“I’ll try.” Julian turned his head, his shoulders sagging.
“Thanks, Jule. You’re putting San Diego’s operation on the line for me.” Troy squirmed in the seat.
“Now who’s due for a punch? Do you think, with a new baby on the way, I want to leave a wingnut in charge? I want to spend my paternity leave with my family and enjoy every minute.” Julian moved forward at the green light.
“Did you finish reading the NCIS file?” Troy stared out the window.
“I wonder how depraved someone can be, and then there are more victims. I touched base with my brother to see if there were any civilian victims on their rolls. And this morning, I want to know if they think there are any more military victims.” He clenched his jaw.
“The report said Jessie Brooks was MIA for six hours. How did her assailants manage that?There was an exercise in progress.” Troy theorized, “The attackers had a plan. And James Richmond has rebuffed all interviewers. Tim Holland turned his case immediately over to Miller for surgery. He said the anal tears weren’t severe, but the hospital let it go too long. And poor kid dislocated both shoulders trying to break free. Miller said one thing at a time—my guess, because he was not cooperative.
“When I got in, Richmond was asleep. All they could tell me was he has a temp, and they’re running tests. Miller will ask the parents for permission to see his medical records from both hospitals. He’s still considered a psych hold, unable to make decisions. My guess, he’s just afraid. His dad—he thinks James did something to deserve this. I’d like him re-evaluated so he can give his own permission.” Troy steepled his fingers.
“I wish you weren’t so good at this. I’d like you to try talking with Jessie Brooks. I spoke with the commander this morning, and according to him, she still hasn’t given a formal statement either.” Julian concentrated on the road.
“Where is she?” Troy chewed his lip.
“The moved her to Pendleton hospital from Twentynine Palms.”
“I want her moved and given private duty. Can we bring her to the health center?”
“I don’t think it will be a problem. How’s Gwen?” Julian asked.
“Her leg is healing. You know about the calls. I’m taking her to dinner, want to fill her in on what happened in Iowa.”
“Good. And?” Julian swallowed a smile.
Troy turned to the window. “Gwen’s background came back.” His voice cracked.
“I don’t like the sound of your voice,” Julian worried. “The discrepancy I found?”
“And your deeper check. Martin’s taking it even deeper. She spent ninety-two days in ISIS custody from October 2012, MIA. Tech found a few photos. Her résumé mentions nothing about this. Did she lie on purpose, or did they make her lie? She resigned her commission three months after she was flown in on a med transport. And damn it, why didn't she tell me herself?”
“Just because we care for someone doesn’t mean they’ll tell the truth. We will get you answers,” Julian sighed. “But I’d ask her and see if she comes clean. You haven’t come clean with her either.”
“I know. I can’t imagine what she went through. Something spooked her about this case—nausea from meds doesn’t present like that. And my caller’s comment about being touched. And diseases? Damn it, Jule, all I wanted to do was scoop her up and kiss it all away. But I want the answers, so I can help her. And then there’s that one pesky company rule. In addition to doing her job, which requires access, we have access to top secret material. Any relationships, the partners have to be cleared. If legal sees this as unresolved, they’ll never approve our relationship unless I keep her totally in the dark. They already think I’m a loose cannon.”
“Relationship? I thought you couldn’t have one.” Julian jumped on what he said.
“Damn it,” Troy yelled.
“You are not a loose cannon. You deserve a relationship. Chase Security is different from the service. We don’t have a no fraternization rule. You can be a football coach like I am with Holly and assign someone else to investigate what your caller said. A report can be made, and you won’t have to justify anything.”
Troy crunched his brows. “Football coach?”
“Merde, I forgot. You were about to have the jaw surgery and still vent-dependent. I was being a jerk about accepting my feelings. You signed to me. Reminded me if I blocked my feelings, it would block the joy too. Ice made me understand I couldn’t run Holly’s security and be her boyfriend. He said he’d take over, and I should pretend I was a football coach.”
“I should’ve known Ice was involved.” Troy laughed.
“Okay, Coach, I’ll assign Blake to her. He’ll start by interviewing anyone you two had in common in Virginia. You got the first call on the tarmac.
“Caleb is running permutations and combinations for staff in common. The kid is already working sixty hours. Being the XO for tech is like wrangling cats.”
“Wrangling cats? That’s funny. You’re upping your comedy skills. Cats?”
“They are brilliant. Each one is a loner, unique and eccentric. Group meetings are like wrangling cats.”
“Mahaha.” Troy’s eyes teared.
