“I think several months. Until the job is finished, I imagine.”
“Well then, it’s a date. You come back in about thirty days. We’ll be right here. We always arrive at the witching hour, midnight!” he said with his eyes wide and his hands splayed over his head. “You remember old Jonny here, okay?”
“Sure. Sure. I promise.”
“And just for your information, it will be two hundred US per person. That’s the ticket price.”
“Just for one evening?”
“No, sir. We take you someplace else, and we drop you. You have to find the way home! That’s the way it works.” All three of the guards cackled.
Trace looked up at the ship, so close and yet so far away. But he remembered what their mission was. It wasn’t the ship. It was King George. He smiled back to the guard as the handcuffs were removed.
“Thirty days, it is. Does anyone have the schedule? We have to ask permission to leave ahead of time. Any idea what date?”
The guard squinted briefly. Trace wondered if he’d overplayed his hand.
“The pink mermaid bar in Fred’s town always knows. You can inquire there and tell Ida you’re a friend of Jonny’s. I’m always on guard when the ship comes in for the King. You know the King?”
“No, I don’t. I heard that some rich guy owns this. He’s a king?”
“He is da king of our island. You got a king in Washington, D.C. Next time, I’ll introduce you. Be prepared to pay. Nothing is free.”
Trace decided Jonny had become an ally. So he asked a burning question, “How many times have you sailed on her?”
“Queen Amalie? That bitch is a hard one. Never.”
Jonny even shook Trace’s hand. When he started to climb over the pier, the guard stopped him.
“No, no! Not that way. You walk out like a guest. Dat way.” He pointed down the long pier, which meant it would take him at least thirty minutes before he could meet up with the rest of the Team.
“Trace, you’re a fuckin’ genius,” Kyle said in his ear.
“Well, I was hoping for a look inside that ship. Next time.”
“Because of you, there will be a next time, and you got a personal invitation to meet the King himself. I’d say job well done.”
The photos and intel was transmitted. The Headshed were thrilled with what they’d obtained. A combined expedition would be set up after several of the SEALs had been on board to scope out the environment. Kyle told the group that SEAL Team 3 would be leading a boarding party next deployment after the task force was created. Until then, their job had been deemed complete one hundred percent.
“Best news is, we get to go home early, gents. Thanks to the new guy, Frogman Trace Bennett.”
He was toasted several times over the next two days as they prepared to store and lock up equipment and supplies they’d brought. They took inventory of what to bring next time. An advance team would set up the clearance, and then they’d drop in at night when the port remained empty.
Trace could hardly wait to get to talk to Gretchen again. Whether it was California or Portland, he was going home.
Chapter 25
Gretchen met with the attorney when she was visiting her mother in Palo Alto, who, after listening to the issues involved, put her in touch with a Portland child custody attorney. The office visit was gratis, but she’d have to pay for the visit in Portland.
The encounter with Tony had left her shaken. Her mother encouraged her to move out of the house and to come down and stay with her indefinitely, until things ironed out. As strange as Tony’s behavior was, Gretchen didn’t think he’d do anything stupid, really stupid. Her mother cautioned her about being overly confident.
“I just worry so much about you and the girls. I mean, your dad and I are so far away. We couldn’t get there in time if something were to happen. Should we come up there?”
“No, Mom. I think you should stay out of it.”
“But what about the girls? Wouldn’t they feel safer if we came?”
Gretchen considered it and promised she’d call her back after the interview with the new attorney.
Delmar Bernstein’s office was on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings in downtown Portland. The commanding view of the Columbia River and across into Washington State was breathtaking, especially on a day like today. Huge billowy clouds swept across the bright blue sky. Some had grey patches at the edges, and rain dumped down on the city below. It truly felt like you were God sitting on top, watching the minions below. Sheets of silvery water fell at all angles, and sunlight illuminated the landscape, increasing the sparkle with puddles and washes of streets and sidewalks.
Mr. Bernstein didn’t react to her comment about his lovely office. He was focused on her case, which made her feel better.
“I’m going to tell you a couple of things first. I’ve talked to your mother’s friend, and he also gave me some additional information. There was an incident with your ex-husband a couple of days ago?”
“Yes, at Angie’s school.”
“Unfortunately, the police report is not going to do us any favors. Mr. Sanders’s attorney has already spoken to them, and they’ve also interviewed the preschool director. They’re playing for keeps. I know Ms. Hainstock, and she’s a worthy opponent, so we need to establish some ground rules.”
“Fine.” Gretchen’s calm demeanor evaporated.
“First, you’re not to have any communication with Mr. Sanders. I’m going to move that he have no visitation until after the settlement, especially because of his actions. We might not get that granted, but I don’t want anything that could negatively reflect on you to occur, or we’ll leave a door the size of the White House they can drive their trucks through and take the kids. Understood?”
“Y-Yes.”
“You know your ex-husband has considerable assets. I’m prepared to say he’s going to throw a lot of money at this. He’s not the party who should win, but by investigating things so thoroughly, they could tie you up for months and drag anything from your past up and make it look like you’re a bag lady or something. So be forewarned.”
“I understand. But I thought women, the mother in these cases, usually has a stronger side.”
“Stronger? Perhaps. But if they challenge everything about you and don’t stop, you’re going to run out of money. Gretchen…” He leaned forward, his palms on his spotless blotter. “I don’t work for free.”
“I get it. I’ll get you paid.”
“If it comes to that, I can perhaps do some work pro bono or get you referred out. But this is child custody, not a murder trial. He with the most bucks usually wins, I’m sorry to say.”
Gretchen gulped down air. Her hands were sweaty. She felt her underarms hot and dripping with perspiration. The coffee she’d had on the way over burned a hole in her stomach. In a few minutes, she’d have to run to the bathroom. The whole world had tuned on itself, and she suddenly felt victimized, yanked from her safe perch in the house she loved with the most important people around her. Lazy afternoons wandering through museums and book stores with the girls now seemed such a luxury. She’d not prepared for this.
She could not lose this fight. If she did, it would kill her.
Mr. Bernstein smiled. “Now for the good part. From what I can tell, you’re a perfect mom. One can forgive your little incident the other day. You’d just been served papers, something out of the blue. You were busy just being a mom and concentrating on doing that. Then Mr. Sanders shows up. And of course you worry because Clover has just been kidnapped not two weeks before. I get it. We have to make sure the judge gets it, too. In your shoes, my wife would have probably done the same.”
Gretchen thought of something else. “What about the bruises on Joanie’s neck? And the fact that Clover was abducted under their watch?”
“We have to be careful not to make an enemy of her. If she was in fact abused, you need her as an ally. I know that sucks, having to be friends with your ex’s f
iancée, but try to be pleasant to her. Don’t engage, and certainly don’t do anything to upset her.”
“Oh, we get along fine. She’s like me. Well, not exactly like me, but she’s in the stage where she doesn’t believe Tony’s the monster I know him to be.”
“And we have another piece of good news. Apparently, Mr. Sanders is being considered for a trade. So perhaps that’s what’s driving all this custody battle. He might have to move clear across the country. That would mean he wouldn’t get to see the girls as much. They’ll probably try for some joint decision where Mr. Sanders pays for all the travel costs. It will be something that will be hard to fight, since he clearly can afford that arrangement. We don’t want to look like the jilted or jealous ex-wife.”
“I see your point. So all the more important to remain on good terms with Joanie. But you say not to reach out to her at all.”
“Absolutely not. At this point, whose side will she come down on? Yours or his?”
“I understand. What about the team doctor? Can he be forced to give a statement? I know something is going on with Tony. Drinking more. I never recall him being suspended before. This is all new behavior.”
“We can’t go there. Mr. Sanders is an asset to the team. Anything they do that diminishes that asset’s value would be pure folly. They want to trade him probably because of his behavior, but you won’t get them to say it on the record.”
The rest of the conversation involved the procedure, what he was going to work on next. He asked a lot of questions about Tony’s habits and public displays of “naughty boy syndrome,” as he called it. And, sadly, he said it was not uncommon that the players who made such enormous salaries began to believe their own press until they couldn’t deliver to the hype. To an elite athlete, going beyond one’s prime was a hard fact of life. He told Gretchen often everyone around the celebrity was blamed for something that was just caused by Mother Nature or enhanced by some substance abuse, which magnifies it.
At the end of their hour-long appointment, she wrote Bernstein a check with funds her mother loaned to her. Her mom’d tried to give it to Gretchen, but she insisted on taking it as a loan. And she asked him about having her mother and father come stay with her for a few days or weeks.
“I’d do it. Gretchen, you’re going to need every ounce of help you can get. And don’t you have a boyfriend who is a Navy SEAL? We gotta make sure he’s at one of these hearings, you know, wearing his dress whites?”
“We’re just good friends. My brother-in-law serves on the same SEAL Team. I’m sure Tyler would help out, even if Trace isn’t available. We’re not to the stage where I can call him my boyfriend.”
Bernstein smiled and nodded. “I see. Well, if you want my advice, make him your boyfriend. I don’t think there’s a more honorable group of men on the planet than those SEALs. We all owe them a lot.”
Gretchen’s eyes teared up, and she brushed them away with the back of her hands. The timing of everything just sucked. She was overwhelmed. She knew Tony would slowly bleed her and her whole family dry if she let him. Full of second guesses, she had a hard time feeling brave.
“You’ve done a great job with the girls.”
“That’s what everyone says. But it doesn’t mean I won’t lose them. All because I don’t have enough money.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the way of things. But, sometimes, a miracle happens, and it turns out the way it’s supposed to. In theory, no matter how much money you have, the right person should win. Let’s hope for a little luck, pray Tony continues his bad behavior without hurting anyone, and get your family firmly packed around you so you don’t spend a minute doubting yourself. But prepare yourself, kid. It’s going to be brutal.”
Gretchen walked to her car, letting the rain fall on her face and hair. The coolness of the water was calming. She knew she was strong. She just wasn’t sure how hard she could fight if she was this wounded. Taking the girls away from her would be something she could never recover from.
Would life be worth living?
That scared her most of all.
Chapter 26
The team touched American soil in Virginia and then took a double stopover flight, landing them in San Diego at midnight. Trace had left one message for Gretchen telling her he was on his way home. He texted her that he was back in San Diego.
Tyler jogged over before Trace took off from the Team building. His bags were stowed, and he was anxious for a hot shower and a good night’s sleep.
“Has Gretchen gotten hold of you?”
Trace’s stomach dropped. “No. What’s going on?”
“I guess there’s been some kind of incident with Tony. Kate’s mom and dad have flown up to be with her and the girls. Tony filed some legal papers, custody papers or some shit. She’s had to get an attorney. She’s filed a police report. Sounds like things are coming unraveled.”
“Holy shit. I just tried to text her. Is she okay? Did that sonofabitch hurt her?”
“Not that I know of, Trace.” Tyler dropped his hands and swore. “Argh! I shouldn’t have told you. Now I’ve managed to get you upset, too. Sorry, Trace.”
“No. No. I want to know. I just can’t reach her right now. Do you have her mother’s or dad’s number?”
“I’ll have to call Kate. But she’s up with the baby. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”
Before Tyler got the alternate number, Gretchen called.
“I just heard. Are you okay?”
“Yes, we’re all fine. Oh man, I don’t know where to begin. My folks came up, and I’m so grateful.”
“Tell me what you can. I should come up there, too.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t ask. I’m offering. I’ll have to check in with Kyle first, but if you think I’d be of assistance, I’m there.”
“Well, Tony’s filed for custody of the girls, and he has a really expensive and apparently good attorney. That’s a big thing, but the biggest thing is… Trace, I’m afraid of him. He surprised me when I dropped Angie off at preschool, just pounced from the bushes, his hands grabbing me everywhere—”
“Fuckin’ sonofabitch. You told the cops, right?”
“Yes, I filed the report—oh, I didn’t behave well that day, so I’m sure they think I’m a basket case. But I was so preoccupied with the papers. I overreacted a bit. My attorney is going to court tomorrow to bar him from coming by the house to see the girls or be anywhere near me.”
“That sounds like a good plan.” Trace’s impatience was making him think fuzzy. “I’d feel a whole lot better if I got there. It just wouldn’t be right if something happened and I could have prevented it.”
“I know the action tomorrow morning won’t go over very well with Tony. Especially if he loses. If you can, I’d love it. And the girls have been asking about you, too.”
“Done. I’ll text you when I arrive. Can your dad or someone pick me up at the airport?”
“Of course.”
“So what did he do? Did he try something…funny?”
“He was a wild man. Kissed me, tried to fondle me. He doesn’t care anything about me. It’s just that he’s losing everything.”
“A man like that can be dangerous. Please be careful. Fingers crossed here. Let me see if I can locate Kyle, and I’ll text you my ETA.” He sighed, settling his nerves. Now that he had another mission planned, he was much calmer.
It was, after all, what he was made for.
Trace got permission to travel to Portland and caught the first flight out, landing mid-morning. Joe Morgan met him at the airport. The older man stepped right out of the crowd and called his name. They shook hands.
“Glad you figured it out. Don’t know what I’d have done, Joe, if you hadn’t. I’d be wandering the airport instead of lending assistance.”
“Kate showed me pictures of your trip to Hawaii. There’s a nice one of you and Gretchen,” he said as he raised the trunk so Trace could load up his bag. “Nev
er seen her so happy before,” he said over the top of the car as they each got in to their sides.
“How’s she holding up?”
“She’s scared, I won’t lie. Clover was telling me his eyes looked funny and he smelled bad. Gretchen says he’s been on a bender for a few days. You know he actually caused his fiancée some bruising on her neck?”
“No shit?” Trace covered his mouth. “Sorry, sir.”
“Oh, shoot. We’re so used to Tyler and the things he can spew out, that was tame. Louise says I’m starting to pick up the SEAL lingo. Can you imagine that, learning to swear at sixty-eight years of age?”
Trace liked the man instantly. “Well, they say that which doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger. We swear a lot so we don’t cry. We can get awfully serious on some of these missions. It takes the edge off and helps us think straight if we relax a bit. Know what I mean?”
“I know exactly what you mean, son.”
Trace thought about the story Gretchen had told him about Joe not being her biological father. He could tell this gentle man had the heart to fully love another man’s child and give that child the family she deserved.
They fell into silence on the way up the hill to Gretchen’s. Finally, Joe began speaking in a soft, melancholy voice. “I tried everything I could do to make Gretchen happy and want for nothing. When she picked Tony for a husband, I knew it was a mistake. The ladies in the family were jumping up and down. You should have seen Kate. She was a teenager with braces, popping her bands all the time eating candy. She idolized Tony.”
“Hmm. She was about Clover’s age then.”
“Exactly! Right about thirteen, fourteen. Anyway the women at the church were going bananas over Tony and his NBA buddies, looking like a bunch of giraffes. I never liked the fact that he didn’t seem to pay attention to what Gretchen was saying. Everything was a joke to him. But he was the fair-haired kid, the ‘big catch’ everyone wanted. They married, moved to Phoenix, and then up to Portland where his career really took off.”
SEAL My Love: A SEAL Brotherhood Novel Page 16