“And?”
Bagh looked down and mumbled something inaudible.
“What’s that?”
“They opted not to attack, sir.”
Miller turned back to Reeves. “You told your team to spare the mermaids. Tell me, does this sound like the kind of behaviour I’d expect from you, chief?”
Anger battled with the hot shame filling his gut. Who did Bagh think he was, telling Miller something like this?
“No, sir. I was trying to keep my team focused on the task at hand.”
“I hope so. Because I would hate to have to relieve you of command.”
There was a heavy silence. Reeves nodded stiffly. Miller pushed past him and walked away. Before leaving the warehouse, he turned.
“Go help the boys clear the beach. The tide is supposed to rise higher than usual tomorrow, and I don’t want to lose anything.”
The door slammed with echoing volume.
Reeves stood facing the friend who’d betrayed him. His heart hammered. Sweat dampened his palms.
Relieve you of command.
The words rang in his head. He would never let that happen. He would not let everything he had dedicated his entire life to be discarded so easily.
“Man, I didn’t think—” said Bagh, but Reeves turned away.
Bagh grabbed his elbow. “Look, I’m sorry!”
“What did you hope to accomplish by telling him that? Trying to tattle on me like a little kid?”
“No! It was about the mermaids, not … I didn’t think Miller would care.”
“Of course he’s going to care!”
Reeves tried to pull away but Bagh gripped his arm tighter.
“We’re done, here,” shouted Reeves. It was with enormous effort that he did not hit Bagh. An apology would not erase the fact that Bagh had treaded on his career—his life.
“I said I’m sorry!”
“I don’t want to hear it!” The anger burst from him, ricocheting through the warehouse.
Bagh stepped back. Recovering, he set his jaw and nodded.
“Fine. See you around, chief.”
“Yeah. Maybe.”
Reeves stormed outside, fists clenched. He had not worked this hard to be demoted because of Bagh’s careless words.
But what was he supposed to do? Just let these sonic charges happen? It was Operation Perseus all over again.
He stood at the edge of the beach, facing the water, and crossed his arms. The tide swished against the rocks. The glistening head of a seal poked out of the waves, bobbing slowly. This beach was so pure, so alive. What would happen to it in a few days’ time?
The man he’d sworn to be would accept Officer Miller’s decision. Reeves knew his order to spare the mermaids had been a betrayal—and that was why Miller had cared so deeply. As Team Chief, it was Reeves’ duty to obey, to protect his country. He had to do whatever it took to stop this outside force from harming the American people. Sometimes, harsh actions had to be taken, and this was one of those times.
