Chapter 32

7:25 p.m.

Francisco watched as Hogan sipped his soda and set it on the table, and then stared at the black liquid.

“What I’m about to tell you may sound like something you only read in books or see in movies, but sometimes…” He continued to stare at the silver can. “Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

“Even before the six committed suicide, we had intel that something was going down that night. We didn’t know the details, but several of the detainees had provided gouge to Grogan and Baxter.”

Carrubba leaned forward. “Gouge like from informants or rumors?”

“Informants. Grogan and Baxter routinely conducted interviews and interrogations with the detainees. Over the years, they had connected with several who would trade information for favors.”

“What kind of favors?”

“Mostly for American food. They loved eating fast food. Burgers, pizza. This stuff was like ambrosia to them. Sometimes they’d ask for a new Koran or magazines like People or Sports Illustrated, but mostly it was food.” He fiddled with the soda can a moment. “Anyway, they received this information and gave a threat assessment to the captain and me about 1700. The captain pretty much waved it off because he wanted to get in nine holes with the base admiral before nightfall. But when the shit hit the fan that night and we were called back to the compound, Captain Williams’s demeanor had changed.”

“Changed how?”

Hogan ran a finger in circles on the tattered tabletop. “He called a meeting with Grogan, Baxter, and me in his office. Williams told the investigators they needed to find a fall guy. Otherwise there would be hell to pay and everyone would feel the heat—except for him.”

“So he threatened the three of you? Did Williams really think he could get away with something like that?”

“You don’t understand how much power that man has. As the head of Detainee Operations, he’s got free rein to do whatever the hell he wants. Put a narcissistic micromanager in there and you have…” his voice trailed off again.

He remained silent for a long minute, until Francisco finally prompted him. “How could Williams know they would be found guilty in an internal investigation?”

“Because I would have been the one investigating it.”

“But you said he blew off their threat assessment. If it ever went to a court-martial, wouldn’t you have to testify?”

He shook his head. “The threat assessment they gave the captain and me was a courtesy call. There’s no record of that meeting. But the one Grogan and Baxter wrote up after the fact was sent to Washington. They send all threat assessments to the capital. So you see the captain had them by the balls, so to speak.”

“Wait, what? You’re telling us Williams ordered a cover-up and they, you included, went along with it?”

“Basically, yes. The captain had a lot of power. If this had blown up in his face, six detainees committed suicide, and he had knowledge of this fact beforehand, it wouldn’t be his career he’d have to worry about. He would’ve been sent to Leavenworth.”

Francisco pinched the bridge of his nose. He stood and stalked around the table once, then stared at Hogan. “So, better to put the blame on the Chief of the Guard rather than to take responsibility for your actions…well, inactions.”

“You can judge me if you want to, but no one’s innocent. Not even Dexter Allen.”

Francisco placed his hands on the table, flexing his arms, the muscles trying to break free of his lavender shirt. “Then please enlighten us, Mr. Wizard.”

“The man had a bad temper. If one of his guards stepped out of line, he read them the riot act in front of everyone. Detainees, other guards. It didn’t matter. I counseled him on the matter once but it didn’t seem to help. But what upset the captain was when Allen chewed out a newly reported sailor in front of the press. This young sailor walked outside without a cover on.”

“What’s a cover?”

“A hat. Every sailor wears one in uniform when they’re outside.

Francisco nodded.

Hogan continued. “Anyway, Allen snatched him by the collar and went off on the poor kid. The captain apologized to the press but his face turned red from embarrassment. Later that night the captain wrote a letter of reprimand on Allen.”

“So let me see if I got this right,” Francisco said, pointing a finger at Hogan. “When the captain learned Allen was the chief of the guard he didn’t hesitate to bring charges against him.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Francisco raised a brow. “What wasn’t simple, bringing an innocent man on trumped-up charges or getting everyone to buy off on it?”

Hogan glared at him. “You’re an asshole, you know that, Detective?”

“Comes with the job. Now tell us the truth.”

“Captain Williams had Grogan and Baxter on board. But he needed more. He had Baxter find a dirty judge. It didn’t take long. I’m not sure where he got his information, but he discovered Judge Wiggins, the commanding officer of the JAG office there, liked kiddie porn. Instead of turning this evidence over to NCIS he gave it to the captain.”

Carrubba braced his hands on the table. “So now you have Grogan, Baxter, and the judge on board. What dirty laundry did he have on you, Ned?”

“I’m not telling you. Besides, it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Carrubba laughed. “Iʼd say The Silencer would disagree with you there, but anyway, how did he convince Allen to agree to a court-martial without a jury?”

“That’s where his lawyer, Green, came into the picture. The captain convinced Green to instruct his client to have the judge decide his fate. That and fifty thousand dollars.”

Carrubba turned to Francisco. “This reads like an episode of NCIS. There’s no way the public would believe this.”

“I’m listening to it and I have a hard time grasping it.”

“It’s all true,” Hogan protested.

Carrubba looked at him for a long moment. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I’m buying what you’re selling because this cockamamie story stinks.”

Hogan waved a hand in the air. “Believe what you want. I don’t really care anymore.”

Francisco pressed his lips together, thinking. “Okay, let’s say we believe you. What kind of evidence do you have to back it up?”

“Before the trial started, Wiggins found out about the bribe between the captain and Green. I think he wanted some insurance in case the captain decided to welsh on him, so he kept a file. Find the file and you find your evidence.”

“It’s still slim.”

Hogan shrugged. “So what happens next?”

“For starters, would you be willing to go into protective custody?”

“No way. I’ve got a pig farm to run. Besides, I was born and raised in Texas. If Allen comes knocking on my door, he’ll be looking into the other end of a double-barrel shotgun.”

Francisco waved a hand at the one-way mirror. A moment later, Banks appeared through the door.

“Would you be willing to park a patrol unit outside Mr. Hogan’s property?”

Banks nodded. “I’m sure we can swing it for twenty-four hours. After that, I’ll have to run it up the chain.”

“So now what?” Hogan asked no one in particular.

Carrubba tapped his fingers on the table. “We try not to let you get killed.”

****

The last time I’d eaten at Sully’s, I sat across the table with my ex-husband, Michael. He’d returned from a tour in Afghanistan the day before. When the waitress arrived to ask for our drinks, he told me he had filed for divorce. I should have seen it coming, but to tell you the truth, I didn’t. That was two years ago.

This time I was sitting across from Jake Johnson.

The restaurant was filled almost to capacity. Sully’s is a nice place to have dinner where suit and tie are required of the men—dresses for the women. I’m more of a jeans and boots kind of girl, but I didn’t mind tonight. I thought the lavender pencil dress with cut-out shoulder fit nicely. My hair was pulled up, exposing the pearl necklace around my neck with matching earrings. I didnʼt get many opportunities to dress up, so was making the most of it.

The waitress came by. Jake ordered a gin and tonic. I stuck with my usual beer.

Jake smiled. The candlelight reflected off his perfect teeth. His hair, the color of coffee, was parted down the middle, not a strand out of place. His baby-blues held me in a hypnotic trance.

His eyes zeroed in on my breasts. “So how long have you been with the police department, Rebecca?”

Whatever attraction Iʼd felt to him a moment ago passed.

“I’ve been a cop for fourteen years, the last seven with homicide.”

“What cases are you working?”

“Nothing much at the moment,” I said, a bit annoyed. “How about you?”

“That’s nice,” he said, still focused on my chest. The man wasn’t even listening to me. The thing is my breasts weren’t even that big. In fact, I’d be lying if I said they were normal size, whatever that means, but my new push-up bra was stealing the show, clearly making them appear bigger than they really were. “Jake,” I said, my voice an octave higher.

He raised his head, eyes looking into mine.

“What?” he finally said as if staring at my tits was a compliment.

Our drinks arrived. I wanted to guzzle mine down and order another but decided against it. I probably shouldn’t make a scene. This was our first and last date.

The waitress asked if we were ready to order.

Mr. Ogle ordered the grilled salmon. I got a double cheeseburger.

Jake scrunched his nose. “Order lobster, steak, or something else. I spare no expense.” His eyes zeroed in on my breasts again.

The waitress walked away, shaking her head.

I crossed my arms. Jake’s gaze met mine. He must have read my mind because his face flushed.

I waited a moment then said, “We may be at a classy restaurant, but I like the simple pleasures in life.”

“Uh-huh,” he said as if he understood. I doubted it.

My cell vibrated on the table.

“We’re having dinner. Let it go to voicemail.”

You’re not the boss of me. I glanced at caller ID.

Thank you, Veronica.

“Sorry, gotta take this,” I said. “Whatcha need, Veronica?”

“Have you heard the news yet?”

“What news? What are you talking about?”

“Lucius stabbed his lawyer in lockup. Crane is dead.”