Beyond the Checkpoint

by Addison M. Conley

  Chapter 25

  November 2010 – NSA Headquarters, Fort Meade, Maryland

  Thomas Blair wanted to see Admiral Kent immediately after Major Stewart’s report came in but had to wait for a couple of hours. Now he sat stoically in front of his old friend and boss, pretending to appear unfazed by their argument. In all their years of working together, they had never had such sharp differences.

  “Fortunately for us, the Brigade does not take Ms. Clairmont seriously. We have to act,” Kent said.

  Thomas Blair wanted to stretch his neck and pop his knuckles and even scream but remained calm as always. “With all due respect, I have to disagree. Ms. Clairmont is not trained, and CIA wants to send in a replacement for Mr. Galvarino.”

  “We’re running out of time and will lose the momentum if we wait.”

  Blair uncrossed his legs and leaned forward. He wet his lips and could feel his facial muscles twitching and his heart racing. “That will piss CIA off.”

  “Let it,” the Admiral growled.

  “Sir, inserting her into a trip to monitor and bait Captain Dalton is too risky.”

  “Her risk increased the very moment CIA recruited her to gather info for Dan Galvarino and kept their operation from us for months! We have no more time Thomas! There are no other options!” Kent lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, but Dalton will be suspicious of any last-minute replacements. We will have enough trouble inserting new security guards. We have to do this.”

  Blair rubbed his eyes. “She’s only an analyst that provides imagery and other geospatial products. We should come up with some excuse and insist NGA pull her out.”

  “If we send her home now, we lose our insight. We need her!”

  He knew Kent far too well. This operation would be pushed through no matter what. “At least, explain the full extent of the operation and the risks involved. Give her the courtesy to accept or decline the job.” Blair faced the window and silently prayed for the best.

  Kent tapped his fingers on the mug as steam rose from the hot coffee. “Why are you so engrossed in the career of a young analyst? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re fond of Ms. Clairmont.”

  “I’m fond of her work.” Blair leaned back in the chair, straightened his tie, and brushed his pant leg. The smell of strong coffee waving in the air and Kent’s gunmetal stare caused his stomach to flip.

  “You’re nervous, Thomas. I’ve never seen you like this.” Kent narrowed his eyes.

  Blair swallowed, and wet his lips. “The stakes are high.”

  Kent kept watching him while rubbing his finger on his lower lip. After several long seconds, Kent said, “I’m authorizing the sting operation, period! No further discussions. You’ll supervise from the ground. I believe we can have you in the air within four hours.” Blair’s jaw dropped, and Kent chuckled. “Didn’t expect that, huh?” Kent rocked in his chair and put his hands behind his head.

  Blair nodded.

  “Double check with my secretary that your clothing measurements and shoe size are still accurate in the computer. Be back within two hours to pick up your bag and stop by the armory. And Thomas,” Kent softly said.

  “Yes, sir.” Blair stood and awaited further instructions.

  “We all have secrets and have made sacrifices.” Kent picked up a picture of his son killed in Fallujah, Iraq. Putting the picture down, his facial expression shifted to his well-known battle-hardened expression. “Bury your feelings, and do your duty.”

  Thomas Blair’s chest and throat constricted at the gravity of Kent’s words. Despite his expert ability to hide behind a poker face, he could feel the flutter of his eyelashes, blinking several times. He cleared his throat. “I’ll do my best. You know I always have.”

  “That I do.”

  Blair’s stride toward the door wasn’t at his usual brisk pace. After all these years, his emotionless business side had cracked. He paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Thank you, sir. I won’t jeopardize the mission.”

  “You’re welcome, Thomas.”

  Chapter 26

  November 2010 – Paktia Province, Afghanistan

  Lynn shuffled her feet down the hall towards the Brigade commander’s office. What if he’s involved with the classified leaks? At the door, she took a deep breath and exhaled before knocking.

  “Come in.”

  She saluted and stood at crisp attention. “You wanted to see me, sir.”

  “Sit down, Major Stewart.”

  He eyeballed her for a few seconds with intense scrutiny.

  “Major, I know you’ve only been here a couple of months, but unfortunately, I have to inform you of a problem on your team.”

  “Colonel, I’ve seen nothing but positive performance and the prior team commander left good evaluations.”

  “Not their technical performance.”

  “I don’t understand. Why am I here, sir? JETT is a top-notch team.”

  “Ms. Clairmont, Staff Sergeant Miller, along with another female in the Engineers, have been reported as lesbians.”

  The words sliced right through Lynn. She tried to steady her breathing. “I see. And how do we know these allegations are legitimate?” Lynn waved a hand. “Perhaps, someone is settling a score.” She didn’t know how the words came out without trembling. Her heart thumped, and she could feel the muscles in her body tighten.

  “Two officers, one NCO, and two contractors have signed an affidavit. I sent the reports to Bagram and to Ms. Clairmont’s agency.”

  “Sir, we are talking about career women who have dedicated their lives to our country. Sergeant Miller has sixteen years of exemplary service. As for Ms. Clairmont, I worked with her before and personally can attest that her work is exceptional. She is a civilian.”

  He raised his hand for her to stop. “It’s my obligation as the Brigade commander to make sure military law is obeyed by everyone.” He stressed the last three words. “A decision has been reached, and I intend to waste no time in cleaning up this fiasco. Tomorrow, we will convene. You will say nothing in the meantime. Am I clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Dismissed.”

  She forced her trembling muscles to stand, then saluted and walked out. Further from the building, she mumbled to herself, “Dammit. Goddammit.” With her head down, she lengthened her stride. Boots crunching under the gravel. Everything is falling apart. I feel like I’m in the middle of a derecho.

  She reported the meeting to Fort Meade and waited for a reply. She had no clue what was about to unfold. Over the next twenty-four hours, she tried to maintain a composed appearance. She might have fooled everyone else, but Ali kept glancing her way. Burying her face inches from the computer, drinking cup after cup of coffee, Lynn’s mind twisted and meandered, trying to come up with options to divert the massacre that was about to happen. Maybe it would be better if Ali went home. She’d be out of danger. Or would she?

  It was now less than an hour before the colonel would pull the trigger on the meeting, announcing the decision. Lynn hastily opened her email and Jabber chat. Nothing. She envisioned herself picking up the computer and throwing it across the room. Instead, she tapped her foot and kept toggling between screens.

  Admiral Kent’s secure icon popped up, and Lynn’s throat went dry.

  Admiral: Ms. Clairmont’s agency has left it up to the Brigade commander on whether she stays or is sent home. Corps won’t reveal the decision on the others. Do whatever it takes to keep them on base.

  Lynn: Yes, sir, but Ali has to be told the truth.

  Admiral: Other agencies have now signed off. Report to the Special Forces compound after the Brigade meeting and bring Ms. Clairmont. Colonel Peterson will read her onto the program and issue her clearances. That is, if you manage to keep her on base.

  Ali locked gazes for a split-second with Lynn as she walked by. God, she looks like shit. I don’t buy her excuse that she has insomnia. Something’s going on.

  A young sergeant tapped Ali on the
shoulder. “Can you please help me? I’m having trouble displaying the new statistics page for tracking IED attacks. I’m not sure if it’s a technical glitch again or if I’m doing something wrong. The major gave me five minutes to print it out.”

  “Sure.” She punched the keys to close her computer and helped the sergeant, then marched to the main conference room. Miller and Cramer sat outside in the hallway. Oh, fuck. Michele was resting her elbows on her knees. Jill was leaning up against the wall, arms folded with a grim expression on her face.

  “Hey, Ali. Guess you’re here for the same meeting with the colonel,” Jill said in a flat voice.

  “The colonel?”

  Michele eyes were red-rimmed.

  “Ladies, the colonel wishes to see you now.”

  Oh, God, Dalton must have talked. Or did Lynn? No, she wouldn’t do that. Would she?

  “Come on, Ali.” Jill lightly touched her arm, then put her palm in the middle of Michele’s back. “One team, one fight.”

  They were ushered in. The colonel, Major Ratcliffe, Lieutenant Hernandez, and Lynn were seated on one side. A staffer sat in the corner with a notepad.

  After Miller and Cramer saluted, the colonel motioned, “Please sit.”

  Ali said, “What’s this about?”

  The colonel gave her a look and motioned to the seat again. His face was emotionless. Ratcliffe and Hernandez stared at them while Lynn hung her head and chewed on her bottom lip. Ali maintained a fixed stare at Lynn, but she wouldn’t look up. The colonel shuffled some papers while silence filled the room.

  “Ladies, a complaint has been leveled, charging that you are involved in homosexual activity. Five individuals have signed an affidavit, including two officers present at the table.”

  Ali’s pulse dropped, and a sick feeling roiled through her body. She had no doubt Ratcliffe and Hernandez were the officers on the paperwork, but why hadn’t Lynn done anything to stop this senseless onslaught?

  The colonel went on. “The paperwork was sent to Bagram and to NGA. They have examined the evidence, and a decision has been reached.” He seemed to have a gleam in his eye as he paused. “Major Ratcliffe is Sergeant Cramer’s commander, and Major Stewart is in charge of you two.” He suddenly pushed the closed manila envelope down the table. The whoosh was the only sound around. The envelope stopped in front of Lynn. “Major Stewart will read the verdict.”

  You son of a bitch! Ali gave Lynn an equally harsh scowl.

  Lynn’s face was pale as she scanned the paperwork. She read Miller’s and Cramer’s verdicts in a level voice but paused a couple of times to take a sip of water. Miller and Cramer were not being discharged, but they would be split up and reassigned.

  When asked if they denied the charges, Miller said, “Sir, I love my country and the Army and have dedicated my life to both, but I will not deny my love for Jill.” She reached out and intertwined her fingers in a sign of defiance.

  Cramer said, “Whom I love should have no impact on my ability to serve, but I will abide by the order.”

  “Ms. Clairmont, were you aware of their relationship? How do you plead on the accusations against you?”

  Ali scrunched her toes in her shoes and clenched her jaw, trying to think of what to say.

  The colonel wrote a note in the file. Without looking up, he said, “Obviously, your silence speaks volumes.”

  Ali stood up swiftly causing the chair to scuff the floor, making an unpleasant sound, and he stopped. She leaned across the table and glared at him. Out of the corner of her eye, Lynn’s hand rose slightly to tell her to calm down.

  She pointed her finger down, jabbing the table. “Miller’s and Cramer’s performance is of the highest standard, and you’re treating them like criminals. As for me, I am not involved with anyone. You do not know my sexual orientation, and it is none of your business whether I am celibate, straight, gay, or whatever. And for the record, I have observed plenty of heterosexuals engaged in infidelity and haven’t heard one word about that.” Her eyes locked on Hernandez. Lynn was shaking her head slightly and mouthed the word ‘sit,’ but Ali remained standing.

  “You may be a civilian, but NGA has left the decision up to me,” the colonel said through gritted teeth.

  Hernandez said, “Ms. Clairmont has been helpful to others outside of her team in the Operations Center, but she is also a disruption. I have warned her numerous times about causing discontent with political conversations.”

  Ali laughed. “Yes, military regulations require a neutral workplace. Is that why you allow your friends to listen to the Rush Limbaugh radio program on their computers? I don’t remember you asking them to curb their political comments or their off-color jokes. They sling mud when news of DADT comes across the screen. I don’t see you correcting them.”

  Lynn stood abruptly. “Enough! Sit down, Ms. Clairmont.”

  Ali froze then sat. She was clenching her jaw so tight that it hurt.

  Lynn remained standing. “Sir. I mentioned before that Ms. Clairmont’s work is exceptional.” Lynn was gripping her pen tight. “I need her to stay. In fact, NSA has ordered me to put Ms. Clairmont on the project that Sergeant Evans and I are working on. She has skills we need. I promise to counsel her. This won’t happen again.”

  The colonel tapped his finger for several seconds. “Very well. Ms. Clairmont can stay, but if I hear any more disrespectful comments, I will have both of your hides. Also, she may be a civilian, but I want her counseled on the dangers that homosexuality pose to the military. There may be talk within certain elements in Congress of more lenient regulations, but right now,” his voice rose, “DADT is still the law. I need soldiers focused on work.”

  “Yes, sir.” Lynn nodded. “Ms. Clairmont, I believe an apology is due.”

  This Brigade is led by a bunch of spineless, homophobic, cheap-shot individuals…But there are still good, hardworking soldiers that needed my help. Ali forced out the words, “Please accept my apology, Colonel.”

  Ali could tell Hernandez was suppressing a grin. He finally said, “I disagree. I think Ms. Clairmont’s presence here is a bad influence on the troops.”

  Ratcliffe said, “I concur. Please reconsider, Colonel.”

  “Sir, again Ms. Clairmont is crucial to the new JETT project. She has confided to me that her sister is a lesbian,” Lynn turned back to the officers, “and was brutally attacked in college. Ms. Clairmont formed a gay-straight alliance. As you can see, she’s rather sensitive, and the homophobic slurs have obviously set her on edge.”

  Hernandez narrowed his eyes at Lynn.

  “In fact, the joking and political conversations are out of hand. I’ve heard several complaints from my team as well as others that it is distracting, and it verifies Ms. Clairmont’s claim that several in the Operations Center are involved.” Lynn looked at Hernandez then back at the colonel. “Before this meeting, I was hoping to discuss more productive ways of handling differing opinions and toning down the rhetoric with Lieutenant Hernandez.”

  The colonel’s mouth hung open, and Lynn kept going. “Sir, please let me counsel her. We can give her light duty. I promise this won’t happen again. A replacement at this stage would set us back.” Lynn focused on Ali again. Her eyes were pleading, and her voice was soft. “Ms. Clairmont, I think a more sincere apology is in order.”

  Why has Lynn concocted this story about my sister? Ali studied Lynn’s face, but she only slightly nodded. Say something. They’re all waiting.

  “Yes, Colonel. I’m sorry for my outburst. I want nothing more than to do my job, and do it well.” Looking at Hernandez, Ali launched into an Oscar-winning performance. “I’m sorry, but the comments of your staff have brought on flashbacks.” She took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes as if she was going to cry and buried her head in her hand. She faked a sniffle and mumbled through her hand. “The attackers said they were trying to make my sister straight.”

  The room was silent, and Ali chanced a glance. The vein in the colonel’s neck wa
s no longer bulging, and his facial features softened.

  “I’m sorry for your pain, Ms. Clairmont, but I will not tolerate your insubordinate language in the future. Major, I want Ms. Clairmont confined to her quarters for the next forty-eight hours unless she is in your office receiving counseling or running menial errands as punishment. She can eat MRE’s at the picnic table outside the tents. We can discuss the harassment allegations later.”

  “Yes, sir. Also, I believe Ms. Clairmont would benefit from going to church with me. In fact, we could go a couple of times throughout the week. I’ve been busy but meaning to get on a regular schedule.”

  Ali’s brain screamed, Church? What the hell is going on? The words almost popped out of her mouth. Instead, she took out a tissue and dabbed her eyes.

  The colonel’s nodded. “Hmm, interesting idea. Give it a try. This meeting is adjourned. Major Stewart, I want a word with you in my office.”

  As they filed out of the room, Lynn lingered. “Sergeant, please take Ms. Clairmont to my office.”

  Chapter 27

  “It’s chow time, Sergeant. I can handle it from here.” Lynn thumbed towards the door.

  Ali took off her Operations Center access badge, tossed it on the desk, and said, “Guess I won’t be needing that for the next forty-eight hours. Jesus Christ, how can you remain so uncaring in the face of such injustice?”

  “Uncaring? Ali, I was blindsided.” Lynn locked the door.

  “You are the perfect case of denial. Oh, you’re excellent at the job, but do you have to be such a loyal lapdog?”

  The ugliness of anger rose and spread. Lynn stared Ali down. Rooted in her spot, Lynn clenched her fists. The epitome of calm, no one had ever ruffled her, but Ali touched every corner of her inner self and evoked all kinds of emotion.

  Ali blinked first and nervously shifted from one foot to the other. Lynn relaxed her stance.

  “I hope you don’t think I was the one who turned Miller and Cramer in. I’d never do that. It was Ratcliffe and Hernandez on that affidavit.”