eyebrows shot up. “Oxy?
You?
That’s some serious stuff.”

“No kidding. Detox was a nightmare.” Leo finally met Benito’s eyes.

“Have you taken any of my pills?”

“No, I swear. I’ve…I’ve thought about it though. That’s why when Dr. Ina forced it out of me, she made me promise to bring the pills to her.”

“Dude, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tempt you.” Leo shook his head vigorously. “No, this isn’t your fault…How would you know? It’s my fault. I don’t want to think about those pills, but I can’t help it. I’m so freaking weak sometimes I can’t stand myself.”

“Weak?”
Benito gawked. “This from the guy who can do more pushups than anyone I know? This from the guy who’s so smart he sets the curve in every class? This from the guy who put the smack-down on a very deserving firstie? I don’t think so. You’re super strong.”

“You obviously don’t know me very well.”

“¡Ay, Dios!
Thank God you’re not perfect.” Leo looked up, startled.

“I mean, it sucks you were hooked on pills, but dude, it’s hard living with Mr. Perfect all the time. Plebes refer to me as ‘Scott’s roommate,’ and I hear about you all day long. I’m just saying it’s nice to know you have problems too.”

“Oh, Benito, I have a boatload of problems, believe me.”

“Like what?”

Suddenly Ms. Nevington stormed into the room, springing the plebes to their feet.

She was in his face in an instant. “You think you have a boatload of problems? Just wait, Mr. Scott!”

Panic sent adrenaline coursing through him.

“Lt. Keaton’s ordered both of us to her office immediately, and she sounded completely ticked off on the phone. Do you have
any
idea what this is about?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Well, it’s something bad if she’s calling us in on a Sunday night.” She exhaled. “We have to be there, like, five minutes ago. Let’s move it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Leo grabbed his cover and preceded his superior out the door.

He’d been through this drill before, with a painful, blistery outcome, and that was before he knew the lieutenant was capable of murder.

He dreaded round two.