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Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Honolulu, HI
20 February
0850 Local Time
Spectre’s entire body jerked as he awoke from the nightmare. It was the same dream he had been having since making it back to Hawaii two days prior. Each time, he found himself face to face with a gunman taking aim at Decker. But as he threw himself in front of the bullets, they missed him and knocked her over the edge of a cliff. And every time, his legs felt like cinder blocks as he ran to catch her in vain.
Decker was lying on Spectre’s chest in the luxurious king-size bed of their hotel suite. She stroked his hair as he tried to catch his breath. His heart was racing while he gathered his senses and realized it was just another bad dream.
“Sweetie, it’s ok,” Decker said reassuringly. “You just had a bad dream.”
Spectre’s eyes darted around the room before settling on Decker’s sky-blue eyes. She kissed his forehead as she stroked his light brown hair. “You’re ok,” Decker said calmingly.
His body relaxed as his heart rate slowed. He squeezed Decker with his arm, feeling relieved that she was in the bed with him. He figured that the stress of almost losing her was finally catching up with him. It wasn’t the first time in the last two years that he had succumbed to such vivid dreams.
“I wish you’d tell me what you keep dreaming about,” Decker said softly. “Maybe if you talk about it, it will go away.”
Spectre sat up in the bed. “It’s nothing,” he said. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“Bullshit!” Decker replied. “I’m glad you’re safe. You scared the hell out of me at the boat dock. I almost had to shoot Lee.”
“I’m sorry,” Spectre said as he leaned over and kissed her. “But I was out of bullets and ideas. I had to do something to create a diversion. You know, to save your ass.” He tapped her partially exposed buttock with his free hand and smiled.
Decker rolled her eyes and kissed him. “You have to stop doing this, Cal,” she said. “I’m serious.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Spectre replied with a boyish grin. “I promise. I will never die.”
“You’d better not,” Decker said, missing the movie reference. “I’m going to need you to stick around a little longer.”
“At least five more minutes, right?” Spectre said as he rolled over on top of her, careful not to put pressure on her injured left leg.
“You planning on calling one of the Secret Service guys in after a minute or something?” Decker joked.
They made love the best that two people with one good set of legs between them could with a protective detail right outside the door. It was all they had done in their government-sponsored suite in the last two days. It was much-needed downtime after twenty-four hours of hell.
After the SEALs had picked them up in the Pacific, they had been taken to the U.S.S. Jacksonville submarine where their identities were verified and first aid was rendered before they made their first of many statements. Once within range, the Jacksonville surfaced, and they were picked up by a Navy helicopter and taken to the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.
Aboard the Reagan, their injuries were cared for in sickbay and they continued their grueling debriefs for the next few days. They were given food and water and ushered to separate staterooms so they could try to get rest, but Spectre couldn’t sleep. Between the aircraft taking off and landing on the flight deck above him, the noise from the steam catapults, and overhead 1MC announcements seemingly every ten minutes, he could never get comfortable. He had no idea how the Navy guys did it for nine months at a time, but he guessed that it was all in what you got used to, much like sleeping through mortar attacks in Iraq.
They had been relieved to find out that the President had made it safely to Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu. Spectre was glad Sullivan could pilot the jet. Looking back, he knew that there was no way he would have left Decker on that island. He would have rather died than lived without her. The past few days with her had further solidified that feeling.
The two had been virtually inseparable since being reunited on the crew boat at Midway. The experience had brought them even closer together. Even with separate assigned staterooms, the two managed to share a single-man bunk on their nights aboard the carrier.
After a few days on the Ronald Reagan, they were flown via the COD transport aircraft to Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station. The President had ordered a Secret Service detail to stay with them for protection and given them the option to stay in Hawaii for a week to decompress before going back to the mainland. It was her way of thanking them for their service, but she also promised that they would all be invited to the White House soon enough.
It had been a nice gesture that they graciously accepted, but Spectre was still angry that the President had blown off his attempt to indict the Vice President. The thumb drive would have been a nice way to seal the deal, but it was hard for him to come to terms with the fact that she wasn’t the least bit suspicious of the circumstances surrounding their capture and Johnson’s known involvement with the Chinese.
Spectre cooked Decker breakfast in the suite’s mini-kitchen after their hour-long lovemaking session. He put a robe on and offered the agents sitting watch outside a plate, but they graciously declined before Spectre retreated back into the room.
When they were finished, Spectre and Decker shared a shower and then dressed, deciding to take a midday walk down to the pool for a while. With Decker’s crutches, she still wasn’t up for a long walk on the beach yet. The stab wound had torn several muscles in her leg. The doctors were sure that she’d make a full recovery, but would be on crutches for a few weeks in the meantime.
Their protective detail followed at a distance as they made their way to the elevator and down to the pool. The agents blended in with the other patrons, trading in their standard suit and tie for polo shirts and sport coats.
They found a couple of isolated lounge chairs and ordered drinks as they took in the midday sun. The temperature was perfect as they listened to the crashing waves and relaxed.
One of their protective detail agents approached them after an hour of relaxing. “Sir, ma’am, you guys have a visitor,” he said in a monotone voice. His face was expressionless.
“Who is it?” Decker asked.
“Senator Wilson, ma’am,” the agent replied matter-of-factly.
“Here?” Spectre asked.
“Yes, sir,” the agent replied. “He’s waiting in the protective detail suite next to your room.”
“Uhhh,” Spectre said as he exchanged a confused look with Decker.
“That’s unexpected,” Decker said as she stood. Spectre helped her with her crutches and the two followed the agents up to the protective detail suite. When they entered, the elder statesman stood and introduced himself. He was wearing a polo shirt and slacks. His aides were all dressed in suits. The room was full between the aides and his own protective detail.
“I’m sorry for showing up announced,” Senator Wilson said as he offered to help Decker. “Please, let’s sit and talk.”
Spectre limped with Decker to a couch in the suite and sat down. The senator took his seat across from them and waved off his chief of staff to give them privacy.
“I’m sorry, Senator,” Spectre said. “But you didn’t have to fly all the way out here to see us.”
The senator smiled. “I came straight from a meeting with the President,” Wilson replied. “As you can imagine, she’s a little timid about flying again and wanted to take a few days before heading back to Washington. I was in the area and thought I might stop by and meet the heroes of Midway. Did you know that’s what she’s calling you?”
“I’d rather she not call us anything,” Spectre said. Decker grabbed his hand and squeezed, hoping he would take the hint and refrain from going off on another politician.
“I understand,” Wilson replied. “Are you enjoying the suite? I hope you’re getting some much-needed rest.”
“We were,” Spectre said harshly.
“Of course,” the senator responded. “I will be quick then. I just wanted to speak to you personally before I head back to Washington. As you can imagine, this has created a firestorm back in the Beltway.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Spectre replied.
“What Cal means is that we will help in any way we can,” Decker interjected.
Wilson smiled. “Well, as you may know, I am the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and I can assure you there will be hearings, but I wanted to talk to you about your statements. Specifically, yours, Mr. Martin.”
“What about it?”
“Do you really think this was a state-sponsored act?” Wilson asked in a hushed tone.
“Absolutely,” Spectre said without hesitating. “I am sure of it.”
“Why do you think that?” Wilson asked.
“It’s in my statement,” Spectre replied.
“I read it, Mr. Martin,” Wilson said. “But what you didn’t say is why you were on Air Force One in the first place.”
Spectre sat straight up on the couch. Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck was standing up as he began assessing each agent in the room, calculating an exit strategy for him and Decker.
“I don’t follow,” Spectre replied.
“I don’t know if you’ve been watching the news, but at one point, you were one of the prime suspects in the media for the hijacking of Air Force One. And that was due in part to your criminal record,” Wilson said. “The Director of the FBI was fired over it.”
“We haven’t even turned the TV on since we’ve been here, but what criminal record?” Spectre asked.
“You had warrants for your arrest last year.”
“Those were rescinded and Cal was cleared of everything and put in FBI protective custody, which I personally oversaw,” Decker interjected.
“Of course, I know that,” Wilson said. “But perception is reality, Mr. Martin. And the media was led to perceive you as a suspect.”
“I am not running for office anytime soon,” Spectre replied. “So what?”
“Well, to me, it raises the question,” Wilson continued. “What were you doing on Air Force One?”
“We were going to meet with the President,” Decker replied.
“Do I need a lawyer or something?” Spectre asked sharply.
“We’re just having a friendly conversation off the record, Mr. Martin. Can I call you Cal?”
Spectre nodded slowly.
“Ok, Cal, let me be honest with you,” Wilson said. “I know that the Secretary of State’s office cleared you aboard Air Force One. I know that it involved an espionage ring involving the Chinese, correct?”
Spectre nodded again.
“So, you’re making statements that you’re sure it’s the Chinese, and you’re on board Air Force One to tell the President herself about the Chinese, do you see what I’m getting at here?” Wilson asked. “Do you see the pattern?”
“No.”
“What was so important that you were going directly to the President? Did you know about the attack?”
“No.”
“Did it involve your former employer?”
“Excuse me?” Spectre asked. “What are you talking about?”
“I am the Chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Cal,” Wilson said with a smile. “You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to?”
“I think we’re done here,” Spectre said.
“I’m sorry,” Wilson said, holding his hands up. “Maybe I’m coming off the wrong way. I apologize. You’re not on trial here, Cal.”
“Well, it sure feels that way,” Spectre replied. “And you’re pissing me off.”
“Ok, how about this,” Wilson said as he leaned in close to Spectre and Decker. “What if I told you that I’ve had the same suspicions about your former boss since he first became Secretary of Defense?”
Spectre’s eyes widened and he looked at Decker.
“And what if I also told you that my staff found similar connections during our campaign research?”
“Then I would ask you why you’re talking to me and not doing anything about it,” Spectre replied.
“Connections aren’t a smoking gun,” Wilson replied. “You can’t do much in Washington with circumstantial evidence.”
“I had more than that,” Spectre admitted. “But it’s gone now.”
Wilson turned to Decker. “Agent Decker, you’re planning on returning to the FBI, aren’t you?”
“I honestly haven’t thought that far ahead, Senator,” Decker replied timidly.
“I know that the Congressional Affairs Office of the FBI has a desk opening up,” Wilson offered. “I could call in a favor.”
“I honestly don’t know right now,” Decker said.
“You’ve both been through a lot,” Wilson said. “But from what I read, you’re the kind of people I need working for me on this. We want the same thing.”
“What about Cal?” Decker asked.
“I’m sure we could find another contracting job for him to work with you,” Wilson said with a wink. “Wouldn’t be the first time for him.”
“We’ll think about it, Senator,” Spectre said after exchanging a look with Decker.
“That’s all I ask,” the senator replied graciously as he pulled out a card. “This is my direct line. Call me when you’re ready to do the right thing.”