Page 107 of Luck Be Mine
“He went inside.” Gregg’s icy tone gave away his mood.
“Thank you. I can’t handle much rank today.”
Gregg growled, then snagged a quick breath. “Who can?”
“The next command level.”
Gregg snorted. “Two pod SEALs. Not enough combat time.”
Hunt agreed but stayed silent, catching Jack’s agreement in the smirk on his face.
“This wasn’t your fault, Hunt.”
He’d avoided this conversation with Gregg because he didn’t have a response. Command Review Staff had questioned every action in debrief. It all felt like his fault. “Discussion for another day, sir.”
“Agreed. See you inside.”
Hunt returned to silence. It was working for him.
The limousine pulled in behind the hearse.
The Navy liaison, a master chief, stepped from the passenger front and opened the back door. Usually, Hunt left this to the enlisted. K-Rock and Tommy moved in that direction.
But Bess Baxter had been in his home. She’d donated a green table and chairs to their first apartment, and he still had the set in his workroom. Sometimes connections meant more than rank.
Bess exited the car, and her dull blue eyes went to the hearse first, then shifted to Hunt. Regal in black, the slender woman straightened her shoulders and took K-Rock’s arm. Tommy stayed behind to guide his aunt and uncle. Elizabeth, her face pale, slipped away from the group and met Quaid near the door.
Hunt moved forward to greet Bess, searching for composure. Still at a loss, he followed an example he’d seen from Cait. Use their name and offer a healing statement.
“Mrs. Baxter,” he got that far and choked up. She took his hand. He gently held her fingers like the lifeline they were.
“Lieutenant Commander. My Robert had many good things to say about you. He deeply respected you.”
“I respected him. He’ll be missed.” It was all he could get out, and the organ had started playing in the church. People were passing the group, nodding to Bess, and filling the church. It was almost time.
The funeral home operated smoothly in the background to put the casket on the mover. Hernandez, Doogie, Jack, Carter, K-Rock, and Tommy took their places at its side to guide it into the church. Hunt offered his arm to Bess. The Navy Liaison guided his aunt and uncle. There would be an honor guard at the cemetery, but here Bess had wanted Robert’s team at his side in the church.
They went slow and steady, their muffled footsteps never breaking cadence.
There could have been a classic funeral dirge playing from the organ. The Navy had a few. But the music stopped as soon as the casket entered. Bess had wanted the church silent, as if a treasured soul entered here.
The military tradition showed strong. He knew his men had practiced, and they executed perfectly.
Hunt helped Bess into the front row then eased into the seat behind her. Cait reached for his hand, and he gladly took it. He needed her anchor. Adele Dugan was in the seat next to Cait. Patsy Brennan was beside Adele. Family members from their team were scattered in the first few rows, and the men found their way to their respective seats. Carter slipped into the row behind him.
The chaplain was an old hand. The sermon honored Robert’s life and service and offered comfort. Hunt had heard variations of this theme before and found no comfort there.
Bess had picked one song,Amazing Grace, and the organist got the notes and emotion of the song just right. Not being a church goer, he would always associate the song with funerals.
Carter chose humor for his tribute to Bax, and he hit every highlight without waver. The man was going to collapse in grief at some point. They all would.
Doogie hadn’t discussed his comments with Hunt, which was unusual. Hunt had been struggling, though, and Doogie knew it. The eulogy started with BUD/S and ended with brotherhood. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
The chaplain offered a prayer. Hunt mouthed amen with everyone else even though he hadn’t heard a word.
A funeral attendant removed the casket flowers to a side table.
Carter and the Navy Liaison stood and positioned themselves in the front. The two proceeded to lift the flag from the mahogany casket and fold it. Carter, of course, had been the one to put a flag over Baxter on the helicopter back to base. His fingers trembled, but Hunt recognized the grit of his expression. He’d succeed at this too, no question.
