by Frank Perry
Not only that, it turns production into a controlled commercial enterprise which employs Americans and generates tax revenue. Nothing about it condones drug use, it’s just like alcohol. Barricades on the borders don’t work if we don’t somehow stop Americans from using drugs. It’s costing hundreds of billions each year to fight our Drug War, and we haven’t won after thirty years. More people die in drug violence in America than in all military wars since the World War two. With this bill, we can shift the effort to curing America’s habit and stop the drug gangs.”
“It’s not an easy sell, Hunter.”
“Apparently not here.”
“Look, the Congressman might support it if you can get the other San Diego delegates to go along. Maybe the Governor could help your cause.”
“Alright. I understand where you’re coming from. If I can get a couple others, will he (Stubbs) help?”
“We’ll see.” She stood, indicating an end of discussion. “Thanks for coming by, Hunter, and remember our fundraiser at the Capitol Hill club next month.”
“Thanks Mickey.” Yeah, like I’ll recommend the state PAC for Stubbs—ain’t gonna happen.
He was walking toward the Capitol South Metro station when his Blackberry vibrated, indicating email. He looked at the display before going down the escalator, out of coverage. Claire sent him a message, “call-urgent!”
The Metro was almost empty at midday, so he took the first train, the blue line, which would take him all the way to King Street without transferring. It was a longer distance than transferring to the yellow line, but he wouldn’t need to change trains a Metro Center. The ride was mostly underground until Foggy Bottom station in Georgetown, where it went above ground until reaching the Pentagon. He called Claire on her mobile phone.
“Hunter...José is dead.” She wasn’t crying but was subdued.
“I’m sorry, sis. When did you find out for sure?” They suspected it for two years.
“The FBI found his body in the car yesterday. I would have called last night, but I had to tell the kids, and it was rough. They both stayed home today.”
“Are you at home?”
“Yeah, I stayed with the kids today.”
“Look Claire, I don’t know what to say. When will you have the funeral?”
“I don’t know yet. He’ll be cremated and I’ll probably just have a memorial service in a few weeks. Right now, I’m just waiting for a death certificate so that I can get the insurances going. It’s been rough living without both incomes.”
“I know, kid. What did you find out?”
“José was stuffed in the trunk of his car and drowned in the ocean.” He was stunned that she could be so graphic.
“Aw, Claire. I’m so sorry. Look, I’m gonna lose you underground. I’ll call later when I’m back at my place. Hang in there.”
Her response, if any, was lost when the train went underground again.
Memorial
The official report on José Rivera’s death was murder by drowning. Kasey McDougal called John Richards and sent him a copy of the Oakland Coroner’s report. The ocean had destroyed any useful forensic information, so all they knew for certain was that it was a homicide, and the method used. After two years, they weren’t even sure where José was abducted, or how the car ended at the Farallons. The media was given full details since nothing much was available to be disclosed in case someone would come forward with any information, but nothing was learned.
The body was released to the mortuary Claire contacted in El Dorado Hills, near their home. A memorial was scheduled a week later after cremation to allow time for people to travel.
Hunter was packing for the trip back to California when the phone rang. “Hi, Sweetheart.”
“Hi, Hunt. Are you ready to leave?”
“Almost, I’m flying in the morning.”
“When’s the service?”
“It’s on Saturday. I want to get there a day early so’s I can help Claire and the kids. I think she’s planning a get-together at her house afterward.”
“Hunter, I’d like to come out with you.”
“Gee, Laurie, umm, I’d love it, but do you really want to sit through a family funeral with a bunch of strangers?”
“You’re not a stranger. Anyway, I could fly out on Friday if it’s okay.”
“Sure. Absolutely.”
“Okay. I’ll let you know my schedule after I make reservations.”
“Thanks, Laurie. I love you.”
“Me, too.”
He slept well and rode the Metro to Reagan National Airport for his morning flight to Sacramento. He had to fly to Denver first then change planes, so didn’t arrive until late afternoon. Claire met him at baggage claim.
He saw her waiting by the escalator and waived. They embraced at the bottom. “Oh, sis, I’m so sorry.”
She shuddered a little but wasn’t crying. “At least it’s over, Hunter.”
He put his arm around her as they walked together out toward the parking garage with his single carry-on bag. They were quiet until outside, then she spoke. “Things are under control here. I just want to get through the next few days, then on with the rest of our lives. It’s been tough without answers for the kids. Now that they know their daddy died, I don’t think they know what to think of it. It’s hard enough for kids to process death of a parent, but it’s even more unreal when you tell them it was murder. They don’t understand why someone would hurt their sweet dad. I don’t understand it.”
He put his arm around her as they continued walking into the ground-floor level where she had parked. “I know, sis. Maybe having Uncle Hunter here will help.”
“It might. You’re kind of a hero figure to them. Big Navy SEAL, destroyer of terrorists.”
“That seems like a long time ago.”
“You’re barely in your thirties, Hunt.”
“Yeah, but it’s been over five years since I took off my uniform.”
She smiled. “Not really. You just changed from blue to green in the Border Patrol. From what I read in some of the news messages I receive in the office when you were on the border, you were in some pretty nasty fights with drug smugglers.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, they’re as mean as the Taliban.”
“Anyway, Hunt, I think the kids will be especially glad that you’re here.” He smiled.
He reflected, “Oh, by the way, Laurie is coming out tomorrow.”
“Your girlfriend?”
“Yeah, I told you about her.”
“This is sweet. We’ll get to meet her. You must be pretty special to her.”
“She’s pretty special to me.”
Claire’s kids, José Jr., nine, and Miriam, seven, were both excited to see their Uncle Hunter. To them, he was a kind of action figure that was off saving the world somewhere. He took their minds off of their father, at least for a while.
That night, he got a text message from Laurie and borrowed Claire’s car in the morning to pick her up at the Sacramento Airport.
He met her at the same spot as Claire a day earlier. They embraced like two young lovers leaving on vacation. Hunter asked, “So, how was your flight?”
“I had a whole row to myself from Dallas to here. It was a great comfortable flight.”
Unlike Hunter, Laurie had a large suitcase checked aboard the airplane. It occurred to him that they hadn’t discussed return plans. He lifted the heavy load, “Wow, girls never pack efficiently. You have to bring the whole closet.”
“You’ve never seen my closet. This barely made a dent.”
He awkwardly tried to walk with his arm around her and roll the big bag behind. It didn’t work well. Hourly parking is located on the first level of the garage directly across from terminal A. At each transition from walkway to crossing the road surface, the small wheels on the bag wobbled, occasionally tipping onto its side. Laura laughed as he managed his temper, struggling to be a gentleman
.
He just smiled. “Claire and the kids are anxious to meet you.”
“Oh, Hunter, that reminds me. I need to get a local hotel room.”
“Not in our family. You get the guest room at Claire’s.”
“Umm, where do you sleep?” They had not quite progressed to sleeping together.
He smiled before answering. “Actually, I’m bunking with JJ (José Jr.). He’s got a bunk bed for sleepovers.”
“Will you fit?”
“Probably not. But he’s got a big floor.”
She smiled.
At home, Laurie was an instant hit. That night at dinner, Miriam called her Aunt Laurie, causing the adults to smile.
Except for the occasion that brought them all together, it was like a vacation visit from a favorite aunt and uncle. It was obvious to Laura that Hunter was loved deeply by the children. It also caused her to wonder if he would stay in DC. They had never quite approached the subject in any discussions. Both thought about it, and feared the answer, so they avoided it as their relationship grew. It was quickly becoming the pivotal uncertainty between them.
When JJ went to bed at eight, Hunter tested the bed, which was about six inches too short. Claire had an air mattress that Hunter and JJ took turns blowing up. She was concerned about his ability to sleep on the floor, and he assured her that he’d slept in far worse conditions. Claire went to bed around ten, leaving Hunter and Laura to themselves until almost midnight before they retired. They both slept soundly thinking about the other on their first trip together. In the morning, Hunter and Laurie made a quick breakfast and cleaned everything up for the caterers that would arrive around twelve