“Do you have everything you need?” Maggie asked Berkley as they stood together in an office close to where they planned to board.
“I do, but thanks, Mom.” Berkley put her arms around her mother and smiled when her dad placed his hands on her shoulders. “I’ll be okay, and hopefully we’ll be back sooner than we planned.”
“Promise me you’ll keep your head down. The damn military doesn’t tell us anything, but you don’t get spiffy metals because you look handsome in the uniform.” Maggie sounded scared, and Berkley could tell she was doing her best to keep her emotions in check.
“You know I won’t do anything to mess up my pretty face.” Her comment made Corbin laugh and her mother groan. “Find us a house while we’re gone, line up the movers, and tell Junior we’re coming back for him,” she said of their dog. “There’s nothing that’ll keep me from that last ceremony you have to plan. I love you both.”
“We love you too, Cletus, so listen to your mother. Stay safe and come back to us,” Corbin said, giving her a bear hug. “I’m so damn proud of you, kid.”
“Thanks, and keep in touch with the Sullivans. Preston might not be able to share everything, but at least he’s in the know.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Preston said, joining them while holding Aidan’s hand. “We’re all family now, and family looks after their own.”
“Yes, sir, we are,” she said, and Aidan nodded. “Take care, and we’ll see each other soon.”
“You remember everything we talked about, Cletus?” Preston asked.
“Every word, sir, and I won’t let you down.”
The captains of the destroyers accompanying them entered and greeted everyone. “Attention on deck,” the guard outside yelled, and even the retired guys snapped to attention when Olivia Michaels entered the room.
“At ease, everyone, and forgive me for intruding on your family time,” Olivia said softly. “I wanted to come and deliver the orders myself, since this is the first time I’ll send someone into harm’s way on behalf of the American people.”
“We’ll do you proud, ma’am,” Aidan said, and Olivia smiled.
“I trust you and your team will, but I realize this isn’t without peril on your part. The percentages my people have shared with me about the potential numbers working against us are beyond disconcerting, and if they’re accurate, you’ll have more than one person with you who’ll be up to no good.” The president waved an older gentleman forward and tilted her head slightly in his direction. “This operation will be run from the Situation Room, and I’ve placed General Carl Greenwald in charge. He and Drew will be providing everything you need.”
“Thank you, ma’am, and we look forward to whatever intel you have, General Greenwald,” Berkley said.
“You’re taking my best with you,” Carl said, glancing at Wiley. “And we’ll back that up with whatever you need, Captain. Let’s get this done so we can do some housecleaning after you finish. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go back to trusting the man in the foxhole next to me.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll make sure she keeps up,” Wiley said, and Berkley laughed.
“You’ll have some more backup on board the Arlington and the Anchorage, but your final orders won’t come until we’ve verified a target,” Carl said as Drew stood silently next to him. “I don’t have to explain the importance of our mission, and the importance of handling dissenters in the ranks. Do not tolerate any acts of insubordination from anyone, and if dire enough, you’re to handle them out at sea. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Aidan and the other captains said together.
“They’ll be some consultants on board as well,” Drew said, handing folders to each captain. “Should you encounter a problem, these people will handle the questioning. We trust you all implicitly, but it’s important to get the answers we need as the situations arise.”
“They’ll stay out of your way, but let them do their jobs if there’s a problem,” Carl reaffirmed.
“Thank you, sir, and with all that, we’re ready to go,” Aidan said.
“Good luck, all of you, and God speed,” Olivia said, saluting them when they came to attention again. They were left alone once more with their families, and Aidan and Berkley said their last good-byes after pointing to the private office so Wiley could do the same.
“You ready?” Berkley said as they boarded together and turned to face their folks one last time.
“You’re here with me, so I’m ready for anything.”
“As far as sentimental goes, I can’t top that, my love,” she said softly, trying to lighten the mood as she waved to the four people standing on the dock staring at them as if trying to memorize everything about them. “Go fire this thing up before I start crying.”
* * *
Wiley shut the office door as Aubrey closed the blinds, so they’d have one more moment of privacy. The steady tears falling down Tanith’s face were like little daggers to Wiley’s heart, and leaving now was making it hard to get air into her lungs because her chest hurt so much. She dropped to her knees, and Tanith ran to her and wrapped her arms around her neck.
“Will you do me a favor?” she asked, holding Tanith close, and felt her nod against her neck. Tanith had a hard time with words when she was upset. “I need you to take extra good care of your mom for me. You did a great job of that until you guys found me, but I need you to pick up my slack while I’m away.”
“I promise,” Tanith said, her voice barely audible.
“Don’t let her pick up anything heavy, and make sure she gets plenty of rest.” Tanith pulled back a little with a confused expression, and Wiley almost laughed when she saw her mom grip her father’s arm hard enough to make him wince.
“Mama, are you sick?” Tanith asked Aubrey.
“No, sweetie, but you’re going to have a little brother or sister soon, and we wanted you to be the first to know once we were sure.” Aubrey ran her hand over the top of Tanith’s head and smiled.
“That’s so cool,” Tanith said, and Wiley was glad to see some of her sadness disappear.
“Don’t forget your promise, kiddo, and know I’m going to miss you every second I’m gone. I love you.”
“Please come back okay,” Tanith said, hugging her again. “I love you too, and I’ll write to you. You can read all my letters when you come home.”
“Thanks.” Wiley kissed both of Tanith’s cheeks before standing and facing her parents. “This might incentivize you to retire,” she told her father, and her mom hugged her.
“You remember your responsibilities while you’re out there, and you come back. I’ll be praying for you, and I’m going to help Tanith with Aubrey after they go home.” Danielle squeezed her and stepped away to allow Buckston a chance to say what he needed to. “I love you.”
“I love you both, and I appreciate you watching over my family while I’m gone.”
“Remember,” Buckston said with his hands framing her face, “in and out. I know how much you love the countryside, but this is no time to linger. You go knowing how much you’re loved, and you come back.”
“Yes, sir. Believe me that I don’t want to miss a minute of this baby with Aubrey and Tanith. Thanks for everything, Dad.”
“You bet, and how about we go see the ships before your mom has to leave, Tanith?” he asked, and Tanith seemed reluctant but nodded and followed them out.
“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself until I get home,” she told Aubrey when they were alone. “I love you so much, and if I had my way, I’d stay.”
Aubrey nodded and stepped into her arms. “Whenever you’ve had to go before, I always had time to prepare myself, so this sucks. I want you to remember something too. You’re taking a huge part of my heart with you because you own it, my love. It’s that love that gave us Tanith and this baby.” Aubrey placed Wiley’s hand on her abdomen. “Our kids need you and everything you bring into their lives that I can’t give them. I want you to remember that as well.”
Wiley took her time kissing Aubrey, trying to make it last for all the days she’d be gone. “You are the love of my life and everything that brings me joy. I love you.” She kissed Aubrey again before bending and kissing the spot where her hand had been. “I love you too, little one, so take it easy on your mama until I get back. No making her throw up. She hates it.”
“I love you, Wiley. We all do.” Aubrey hugged her and held on with what seemed like all her strength. “Don’t forget what your father said.”
“I won’t, and I’ll miss you,” she said, kissing Aubrey one more time. “Let’s go, baby.”
The family exchanged their last good-byes dockside, and she showed Tanith the picture in her cap that Tanith had given her of her and Aubrey. It was the first and only thing of a personal nature she’d ever taken with her on a mission.
“I won’t be long, love,” she said to Aubrey before she climbed the gangplank and stood close to Berkley and Aidan. Her torture would truly begin when her family was out of sight.
* * *
Chase Bonner’s assistant Ron Bollinger got back into his car and headed for his boss’s home. Nothing had come across the Speaker’s desk about any type of military action, but enough firepower was leaving Andrews to level any enemy. He was glad he’d listened to the contact they had on base to get there before the Jefferson sailed. Olivia Michaels’s presence meant this was more than an exercise of any kind, so perhaps they could use this against her.
“Sir, I’ll be there in forty-five minutes,” he said to Bonner and hung up.
He’d outgrown the role of lackey years ago, but he’d accepted the position with Bonner when Dick had asked him to. Anyone with a pulse and a bit of intelligence knew of Chase Bonner’s unquenchable ambition, but he’d proved useful. That the idiot thought he’d be president still amused him, but he wouldn’t crush his dreams until the day he outlived his contributions to the mission.
“You need to call a press conference in the morning to question Michaels about initiating actions that might lead to war,” he said when he sat down with Chase and explained what had happened that night.
“Not unless we know what it was about. You know that bitch will deny it all, if pressed. The sad fucking thing is, everyone in America will believe her, and I’m not up for looking like an idiot.”
Ron almost laughed at how formal Chase appeared in his baby-blue pajamas, robe, and slippers. “That doesn’t matter. Right now, the public is on edge about everything, and we need to keep up the pressure.”
“Then what?”
“Then it’s easier to get answers. We need to know where the ships are sailing,” he said slowly, hoping not to have to repeat himself. “If they’re heading toward Mr. Chandler, we need to prepare, and possibly move him before it’s too late.”
“Fine—take care of it,” Chase said, crossing his arms over his chest. “And, Ron, don’t forget who you work for.”
“No, sir. I never forget that.”
* * *
Aidan ordered them underway but told the bridge to hold to half speed until further notice. She was in her office going through the file General Greenwald had given her, and the first item was the reason for not opening the Jefferson up to full throttle. Of anything she’d done during her military career, the coming days would be the most bizarre.
“Come,” she said when she heard a knock. “Hey, you need to get back to the deck,” she said to Berkley when she stuck her head in. “You’re getting a special delivery.”
“Did my bath salts and massage oils come in?” Berkley asked. “Good. I needed something to take up my time until you get us there.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Not yet, but your North Korean captain should be here in about fifteen minutes.”
“She’s not exactly mine, Captain, and I thought the defense secretary had changed his mind.” Berkley scanned the page she handed over and moved her head from side to side to crack the bones in her neck.
“He wanted to make sure she’d get here as safely and covertly as possible. Until I say otherwise, she’ll be assigned to your team. Let me know if you have any problems with that.” She stood and closed the door, not wanting anyone to eavesdrop. “I’m putting Wiley with you too, unless you’d rather her be with the guys on the Arlington.”
“Wiley’s a good egg, and she’ll be fine with us. We were in high school together but lost touch when she headed for West Point and I went to the Academy.” Berkley handed the sheet back and sat in the visitors’ chair.
“Wow, that must have been an impressive class,” she said and winked.
“Military dads, what can I tell you, but joining Greenwald’s unit is like trying to get into the SEALs. That makes Wiley not only a badass, but the top badass. I never got the whole story, but something happened a few years back, and she went covert for years, so this might be a good time to catch up. You saw her when she had to walk away from Aubrey and Tanith, and I’d like to look out for her.”
“You’re a good egg too, baby, and you took two things off my list of stuff to worry about,” she said, locking the folder away. “I can concentrate on just worrying about you.”
“That’s an easy job—I’m totally low maintenance.”
She laughed harder this time and pinched Berkley’s cheeks. “Later on, we’ll review what happened the last time you were in North Korea before you spin any more tall tales.”
“I can guarantee I won’t get shot down this time,” Berkley said, standing to follow her out.
Aidan realized the truth of why that was, and it didn’t make her feel better. “Don’t remind me.” They walked toward the bridge together and returned a few salutes along the way. “Go welcome our guest, and I’ll meet you both in the mess hall after I can speed this baby up.”
The ship was cutting through fairly calm seas, but the cloud cover made for a dark night. She ordered them to slow down even more when the radar reported a helicopter approaching. Jin Umeko had been cleared for this mission to act as a guide to get their team close to Lowe Nam Chil’s compound, so it was like déjà vu when she stepped onto her deck.
“Wait for the escort to get clear and go to full speed.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“I’ll be in the mess hall, but call if anything comes up.” She stood from her chair and motioned for Devin to follow. “You might remember our newest crewmember, but let’s get reacquainted.”
They were just underway, but the crew was already busy with their assigned task as Aidan moved through the corridors. Two years ago, she would’ve relished the beginning of another tour, but this time her stomach was in a knot. “Let’s hope I’m just being silly.”
“Ma’am?” Devin asked.
“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”
Jin was sitting with Berkley having coffee, but she stood and saluted when Aidan was in her sight. “Captain Sullivan, thank you for this opportunity.” Jin appeared different in the US uniform, but she didn’t seem displeased with her lower rank of commander.
“Welcome, and I hope we’ll have the opportunity to speak as we make our way. This is Commander Devin Clark, our security officer. He’ll get you squared away in a room close to Captain Levine’s. Your gear is already in there, but let us know if we forgot anything. It’s late, so you can retire if you like.” Aidan nodded slightly when Jin did and smiled. “You should get some sleep.” Aidan pointed at Berkley. “This one likes to run the deck every morning, and if you’re on her team, there’s no getting out of it.”
“That’ll be nice after so many days of being in one place.”
“Good night,” Berkley said to Jin and stayed with Aidan. “You staying up much longer?”
“For a bit.” Aidan poured herself more coffee. “I want to get us farther out to sea before I go to bed. You can head in if you want. I’ll tuck you in if you’re still awake.”
“I will, but not yet.” They separated, and Berkley headed outside. She walked the deck until she reached the bow and wasn’t surprised to find Wiley there gazing out at the darkness. The lights of the coastline were getting dimmer, but they could easily make out the lights of the Arlington and the Anchorage as they kept pace. “You have a beautiful family, and I’m sorry you got dragged into this and had to leave them behind.”
“Thanks. Leaving was tougher than I thought it’d be. Before, it was hard, but both Tanith and Aubrey’s sad faces were hard to walk away from.” Wiley leaned against the rail and turned to gaze into the wind.
“Even when they can come with you, it’s tough.” Berkley looked up at the bridge and thought about Aidan. “As much as it sucks, though, I appreciate you being here.”
“I missed the high school reunion and figured this was the next best thing.”
* * *
“You’re wasting your time, amateur,” the translator told Walby. From the moment of his capture, Lowe Nam Chil had refused to speak English. But Walby suspected he spoke it fluently.
“The only thing captivity has done for you,” Walby said with a smile that he hoped didn’t hide his amusement, “is make you finally succeed at staying true to a diet.” Lowe did appear much slimmer than the last time Walby had questioned him. “That’ll make you really popular when I bunk you with someone who’s plenty lonely and waiting for those seventy-two virgins.”
Lowe spoke again, his tone harsh and laced with so much venom Walby didn’t need the translator to understand his intent. “He says he’s killed more people than you’ve ever met, sir,” the translator said.
“That’s true,” he said, knitting his fingers together and placing them on his knee. “I almost admire a man who can take what he’s dished out for so long. I’m sure you never expected the tables to be turned.”
“If what you’ve done is your idea of torture, you have little imagination,” the translator said after Lowe laughed at the short statement.
“We have standards, and we abide by them even though we understand people like you won’t return the courtesy. It’s not that we claim the moral high ground, but it’s the decent thing to do.”
“It’s your hypocritical decency that makes you weak,” Lowe said and waited for the translator to finish before slamming his hand down. “The world saw you for the cruel cowards you really are during the Gulf War.”
“Like you, I do things for the good of my country, and I sleep fine at night.” He glanced at the piece of sky he could see through the high window and exhaled. “Don’t think of that as me trying to explain myself.”
“Do I look like your priest then?” Lowe laughed, which only made him appear crueler.
“No. I was explaining why I think this job would be better done by someone more familiar with you.” Walby stood and headed for the door. Even with the air conditioning, Guantánamo Bay was oppressively hot and uncomfortable, since the cinderblock buildings heated up so much that the units couldn’t keep pace.
“You admit defeat so quickly?” The translator delivered the taunt in the same deadpan tone she always used, and he smiled, thinking how it lost the bite Lowe put into every exchange.
“I’m more of a supervisor who understands the importance of rewarding my employees,” he said, placing his hand on the knob.
“What does that mean?” It was such a paradox listening to Chil’s unhinged personality, followed by the translator’s monotone delivery. It was another technique of theirs since he personally knew the woman translating, and she was extremely animated, except when she was with someone like Chil. If they spoke English, the subject went a little nuts hearing that flat delivery of their words.
“You sound like you’re so proud of your life’s work, and to honor that, I want to introduce you to someone who’s familiar with it firsthand.” He opened the door to Henry Lee, the youngest member of his team.
Henry was brilliant and driven since he’d come to the States alone at the age of eleven. From the moment of his arrival he’d worked hard and succeeded in school, despite the horrendous foster homes he’d been placed in until he’d aged out, and he started contacting the CIA during his senior year at Harvard. His persistence got him a meeting, and the agent he’d spoken to contacted Walby before Henry had left the building. After their initial meeting and hearing his story, Walby had offered him a job, and today would be Henry’s reward for all the shit he’d gone through.
“You probably don’t remember Henry, but he remembers you.” Walby waited for the translator but noticed how intently Chil was staring at Henry.
“Who is this puppy?” Chil asked, finally relaxing his face and smiling.
“I’ve waited a lifetime to see you again, you pile of shit,” Henry said in English and put his hand up to silence the translator. “You torturing and killing my family has played a loop in my mind for years.”
Chil stared at him and cocked his head to the side as if trying to remember something about Henry. “Do you think this will make me talk?” he asked in perfect English that had a bit of a British accent.
“I’m not sure,” Walby said as Henry laid out his tools, and Lowe showed fear for the first time. It wasn’t much, but it was a crack in his façade he couldn’t help but let slip. “It’s not about that any longer.” Two men came in and bound Lowe to the chair. “Talk or don’t, it doesn’t interest me now, but helping Henry replace his memories with something much more satisfying does.”
“Wait,” Chil screamed when Walby took a step out. “What do you want to know?”
“I’m curious as to how loudly you can scream before you pass out from the pain.” Walby closed the door and moved to watch from the next room.
“You killed my family for keeping part of the crop they worked hard to grow,” Henry said, removing a small knife that was rounded at the tip. “You did it in the village center so they’d be an example to everyone else.” He placed the flat of the knife under Lowe’s chin, forcing his head back. “Do you remember pulling out their guts slowly? Do you remember how they screamed in pain, or how my parents begged you for the life of my sisters? They were only six and eight years old.”
“I was only following orders,” Chil said, his breathing quickening when Henry cut the buttons off his shirt one by one.
“If it makes you feel better, so am I,” Henry said, slapping Lowe gently on the cheek. “Only they’re my orders, decided by me the day you killed my family.” He moved the knife to the spot under Lowe’s belly button and laughed. “It’s like Christmas, so thank you for not talking to my boss. If you’d spilled your guts, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to literally do it now.”
“I have information you need,” Chil said, pushing back from Henry as hard as he could and dragging the chair until it hit the wall. “It’s important.”
Henry used his cell phone to call him, and Walby figured Chil would pass out from how hard he was breathing. “I doubt he has anything useful, but he claims he does,” Henry said.
Walby made them wait a half an hour before he came back and sat across from Chil. “If this is only to delay what you have to know in your dead heart you deserve, I’ll make sure Henry takes more time with you than he already planned to. This building will be cleared, and we’ll deny anything to anyone who asks about what happened to you. The only useful thing you’ll do in this life is feed the fish off the beach outside.”
“I want protection,” Chil said first, then started talking like a man trying not only to save his life but unburden his soul. They listened, and even Walby was surprised by what Chil knew.
“It’s going to be a long couple of days,” he said to Henry when they had Chil taken back to his cell. “Let’s take a run at the others again and see what we can add.”
“Yes, sir, but I am a little disappointed,” Henry said.
“Don’t let go of your dreams just yet, Henry. Karma has a way of either punishing or rewarding us, and you’re due a reward.”