Defending Sophie

by P. J. Fiala

  "But, what made you even think this was the best way to handle it?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Uncle Jeff, why did you trust Killian more than you trusted Tommy?”

  “I didn’t. Not really. I just saw a way to help Tommy keep his record clean.”

  His uncle scraped his hands through his hair, his face filled with defeat, worry and embarrassment.

  “Why didn't you try to clear Tommy? Why didn’t you hire a lawyer or an investigator? "

  "He said he couldn't remember. Neither of us knew if he'd done it or not. And no, the facts didn't add up, but he couldn't remember anything.”

  “Even when he couldn’t remember anything, he wanted to tell Kate that he never could have raped her, but you wouldn’t let him. Then when he started to remember and knew he didn’t do it, you wouldn’t listen to him.”

  “But, you don’t understand, he just folded up into a ball and wouldn't come out of his room. He hasn't worked since it happened. Not much anyway. If he weren't self-employed, he'd have surely lost his job by now. I just thought the best thing was to sweep it under the rug and it would go away. It was poor judgment. I know. I'll pay the price for that for the rest of my life, but it wasn’t about me or my career, I swear, you have to believe that."

  His Aunt Bev came home from wherever she'd been for the day and interrupted their conversation. "Hi, Gaige, will you be staying for dinner?"

  He stood and hugged his aunt. "I'm sorry, Aunt Bev, but I have to go and Uncle Jeff has something to tell you that doesn't need an audience."

  He turned and shook his uncle's hand. "I do believe you. Good luck, Uncle Jeff. Please stay in touch and let me know how things are going for you. I'll help you all out however I can, but only legally."

  "I'm proud of you, Gaige. And, I'm sorry.”

  “I’m going out to the shop to visit with Tommy before I leave."

  He left his Aunt and Uncle's house and his heart was heavy. The look on his uncle's face when he told him the facts of what had happened, Killian's son's involvement, and that Killian was being interviewed now was devastating. His uncle's eyes teared up, and his look of defeat was gut wrenching. Watching a man crumble was never easy. Especially when you loved him like a father.

  Walking behind the house and down to the shop, he smiled when he heard a power tool running. When Tommy first started building boats, he began out here. After his business had grown, he was able to move to a larger shop and he bought a nice little house not far from his shop.

  Opening the door, the smell of fresh cut wood wafted to his nostrils and fond memories of helping Tommy sand boats and oars flooded his mind. “Good to see you out here working, Tommy.”

  A sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Thanks, Gaige. I’ve been off long enough and after speaking with you earlier, I realized I need to get back to life.”

  “Did Colonel Ashton’s office call you and tell you what happened today?”

  Gaige walked around a pile of wood pieces and skirted saw dust that had been swept to a section of the floor. The boat Tommy was working on was small but was his signature boat. It was the style of boat he’d started with as a young man learning his craft.

  “Yeah. Colonel Ashton told me they were interviewing Killian soon and that they’d spoken to his son and he’d confessed.”

  “Yeah.”

  Gaige leaned against the work bench, his back supported by the wooden surface, his eyes locked on Tommy. “Did they say anything else?”

  “Only that their investigation was on-going and they’d recommend that I don’t leave the area until they wrap this all up.”

  Nodding Gaige watched his cousin closely as he said his next words. “Your dad is in trouble for his role in halting the investigation. He’s the one who kept CID from doing their full job. It’s likely going to end his career.”

  Tommy slowly shook his head, his eyes now lovingly locked on his boat. “I figured he’d be in trouble, I wish he’d listened to me. But, he made his decisions on his own.”

  “You’re right there including his decision not to listen to you.” Gaige straightened, then approached Tommy and hugged him. “If you need help, or your mom does, call me. I’ll do what I can for you both. Your dad, too, but only if it’s legal. Love you, Tom.”

  His cousin’s arms held him tight. The longest hug he’d ever gotten from Tommy. “Love you, too. Thanks, Gaige. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

  Pulling back and looking into Tommy’s eyes, he said, “I love you all, you’re my blood. No repayment necessary. We’ll stay in touch as we always have. Just move on, and live your best life.”

  Tommy choked up, but managed to keep his composure. “I will.”

  The drive home was long even though it was in actuality only about a half hour drive. Right now he just wanted to get back to Sophie, pack up, and go home. With her. And start a new life that included he and Sophie together. But first, he hoped Casper was true to his word and would be able to clear up Sophie's record.

  He finally pulled into the driveway at Gigi's and let out a long breath. He couldn't remember such a long day filled with so much emotion. His gut had twisted watching Rand take pleasure in his horrendous crimes. Clearly he'd developed ongoing mental illnesses somewhere along the way. Some people weren't as strong as others. It was apparent that his mother was able to provide for him financially; she'd never spent any of the money Killian had sent her. But, he'd harbored a fascination with his father that developed into something dark and sinister.

  Entering the kitchen, three faces turned to stare at him, but he only really saw one. Sophie jumped up from her chair and ran to him and the instant she was in his arms, part of him felt better. She fit him perfectly, in so many ways. Physically, sure. Emotionally, for God's sake, yes. She filled his heart.

  "Are you hungry? I saved a plate for you." She whispered into his neck.

  "I'm not starving, but I should eat."

  She pulled back and looked up at him. Resting her hand on his cheek she softly asked, "Are you alright?"

  His lips turned up slightly. "I am now. Mostly."

  Taking his hand in hers she led him to the table and nudged him to sit down. She walked to the refrigerator and pulled a plate out, uncovered the plastic wrap and set it in the microwave. Then she pulled a beer from the refrigerator and held it up to him. He nodded, her eyes traveled to Hawk who also nodded, then Gigi, who said, "I'll have a glass of wine with you."

  Grabbing the beers, Gigi got up and poured their wine. Sophie pulled his dinner from the microwave and grabbed utensils before setting it in front of him. It smelled fantastic, as usual. Waiting till everyone was seated again, he held up his beer.

  "Here's to success and the best hostess in the world."

  Everyone said, "Cheers." And took a drink.

  He began telling them about his meeting with his uncle, filling in when questions were asked and answering more questions about Gillman. He was certainly happy this mission was almost over. But, he was also so happy Sophie had called him in the first place.

  Chapter 51

  Hugging Gigi good-bye, Sophie let the tears fall. "I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you, Gigi. Your kindness when I had no one was a life saver. Literally.

  "Oh honey, I'm so happy I was able to help. You can repay me by living a great life in Indiana."

  She giggled and stepped back so Gaige could hug Gigi; and then she watched as Hawk lifted her off her feet and squeezed her hard. Setting her gently down on the ground, he chucked her under the chin, and Sophie looked at Gaige and mouthed, "Did they...?"

  He shrugged and walked out of the house to the car. The plan was to go to her apartment and gather some things she wanted for the time being. A company would be hired to pack the rest of her belongings and ship them to her at GHOST.

  Casper had not only expunged the charges from her record, he'd ended her contract with the Army and called it deployment gratui
ty for all the time served in saving her own ass. He also expunged the four Article 15s from Kate’s record and restored her to the soldier she was with a stellar record. She was both excited and nervous at the same time. But, she'd find a way to send Gigi some money as soon as she was earning a paycheck again. And, she had pay coming from the Army for the two months she had left on her contract, so that would keep her until she figured out what she wanted to do.

  Arriving at her apartment complex, she had a hard time keeping her stomach from twisting. The last time she'd been here was pure hell. She couldn't help looking around for any signs of danger. "Don't worry, Soph, we're with you." Gaige said from the front passenger seat.

  She smiled at his concern. "I know and thank you both for being here."

  Hawk looked at her from the mirror and she smiled. He said nothing, which was his usual.

  "This building here. I'm on the second floor."

  They walked up the steps to her place and her knees shook so bad she was afraid she'd stumble. Pulling the key from the plant pot next to her door, she unlocked it and looked around. The place had been ransacked, someone had gone through her things and tossed them around. They were likely looking for clues as to where she was. Hawk walked passed her, gun in hand, and moved down the hallway as Gaige did the same thing in the opposite direction toward the kitchen.

  Hawk yelled, "Clear."

  A few seconds later so did Gaige. Closing her door, she turned and began picking items up off the floor and laying them on the sofa. Trying to straighten things up, Gaige softly said, "Soph. Honey, don't clean. Just pack. We've got to get on a plane and I promise you, we'll have all of this packed up nicely for you and brought to GHOST. Okay?"

  "Yeah. Sorry. It's just habit. I don't let things lay around like this."

  "It's okay, babe. What can I help you with?"

  She looked around. "If you can grab my computer, and electronics over in the desk, if they're still there, I'll pack some clothes."

  "On it." And true to his word he began at her desk, pulling electronics from drawers. Feeling a little violated, she walked down the hallway and pulled her duffle from her closet floor and began packing as many of her clothing items as she could fit in it and the suitcase she had on hand. Less than an hour later she had all of her toiletries, her undergarments, and clothing packed and she was ready to start all over.

  They climbed in their rental and drove to the airport. Gaige called Gavin, GHOST’s pilot, "We're on our way. ETA twenty minutes."

  Then he called GHOST. Wyatt answered. "We're on the plane in twenty. What's happening there?"

  “I just took a call from Casper. A couple and a foreign dignitary were killed outside a State dinner in Washington and investigators are having problems putting all the of the pieces together. The press is bitching that the investigation isn’t going well and saying the President is hiding things from the public. Casper wants this wrapped up and he wants us involved discreetly working with Washington PD doing things they can’t.”

  Gaige looked at Hawk, tapped the speaker icon. “Repeat that for Hawk.”

  Wyatt repeated what he’d said for Hawk’s benefit.

  “I want in.” Hawk glanced at Gaige.

  Gaige nodded. “Wyatt, have everyone at the compound when we get back so we can round table and decide who’s going to Washington. And, to meet Sophie. We have to interview her and then vote on her joining GHOST.”

  “Ten-four. Anything else?”

  Gaige glanced at Hawk, then back at Sophie. She shrugged and he responded. “That’s it for now. See you in a few hours. Out.”

  As he finished handling GHOST’s business, she allowed her mind to say goodbye to Riverton and all the good times and the bad times she'd had here. She silently said good-bye to her military career and readied her mind to move on. There’d be hard days for sure, but she’d get through. Gaige promised her a visit out here one of these days so she could say good-bye to friends. But, she’d be able to touch base with them when she wanted to and her best friend was no longer here. She was in heaven. She silently told Kate and Tate she hoped they were happy, that she loved them both, and to watch over Gaige and her as they started this next chapter of their lives. Something told her it was going to be amazing. Scary. Adventurous and un-fricking-real. That's what she'd also told her mom when she'd finally spoken to her last night.

  "Okay, I'll let her know." Gaige twisted in his seat. "Jax said it's about fucking time. Her words, not mine. That there's another woman in the organization."

  She laughed then. "I think I'm going to like Jax."

  "You will, definitely. She's tough. Strong. And, if it’s on her mind, it'll be out of her mouth in no time."

  "Sounds like Kate."

  He looked into her eyes and held them for a moment. Nodding, he said, "Only you can determine that, but a word to the wise. Don't tell Jax she's like anyone. She works hard to be unique."

  He and Hawk both burst out laughing and Sophie made that note to herself. So had Kate.

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 52

  Axel met them at the airport, the Beast was running and ready to get them back to the compound. Stowing their gear in back, they climbed in, Hawk taking the passenger seat, he climbed in the back with Sophie.

  “Axel, meet Sophie. Sophie, Axel.” Gaige turned to Sophie and by way of background said, “Axel is one of the best at what he does, which is largely surveillance networking. He’s also fun to have around, but don’t let him bust your chops, ‘cause he’ll certainly try.”

  “I’ll do my best to keep my chops unbusted. Nice to meet you, Axel.”

  Axel laughed and shook his head. “Nice to meet you too, Sophie. We’ve all been dying to get a look at the woman who kept Gaige off the market all of his life. Well, there was that one close call, but other than that, you know.”

  Sophie laughed. “We’ve all had close calls or worse. I’ll bet you have, too.”

  Axel laughed but said no more. Feeling the pull to get back at running his Hidden Ops organization or GHOST, Gaige pulled out his phone and began texting team members to meet them at the conference room in an hour.

  Hawk and Axel talked crap in the front seat and though he was texting and catching up with his email, he often glanced at Sophie to see her looking out the window and watching the scenery as they drove. Taking her hand in his, he began pointing out landmarks and notable places.

  His phone rang and he glanced down to see “Casper” on the readout. “I’ve gotta take this, Soph.” She nodded.

  “Vickers.”

  “Gaige, I wanted to follow-up with you on Killian so you can give your team an update.”

  “Hold on, I’ll put you on speaker.” Tapping the speaker icon, he said, “Everyone, I have Casper on the line. Casper, I have Sophie Turner, Hawk Delaney and Axel Dunbar with me.”

  Without a large preamble, Casper dove in. “Hello, everyone. I wanted to update you all on Captain Killian so you have the full story. My investigator was able to glean the final pieces of the puzzle of this mess. First of all, Killian has confessed to manipulating information regarding Thomas Taylor and doing so to keep the heat off his own bad acts and those of his son. He suspected his son had raped the women who accused him. He said he first suspected Rand when Gayle Stout filed rape charges against him. He knew he hadn't raped her, but she was so adamant it was him. Admittedly, he has a distinctive look, as does his son, and Ms. Stout kept talking about, ‘His icy dead eyes’. He tried making contact with his son, but was rebuffed. He began searching for him, going so far as to contact Mrs. Gillman and was told to leave them alone.

  After being transferred to avoid issues on base, which was also a deal made with Ms. Stout by the Army to keep her quiet about the rape, he spotted Gillman at Fort Stewart the base to which he’d been transferred. Thinking he’d catch up to him eventually, he kept an eye out but didn’t get concerned until he heard that Gayle Stout had committed suicide. Unlike Killian, he said he wasn’t sure what t
o do at that point. Clearly, what he should have done was go to his superiors and ask for assistance, but that escaped his thought processes.”

  The sarcasm was strong in that last statement.

  “Thanks to your intel, we did retrieve the video footage from the Medical Examiner’s Office and Morgue complex. Gillman did enter the office where Mr. Forest was working. Looking at the time on Ms. Turner’s phone, it was planted in the Medical Examiner’s desk where Mr. Forest was sitting at that same time. Mr. Forest died less than 30 minutes later. Gillman has confirmed this in subsequent interrogations.”

  Taking a deep breath, he caught Axel’s eyes in the rearview mirror and Hawk turned to him and nodded.

  “Thank you, sir, we appreciate the wrap-up.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ve already spoken to one of your men regarding another mission I have for you. This one is of major importance. Send your best.” The line went silent.

  *

  The landscape changed as they left town and headed out to the outlying area where GHOST is located. Slowing to turn into the driveway, he watched her face as the gates came into view. Her eyes rounded and her mouth formed an “o”. Axel pulled into the driveway, rolled his window down, waived his security card, and the gates silently slid open. Sophie looked at him, then out the window once again as Axel drove them up the drive and turned the corner bringing the Southern Mansion style home into full view.

  “Holy moly, is this GHOST?”

  Laughing, Gaige responded, “It is.”

  Axel then waived his security card before the garage panel and the door lifted. Entering the garage, the drive sent them down to below the compound house.

  “This is our garage which as you can see is below ground. Since we have so many of us, and each of us is allotted two vehicles, and for safety reasons, we decided below ground was more logical. We have two vehicles for the group, this is Beast One and the other one is Beast Two, I’ll show you that one later.”