The Colonel's Daughter

by Lili Tufel

  “I don’t have time for this, Susan. Let’s go.” He grabbed her upper arm pulling her across the deck.

  “I insist you take me to a hotel immediately.”

  “Well, there’s something I gotta do first, Susan, so you just sit tight.”

  “James, I am not gonna stand for this. Do you have any idea what I have just been through because of you?” Then she found a cushioned deck chair and plopped down fanning herself.

  “Hello Susan,” Javi said while handing the Colonel his cell phone with Dallas on the line.

  Colonel Johnston’s nostrils flared as he put the receiver to his ear. “Dallas, son you get this guy Afshin Shahrivar and its checkmate. Now how many times have I whooped both of you two boys’ asses at chess? That’s right, too many to count. And what happens at the endgame that is different from the middle-game? That’s right, the pawns become more important. Now, Shahrivar failed to protect his pawns. Let’s finish the game son.”

  The Colonel hung up and while handing the phone back to Javi, he gave Susan a glance but she wouldn’t have it. She crossed her arms and looked away. Faisal gave Susan what the Colonel thought was a flirtatious look.

  The Colonel placed Faisal in a headlock. “You better not have touched her.”

  Faisal flapped his arms screeching. “I didn’t touch her. I didn’t touch her.”

  “Colonel,” Javi extended his hand holding his cell phone. “It’s General Brown, sir.”

  He released Faisal, “General, we can make the call as soon as you’re ready on your end to intercept the phone call and get the grid coordinates.” He turned to Faisal, “The satellite’s pointing to you…make the call.”

  “I want assurance that you will not harm my sister. And you will bring her to America.”

  The Colonel got close to Faisal’s ear and whispered, “Make the call.”

  “I want assurance.”

  “Susan?” The Colonel stared down Faisal, “Did this guy hurt you?”

  “He tossed my stilettos overboard.” She put her arms on her hips.

  “Did he molest you, Susan?”

  “Oh God, no he did not.” She gagged.

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll give the order that your sister doesn’t get hurt. Now make the call.”

  Faisal reached into his pocket for the cell phone.

  “He’s making the call.” He informed General Brown.

  The General responded, “I’m going to let that slide James because I know you heard me loud and clear when I agreed to save that man’s sister way before you felt the need to pull that charade. I’m glad to see the old Colonel is back.”

  “General, start your coordinates. We’re live…”

  Faisal made small talk with Shahrivar but it wasn’t enough time to trace the call. He shrugged his shoulders as if not having anything else to say.

  Susan looked at the Colonel as he motioned to Faisal to elongate the conversation. She noticed Javi was preoccupied with keeping the prisoners quiet. Upon seeing that Faisal was ready to end the conversation prematurely, she leaped towards the cell phone with dramatic screams.

  “I don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s gone crazy. She’s out of control. I can’t take it anymore.” Faisal’s heavy accent grew worse as he tried to speak over Susan’s wailing.

  “Got it,” The General said.

  The Colonel tapped Susan’s shoulder, gave her a thumbs-up and grabbed the phone from Faisal.

  “We leave you gentlemen in good hands.” Javi said handcuffing Faisal to the railing alongside the others as the bright lights of two Coast Guard ships appeared in the horizon.

  The Colonel placed a hand on Susan’s back and helped her exit the yacht to board the rented fishing boat.

  Javi picked up his cell phone and called Dallas. “We got the Intel. He’s at Marjah in the Helmand Province.”

  Dallas replied, “Oh man! Javi, that place is a death trap. It’s a giant mine field over there.”

  Javi jumped onto the yacht’s swim platform with the cell phone to his ear and boarded the fishing vessel joining Susan and the Colonel. “Listen Dallas, the Colonel needs you to get Shahrivar’s wife out of there alive.”

  “This is a suicide mission. He wants me to get the wife out of there alive. You’ll be lucky if any of us come out of there alive.”

  “You can do this, Dallas. You’re the man now. It’s checkmate brother.”

  The Colonel who had been staring at Javi said, “Let me talk to that boy,” and grabbed the phone. “I got some good news for you son. The General and I called in a favor from our buddy, Commander Riggins and he’ll be supplying you with top quality air support. You’re getting transport and cobra attack helicopters and the black hawks are going to be covering your rear and they’ll make sure you’re in the clear.”

  Javi joked while steering the fishing boat, “Look at that, the Colonel’s busting out a rhyme.”

  The Colonel looked at Javi, squinted then continued, “Now I don’t care if Shahrivar feels the bitter end of the butt of your gun, you just make sure you get that wife of his out of there alive.”

  Dallas insisted, “Sir, there are thousands of bombs buried in that sand. It’s mine field, a death trap.”

  The Colonel remained silent.

  “I’ll do my best sir.” Dallas said.

  “I’ll make the call right now and get you five 70-ton Assault Breacher Vehicles if that’s what you need. They’ll plow right through the firing line charges and they’ll detonate those bombs. I’ll make sure they pave the way for your men. How does that sound?”

  “Thank you sir, I really appreciate that Colonel. It’s checkmate, sir.”

  “That’s right. Now you be safe. I don’t want you disappointing my daughter.”

  The Colonel hung up the phone, sat down next to Susan and gave a loud exhale. “I’m going to be retiring Susan, finally settling down. Maybe live somewhere close to my daughters, if they’ll have me.”

  “You talked to Jasmine?”

  “Yes and her mother also paid me a visit.”

  “Hmm…” Susan crossed her arms, “Good for you James. I wish you the best,” avoiding eye contact.

  “Are you going to stay angry with me forever?”

  “I don’t hate you, James but this life isn’t easy on me either. You think I didn’t suffer watching you on the news?” Susan broke down in tears.

  “Alright, will you stop the crying? Stop that crying. What do you want from me, Susan?”

  “I don’t want anything from you. I want to be free of this heart ache.” She wiped her smeared mascara with her fingers. “Our divorce was finalized and you weren’t even here for it.” She sniffled.

  “I thought you’d be happy about that. Just stop your crying, woman please.”

  “Can’t you just be a little sensitive? Don’t you see that I’m having a breakdown?”

  The Colonel looked over at Javi who continued to steer the fishing vessel pretending not to hear a word.

  Susan took a deep breath, “I’m moving to Coco Beach with my sister. She’s recently divorced herself and we’re getting this great beach house together. I was only coming back to the apartment to get some of my stuff together…when...well you know.”

  “Shh…you don’t need to mention what happened. Just relax. Javi and I will take you over to the apartment and you can get whatever you need.”

  Her cheeks full of mascara, she pouted, then nodded in agreement.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Seven

  “My mom makes the fluffiest pancakes in the world.” Samantha licked the sticky syrup from her fork.

  “I can see that.” Abby’s eyes widened. “I love pancakes. My mom used to take me out to dinner a lot and I would usually ask for pancakes. We would call it brinner—breakfast for dinner.”

  “Is your mom my grandma too?”

  “I’m really not sure…but I don’t think she would mind being your grandma. Although, you may not want to use the word grandma
because that would make her sound old and she wouldn’t like that. Maybe you could call her something like Lala.”

  “I don’t mind calling her Lala. Besides, I already call my grandma…grandma.”

  Jasmine walked towards the front door and peeked through the blinds.

  “It’s Javi!” She fidgeted anxiously with the dead bolt.

  Javi wrapped both arms around Jasmine lifting her feet off the ground. “Mmm…Smells like pancakes.”

  “You’re just in time. They’re nice and hot. I can serve you some if you’d like.”

  “I’d love some pancakes.” He walked by Samantha and ruffled the top of her hair.

  Abby looked at him, “How’s my father? And how’s my mom?”

  He pulled out a chair. “Your father’s flying to Texas with the General. And your mom is moving to Coco Beach with your aunt. She’s doing just fine.”

  Jasmine poured a glass of orange juice for Javi. “Well I’m kind of glad you didn’t have to go with them.”

  “So am I.” He smiled. “Besides, I promised Sam here that we would have a pizza night.”

  “Momma already ordered pizza last night. We had a girls’ night and I even went to bed at midnight.”

  “Whoa, midnight…sounds like a wild party.” He winked at Jasmine.

  “Samantha, why don’t you go and get washed up and you can go ride your bike for a bit.”

  “Okay.” She ran to her room. “I want to show Javi this cool trick I learned on my bike.” She called out from her room.

  “Cool trick? I hope you’ve been wearing your helmet.” Javi’s eyes widened.

  Abby put her fork down. “Have you spoken to Dallas?”

  “Yeah, I spoke to him a few times.” He drowned his pancakes in syrup.

  “He’s doing just fine. He’s being promoted. You know, I’m very proud of that kid. He’s a fine soldier.”

  Abby stared at her coffee mug.

  Jasmine placed her hand on Abby’s forearm. “He’ll be back before you know it. And he did call you to tell you that he was thinking of you. I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to come back home safe.”

  “These pancakes are delicious.” Javi said with a mouthful.

  “Listen Javi,” Abby knit her brow. “I grew up with my father always avoiding these same types of conversations. I recognize all the avoidance tactics. He was always on some top-secret mission and he could never divulge any details. I’m not asking you for details. Just tell me that my father didn’t send Dallas on some type of suicide mission.”

  He picked up his orange juice and gulped. “I’m sorry Abby. You’re right I can’t tell you any details.” Then he remained silent.

  “Well…tell her something.” Jasmine insisted. “You can’t just leave her in the dark like this.”

  “If she doesn’t trust her own father, I’m not getting involved in that.” He stared at Jasmine.

  Abby looked at Jasmine, “He’s right. I don’t trust my father. And now that Colonel Johnston can’t go on his own suicide missions, he’s going to send the man that I love directly into harm’s way.”

  “It’s not like that, Abby. Your father is taking every precaution. He’s doing more for Dallas than I’ve ever seen him do for himself. He’s pulling all the punches and calling in every favor so that Dallas can come home to you safe.”

  “Can I talk to Dallas? Can you get him on the phone for me?”

  “I can’t do that right now. I’m sorry.” Javi took another bite of his pancake.

  “This must be so hard for you Abby, I’m so sorry.” Jasmine placed her hand on her shoulder.

  “Thank you, Jasmine,” and using her father’s own avoidance tactic, “I’d like to do something for the two of you. I want to babysit for you tonight so you two can go out. I had a lot of fun at our girls’ night and I wouldn’t mind repeating it again with my niece.” Abby smiled burying her sadness. “I’ll order some more pizza or maybe Chinese. Does Samantha like Chinese food?”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you Abby, I’m sure Samantha will want pizza again.”

  “It’s the least I can do.” And lifting an eyebrow, she turned to Javi, “Take her someplace nice.”

  * * * * *

  Jasmine twirled angel hair pasta around her fork then scooped up a shrimp dripping with sauce. Somewhere in her inner consciousness was an awareness of the other people in the restaurant but to her, Javi was the only person there. She watched him reach into his pocket as he pulled out a folded sheet of lined paper.

  “There’s something I want to say,” he became nervous clearing his throat several times. “I…uh…wrote it down. Jasmine, my life has changed so much since we first met. It will never be the same. I thank God for you.” He paused to look into her eyes then back to the paper. “We have seen some dark times, now things seem brighter. I love you as I’ve never loved before. You have become my best friend. Will you be my wife?” Before she could answer, he held up a diamond ring. “No matter what other changes are in store for me, one thing I know will never change is my love for you and that beautiful little girl, Samantha.”

  Jasmine extended her hand and let him slide the ring onto her finger. “Yes.” She reached for his face and kissed his mouth, giggled, and kissed him once more.

  A petite waitress approached their table. “Will you be having any dessert tonight?”

  Jasmine puckered her lips with what was left of her lip-gloss. “No, thank you.”

  “I think we’re ready to go.” Javi gave Jasmine a wink.

  The waitress placed the bill on the table.

  And while waiting for their car at the valet, Javi held Jasmine tight in his arms in a public display of affection.

  An elderly woman elbowed her legally blind husband, “Look Harry, newlyweds. Aren’t they adorable?”

  Javi gave the old woman a big crooked smile.

  * * * * *

  “Sam...The pizza’s here.” Abby peered through the blinds from the window adjacent to the front door. “Hmm…I don’t see anyone.”

  She slowly opened the door to the barrel of a gun pointing at her face. The gunman forced his way through as three others in grey suits followed.

  An old guy with an unkempt wiry beard waltzed in behind them. “Well, well, well. I come to question the long lost daughter, Jasmine, and whom do I find here? The one I have been looking for all along. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Afshin, Maurice’s father. Your daddy, the Colonel, knows me as Shahrivar. I believe his friends are planning an attack of one of my homes in Afghanistan. They think they are capturing me as we speak. Let’s say that your Hollywood films are not the only ones who have stunt doubles.”

  He stood at the doorway to Samantha’s bedroom.

  “You won’t find anyone here Mister Sha-river. My sister went out with her kid.”

  Samantha quickly slid into her closet and crawled underneath a mound of stuffed animals shutting her eyes tight.

  He lifted his bushy eyebrows. “Oh, I’m not interested in anyone else.” His gaze fixed on Abby.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “It’s the pizza guy. He’s going to keep knocking if I don’t answer it.” Abby looked around the room. “Anyone interested in some pizza?”

  Shahrivar squinted. “Get rid of him quickly. Hemshi…”

  The gunman pushed Abby towards the door.

  Abby opened the door and feigned a big smile at the young pimply face boy holding a pizza box. His nose wrinkled while holding up his glasses as he fumbled the receipt.

  Abby gave him a wink and liked her lips. “You’re cute.”

  His big eyes stared through the metallic rim glasses.

  The barrel of the gun pushed against her back as she wrote a phone number at the top of the receipt. She bit her bottom lip and batted her eyelashes, then lip-synced the words call me.

  The pizza boy smiled and winked back.

  She blew the boy a kiss and slowly closed the door then turned around only to have the barrel
of the gun pointing at her face.

  The pizza boy ripped off the portion of the receipt containing her phone number and tucked it inside the front pocket of his jeans as he swaggered to his car.

  Shahrivar yanked the pizza box from Abby, “I don’t have time for your games. You will cooperate or you will be forced to do so,” as two men threw her to the ground and struggled to tie her arms and legs.

  * * * * *

  Javi parked the car nearly touching the sand on the beach. Jasmine leaped out kicking up sand with her bare feet. She followed the moonlit path to the water. Javi sprinted behind her. She shrieked as a cold wave came crashing over her legs. Javi enfolded her body into his arms and lifted her off the ground.

  “You’re so beautiful, Jasmine.” He gave her a slow lingering kiss.

  “I love you, Javi.”

  He slowly lowered Jasmine’s body pressing tightly against his. Javi’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stared into Jasmines eyes unwilling to let her go.

  “Aren’t you going to answer it? It might be important.”

  “What could be more important than this moment here with you?”

  “You’re a super hero, remember? There’s a world that needs saving.”

  Javi chuckled. “The world can wait.”

  Thunder faintly rolled in the distance. The sky grew bright then slowly dimmed. Javi’s phone buzzed again. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and checked the caller id.

  “Hello?” Javi wrinkled his brow.

  The choppy puberty ridden voice of a boy came on the line. “Um…yes, sir…um…I think I dialed the…um…the wrong number.”

  “No problem, son.”

  Javi placed the cell phone back into his pocket and gave Jasmine his crooked smile.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Just a kid who got the wrong number, too nervous to even apologize, sounded like he could use a little time in boot camp.”