Page 14 of Reclaiming his Honor
“Dvorak,” said Mac. “I want backup down here, pronto. It’s a private matter. I’ll pay the bills, but send me a couple of men.”
Joanne and the kids were off visiting David’s mother, and Sloan was as intrigued by the Godak case as the rest of the American public. “How do you feel about Moto and me? We got up early. We should get dibs.”
“Fine, fine. Just get on the bird and get over here.”
He rattled off the address. “I don’t know what I’m dealing with, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
Sloan nodded. “On our way.” He hung up. “We’re going to Alabama.”
“They have bugs the size of tennis rackets down there.”
“Bring your Skin So Soft and quit your bitching. We’re going wheels up in ten.”
CHAPTER10
Mac went for a sunrise walk along the beach, wishing he could have gone for a run. An explosive device in Afghanistan had destroyed his foot, and he wore a prosthesis on that leg that took the joy out of running. Still, his head was clearing of the thoughts that plagued him during the night, and he wondered if the dreams that haunted his sleep would disappear if Ellie were back by his side.
The thought of her made him smile. A gull dove for the water, cackling, and a big wave made it up to his feet, splashing his ankles in cool water. This was the life. He and Ellie had dreamed of visiting someplace like this, now she lived close enough to the beach to see it every day if she so desired. And while he was happy for her, he wanted to be a part of that life she’d created.
Not that he deserved it. He knew for a fact he did not. But he and Ellie had planned a beautiful life, and he wanted to live that life with her, now.
His thoughts shifted to Turner. That man left a bad taste in his mouth, especially after what Moto had found. Yet Ellie had agreed to marry him. Was it just jealousy that had him feeling this way about the other man, or did he have cause to be concerned?
And speaking of being concerned, he needed to check in with Ursula’s husband and see how he was doing. Godak’s final stunt had left them all stunned, the families devastated, as if Godak had reached into this world from the great beyond and taken just one more life to keep him company on the trip down to hell.
Obviously, he’d had an accomplice on the outside, someone willing to kill for him. That didn’t make it any better, only increasing Mac’s concern, though it did make him wonder if Godak had had help all along.
Mac was nearly back to his hotel when he saw a man running toward him, someone with his same height and build. And beyond the most basic similarities, the other man ran with Mac’s exact stride. It was like watching in a mirror as this image of himself came closer and closer, a strange and unsettling feeling. It took a second for him to recognize the doppelgänger as his own son.
“Lewis,” he called, and the boy stopped, resting his hands on his hips as he panted.
“What?”
Hard to believe it was just last night Lewis was drunk off his rocker. Now he was running along the humid beach as if last night hadn’t even happened.Oh, to be young again.
“I was hoping we could talk,” said Mac. “Maybe grab a bite to eat.”
“No, thanks.” Lewis moved to run again, and Mac held out his hand.
“It’s just breakfast. It would mean a lot to your mother if we could talk.”
Lewis blew out air. “You don’t get to tell me what would mean a lot to her.”
Mac nodded. “Fine. Then it would mean a lot to me. Have breakfast with your old man. A cup of coffee. That’s all.”
Lewis stared at him too long, then shrugged, which Mac figured was the closest to a yes he was going to get this morning.
The two of them made their way in silence, over the bridge and dunes which separated the beach from the hotel. Finally, they settled at an outdoor table in the shade.
“Let’s get this over with,” declared Lewis. “Go ahead. Tell me what you want to say, so you can go back to wherever you came from and we can go back to real life.”
Mac narrowed his eyes. “I’m not leaving. Let’s start there.”
“Why not?”
“I love your mother. I’ve been looking for her for years. I’m not just going to walk away.”
“What makes you think she loves you?”
