Page 2 of Ghost

“Said you’d regret selling your bike.”

“Yeah, said the single guy with no wife harping about between my job and the bike, she was destined to be a widow raising a young boy on her own.”

Max laughed as we looked around at several different military vehicles to see if one was there for us.

“Wonder why the Captain’s here?” I glanced at Max when he spoke, then followed his line of sight. Sure enough, the Captain’s driver sat in the otherwise empty jeep that was parked alongside one of the unit’s trucks that I assumed was there to pick us up.

“Just the driver. Don’t see the Captain, though,” I said and hoisted the strap of my bag higher on my shoulder.

“Hope to hell Seaman Marks isn’t here to inform us we have to go up to battalion now. Jinxed my ass with hoping Captain Baker would let us have a day or two,” Max griped.

“You and the damn camels.” I chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Fuck off,” Max grumbled.

“I’d planned to after I had a nice, hot shower. Now that’s going to be delayed.” The others groaned in agreement with me as we moved toward the vehicles.

“LC, LT, I’m supposed to pick both of you up and take you to HQ. Captain Baker and Senior Chief Ross are waiting to speak with you,” Seaman Marks said as he stepped out of the jeep when we approached. Max glanced at me,andI shrugged.

“They don’t want everyone present?” Max asked.

“No, sir. I was told only you and Lieutenant Carver,” Marks answered as he took our packs and tossed them in the back of the jeep, then slid back into the driver’s seat.

“If you see my wife in the parking lot, tell her I’ll be along shortly,” I yelled to the others.

“No prob,” was the reply from several of the team as they continued to the truck.

“What’s the odds they just want to tell us job well done in private,” Max said as I jumped in the back of the jeep while he slid in the passenger side.

“Yeah, that’s a possibility.” Max flipped me off without even turning around.

The ride to the building, where the Captain’s office was located, hadn’t taken long. Once Marks pulled into the spot in front and parked, Max and I were out of the vehicle and on our way inside. When we reached the office, the door was closed, and Max knocked.

“Enter!” was yelled and Max opened the door.

When we stepped through the open door, the CaptainandSenior Chief stood from their chairs. After formalities were over, the Captain waved to the chairs in front of his desk and MaxandI sat as did he and Senior Chief.

“Carver, the Senior Chief and I needed to speak with you, and we thought it best if Browning was present. We know the two of you are close outside of the team.”

I frowned and nodded in agreement with the Captain.

The Captain and Senior Chief looked at each other, then the Captain turned back and spoke directly to me, “Approximately two hours ago, we were notified by the local authorities about anaccidentinvolving your vehicle—”

“Where are they?” I asked, cutting the Captain off as I jumped to my feet. “Were they hurt? Are they at the hospital?” I raised a hand and ran it over my chest as a jab of pain hit.

Max stood and placed a hand on my shoulder. The Captain and Senior Chief were out of their chairs and on their feet, too. I needed to hear them say it, even though their facial expressions spoke volumes.

“Tell me,” I whispered in a voice that sounded nothing like mine.

“I’m sorry, Carver,” Senior Chief said and clasped my shoulder with his hand. “Your wife and son didn’t make it. They died on impact.”

I dropped down into the chair and closed my eyes. Stormy’s and BJ’s faces were automatically there as I listened to Captain Baker and Senior Chief tell everything they knew.

Max’s hand was strong as he squeezed my shoulder and lent me his strength and support. At that moment, though, I wasn’t sure it was enough to get me through the loss.

I wasn’t sure anything could.

Chapter One

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