by Laura Acton
“That’s right,” Lieutenant Marshall Gauthier replied watching his last interviewee with a keen eye. Everyone else had checked out, and when Nicholls entered, one glance at him told Marshall he found the guilty party. Now he only needed a confession, and he wanted to find out what motivated this young man to help Plouffe.
Javon lowered his forehead to the table as tears welled. He brought his arms over his head. “Sorry, Josh,” he whispered.
“Who is Josh?”
Remaining in place, Javon said, “My brother. He was the only decent one in my family … only one to do something worthwhile with his life. And Broderick killed him as much as if he shot him himself. He cowardly ran away and left Josh’s unit. They were all killed because they didn’t have a sniper covering their back.”
“And where did you learn the details of your brother’s death?”
Lifting his head, Javon replied, “Major Plouffe told me everything.”
“Is that when he talked you into providing him a gun?” Gauthier queried hoping to elicit an answer.
“No, later.” Javon’s eyes popped open as he realized what he admitted.
“So, you taped the pistol under the table?”
“Yes. I wanted Broderick to pay for Josh’s death. An eye for an eye so to speak.” Javon recognized it would only be a matter of time until they discovered the weapon belonged to him. I shouldn’t have used mine, but after using most of my savings to purchase the ticket to St. Lucia for Tapia, I didn’t have enough money to buy another one.
With no details on Josh Nicholls’ death, Lieutenant Gauthier stood. “I will return in a while, and we will continue our talk.” On his way out, he spoke to the MP. “Provide him with water and something to eat.”
“Yes, sir.” Cale radioed his buddy and requested a sandwich and water for the soldier.
Javon glanced at his backpack in the chair next to him. Surprised they left it with him, but there was nothing inside which might be used as a weapon. He unzipped the top and withdrew the box containing Josh’s Sacrifice Medal. Lifting the lid, he touched the medal and tears came to his eyes. I will avenge your death one day Josh.
Whatever It Takes
37
January 27
TRF HQ – Dispatch Desk – 6:45 a.m.
Lexa exited the elevator and adjusted the bag in her hand. Pride and insecurity made her unwilling and reluctant to call in and request the day off. Though still aching with many tender spots, she figured the tightness would work its way out the more she moved. Babying her abused muscles would not provide the cure her body craved.
Strolling at a slower pace than usual, she caught sight of Loki and Ray already in uniform, hanging out at Tia’s desk. Though she didn’t overhear him, Lexa assumed Loki finished telling a joke which caused Ray to chuckle and Tia to roll her eyes.
When Ray glanced at her, Lexa put more pep in her step than she truthfully possessed this morning, but she didn’t want their mother-henning to start again. Unfortunately, she raised her bag to her shoulder to appear normal, and her muscles protested causing her to clench her jaw to hold in the groan.
Ray’s eyes roved over Lexa, searching for signs of pain and his concern heightened as he noted her frown when she lifted her gym bag. “Hey, are you doing alright today? Perhaps you should take the day off. You banged into the building hard yesterday.”
Damn, I can’t take another day of them treating me like I’m a porcelain doll. If any of the guys jumped, Ray wouldn’t be staring at them as if they were about to break. “I’m fine for the last time! Okay!” Lexa bit out and stomped to the ladies’ locker room. As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she overreacted, and in truth, they would be checking with whoever leapt. She put a chokehold on her fear of being perceived as inferior due to her size and gender.
Loki watched Lexa storm off. “Buddy, you pissed off Lexa. I’m glad I’m not you if we spar today.”
Ray sighed. “Didn’t mean to tick her off, but you were in the truck and didn’t see her fly off the roof. Scared the hell out of me, and I’m going to do whatever it takes ensure she stays safe, even if it means bruised biceps.”
“Me too,” Jon remarked as he joined them. Jon tapped the desk. “Boss says he is running a few minutes late. Timmy’s was busier than he expected.”
“Hope he is bringing coffee for the whole class since he is late,” Bram quipped as he sauntered up, ready for shift. He enjoyed the extra time with his girls this morning and Kellie appreciated the help in getting Allie dressed and set up downstairs. His little girl was becoming restless and a bit testy since she still couldn’t move around on her own. His princess reminded him of Lexa, fiercely independent and not happy when limits were placed on her.
Jon nodded. “Said he has news to share.” He put up a hand towards Loki as the bomb tech opened his mouth. “And no, he didn’t say what, but he did sound upbeat.”
Fifteen minutes later, emotions in check, ready to deal with well-meaning mother hens, a dose of ibuprofen on board, dressed in her cool pants uniform with hair up in a ponytail, Lexa rejoined the guys as they loitered at Tia’s desk. She glimpsed Boss as he stepped out of the elevator with two plastic bags hanging from one arm and carrying two trays full of coffee cups. She hurried over and relieved him of one tray, receiving a grin of thanks.
TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 7:10 a.m.
Nick ambled into the main conference room after changing and noted everyone enjoying the coffee and treats he brought this morning. Tia had been appreciative of his gesture too, flashing him a bright smile along with a thank you before taking a sip and sighing. Moving to his regular chair, he assumed his seat and took a moment to scrutinize Lexa.
He couldn’t breathe yesterday as his lungs seized, witnessing her plummet over the edge. Peering down, Nick was never more thankful to find Lexa and the boy dangling below them. His hands shook as he helped Bram pull them up. If anyone asked, he would claim adrenaline rush. Though the real cause was an emotional whiplash, going from the depths of Hell straight up to Heaven as he realized the woman he claimed as a daughter still lived. Losing her might break him. A thought he continually pushed to the back of his mind.
“So, what’s the news?” Loki popped another timbit into his mouth. Part of him wondered if this had to do with the investigation into Narciso. He still had not resolved in his head what to tell Ma, but he figured he had a little more time before he needed to decide.
Nick said, “We’re under strict orders not to share this news with anyone.” He turned to Jon and Bram. “That includes wives at this point.”
“Copy,” both responded.
“I spoke with Dan last night, and he informed me Plouffe is dead. Someone gave the major a gun and Winds neutralized him as he attempted to gun down Dan and General Broderick.”
“My God! How is Dan holding up?” Bram asked.
“Sounded oaky. He might be back sometime today. He was uncertain. There is an investigation to find the person who provided the weapon. Don’t have any more details at this time.”
Jon leaned back. “Not that I ever wish anyone dead, but … well, it is a bit of a relief someone so conniving can’t wreak more havoc.”
Hiding her smile, Lexa realized this meant Dan would probably be home sooner than later. She missed him … another first for her. The man kept dismantling her defenses as easily as she knocked down the walls in her home. Though her unease over the risk they took was never far from her thoughts. One wrong swing of a sledgehammer would splinter a support beam and bring the house crashing down on them.
Ray’s thoughts came out of the blue, and he shared them with the team. “Do you think now that they cleaned house with this whole Plouffe affair Dan will want to return to Special Forces? I mean, his entire family is in the military and he reconciled with his dad.”
The question gave them all pause. Loki’s face fell. “I hope not.” He glanced around at everyone. “I know the way he joined our family was rocky, but we just got him
back. I don’t want him to leave. We are better with him.”
Bram nodded. “He brings a different perspective.” His eyes landed on Jon, and he grinned. “Dan keeps our TL on his toes.”
Chuckling, Jon graced them with a smile. “That is a huge understatement.” Recalling all Dan shared in the hospital when he believed his lungs would not recover, he said, “I doubt he would go back.”
Lexa’s thoughts went two directions. If Dan returned to the army, it would solve their problem. They would no longer be on the same team and wouldn’t need to date secretly. However, he would be half a world away, and she would not be with him on a daily basis, which might end their relationship.
Personally, Nick wanted Dan to stay with them. Bram and Loki were both correct. Dan brought a unique quality to his team, they all did, which made them better together. He put his thoughts on the back burner, and opened his morning briefing file to begin. “Alright, down to business boys and girl. The Barton brothers struck again. This time they hit a bank in Calgary where they killed three people. Four others are in critical condition.”
Jon’s gut clenched as it did every time the Bartons struck. If only the Central Bank robbery had ended with the brothers captured, many people wouldn’t have lost their lives. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring them to justice.
Club Ed – Interview Room – 0830 Hours
Javon played with an empty juice box after he finished the egg and cheese biscuits that one of the MPs brought him for breakfast. He had not slept much last night, kind of hard to do sitting in a chair with someone badgering you for answers. After admitting to giving the gun to Plouffe, Javon clammed up.
Though Gauthier returned about one a.m. and told him Broderick was not to blame for Josh’s death, he didn’t believe him. The man lied to try and make him talk. Based on the questions Gauthier asked, Javon realized he could obtain revenge on Broderick after all.
Gauthier said Tapia was dead and wanted to know if on Plouffe’s behalf he communicated with anyone besides Tapia. This meant they had no idea if Plouffe hired more people to target Broderick. His revenge would be that the coward would have no rest, always wondering if the next person he met would be the one to kill him. Not the vengeance he initially sought, but in some ways more fitting for a chicken shit who ran away and left Josh’s unit to die.
Letting the box drop, Javon rubbed his face as the door opened again. He noted Lieutenant Gauthier appeared to have showered, shaved, and now wore a dress uniform. However, with shadows beneath his eyes, Gauthier still seemed tired. When a new MP stepped in behind him carrying his service uniform, an electric razor, comb, toothbrush, and a bottle of water, Javon turned a questioning eye on the JAG officer and waited for an explanation.
Exhausted, but doing all in his power to determine the full extent of Plouffe’s plans, Marshall questioned Nicholls until he was blue in the face. Around zero three hundred, he came up with an idea. After pleading his case to General Bellerose and while waiting for a response, he made appropriate plans. Although unorthodox and unprecedented, as much of the Plouffe case was, the Judge Advocate General, CDS McFergus, and Judge Bellerose agreed with him and now he needed to prepare the prisoner.
“Nicholls, you have fifteen minutes to clean up and change into uniform. I expect you shipshape when I return.” He pivoted, ready to leave, wanting Javon to make his query. A grin came to his face as the corporal behaved as expected.
“Sir, why?”
At the portal, Gauthier tossed over his shoulder glibly, “You have a date with the truth young man.” He strode out, needing coffee in the worst way. He hoped like hell this would provide answers to critical questions and help put an end to any scheme Plouffe still had in the works. He would do whatever it took to provide the Brodericks with peace of mind so they could move forward.
Javon stared at the closing door until the MP put his kit on the table then said, “Better hurry.”
Club Ed – Courtroom – 0905 Hours
Dan assumed his seat next to his father after court was called to order. He noted Lieutenant Ruellan at the defendant’s table, and a lieutenant and corporal he had never met sitting on the opposite side of the room. Though Dan did not know either man, the heated glare shot at him from a pair of angry blue eyes was likely the cause for Mason and Winds flanking the corporal. Dan couldn’t help a slight grin as he thought, protective big brothers. Though after the close call yesterday, he fully appreciated their efforts.
Bellerose cleared his throat before beginning. “We are in new territory. An accused never attempted to murder anyone during a tribunal nor perished. After much discussion, the court decided to continue with the trial as it is important to establish the guilt or innocence of the original charges to determine the appropriate course of action. Lieutenant Ruellan will again act as defense counsel as originally tasked. Commander Leroux, you may call your next witness.”
Leroux rose. “The prosecution calls Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi.”
Dan glanced at his dad, his confusion evident.
Shaking his head, William shrugged. The move perplexed him too.
After being sworn in, Bonomi stated his rank and full name. “Lieutenant Colonel Lambert Bonomi.”
“For the record, please state your role with JAG and why you are involved with this case.” Leroux requested.
“I am a lead investigator. Last July, I was tasked with making a full discovery relating to the service history of Master Corporal Daniel William Broderick for the six years he was a member of Special Forces.”
“In your investigation, did you interview the following people? General William Broderick, Colonel Thomas Sutton, Major Jasper Pastore, Major Nigel Plouffe, Captain Donald Blain, Master Warrant Officer Nathan Simons, Sergeant Murchadh-Ailpein Srònaich O’Naoimhín.” Leroux took a breath, happy he had mastered pronouncing Mason’s name.
He continued his list. “Corporals Cody Merrill, Conan Travis, and Mamoon el-Younis, former Intelligence Agent Jorge Pletcher, Constable Daniel Broderick, Senior Paramedic James Shea, and Husain Kundi?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How did you document the interviews?”
“Over the course of four months, most were audiotaped and transcribed. The interview with Constable Broderick was not recorded, and both Kenric and I took written notes. Once we completed all interviews, I wrote a detailed summary of Broderick’s timeline incorporating the inputs of all those involved and provided such to prosecution counsel to submit as evidence.”
“So, you are aware of all aspects surrounding each mission?”
“I wouldn’t say each facet, but yes, I possess extremely detailed accounts and an understanding of the role each person played in various missions based on depositions. For specifics though, I may need to refer to my summaries, we are talking six years of constant missions.” Bonomi wondered where this line of questioning was leading.
“Did you cross reference their accounts with after action reports and medical records?”
“Yes, where applicable.”
Leroux moved to his table and picked up a file. Turning back to Bonomi, he said, “Do you recall mission zero three one three foxtrot eight?”
Bonomi searched his mind. Numbers had never been his thing. “Can you provide me the name of the mission commanding officer?”
“Sergeant Wendell Parsons.”
The light bulb flicked on. “Yes.”
“When did this operation take place in Broderick’s history?”
“March thirteenth … nine months after Broderick joined Blain’s unit.”
“Please give a full accounting of this specific mission.” Moving to the witness stand, Leroux handed him the manila folder. “These are your annotated summations if you must refer to them.”
Hating to be back as Plouffe’s counsel, even though the man was dead and he didn’t need to deal with him, Ruellan took his job seriously, and as such would defend the major to the best of his ability. He stood. “Your Honour, I object. The li
eutenant colonel’s testimony is hearsay. He is testifying to what others said.”
Leroux countered, “Your Honour, I would be happy to recall all the necessary witnesses to provide firsthand accounts of events detailed in depositions and submitted as evidence. However, for the sake of time and clarity with the chronological adaptation Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi can attest to, I beg the court’s indulgence.”
After a moment of thought, Bellerose said, “I will allow this testimony and grant defense counsel the opportunity to cross-examine any witnesses deemed necessary.” Bellerose directed his next words to Bonomi. “Please continue.”
As both Leroux and Ruellan sat, Bonomi set the notes down and said, “This particular one, I recall vividly. This is the first operation where we can conclusively tie Major Plouffe to both selling arms to terrorists and an attempt on Daniel Broderick’s life which also caused the deaths of Sergeant Parsons, Master Corporal Nicholls, and Corporals Riley, Kirk, and Levasseur.”
Javon Nicholls stared at the lieutenant colonel as he began to relate the story of Josh’s death.
Another Stinking Mission
38
Flashback – Six Years and Ten Months Ago – March 13
Afghanistan – Remote Special Forces Camp – 1600 Hours
“Wakey, wakey. We’re almost back.” Brody nudged a dozing Danny.
Dan cracked open his gritty eyes. In desperate need of sleep, he crashed on the drive back to camp. It took three weeks to locate their target. Exhausted, dirt-caked, and stinking to high heaven, all Dan wanted was a shower and bed, and not necessarily in that order. Using his hand, he mopped his sweaty forehead as Brody pushed a canteen at him.
“Drink,” Brody urged, relieved they all returned to the remote base intact and unharmed after taking out the target. They had been on non-stop operations for eight weeks now. It seemed to Brody, no sooner had they come in, washed up, eaten, and grabbed a nights’ worth of shuteye they were sent out again.
