The Guardian's Wildchild (45 page)

“You’re finished, Butchart,” said Sam. “I
am
a Guardian.” It sounded like a declaration, something he now firmly believed in.

He grabbed Butchart with such vengeance that he was airborne for a few moments before slamming into the floor. The two men wrestled until Sam’s fist again connected with Butchart’s jaw, sending him into a semi-conscious stupor from which he wouldn’t soon recover. The officers stationed around the perimeter entered the room and placed handcuffs on Butchart’s wrists.

Few words were spoken. Sam felt like he’d arrived at the conclusion of what had been a nightmare video running in an endless loop. He felt relief. Relief that finally justice would be served for the murder of his wife.

The admiral paced.

“What’s on your mind, sir?” Sam asked quietly.

“The usual,” he murmured.

“Let me guess — the implications of Butchart’s activities being made public in a trial may not be in your best interest. It could ruin your future in the navy.”

The admiral snorted. “Can’t let him testify, Sam.”

“Well, sir, you can’t kill him either.”

The admiral had a look on his face as if to say, “Oh, yeah?” Then he smiled and shook his head. “What have you done to me, Sam?”

Sam smiled back. “This is your new life, John.”

A commotion was heard from outside the admiral’s office door. Clay had arrived with Sam’s boys, Danik, and Perkins.

The boys were hollering and burst into the office. “Dad, Dad, did you see us? That was so cool. We played a trick on that old buzzard, didn’t we!”

Sam was overjoyed. He embraced them both, unable to say the words of how he felt. “Yes, we did, boys. Now, I want you to go to your rooms and pack your backpacks.”

“We’re going camping, Dad?” asked Simon.

“For a while, maybe. Just pack as if you are. Just the essentials. Okay?” He looked them over. “You’re both fine. No problems?”

“Heck no, Dad,” replied Nathan.

“Stay in your rooms until I call for you.” He winked at Nathan. “Promise?” They were delighted, grinning and wrestling with each other as they headed out of the office.

“Gonna take your teddy, Nathan?” Simon teased.

“That’s dumb, but I bet you’re taking Beth’s photo with you.” Nathan laughed.

“Sorry about putting you through that, gentlemen,” Clay said after the boys had run upstairs. “Perkins and I knew that if either of you knew about the set up, it might not work. We had to push your panic buttons to make sure Frank was pushed to the edge. Not sure how good an actor you are.” Clay gave a fake slow motion blow to Sam’s chin. “With everyone at a fever pitch, I knew Frank would fess up.”

Sam eyed Perkins, who thrust his hand forward for a handshake. “No hard feelings, Sam?”

Sam hesitated. Clay explained that Perkins was a special agent and had been collecting information for him since Joy’s death, working undercover. Sam relented and shook Perkins’ hand.

“Actually, come to think of it, you’ve been watching over my boys the whole time. I owe you a lot. Thanks,” Sam said.

Danik stepped in and interrupted. “Gentlemen, this may appear totally out of protocol, but I’m taking Frank back to where he belongs.” Tension filled the room as the officers frowned at Danik. “Look, I know he’s committed criminal acts and you’re probably planning to see him rot in jail.”

The admiral interrupted. “Just where is this place, Mr. ah … ?”

“Danik is the name. Just Danik. Can’t say exactly where this place is, but once I get him there, he won’t be coming back unless he’s become an Olympic swimmer.”

The admiral was puzzled. “Just why do
you
want him?”

“Oh, don’t get me wrong, sir. I’d just as soon leave him with you.”

Sam interjected. “Danik, the admiral has been told about the Guardians. He knows the basics.”

Danik went on to explain that the Guardian Elders wanted Frank returned to Hawk’s Island. They hoped that one day he’d return to make amends for what he’d done. Even so, Clay was unwilling to release his prisoner.

Sam motioned for Clay and the admiral to meet with him away from the group. After a few minutes of discussion, Clay told the police officers they were dismissed and that Butchart was remaining on scene for the time being.

Clay shook his head. “As far as the books are concerned, Joy’s murder is still not solved. Sam pointed out that if I tried to explain this business about Guardians, the police chief might have me admitted into a mental ward. You keep Frank out of my hair, and I keep my job and credibility. Agreed?”

The admiral turned to Danik. “All right, Danik, get this trash off my property. I’d better not ever see or hear from him again. Is that clear?”

Danik saluted. “Right away, sir. My partner is arriving with our chopper. Should be landing here any minute. Sam, can you give me a hand with our sick puppy?”

Danik started to lift Butchart from the floor and then let him drop as he slapped his forehead.

“Oh, Admiral, I’m terribly sorry but I completely forgot to mention there’s a fee for this,” Danik said rather sheepishly. “Completely slipped my mind.” He turned to Sam and waved his hand in circles around his head. “The brain’s just not what it used to be.”

“What are you talking about?” asked the admiral.

“You see, we’re quite willing to take Frank off your hands, especially given all the damage he could do to your plans, you know, political ambitions and all that.”

“Get on with it!” shouted the admiral.

Danik winced and turned to Sam. “Is he always this cranky?”

Sam smiled. “Better be quick, Danik. He’s not a patient man.”

Danik nodded. “This is how it goes, sir. We take care of your problem in return for giving Sidney back to us. You really are getting the better part of the deal, sir. I mean, you know what Frank is like, and well, Sidney’s a handful too. You won’t have any more interference from either of them, I promise. It’s a really great trade. Trust me, things sure aren’t going to be peaceful around the campfire anymore with those two around. Do we have a deal, sir?”

The admiral turned to Sam. “I suppose you’re going to pack up your kids and leave with this character?”

“You don’t need me or the
Nonnah
now that you’re shutting down the crystal project. The deal is Danik will take Frank, my boys, and me to the
Nonnah
, pick up Sidney, and — ”

“Just hold on a minute Waterhouse. As happy as I am to be rid of Butchart, we both have Madame about to descend upon us.”

“Danik, go get Simon and Nathan and bring them down while I negotiate with the admiral.”

Danik didn’t have to get the boys. They were waiting at the bottom of the stairs and had heard the conversation. They bolted into the office ecstatically clutching their backpacks.

“Wow, Dad. Just like the movies,” exclaimed Nathan. “Come on, Simon. Let’s get out to the chopper.”

“Just a minute, boys. We’re not going anywhere until the admiral agrees to release Sidney.” Sam turned back to the admiral. “Let her go, sir.”

The admiral was tense. He was being backed into a corner, a place he wasn’t acquainted with. The sound of an approaching chopper could be heard. The admiral went to the window and observed a huge helicopter landing in his parking lot.

“What on Earth is that!” he called out above the noise of the chopper’s rotary engines.

“Ain’t she a beauty?” said Danik with boyish pride. “She does rescue work, mostly in the mountains. She’s as powerful as you can get, not as fast as your little Spitfire there, sir, but there’s no place she can’t go.”

The chopper’s engine slowed to an idle. “Well, let’s go get Sidney,” said Danik hopefully.

The admiral gritted his teeth. “Just step back, mister. Don’t move anyone anywhere just yet.” He was trying to restrain his indignation with Danik’s insolence.

Sam caught Danik’s eye and motioned for him to ease up, then he told his sons to wait with their backpacks at the front door. They scurried out giggling with excitement. Sam turned to the admiral.

“Admiral, if I might have a word with you in private, sir?”

They walked across the hall and stepped through the French doors.

“Leave the door ajar, Sam. Want to keep an eye on that … character.”

The admiral’s view remained on Danik, who sat on the floor beside Butchart, who’d lapsed into withdrawal, oblivious to people and noise.

“Sam, I can’t release Sidney. I shouldn’t release you either, but I’m going to. I owe you that much. But Sidney, as powerful as she is, would be a phenomenal asset to our military strategies. And she knows too much.”

“Admiral, what would you rather have — one little trout or a whole lake filled endlessly with every kind of fish you’d like on your dinner plate?”

The admiral was now focused intently at Sam. “Keep talking.”

“Suppose Sidney were to show you the way to find that lake?”

“Sam, speak plainly!”

“What I mean is that with this Madame set on destroying whatever or whoever gets in her way, it might be prudent to seek the assistance of not just one person but an entire community. The Guardians have ways that … suffice it to say you have the same vision as they do. And I’d stake my life they’d provide you with support and not ask for anything in return.”

“And what’s the catch?”

“Seeking only the higher good. Sidney can probably explain it to you better than I can.”

The admiral thought for a while, watching Danik and Butchart. Sam let him have his space and time. The admiral at last turned to Sam.

“This is what’s going to take place, Sam. You, the boys, and I will take my chopper. Danik and Butchart will go in theirs. We’ll all go to the
Nonnah
. Once I’ve met with Sidney, I’ll make my decision. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

“There’s one problem though. We’re going to have to be fast. If Madame gets wind of this, and she always does somehow, we’ll all end up dead. Is that clear? We must act very quickly to get you and your boys off the
Nonnah
as soon as possible.”

Sam quickly relayed the information to Danik, who shrugged his shoulders as if it was a minor glitch in his plans. Sam and Danik hoisted Frank up into the old chopper. The Admiral, Sam, and the two boys went to the admiral’s chopper and soon were heading to the
Nonnah
, listless in the quiet Pacific.

26. The Admiral’s Guardian

July 16, 1845 Hours

Their reception at the
Nonnah
was far different than they’d expected. The crew was armed and ready for a major confrontation. The admiral watched from inside his chopper as sailors stood or crouched in fighting position on the ship’s decks. The large cannons were armed and manned.

“What the hell?” said the admiral, puzzled by the aggressive stance. “Don’t they recognize my chopper?”

“Commander Moon is following Frank’s orders,” Sam explained.

“Russell,” said the admiral to his pilot, “keep the engine running. We may have to leave quickly. Let’s go, Sam. You boys stay here with Russell.”

Sam nodded in agreement but motioned for his boys to keep their comlink line open. Sam and the admiral stepped down from the chopper as Moon approached them with two armed sailors by his side. Moon stopped several feet away, carefully observing who exited the chopper. Suddenly, a ruckus was heard coming from the stern.

Guns were drawn and aimed at someone running toward the admiral. It was Danik, dodging around and vaulting over anything in his way. A soldier fired directly at Danik but to everyone’s surprise, the Guardian remained steadfast in his pace toward the admiral.

Sam hollered, “Let him through, Rhett!”

Moon gave the order to stand down, and the sailors stepped back and stood at ease. When he reached the admiral and Sam, his salute was almost hesitant. It was briskly returned by the admiral and Sam.

“Welcome aboard the USS
Nonnah
, Admiral Garland and Captain Waterhouse.”

Sam waited for a response from the admiral, and held his breath. Protocol interfered with his intense need to get Sidney. His old rule book had become a torment, rather than a security. He waited for the admiral to make his move.

“Lieutenant Commander Moon, we’ll meet in the boardroom to discuss an urgent matter. Get the prisoner and have her delivered to the boardroom as well.”

The admiral spotted Danik tossing a bullet back forth between his hands as though it was too hot to hold.

He shook his head. “This is Danik. He’ll accompany us.”

Sam headed for the ship’s hallway. “I’ll get Sidney.”

Moon held up his hand. “That’s not possible, sir. The code has been changed. Only I can open her door.”

“Rhett, escort the admiral to the boardroom. Sidney and I’ll be there shortly. Danik, follow the admiral.”