Page 6 of Silent Dust
While Bearand his team prepared for their next mission, Flora found herself grappling with a mix of emotions at home. The sun cast long shadows across the Kowalski kitchen, and the lively energy of family life felt muted. The joyful sounds of her children’s laughter were drowned out by the heavy thoughts swirling in her mind.
Standing at the sink, Flora washed the dishes, the rhythmic clinking of plates providing a familiar backdrop to her thoughts. The kettle whistled softly, but she barely registered the sound. Three months had gone by since the disturbing encounter outside Walter Reed, which occurred while Stephan was away on a training mission in California with another group of SEALs. Since his return, Flora had kept the incident a secret from him, not wanting to burden him further. Now that he was deployed in the Middle East, she felt herself withdrawing, guilt and worry enveloping her like a heavy blanket, making it difficult to breathe.
The fear that had taken root in her mind since that day, compounded by the warning texts and pictures she had received, led her to consider the unthinkable: leaving Stephan might be the only way to keep him safe. She had planned to tell him beforehe left, but when the moment came, she chickened out, the papers left untouched on her desk. The fear from the encounter lingered, a constant reminder of the dangers that surrounded their lives, and she struggled to shake off the shadows that threatened to consume her.
She focused on her family, trying to support Stephan, whom everyone else called Bear, but her anxiety lingered, amplifying her concerns for his safety. Each time she saw him, her heart would flutter, a reminder of the unspoken words between them. Conversations felt awkward, filled with pauses that stretched too long, her once-open heart now more guarded. The need to protect him had driven her inward, leaving her feeling anxious and isolated, even around her friends and family.
As she rinsed a plate, memories of their high school days surfaced. They had been together since they were fifteen, their lives intertwined in shared dreams. She could still picture the day he proposed at her graduation party, a moment filled with joy and hope. They married in a small ceremony before his first deployment, aware that challenges lay ahead but confident in their bond. Over the years, as his deployments became more frequent, Flora pursued her dream of becoming a forensic pathologist. She completed her undergraduate degree in forensic science, then earned her medical degree (MD), followed by a residency in pathology and a fellowship in forensic pathology. Juggling the demands of her training and raising their three children in an uncertain world, she finally achieved her goal, balancing her career and family with resilience and dedication.
As the afternoon light filtered into the kitchen, Flora observed her children, noting how each responded to the subtle shifts in their home. Rhys sat at the kitchen table, his reading assignment spread out before him, as his hands fiddled with a couple of chess pieces from the game he had beenplaying earlier. His usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a thoughtful seriousness, a reflection of the responsibility he felt as “the man of the house.”
In the living room, Kenzi, the spirited tomboy of the trio, was unusually quiet. Her wild curls, typically bouncing with energy, lay still as she focused intently on a disassembled toy robot. Instead of her usual boisterous play, she traced the intricate gears with her small fingers, her interest in science and mechanics shining through even in this subdued moment. Flora knew Kenzi idolized Nova and dreamed of mastering skills that would make her just as formidable.
Meanwhile, Amelia, their three-year-old princess, sat in the corner of the living room at her little table, fully immersed in her tea party. Dressed in her favorite princess outfit, complete with a sparkling tiara, she giggled as she poured imaginary tea for her dolls and her beloved teddy bear, Moose. Amelia chattered to her toys, weaving elaborate stories of adventure and magic, her imagination running wild. Her laughter filled the room, a delightful melody that cut through the tension in the air.
Standing in the heart of her home, Flora felt a mix of determination and tenderness. Her long, golden-blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. The faint freckles scattered across her porcelain skin were reminders of sunlit days spent outdoors, but now they felt like echoes of a simpler time. Her sharp blue eyes, reminiscent of a clear sky, reflected a depth of understanding shaped by the challenges she faced. She wore a simple yet classy blouse in muted colors, paired with well-fitted jeans that balanced practicality with a polished appearance. The faint scent of antiseptic that lingered on her felt out of place, contrasting with the warmth of her home, but she pushed it aside.
In that moment, Flora resolved to be strong for her children, to create normalcy in their home, even if it felt delicate. Shewanted to remind them of the love and safety that still existed within these walls, despite the uncertainty outside. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the soothing scent of the tea she was drinking, its warmth wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.
As Flora moved toward the living room, she glanced back at Rhys, who was still focused on his homework. “When you finish, how about we play a game with your sisters?” she called out, hoping to coax a smile from him. Just then, Amelia came running in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Mommy! Come to my tea party!” she exclaimed, her little arms outstretched as she bounced on her toes, pulling Flora’s attention back to the joyful moment.
Flora smiled, her heart warming at the sight of her daughter’s enthusiasm. Before she could respond, the shrill ring of the phone sliced through the stillness, jolting her from her thoughts. Quickly setting her tea on the counter, she reached for the phone, momentarily distracted from the cheerful scene unfolding around her.
“Just a second, sweetie,” she said to Amelia, who was now climbing onto a barstool to get closer to her. Balancing the phone on her shoulder, Flora instinctively reached out to steady Amelia, her maternal instincts kicking in.
“Hello?” Flora answered, her voice light and cheerful.
“Dr. Kowalski, this is Commander Michaels,” the voice on the other end was brisk, lacking its usual warmth. Flora’s heart sank; she knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant conversation. As a forensic pathologist occasionally contracted by the Navy to assist with autopsies and investigate unusual cases, she was all too familiar with the urgency that often accompanied such calls.
Her smile faltered, and she straightened up, the casual comfort of the kitchen fading as her professional persona kicked in.
“What’s going on?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady, though it betrayed her growing unease.
“I’m sorry for calling so late,” Commander Michaels continued, “but we have an emergent situation.”
Michaels’ somber manner confirmed her worst fears. “One of my men passed away on a top-secret mission in China under… questionable circumstances. Initial findings indicate exposure to a man-made chemical. We need you to perform the autopsy immediately.”
Flora’s fingers tightened around the phone, a chilling premonition settling over her. “A man-made chemical? Do we have any information?”
“Not yet,” he replied, his words clipped and urgent. “It’s highly sensitive, and we are on an unsecured line. Time is of the essence. Can you come in?”
Flora glanced at her children. Rhys looked up from his homework, his brow furrowed in concentration, the usual cheerfulness in his demeanor replaced by an unnerving seriousness. She knew he was now aware that she would be going to work and he’d be keeping an eye on the girls. Kenzi paused in her attempt to reassemble the robot she had taken apart; her fascination had been evident in the focused intensity on her face, but her boisterous energy was notably subdued. Amelia, hugging her teddy bear tightly, sensed the shift in Flora’s mood. She clutched the soft toy with unusual tenacity, her wide eyes mirroring Flora’s own anxiety as she reached out from the barstool to grasp her mother’s shirt.
Taking a deep breath, Flora fought to maintain a calm demeanor as she responded to Michaels. “I’ll be there within the hour,” she said. “Let me arrange for a babysitter.”
Flora glanced at Rhys, admiring his maturity, and chose not to mention that Lindsey would be there to look after him too.“I need to call Lindsey to come over and put the girls to bed tonight. Have you finished your homework?”
Rhys met her gaze and nodded solemnly. He was keenly aware that something was off; his usually cheerful demeanor had transformed into one of deep concern. His protective instincts kicked in immediately, demonstrating a surprising level of understanding for a nine-year-old. “What’s wrong, Mom?” he asked, steady, prepared to take on whatever burden she might share.
Flora carefully chose her words, trying to minimize her worry to avoid alarming them. “One of our sailors passed away,” she said, keeping her tone measured. “They need me to help them figure out why.”
Dialing her phone, Flora called her best friend and next-door neighbor, Lindsey.
“Hey, Flora-girl! How’s it going?” Lindsey answered, the warmth of her voice providing momentary comfort.
“Hey, Lindsey, I’ve gotta go into work. It’s urgent,” Flora said quickly, feeling the knot in her stomach tightening. “Can you keep an eye on the kids while I’m gone? And make sure the girls go to bed at a reasonable hour,” she added with a chuckle.
“Of course! Everything okay?” Lindsey’s voice dropped, instantly serious.
