Page 14 of Fall of the Trident
Smiling, Trevor said, “It looks like you’re going have your hands full during your days off.I think that little girl missed you.”
“I sure as he…heck missed her.”Mak threw his arm around his mother.“Thanks so much for taking care of her.”His attention went to Captain Reid.“Sir, thanks for taking care of both my girls.”
“It’s my pleasure, son.You know I love them both.”He slapped his stepson on the shoulder.“We’re so glad you made it home safe.”
“So, Micah, what’s next for you?I know you’re up for a star.”Trevor had that look on his face that told Marta he had something special in mind for the captain.
“Berit just got a promotion, so I’m hoping to stay in the D.C.area.”He rubbed the back of the tiny girl who looked at him as though he was the most special man in the world to her, next to her father.
“Ga.”Her single syllable made her grandfather smile.
“We’d like to stay close to this one.”
“Understood.I’ll see what I can do to keep you at the Pentagon.”Trevor vowed.
“I promised our little girl that if she was good during the speech, she could have a piece of cake.”Berit announced.
After they said their goodbyes, Marta stepped a little closer to Trevor.“Fess up.What was your plan for him?”
Trevor scanned the crowd.“He’d make an excellent executive officer at NSW.He’d be my first choice, and in a couple of years, to be the commanding officer.”
“Take your job?”She considered for a minute.“Maybe in three to five years.But given that Berit just got promoted, I wouldn’t doubt that she’s on a fast-track in the CIA.”
“Things can change in five years.”Trevor wore his thinking face.“My secondary plan for Micah was USSOCOM, but since that’s in Tampa, that’s not going to happen.He has such a tactical mind he definitely needs to stay within SpecOps.I’ll think of something.”
Commander Mike Gallagher and his fiancée, Kameron Hood stepped up to welcome them.
“Kam, how’s the new job going?”Trevor greeted her with a huge smile.She had recently taken over Homeland Security Investigations for Human Trafficking Division at their headquarters in D.C.after the excellent job she’d done taking down a brothel that targeted military men and a pedophile club in Los Angeles.
“There’s so much work to be done.”Kam stepped in closer with Mike at her side.“We found another club in Norfolk, run by the same guy.”She looked around to see if anyone was listening before she whispered, “We’re taking it down this weekend.”
“Sir, that Big Daddy fucker did the same thing in Virginia as he did in San Diego.”The commander hesitated.“We don’t know if any SEALs from here are involved, but we came down today to give you a heads up in person.”
Fuck.Trevor mouthed the word then looked around the crowded tent.Seconds later he lifted his chin just a fraction when his gaze met Captain Arnold’s.“Do you know Don Arnold?”
“Somewhat, sir.When I was a lieutenant commander, I had a troop on Team 4 and he was the CO of Team 2,” Mike explained.
“Sir?”The captain asked.
“Follow me,” Trevor ordered.They walked several feet away from everyone.
“Kam, I’d like you to meet Captain Don Arnold.He has the same position as Captain Evan Hubbard, except he’s here on the East Coast.Don, this is Special?—”
“Director Kameron Hood, Homeland Security Investigations for Human Trafficking Division.”She held out her hand and they shook.“I worked primarily with Captain Hubbard after being given permission by Vice Admiral Maddox.I’m sure you’ve heard rumors of what went down in San Diego that involved several SEALs from Coronado.I’m sorry to inform you, but we’re taking down an extension of the same organization that we found in San Diego…but it’s located in Norfolk.We won’t know if any of your SEALs are involved until we start into the interrogations.”
“I want the three of you to make time this afternoon.”The admiral looked each man in the eye before gazing at Kam.“Kam, I want you to deep brief Captain Arnold on what happened in San Diego.”His attention went to Mike.“Commander Gallagher, you are no longer under my command, but I would appreciate it if you would stay and assist Captain Arnold.You can give him first-hand knowledge of how we handle every situation.I’ll be happy to call your CO and explain my request.”
“That would be greatly appreciated.”Relief was evident on Mike’s face.
“I guess I need to call Evan and get his now-famous Phoenix speech.”Captain Arnold smiled at Marta.“Do you have a copy of it with you?”
“I’ll send it to you, but you might want to call Captain Hubbard.I don’t know if he has a copyrighted, yet.”She hoped she interjected a little levity.The air was becoming rather tense, and rightfully so.Although she’d trusted Captain Hubbard’s administrative assistant during the takedown of the brothel and pedophile sex club in LA, Marta had personally handled all of the military correspondence.
“I will,” the captain promised.
“I want to be perfectly clear, Captain Arnold, if any of your SEALs are to be arrested, I want designated SEALs to accompany the Marines who will officially arrest them.They are to be taken out, publicly, just before a formation.”Trevor stopped for a moment and got that contemplative look on his face.“Unless you have someone better, I’d like you to use Captain Reid’s son.That is, unless you find that he and the men in his platoon are involved.”He looked searching only at Marta.
“Chief Petty Officer Mak Barker,” she immediately provided.
