by Bella Juarez
“I don’t want to say yet. Doc hasn’t been able to get back to me, and we can’t talk at the office. We have to meet in secret, and he hasn’t been able to verify the second person. That one we believe is the top guy. I don’t want Doc compromised. I do know there are two of them right now,” Rock said.
“Rock, I came down here to chew your ass and somehow you always land on your feet. What on earth possessed you to marry Anna Santiago?” Dixie asked, taking a long drink.
“There were a few reasons, boss. The biggest one was safety, for her and for the rest of us. Anna is still being monitored for the effects of that infection. As long as she’s living with me, I can contain her somewhat until we’re sure it’s not coming back and she’s not some sort of Typhoid Mary,” Rock said.
“Holy crap on a cracker! What a fucking mess,” JJ uttered in disgust.
“Rock, I want you to start coming to Coronado every other Thursday. I want an in-person briefing on this situation, do you understand?” Dixie commanded.
“Yes, Dixie. I understand,” Rock said.
“As soon as you find that motherfucker, you let me know and you bring him in, is that clear? We’ll call this Operation Southern Watch,” Dixie said.
“Yes, Dixie, I’m clear,” Rock said.
“Dixie there’s already an Operation Southern Watch,” JJ said.
“Then they won’t know what the fuck we’re talking about, will they?” Dixie said.
They dropped Rock off at the house and went back to base operations where Dixie informed his pilot that he was returning to San Diego. JJ walked Dixie to the plane and told him he was staying for the long weekend. It was common knowledge that Rock and JJ were tight, so this wouldn’t be unusual. He also told Dixie he planned on making a trip to Victoria and checking in with Gavin while he was there. Dixie agreed and didn’t ask too many questions. He dug out his cell and called Lieutenant Gamez. He needed to find out exactly what had been on that laptop.
JJ spent an hour with Gamez at the NCO club. There was nothing earth shattering about the information Gamez had shared. Gamez looked worried about the situation that Special Warfare Group Five was in. JJ knew Gamez was one of Rock’s most trusted men and had been the SEAL that Rock had called in to sweep his office. JJ headed to his room at NCO billeting and got some shut-eye. Tomorrow he would head to Victoria to visit with Gavin.
At breakfast the next morning, JJ sent Irene a text message telling her he was in Texas and was going to Victoria to visit with Gavin. She told him that Amy and Gavin had just left for San Antonio because Gavin had reserve duty this weekend. He waited around for Gavin to show. While he was there, he and Mac, Rock’s group master chief, went over some training plans and new schools that Mac was getting ready to send some of the newer SEALs through. He managed to keep himself occupied with Mac on some other business until Gavin got to town.
Gavin checked in around noon and found JJ. They went off base for lunch and found a quiet corner in a restaurant. They followed security protocol and left their cell phones in the car as they talked quietly. He wanted to know the circumstances of the dirty police department that Gavin had been involved with. Gamez had also mentioned a missing package that had been uncrated before they could contain Lima the night Gavin had been shot. The contents had gone missing with Lima.
“This goes no further than me and you, do you understand, JJ?” Gavin warned.
“Seriously, Badass?” JJ asked.
“I’m serious. This information could hurt some innocent people,” Gavin said.
“Okay. I get it. I swear, no further,” JJ said.
“I mean it, JJ.”
“What the fuck do you want from me? A pinky swear?”
“This guy got dirty right before Rivera was released from prison. He was in with the guy that was laundering the money for Bakri. Bakri paid him off to keep us off Rivera’s ass. He was smart. He’d give us just enough to interrupt Rivera, but never let us really stop him. We found out he was dirty when Gamez was able to get into Marco Lima’s computer. Gamez tracked the office network traffic of the guy who was laundering the money. That guy was also paying all of Bakri’s bills. That’s when Rock figured out who it was. I figured it out before then. I put out a fake surveillance schedule,” Gavin said.
“Who got the schedule?” JJ asked.
“The chief was the only one I gave the schedule to. He had my guy called off his bogus watch while I followed Rivera to Ingleside Navy Base. The crate Rivera picked up was marked for Rock’s group,” Gavin said.
“Who was the guy that was killed that night at Rivera’s house?” JJ asked.
“The chief of police. I confronted him that night. He went out, started shooting, made it looked like friendly fire accident. In reality it was an officer-assisted suicide,” Gavin said.
“What was his name, again?”
“David Ortiz.”
“Ortiz, did you say?” JJ asked as the blood drained to his feet.
“Yes, Amy’s uncle and Irene’s husband. Now do you understand why I don’t want this to go anywhere? Rock classified his identity in order to spare Amy and Irene.”
JJ hated asking his next question and tried to keep his tone as neutral as he could. “What about Amy and Irene? Did either of them know what he was up to?”
“No, of course not. They don’t know shit, and I want to keep it that way. Irene and all her movements were under surveillance for six months after David died. I live with Amy. Someone had the money moved as soon they found out Ortiz was dead. It was moved to an account under Bakri’s control. Bakri is one slick cocksucker. He never leaves his fingerprints on anything and when he’s here, he drives around in a car with diplomatic plates. We can’t touch him,” Gavin said.
“Okay, Badass, I’ll snoop around Ingleside for a couple of days,” JJ said.
“Be careful, JJ. They’ve bought off people everywhere. If these guys get wind you’re snooping around, they’ll take you out,” Gavin cautioned.
“They won’t be the first to try,” JJ said with a wide grin.
Chapter Six
Ingleside Naval Amphibious Base
Building 5612-A, Dock 2
Supply Chief’s Office
September 5, 2008/1817 Zulu
JJ waited outside the office of the Master Chief in charge of Shipping and Receiving for Logistics at Ingleside Naval Base. The heavy camouflaged work uniform he was wearing was starting to stick to him in the hot and humid Texas Gulf Coast air. He hated sitting with his back to the door so when it opened behind him he had to turn around to see who it was.
“Master Chief Jones?” the man asked.
“Yes, Master Chief Salazar?” JJ greeted.
“Come this way, Master Chief, into my office,” Master Chief Salazar said.
JJ followed the man into an office behind all the supply clerks’ desks. Master Chief Salazar directed JJ to sit as he took a seat behind a desk. The man looked at him expectantly. He noticed that the man was looking at the SEAL badge that was sewn onto his blue camouflaged work uniform.
“How can I help you, Master Chief?” Salazar asked.
“I’m following up on some shipments that went missing a few months back. There was a package that was sent here on or about the thirteenth of February 2008. It was supposed to go to Special Warfare Group 5 at Randolph. The package never made it to Randolph, but we know it made it here. It had some unclassified equipment. Can you tell me where it might have gone?” JJ asked.
“This is September, Master Chief…” the man started.
“I know. We’re in the middle of an audit, kind of touchy. The admiral is sending me all over hell and creation right now. I was hoping to handle this chief to chief, but if you want him to give your commander a call, I can certainly have him do that…” JJ said, trailing off.
JJ knew this little master chief did not want an admiral slamming his captain or his commander. Chief to chief was the way the Navy had always run things, unless someone wanted to be a pric
k, and JJ always prided himself on being an even bigger prick when that happened. He’d put Dixie on alert about his plans before setting foot on the base so the admiral was fully prepared to shit all over some little junior captain or commander.
“No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary. You said February thirteenth?” Salazar asked as he logged into his computer.
“That’s right. It was picked up by a contract trucking company.”
“Yes, I found it. You say it never made it to Randolph?” Master Chief Salazar asked with a frown.
“That’s my understanding.”
“It was signed for at Randolph, Master Chief. I’ll print you out a copy of the waybill that was signed.”
“Thank you, Master Chief. I appreciate all your help. I’ll get back to Randolph and let them know they need to look for this equipment.” JJ took the papers.
“Just glad it wasn’t us.” Chief Salazar stood to escort Master Chief Jones out of the office.
JJ didn’t look at the waybill until after he had left the building and was in his vehicle. He didn’t know whose signature he would find on the incriminating waybill. He also knew damn good and well the package in question never made it to Randolph. It had gone to a warehouse in Victoria. The contents had been stolen before they could see what was inside. He looked at the waybill and smiled. He wasn’t surprised.
The person whose name was scrawled on the paper wasn’t one of JJ’s favorite people. The flipside was this person signed for damn near everything coming into Special Warfare Group Five. It would be hard to prove he was guilty of anything. It also made sense that this signature wasn’t questioned. It was a member of Rock’s staff.
JJ went to base operations and had a classified message sent to Dixie with a copy of the waybill attached. After receiving confirmation that Dixie himself had the information. He destroyed what he had received from Master Chief Salazar. He left Ingleside and started for a two-hour trip to Victoria because he and Irene were scheduled for dinner at seven thirty.
* * * *
Irene was staring at the TV wondering what had happened to her mind. It seemed as if when it came to Mr. Jones, she had no willpower to say no. He was on his way to pick her up for dinner. She was grateful that he hadn’t just had sex with her and forgotten her. She looked at the clock. He was coming in from Corpus Christi and he would be at the house in an hour and a half. Where the hell can I take him? Victoria was a small town, and everyone in Victoria knew who she was. She had remained active in the Library Foundation and had now become involved with the senior center in her home town. Between all her commitments and Amy’s wedding, she was busy.
Irene admonished herself for being so shallow. She kept reminding herself David was dead and she was still alive. It didn’t matter what other people thought anymore. Irene had worried about other people her entire life. In fact, it had been the current topic in her psychotherapy sessions. She didn’t want to be painted with the same brush as her slutty sister and, unfortunately, her own mother.
Irene’s education was what helped her escape the bad influence her mother and her elder sister had been on her. Thank God, for a short time, she had been influenced by her grandmother, who was at a loss as to why her mother, Irma, had taken the path of self-destruction she had taken. Her grandmother was a lady through and through, and Irene wanted nothing more than to be like her grandmother.
Juana Maria Riojas had instilled in Irene the necessity to look her best whenever she walked out of the house. She taught Irene how to dress and how to lay down the rules with men. She had given Irene a solid church foundation by taking her to mass twice a week. Juana Maria had instilled the value of a good education.
Irene thought of James and cringed. Her grandmother would be so disappointed. She briefly wondered why he was continuing to stay in contact with her.
Is he hoping to find a place to land whenever he comes in and out of port? Irene shook her head. If that had been true, why did he continually ask for her to return to San Diego? James had even gone so far as to buy her an open ticket so she could come to him whenever she was ready. She had no illusions it was because she was good at sex. The opposite was true. David had been her one and only. David hadn’t been the experimental type. He loved her, there was no doubt, but David had definite ideas about their marriage bed.
Dr. Adams and Irene had many discussions about the perplexing Mr. Jones. Irene had gone so far as to tell her about the encounter they had the day before she left San Diego. Dr. Adams’s reaction had surprised Irene. The doctor had been very happy that Irene had stepped outside her comfort zone. She did, however, caution Irene to be careful. Dr. Adams instructed her to be open and honest with James about her reservations and feelings. It was good advice.
Irene twitched when she heard the doorbell. Has an hour and a half gone by already? She blinked and looked at the TV. It was time. She stood and went to the door. It swung open, and he smiled. She couldn’t help but smile back. He had seemed to get even better looking than she remembered. He stepped inside and gathered Irene into an eager embrace.
“I missed you, sugar!” James whispered as he kissed her. Irene smiled and stepped away slightly. “What’s wrong, baby?” he asked, concerned.
“Nothing,” Irene said quietly.
James took a step backward. “Sugar, you’re not a good liar. Did you change your mind?”
Irene wanted nothing more than to spend the entire evening in James’s arms. There was no other place like it on the planet. It was safe and warm all at the same time. She hadn’t changed her mind, but she was confused. She didn’t know how to tell him what was really bothering her. Irene wasn’t so sure of herself anymore.
“Come on, let’s sit down and talk a minute,” James said, taking her hand.
James led Irene to the kitchen that was visible from the doorway. He pulled out a chair and she sat down. He took the seat next to her and took her hand.
“What’s up, sugar?” James asked.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s so stupid and shallow…” Irene started.
“Just say it, Irene, and we’ll work it out from there.”
“James, Victoria is a small town and a lot of people still think of me as the principal of the high school and the police chief’s wife…” Irene looked away.
“Irene, I understand. I grew up in a small town and my daddy was one of the most influential people in town. He was the Baptist preacher, and I know how vicious people can be. You have to live here. I understand what you’re trying to say. Let me ask you this. Do you still want to see me?”
“Yes. I want to see you. I just don’t want to deal with all the drama and gossip right now. I know that sounds terrible.”
“No, it doesn’t. And it’s okay. Pack a bag and let’s get lost in Corpus Christi for the weekend. The last thing I want is for you to be stressed out and looking over your shoulder while you’re with me,” James said.
“James, I hate to ask you to do something like that. You just came from Corpus,” Irene said, frustrated.
“So what! If it means you’re comfortable, it’s worth it,” James said.
Irene sighed and shook her head. All of her doubts seemed to evaporate every time she talked to him or saw him. She was safe and he would do everything in his power to keep her that way.
“I need to call Amy to let her know I’ll be gone,” Irene said.
“Call her and then go pack a bag for the weekend,” James said.
Irene stood, took James’s face in her hands, and kissed him. She felt as if she could tell him anything and it would be okay. James followed Irene to her bedroom where she quickly called Amy and packed enough to be gone until Sunday. They left Victoria behind. Irene had suggested that they go to Rockport, a tiny seaside community that was an hour closer than Corpus Christi. They arrived within an hour and located a restaurant.
* * * *
JJ listened to Irene chat about the wedding in St. Thomas. She was back to the vivacious woman he
remembered in San Diego. He couldn’t believe Badass was really going through all of this for Amy. Gavin was the most no-nonsense, no-bullshit, get-to-the-point individual he had ever known.
JJ smiled. Who the hell was he kidding? If Irene had asked him to get married in St. Thomas he would jump through the same hoops in a New York minute. Whoa! Who said anything about getting married? You’ve been there, done that, twice…Nope, no more for you, boy!
JJ looked at Irene. Yeah right. He would marry her tomorrow if she gave any indication that was what she wanted. Unlike other times, there was no question in his mind this was the right woman and they belonged together.
After dinner they walked around the pier that surrounded the restaurant and bathed in the sultry night. It felt so natural and right to be with Irene. Over dinner, they had talked about their concerns regarding their relationship. They seemed to be able to talk about anything and work it out. He’d made an online reservation on his iPhone while they were waiting for dinner at the nearby Inn at Fulton Harbor. He had reserved two rooms for late check-in.
“Ready, sugar?” JJ asked as they watched the lights dance on the water.
“Where do you want to stay?” Irene asked.
“I made reservations at the Inn at Fulton Harbor, right down the street,” JJ said. Irene looked out at the water. “I got two rooms,” he added.
“Did you?”
“Yes, ma’am. As much as I love touching you, I don’t want to push you into anything or make you feel that way.”
“Are you like this with every woman you meet, James?”
“No. I’m not,” JJ responded honestly.
Irene took JJ’s hand as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. He closed his eyes in delight at the warmth that spread through him with her kiss.
“I knew what I was in for when I packed my bag for the weekend, Mr. Jones. What did you have in mind?” Irene asked quietly.
JJ smiled. “Do you know how sexy you sound every time you ask that question?” He kissed her as a bubbly giggle escaped her lips. He smiled because her giggles seemed to tickle his ears every time he heard them. He kissed her again. “Whatever you want, sugar. You’re the boss.”
