Page 11 of Summer Heatwave
By noon that day, she’d filed for divorce.
By suppertime, she was alone in the world, abandoned by her own family.
By lunch the next day at her new job at Homeland Security, Kam had found her place in the world.
Chapter5
“A coupleof my men have suggested we need to improve our hand-to-hand combat training,” Commander Reece Brenner leaned his forearms on the large conference table where all the Group 1 Team commanding officers were gathered.
“I read a report recently where the Russians have started to incorporate Krav Maga techniques in their infantry training.”Commander Jake Burton tossed in.
“I’ve heard Shaolin Kung Fu is still the basis for the Chinese.”Commander William Dennis noted.“If things keep heating up in that direction, it might be a good idea for us to know counter moves.”
“Good points, everyone.”Captain Evan Hubbard’s gaze swept the table.“Are we all in agreement that we do need to change our hand-to-hand combat training?”
Everyone, including Mike, nodded affirmatively.
“Do we have any black belts already in the Teams?”The captain asked.
When no one seemed to know the answer, Mike suggested, “If we’re looking for the latest and greatest, why don’t we check out some of the classes offered outside the gate?It might be easier to bring in an expert for a few weeks to work with the trainers.”
“Excellent idea, Commander Gallagher.”The captain focused his attention on his aide, Lieutenant Commander Harrison.“Would you find me a list of local martial arts classes?Divide them up, each of us taking a couple.Report back on them next week.”
It was nearly lunchtime when the CO’s board finally finished.
Captain Hubbard stood and glanced at his watch.“Before you return to your Teams, I’d like all of you to join me in Vice Admiral Maddox’s office.He’ll be on television in just a few minutes discussing our part in the human trafficking ring.I want everyone to watch it and reuse his wording with our men.Remind them that they are not to speak to the press or discuss what happened, with anyone.”
Someone had brought a huge television into the large outer area in front of Vice Admiral Maddox’s and Rear Admiral Finger’s offices.The noon news was running but muted as several of the administrative staff ate lunch at their desks.
“Coming up after these messages, we’ll be going live to the Homeland Security pressroom to hear firsthand about one of the biggest sting operations in human trafficking ever in the San Diego area.”The dark-haired anchorman smiled into the camera.
“We can all fit,” Captain Hubbard said as he slid behind the indomitable Marta Merkel’s desk.The vice admiral’s administrative assistant knew everything and everyone since she’d worked in that office for nearly twenty-five years.Rumor had it that she and the captain’s wife, Genevieve, were long-time good friends.
The team commanding officers automatically lined the walls so as not to block anyone else’s view.When Rear Admiral F.X.Finger stepped out of his office, everyone was surprised.The second most senior officer in all the U.S.Navy SEALs had rarely been seen anywhere around Coronado since the admiral’s running buddy, former Group 1 Commanding Officer Captain Johannes Desmond had been quietly asked to retire.It was common knowledge that the one-star admiral was just putting in time until the June rotation when he’d be transferred to the Pentagon.
As soon as the endless commercials were over, the news went straight to the press conference.On cue, the local chief of Homeland Security stepped up to the podium and spread out his papers.
“Thirty-eight hours ago, our new Special Agent in Charge Kameron Hood from Homeland Security Investigations, Human Trafficking Division led a multi-agency, multi-location operation that has led to the arrest of more than two dozen men and women involved in human trafficking.In the process, they were able to rescue more than thirty illegal immigrants who had been forced into the sex industry as little more than slaves.”
At the mention of Kam’s name, Mike automatically stood up straighter, his gaze searching the background for her.He wasn’t sure why.Sure, he’d met the woman, but he certainly wouldn’t call her a friend.
When she moved behind the podium, she had to readjust the microphone.Kam was tall for a woman, but her boss was at least six inches taller.Mike instantly noticed that her cheek was slightly less swollen and now the color of a ripe plum.He liked that she hadn’t bothered to hide it with caked-on makeup.Her lips were a little shiny, but he thought maybe she’d used some kind of gloss to help ease the pain where it had been split.
Kam Hood had a real badass look about her,realbeing the keyword.She didn’t put on a tough face.The hardness was there to see for anybody who looked into her large brown eyes.As Mike examined her, he came to the conclusion that what you saw was what you got.No pretenses.She was about a hundred-and-eighty degrees opposite of every woman he’d ever dated.That alone intrigued him.
“Everything you need to know is in your briefing packet.”Kam held up an official-looking booklet.“Our public affairs department has done an excellent job condensing hours and hours of preparation and skilled execution down to a few sheets of paper.The only thing you’re not going to find in there is my endless thanks to everyone involved in this operation.First, and foremost, I’d personally like to thank my team.I’m new to them.This was our first op together, yet each and every man and woman stepped up to help free these women who were forced into bondage.”
She faced someone offstage and began to clap.Others joined in as several people in the audience stood.The camera panned down the wall where a dozen men in dark blue Immigration and Customs Enforcement uniforms stood proud.
“This was a team effort all the way around,” Kam said before the clapping ceased.“I’d like to thank the San Diego Police Department for their immediate and extensive cooperation, as well as the U.S.Navy which brought this situation to our attention and assisted in the investigation and arrests.You’ll be hearing from representatives from both of those departments in just a moment.”
Kam’s face turned fierce.“Before I turn things over, I want to send a personal message to Big Daddy…we’re coming for you.”
“Oooh.”“She’s hot.”“She can come for me any day.”No one missed the whispered double entendre.
If Mike hadn’t been next to the rear admiral, he never would’ve heard the scoff over the declarations around the room.He slid a glance to the senior officer who folded his arms over his chest and sneered.
What the hell was that about?Was the rear admiral pissed that he had not been included in the preparation or arrests?The entire operation had been a well-kept secret, even from the team commanding officers.Mike hadn’t known anything about it until they were standing in formation and several of his men were missing.
