The Colonel's Daughter

by Lili Tufel

  Maurice chuckled.

  Infuriated, Javi gave a firm palm, heel strike to Maurice’s kidney.

  “She’s long gone.” Maurice tried to draw a breath. “She probably already made it to the Port of Miami.”

  The soldiers from the military roadblock arrived drawing their weapons and apprehended Maurice. Javi walked away holding his bandaged side. He came near Maurice’s car. With a deep sigh, he slammed his hands on the hood. He retrieved the baseball from the back seat, clutched it tight to his chest, and hung his head in sorrow.

  Dallas radioed the General. “We got him sir.” He cleared his throat. “Sir, we need to find out if he was at the Tampa Port and we need the exact location inside the port.” The technician in charge of the covert intelligence surveillance gathering system got on the radio with the coordinates.

  Javi and Dallas rushed into their vehicle as Javi drove following the coordinates. He accelerated to over 120 miles per hour tightly gripping the steering wheel.

  Javi stopped the car at the Port of Tampa container terminal berth where Maurice had been photographed by satellite surveillance. They split up to search the perimeter. Dallas stood in front of a gantry crane, which was lifting a container by a hoist onto a stack of almost a dozen others. He called over to Javi and pointed at the containers that had been loaded at the time of the satellite picture. An old Irish man walked with Dallas removing the locks as they inspected one by one.

  Javi limped towards an old rusted container that caught his eye. “Can we take a look inside this one?” Javi shouted over the noise of the crane trolley.

  The Irish man fidgeted with the lock. A sudden ray of light gleamed into its darkness revealing the tiny curled up body of a little girl that lay on the ground in the middle of the empty container. Javi dove inside, put his right knee down extending his left leg, and took Samantha into his arms. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes.

  “You’re gonna be ok Sammy.” Javi whispered holding her tiny body in his arms. “You’re safe. I’m here now, you’re safe.”

  “Javi,” she opened her hazel eyes. “I knew you would find me.”

  “Are you hurt anywhere?” Javi asked checking her head for signs of trauma.

  “No. I was just crying a lot.” Samantha placed her little arms around Javi’s neck.

  Dallas walked inside and picked up a small baseball glove from the ground then brought it to Samantha.

  “Is this yours?” He asked the little girl still in Javi’s arms.

  She smiled.

  * * * * *

  At the Tampa Hospital, Javi limped through the double doors of the emergency room carrying Samantha in his arms. Jasmine dashed to meet them. The little girl was placed on a stretcher as a doctor rushed to examine her. Jasmine gripped her little hand. As the doctor placed his stethoscope to her lungs, Jasmine stared in silence. Tears streamed down her face.

  “I’m okay momma. Don’t cry. I’m fine.”

  “You don’t know how happy I am to see that smile.” Jasmine brushed her daughter’s cheek with her thumb. She looked into her young hazel eyes realizing how Samantha was truly a much stronger, braver extension of herself.

  Abby stood by the emergency entrance waiting for Dallas. She approached Javi with concern. “Is Dallas ok?”

  “Oh yeah, he’s alright. He’s got a bunch of paperwork to turn in.”

  “Thank you.”

  “He’ll be here soon.” He gave Abby’s shoulder a tap and limped towards Samantha holding the baseball in his hand, “Look at what I got.”

  “My baseball,” Samantha gave him a big smile while still clutching her glove.

  Jasmine noticed Javi’s arm pressing his side as he stood bearing all his weight on his right foot and not letting his left touch the ground. “Are you alright, Javi?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Captain Santos, Captain Javier Santos!” Dr. Bowes called out as he trotted down the hallway.

  Javi looked up and sighed.

  “Captain Santos,” Dr. Bowes stopped out of breath. “Where did you run off to? I haven’t discharged you. You have serious injuries. Remember what we talked about, I am still recommending that you be declared medically unfit for duty. You cannot just leave this hospital without—”

  “Captain Santos!” General Brian Brown called out as he entered the double doors of the emergency room followed by an entourage of soldiers.

  Abby spotted Dallas who had been walking beside the General. Javi stood at attention.

  “Captain Santos you’re coming with us son.” The General ordered.

  “I’m afraid he can’t go, General. I haven’t discharged him.” Dr. Bowes said.

  “Doctor, this Soldier’s medical information is classified. I’m going to need you to release his chart to my men here.” The General said.

  “I will release the chart but this man has sustained serious injuries, General and it is my professional opinion—”

  “Captain Santos has a team of doctors at his disposal that say otherwise. Let’s go gentlemen, you too young lady.” The General pointed to Abigail.

  Javi turned to Jasmine, wrapped his right arm around her small waist and drew her in closer.

  “Will I see you again?” Jasmine asked.

  “I promised you girls a baseball game, right?” Javi winked at Samantha.

  Jasmine put her arms around his neck and he pressed his lips tightly against Jasmine’s mouth. Samantha covered her eyes with her glove. “Ew gross, momma.”

  They looked at the little girl and laughed.

  “I’ll call you.” Javi looked into Jasmine’s hazel eyes as his right hand clasped the small of her back and his left intertwined with her blond hair. He kissed her mouth and for a brief moment Javi’s palate delighted in a taste far more delicious than that of the finest wine.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Five

  “I’m sure you’re familiar with this place, Abigail.” General Brown said as they drove past the historic structures in Fort Sam Houston. “Your father and I served here together.” He studied an edifice depicting the era of its construction. “It was a long time ago but I’m sure you still remember, don’t you?”

  “Yes sir.” She exited the Humvee and followed the entourage into a building as Dallas walked by her side.

  General Brown entered a large conference room and greeted the soldier that was standing sentry before he turned to Abby, “Please have a seat.”

  Dallas pulled out a chair for her and sat by her side. Javi entered the conference room and stood leaning against a table keeping the weight off his left leg.

  “I assure you, we’re doing everything we can to get your father back.” The General paced back and forth. “We have three objectives here.” He gave an about-face and looked at Abby, “Abigail, we need to get the codes back into the hands of the United States Army.” Then he gave Javi and Dallas an austere look. “Two and three are simple gentlemen.” He motioned with his fingers. “We rescue her father and we capture Afshin Shahrivar.”

  “General Brown sir,” Dallas cleared his throat. “Abigail doesn’t know anything about those codes sir.”

  Abby nodded in agreement.

  “Your father told my men here,” the General said, pointing at Javi and Dallas, “that he gave those codes to you. So it’s either you give them to us or some very bad people who wish to annihilate us will take them from you.” Then he picked up a red file folder.

  Javi limped closer to Abigail. “Let me ask you this, has your father given you anything that stands out in your mind. Maybe he gave you something that didn’t quite make sense to you at the time. Perhaps he drew a picture, wrote a poem, or something that could be a sort of map. Your father told us that only you have access to them.”

  Abby remained silent.

  “General, sir,” Dallas’s pupils dilated. “Give Abby a chance to rest. I’m sure if you give her some time to think—”

  “Very well,” and slamming the red fold
er on the table he added, “I’ll let you two boys know when I’m ready to meet. Javi, there are three soldiers out there who will be escorting you to Dr. Crutchfield and his team. They’ve been waiting to examine your head.”

  Dallas chuckled.

  “Thank you, sir.” Javi grunted.

  “Abigail, I’ve arranged a room for you at the Guest Facility right down the road. Dallas, don’t leave this young lady’s side. And get her something good to eat, none of that fast food junk.”

  * * * * *

  On his way to the medical facility, Javi asked his escort to make a quick stop at a local store where he could purchase a cell phone. Outside the shop, the young soldiers waited inside their vehicle for Javi to exit the store and then they watched him walk around the side of the building making a phone call.

  He hesitated before dialing the entire number. He wanted nothing more than to hear Jasmine’s sweet voice and he wanted to tell her how much he liked her but he couldn’t get himself to do it. Feeling a sense of his mortality, he did not want to leave Jasmine and Samantha mourning the death of another man in their lives. His finger pressed the final button.

  “Javi, are you alright? How do you feel?” Jasmine’s shaky but raspy voice soothed him.

  “I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me. How are you guys doing? How’s Samantha?”

  “Samantha’s doing well. She has a baseball game next Wednesday and she keeps asking me if you’ll be able to make it. She wants you to see how she steals first base. She’s actually better than some of those boys.”

  Javi clenched his shirt at his heart and held the phone to his face. “Tell her I’m gonna see what I can do…ok? I want you to keep this number. Call me anytime.”

  “Anytime?” Jasmine laughed. “What if I call and you’re busy saving the world, Mister Superhero? Will you be like…hold that bomb, I gotta take this call!”

  Javi laughed. “Something like that.”

  “I’m happy you called, Javi.”

  “So am I.” He sighed. “Well, I’m off to see another doctor. Hopefully he can repair my superhero suit, so I can get hit by more bombs and repel more shrapnel.”

  “I was only kidding about the whole bomb thing. You’re not going near any of those, right?”

  He remained silent.

  “Well, I really do believe you have super hero abilities. You have a great love for humanity and you give of yourself unselfishly. That’s why you do what you do.”

  “What if I don’t want to be a super hero anymore?”

  “You wouldn’t be who you are without that amazing human heart of yours. You’re my super hero. And you’re definitely Samantha’s super hero.”

  “I don’t want to keep saving the world, Jasmine. What if all I want to do is just to visit a little league game?”

  “Well, go see that new doctor and get better so you can come see us.”

  “I will.”

  * * * * *

  Dallas and Abby entered the Guest House—Temporary Lodging Facility. Colonel Johnston and his daughter had lodged there on a few occasions before receiving on-post housing assignment and Abby recognized the unpretentious room. It had a plain looking bed with a nightstand holding up a plain looking lamp, a small desk, and a color television.

  Dallas placed the bag of food on a small corner table. He grabbed a chair for Abby and gave her a dimpled smile.

  Abby bit into her eggroll. “Mmm…this is good stuff.” She giggled trying to catch the falling pieces.

  After handing her an extra napkin, he watched her slow delicate movements brushing the crumbs off her shirt. He snapped out of it as he was caught staring, and he concentrated on spreading duck sauce over his rice.

  “Chinese takeout is my favorite. It’s a step above fast food. Don’t you think?” She sipped her drink and continued, “I am a simple girl…uncomplicated…very practical. I’m definitely nothing like my mom. She is so high maintenance.”

  “No offense but you actually look a little like your mom.” Mixing more sauce into his rice, he took in the subtle scent of ginger.

  She pierced the broccoli with her fork and paused. “Why do people always say that?”

  “Your mother is not a bad looking woman for her age. Now you know that when you get to be her age, you’ll look—” He cleared his throat after putting his foot in his mouth. “Even more beautiful,” he gulped his soda.

  “Thanks. I think.” She bit into her eggroll bringing her napkin underneath to catch the crumbs. Savoring the bite, she thought about his comment. “Do guys really do that? Do they look at a girl’s mom to see what the girl will look like at that age? What if the mom was really fat? Would that scare a guy off? I’m just asking.”

  “Some guys do that, I guess. I don’t normally do it.” He fidgeted with his napkin. “It was just my stupid way of telling you how beautiful I think you are. It came out all wrong.”

  She licked her lips and gave him a smile. “I used to think that I was more like my father. Colonel Johnston could do no wrong in my eyes. He was so strong, so valiant. I wanted to be just like him. I was in military programs throughout high school and was even voted most athletic.”

  “You were in JROTC?” Dallas’s eyes widened.

  “Yeah.”

  “Me too.” He smiled.

  “I remember the day I got the letter saying I was accepted to West Point.” Her jovial face grew dismal.

  “Wait, what? You turned down West Point. Why?”

  “I was trying so hard to get my father’s attention. Once the war started, he was on several tours and was gone for so long. I felt like he abandoned me. I know it’s selfish to think that, but a young girl growing up needs her daddy. I don’t mean to resent him. But in a way, I do.” Abby pushed her plastic dinner plate towards the center of the table. She walked over to the television and grabbed the remote. Dallas followed with concern. He placed his hand over hers, took the remote from her and set it back down. She looked away and with his fingertips, he turned her cheek back towards him.

  “The way your father spoke about you made me think, does such a woman even exist? He holds you on a pedestal and now I know why.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.

  He gently kissed her cheek then drew his lips close to hers and closed his eyes. He placed both arms around her waist and locked his fingers together at the small of her back. He gave her slow gentle kisses then he felt her fingertips caress his closely shaven beard and neck, which made him react pressing his body tighter against hers.

  She whispered, “I feel so safe in your arms.”

  He buried his hand in her brown hair and savored her tongue in his mouth. There was a knock at the door. Abby ignored the knock and kept her tongue playfully exploring his mouth. Then a second knock at the door. Dallas tightly pressed her body against his unwilling to let her go. There was a third knock at the door. Abby gripped his triceps not wanting to be released.

  Dallas brought a hand to his pants and adjusted the buckle before opening the door. A young private stood at attention.

  “Private First Class John Williams reporting for night shift duty. Lieutenant Star, The General wants to meet with you, sir.”

  “Where’s your post?” Dallas asked.

  “Outside this door, sir.” The young soldier replied.

  “Alright…well…she’s very tired. Let her get her rest.” Dallas turned to face Abby and noticed her sad eyes looking back.

  With his fingers grasping her hand, he whispered. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  In a voice loud enough to be heard out the door she said, “Wait Dallas, there’s something very important that I have to tell you.” And as Dallas watched dumbfounded, she skipped to the door and popped her head out looking at the night guard, “It’s confidential.” Then she slammed the door shut.

  She leaped into his arms and kissed his lips. “I just wanted a few more minutes.” He thrust his tongue into her mouth and savored her puckered lips then pulled away slowly. She could
feel his warm breath on her face as he rested his forehead against hers. He pecked her softly and took a step back.

  “The General wants to see me right now.” He brought a hand to his pants. “I need to behave or I’m gonna be in a heap of trouble.”

  “You’re right.” Her delicate fingertips stroked his navel.

  “I’ll see you…in the morning.” Staring into her eyes, she brought out his dimpled smile. He leaned into her defined lips for one last peck. “You look so beautiful.”

  She batted her eyelashes and smiled. “Good night.”

  * * * * *

  As daylight illuminated the small guest room, Abby grew more and more anxious. Unable to grasp a peaceful thought, she forced herself out of bed. She turned the doorknob in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Dallas. To her dismay, there stood a female soldier, who had just relieved the night shift guard. She immediately slammed the door.

  The smell of freshly brewed coffee had already made its way into the room. She decided to freshen up and go downstairs to the community kitchen. As Abby tried to exit, the female soldier took a step directly in her path.

  “I’m afraid I can’t let you out of this room.”

  “You have got to be kidding me. My father is a Colonel in the United States Army and I’m being treated like a prisoner?” Abby retorted.

  “You’re not a prisoner ma’am. The General is just looking out for your protection. I have strict orders only to release you to Lieutenant Star. I’m sure he will be here soon.”

  Abby clenched her fists and returned to the bedroom. She grabbed the remote and turned on the television. Bending her body to a downward dog pose, then an upward dog, then warrior one, she worked on her yoga routine in an attempt to release her frustration.

  As Abby continued to exercise, the anchorman on the news made an announcement. “Police are baffled by what they found floating in Biscayne Bay off of Miami Beach, Florida early this morning. It was the body of a woman, who is said to have been the wife of one of the biggest players in a Miami drug smuggling operation. Thirty-six year old Caroline Sidorov was said to have gone missing from her Fisher Island home in Miami Beach less than a week ago.”