Streamline

by Jennifer Lane

  After flashing a nervous smile at the agent taking his bag, Leo turned and headed to his gate. It was surreal to walk through the airport in civilian clothing once again, like he was taking a vacation from himself.

  Swirling panic and dread consumed him, but he was on autopilot, resolutely determined to set things right. Maybe he had PTSD — feelings of distress and numbness sounded like something Dr. Ina would describe. She had taught him so much. And then he’d betrayed her.

  He wondered if guilt was another symptom.

  He could hardly fathom what he was doing. For the first eighteen years of his life, the thought of breaking rules had terrified him. But Leo’s world view had changed completely since he read Dr. Ina’s notes.

  When he entered the line for security, he noticed the bright smiles of a family ahead of him and heard them discussing their trip to Disney World. That’s why people were supposed to go to Florida.

  Leo wondered if the strangers around him could sense his criminal intent. He wasn’t frolicking toward a vacation like they were. He was on a mission to make things right.

  Ina exhaled when Leo’s squad leader answered his cell phone.

  “Midshipman Sour.”

  “This is Lt. Commander Dr. Hansen, Midshipman Sour.”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Please tell me you still have Leo Scott with you.” She held her breath.

  “Um, no ma’am. I dropped him off at the airport a half hour ago.”

  “I need to talk to him!” She realized she’d just shouted and lowered her voice. “Why’d you kick him out of here so quickly?”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t know you needed to talk to him. After he signed his separation papers, they told me to escort him off the Yard.”

  “I didn’t know he’d be gone so soon! I need to keep questioning him.” She sighed. “Do you know where he was flying?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Tom, how’d Leo seem to you after the hearing?”

  “He was quiet, ma’am. He, uh, asked me to say goodbye to his roommate. He didn’t say much in the car. He seemed kind of lost in thought, you know?”

  “How was his mood?”

  “His mood, ma’am?”

  “Did he seem depressed? Down in the dumps?”

  “Kind of, I guess. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Ms. Nevington told me he begged her and the lieutenant to let him stay here before, and then he gets himself kicked out. It must’ve been pretty devastating for him, ma’am.”

  Ina clutched the phone. “Thank you, Tom. I need to think some things through, and I may contact you or Viva with some more questions later.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Ina hung up. A good predictor of suicide was a prior attempt…

  Should she breach confidentiality and call Leo’s mother without his permission?

  Where was he headed? Home to Florida? How could they have let him leave before she had the chance to find out whose chart he’d read? What a freaking mess.

  She sat back in her chair and rubbed her temples, feeling the pulse of a throbbing headache. Leo Scott sure had a way of complicating her life.

  Mary heard the front door slam. “Mom?”

  “In here, Jase!” she called. She looked up to realize how dark it had gotten — ominous clouds had gathered while she cleaned.

  “Mom, what’re you doing?” Jason scolded as he entered to find her wiping down the kitchen cabinets, perched on her canes. “You’re going to fall!”

  “I just wanted everything to be sparkling clean, before, before…” Her voice faded.

  “Before what?”

  “Before your father comes home.”

  “So, tonight or tomorrow the child abuser returns,” Jason seethed.

  “Can’t wait. Why kill yourself to clean the house just for his benefit?

  Don’t do it, Mom.”

  “I want him to be in a good frame of mind. He’ll be happy I’ve moved back home, but I’m worried what’ll happen when I show him the divorce papers.”

  “You shouldn’t be alone when you give him those. Let me be here.”

  “We’ve been over this, Jase. He’ll feel less threatened if it’s just me, and he’s never hit me before. I don’t think he’ll start now.” Grunting, Jason swiped her dishrag and took over.

  She watched her older son work. The muscles in his forearms reminded her of his father. Mary had agonized over the future of her marriage for the three months since James’s deployment. But she couldn’t deny the relief she’d felt in his absence, and her sons had also flourished. She knew her decision was the right one, no matter how painful.

  Jason rinsed the dishrag and resumed wiping the cabinets.

  “There’s a reason I came over. I want to tell you something. Leo broke up with Audrey.”

  “What?”

  “I had the same reaction. Apparently Audrey called Cam, totally bawling her eyes out. She said Leo told her he didn’t love her anymore and just hung up. What a tool.”

  “Are you sure? That’s awful! Poor Audrey. I can only imagine what she’s going through.” Mary felt tears in her eyes. “I wish we could talk to Leo — find out what he’s thinking.”

  “I wish we could tell him to get his head out of his butt. He better have a damn good reason.”

  The phone rang and Mary made her way over to answer it. “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Scott?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is Captain Sean Tracker, Commandant of Midshipmen, ma’am.”

  Mary’s heart skipped a beat. “Yes, sir? Is Leo all right?”

  “So you don’t know.”

  “Know what, Captain?”

  “Your son was dismissed from the Academy today, ma’am.” She was so stunned she barely heard his next words.

  “You should’ve been called about this earlier, but somehow we had a communication breakdown because we were rushing Leo’s Honor Committee hearing. I was about to leave for the day when Dr. Hansen asked me to call you.”

  “Dr. Hansen?” Mary blinked.

  “Yes, ma’am, Leo was meeting with a psychologist, and she’s concerned for his safety. She’s right here with me. Dr. Hansen would like to speak with you, if that’s all right.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Jason had stopped cleaning and now stared at her.

  “Mrs. Scott? This is Lt. Commander Dr. Ina Hansen. I’m sorry we didn’t get the chance to talk before now, but I didn’t have Leo’s permission.” Dr. Hansen paused. “I still don’t, but I’m sufficiently concerned about your son that I’m breaking confidentiality to tell you this. Are you aware of any of the events of last evening?”

  “No, doctor.”

  “Leo’s been meeting with me since July for anger management issues. I’m very impressed with him. You have yourself a fine son, Mrs. Scott. My regard for Leo made what happened last night all the more shocking. He broke into my office and read my confidential files.” When Mary inhaled, Jason took a step closer.

  “He wouldn’t tell me whose chart he read, despite a full day of interrogation. I need to know, Mrs. Scott. But more importantly, I’m worried Leo’s at risk for suicide right now. I know the Navy means a lot to him, and he may act rashly after being separated.” Mary tried to process this bewildering news. “What makes you think he’s suicidal?”

  “Well, his squad leader reported his mood was depressed on the way to the airport — ”

  “He went to the airport?”

  “Yes, ma’am. And he broke up with his girlfriend, which makes me worried he’s saying his goodbyes.”

  “Leo’s brother just told me about the break-up. I can’t believe it.”

  “And Leo has contemplated suicide before, even if he hasn’t attempted it.”

  “What?” Mary held her breath.

  “I’m sorry. I thought this might surprise you. Leo doesn’t share information easily, does he? After his father beat him for his drug addiction, he took your pills out in the woods and considered tak
ing all of them, but he stopped himself.” Mary could hardly stand. “Leo was doing so well at the Academy!

  How did things go wrong?”

  “I don’t know, Mrs. Scott. I’m just as confused as you are.”

  “Does this…does this have anything to do with Lt. Keaton?”

  The phone line went completely silent. “What makes you ask that, Mrs. Scott?” Dr. Hansen asked after a beat.

  “Darnell served under my husband in Pensacola,” Mary explained.

  “It seemed like quite a coincidence when she became Leo’s company officer, and I know Leo didn’t like her at all.” Silence again. “Well, we’re pursuing all leads at the moment.

  I just believed it my duty to report what’s going on with Leo. I’m worried about what he might do. Let me give you my number so we can stay in touch.”

  Mary hung up the phone a few moments later and turned to Jason. This time she was the one to say, “Leo’s in trouble.” A wave of nausea passed through her. “We need to get to the airport. Now.”

  Darnell entered her office and collapsed in a chair.

  She’d slept maybe four hours the previous night, and the class of plebes she’d just finished teaching was as rambunctious as ever.

  Though it was only her second year at the Academy, she had already noticed a pattern of increasing energy in the plebes as they approached their first visit home for Thanksgiving. Darnell wished she could have some of their enthusiasm instead of feeling irritable and edgy all the time.

  Her phone rang, and she cursed at the name of the caller. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Lt. Keaton, how are you this evening?” Dr. Hansen’s cheerfulness sounded forced.

  “Fine. I just finished teaching, ma’am.”

  “Yes. I’m sure it’s been a long day, but I need to ask you to come to my office to discuss a few things.”

  “It has been a long day, ma’am. Could we just speak over the phone?”

  “I’m afraid these are rather delicate matters. I’d like to meet in person.”

  Knowing the request could easily turn into an order, Darnell sighed. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll come right over.”

  “Perfect. I’ll meet you at the door to Counseling Services. Thank you, Darnell.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Curiosity lifted her veil of fatigue, and fury began to gather as Darnell pulled herself back out of the chair and headed to Ina’s office. If Ina had decided to disclose her affair to the commandant, everything would be ruined. She’d come to the Academy to escape fallout, not reopen old wounds.

  A few minutes later, she could see Dr. Hansen waiting outside her office. What is so freaking urgent?

  “Thanks for meeting with me, Darnell.” Dr. Hansen gave her a warm smile and held open the door.

  Darnell opted not to salute as a little sign of protest, but Hansen didn’t even seem to notice, just turned down the hall to her office.

  Something had her completely preoccupied.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Darnell said. “I hope this won’t take too long.”

  “Probably not.”

  Dr. Hansen’s eyes darted around the office as they both sat.

  Darnell waited, hardly able to breathe.

  “Darnell…In my discussions with Midshipman Scott, I learned his father’s a commander in Pensacola.” Darnell felt physical pain at the sound of that man’s name. She steeled herself for what was to come.

  “Do you, uh, know Commander Scott by chance?” Icy panic froze her in place. “Y-Y-Yes ma’am, he was my CO,” she managed, feeling the room slip away.

  “So Commander Scott was the one who discovered your affair?” Dr. Hansen added.

  The room blurred completely as Darnell burst into tears.

  70. Tropical Depression

  Leo exhaled slowly when he saw his duffel bag emerge from the bowels of Pensacola Airport and begin its journey along the conveyer belt.

  As it passed him, he yanked it up and kneeled to search it in one motion. He kept his eyes glued on his surroundings, scanning for any trouble.

  When his hand brushed the metal of the gun, a bolt of hot fear jolted his heart. Punctuating his physical reaction was a clap of thunder followed by the steady rush of raindrops pounding the pavement outside. His plane had landed just before the thunderstorm arrived.

  As he exited to passenger pick-up, Leo felt the familiar humidity envelop him. He was home. He flagged a taxi and quickly tucked his body inside, trying to avoid the rain. He gave the driver a familiar address and centered himself during the ride across town.

  Soaking wet as he approached his house, Leo cursed his decision to have the taxi driver drop him off a block away.

  A flash of lightning illuminated the night sky, and Leo froze on his neighbor’s lawn, worried he’d be spotted. But there was only the sound of sheeting rain and the sight of his darkened house looming before him. He was so relieved his mother wasn’t home.

  Circling around to the back door, he dug in his bag and came up victorious with his house keys. After he slipped inside the laundry room, Leo toed the heel of one shoe and stepped out, setting his shoes to the side of the door and out of sight.

  He glided down the hallway to his father’s office. As he stepped from the hard tiled foyer to the soft carpet of the study, he willed himself forward into the corner behind an easy chair. Glancing around him in the dark, Leo decided this was the best hiding spot he could come up with and sank to the floor.

  His muscles ached from the hellish interrogation. Rainwater dripped from his shorn hair, and he shivered. He quickly undressed, swapping his soaked clothes for a black T-shirt and jeans. He then extracted the handgun from the duffel, followed by the cartridge, which he jammed in place with a satisfying click. He had to remind himself to breathe. The dry clothing warmed him, yet he continued to shiver.

  He’d camp out here until his father arrived. He grew increasingly uneasy as he realized he no idea how the confrontation would go down. Despite his best plans, there was no way to anticipate the wily Cobra Snake. Equally uncertain were his own future actions. Could he pull the trigger if he needed to?

  Taking a deep breath, like Ina had taught him, Leo tried to find thoughts that would help him focus. Immediately he pictured Audrey, her brown eyes inches from his as she gently kissed his bruises, her soft lips soothing the cut on his forehead, the feel of her body when they’d made love…

  “Te amo, Audrey,” he whispered. “Te amo. Te amo.” Leo tried to bite back tears.

  “Commander Scott called Bill and me into his office,” Darnell said after her tears had subsided. Her voice was weary. “I was terrified something was up, but Bill told me to calm down…that it was probably just a routine assignment or something.” Darnell exhaled and wove her fingers together in her lap. “I just don’t think I can talk about Bill, ma’am. It — it hurts too much.”

  “What’s painful about discussing Bill?” Ina asked, doing her best to tread lightly.

  “He’s dead,” Darnell answered.

  “Dead?”

  “Bill was murdered, ma’am.” Darnell’s tears began anew.

  Ina paused for a moment, pushing puzzle pieces around in her head. “Wait a minute…Bill had a daughter. Is her name Cameron?” Darnell nodded, but did not look up.

  “And the man in military prison for the murder — is his daughter’s name Audrey?”

  Now Darnell met her eyes. “I think so. How’d you know that?”

  “Leo Scott was dating Audrey. And his brother’s engaged to Cameron.”

  Darnell stared at her. “What?”

  “Darnell, were you ever a suspect in the murder?”

  “No. Nobody knew about our affair except the commander.” Ina tilted her head. “Why did the commander keep your secret?” Darnell broke away to stare off into space.

  Ina had lost her again.

  With each rumble of thunder and tick of his father’s clock, Leo felt sicker. Then his stomach lurched at the sound of a car in the driveway. H
e tried to compose himself, but tensed all over again when he heard a key slide into the front doorknob.

  “Mary?” his father called into the darkness, then flipped on the hallway light.

  From his hiding spot, Leo watched him shake the water off his jacket. CS turned toward him and came into the study. When he stooped to turn on the desk lamp, Leo rose in the corner.

  “Jesus!” His father inhaled sharply as he straightened. “You scared me!”

  Leo said nothing, his hands behind his back.

  “What’re you doing here?” CS asked. “You should be in Annapolis.”

  “I got kicked out,” Leo said flatly. “I was separated from the Navy.”

  CS took one menacing step forward before Leo stepped closer as well, raising the gun and aiming it squarely at his father’s chest.

  His father stopped in his tracks.

  “Sit down,” Leo ordered, sounding more authoritative than he felt. The weapon in his hand seemed to do something to his voice.

  But his father didn’t move.

  “It was you,” Leo sneered. “It was you. You murdered Mr. Walsh.” CS’s eyes threatened to leap from their sockets. This time he did sit, staggering backward and collapsing into his desk chair, never taking his eyes off his son.

  Leo noticed his fear, and couldn’t deny how good it felt. But he braced for the fight he was sure would be coming.

  He almost dropped the gun when CS said, “Final y. I’ve been waiting for this moment for over a year.” Oh my God, he did it. Audrey’s sweet face floated before Leo’s eyes once again. “Mr. Rose’s been rotting in prison for a crime you committed!”

  CS seemed to deflate. “How’d you find out?” Leo laughed bitterly. “You wanted me to go to the Academy so bad. Well, my company officer was Lt. Darnell Keaton.” CS flinched.

  “Jase and Cameron found out about Lt. Keaton’s affair with Cam’s dad, and we started to suspect her for Mr. Walsh’s murder. But then I discovered you knew about their affair, and I realized the lieutenant was terrified of you. She hated me because I was your son. What’d you do to her, Dad?”

  “I found out about the affair,” he said simply. “You have to understand, Leo…Your mother wasn’t giving me what I needed! Any red-blooded man would’ve needed some comfort in that situation. And Darnell, well, Darnell refused me. She was in love with Bill,” he spat.