Every Last Mother's Child

by William J. Carty, Jr

  Chapter 5: At the Wilson’s Residence

  “Good morning Maggie,” Mike walked into the kitchen to have a quiet cup of coffee with Lisa’s housekeeper.

  “Good morning marshal,” she greeted her lady’s husband. She had had a quiet conversation with the small staff that served the Wilsons. It included Francine, and Liz. It didn’t include the protective detail. That was McGregor’s concern though she would make a point of stopping by Georgia’s quarters. The young woman was a good agent and she didn’t want her beating up on herself. Lady Wilson wouldn’t let her, if she was present. She had just requested, never ordered, never commanded, that the staff take extra special care of their charges. It was important that they do their job better than they had in the past.

  “What is on the agenda for my family today,” Michael asked.

  “Well Colonel Wilson will be here today. She’s picked up an additional protective agent. Miss Wilson will be inside most of the day while she is tutored by Sally McBride. Will you be home for dinner?”

  “I will be around here most of the day,” Michael said, “I shouldn’t have too many visitors. My aid and assistant will camp out in the living room or in the den as needed. I may join the Queen for lunch.”

  “The Queen’s maid has informed me that she will be joining us for lunch, as will Ambassador Gray.” Maggie consulted her calendar that popped up when she touched her implant.

  “If that’s going to be a problem...”Michael asked.

  “Sir,” the maid interrupted, “if one of your officers said that the general was going to come by for a meeting would you admit it was a problem?”

  “I guess not,” Michael replied, “How are you holding up?”

  “Breakfast you lordship.” Maggie asked wanting to change the subject. She missed Lady Wilson and was greatly worried about her. In all the years she had worked at Serenity she had never been closer to any of the people she had worked with. Even the admiral had become a friend. The short time Admiral Wilson had been in the house, she had found her great company. Sometimes when Lisa was busy with her children, and Maggie’s work had been caught up, Admiral Wilson would drop by for a cup of coffee and some company. The two women from different worlds and years apart had found much in common to talk about. It had surprised the middle aged housekeeper. It surprised Maggie how lonely the admiral was even among her son’s family.

  “Yes,” Wilson said, “Since I am not going running for a day or so make it light.”

  “Yes sir,” the maid responded.

  Wilson left the kitchen to find Georgia standing post just inside the family quarters. Wilson saw her and said simply, “Let’s step in here for a minute Georgia.”

  When they were in the study with the door shut, Wilson turned to the young woman and asked, “Did you see the video?”

  “Yes sir,” Georgia replied knowing he was asking about the surveillance video that had been taken during the event.

  “Are you convinced that you couldn’t defeat a stun grenade,” Wilson asked. The girl nodded. “Good because I know I can’t! I’ve got the same problem you do my friend. I should have been with her when she went to the hospital maybe she wouldn’t be in Hozenbur’s hands. I don’t know maybe I should be flogged.”

  That shook the young woman. She was upset at herself that she hadn’t prevented Lady Wilson’s abduction. But she had no idea that Marshal Wilson was feeling the same way. “Sir what could you have done? I mean it was a stun grenade and the abduction was planned by pros. Hell even the MPs and Mounties were caught flat footed! There was nothing we could have done. Sir ....” The Georgia caught on to the Marshal. “But I feel that I have failed you. I was surprised to find that you wanted me to stand post today!”

  “Georgia, Georgia,” Michael said, “there was no way I wasn’t going to let you stand post. I didn’t want you stewing in your room about what you couldn’t do. Prevent Lisa’s abduction. Until my wife is returned to me I want you to be my personal agent. When Lisa comes back, and I said when; you will once again become her personal agent. In the meantime we have work to do. I understand you are the champion among the agents on the combat range.”

  “Yes sir,” The woman perked up she was indeed the champion on the protective detail. “I am or was until Alice aced the combat range!”

  “We’re going to the range later today or tomorrow and we’re going to waste some targets and rid ourselves of some useless frustration!” Marshal Wilson said.

  “Aye sir,” Georgia said with smile. She had heard how good Wilson was. She had never had the nerve to challenge him.

  “Now let’s get some breakfast.” Wilson said opening the door to the study.

  “No thank you sir,” Georgia said, “I’ve ate already.”

  “Then take your post.” Wilson said, hoping he had gotten through to the young woman. She was one of the best protective agents he had ever come across. She understood the difference between protecting a subject’s life, and running it.

  “Marshal,” the young woman said as they left the study, “Thank you. Not everyone would have been so forgiving. Some of the news people...”

  “I know Georgia,” Mike said, “But Pete’s handling that.”

  “Oh,” Georgia said, wondering how they were going to handle it.