Operation: Healing Angel

by Margaret Kay

  Shepherd couldn’t help the chuckle that came to him while listening to the Birdman lay it on heavy.

  “You want a clean piss test result, fork over one month’s salary,” the male voice said.

  “Or I could just do you both right now,” Sherman said. A few seconds later, a maniacal laugh came over the speaker that Shepherd recognized as the Birdman’s. “Just kidding. Now how much, one week’s pay, and you get to live? Oh, and I won’t tell anyone you tried to shake me down.”

  “No shakedown,” the male voice said. “Just a fair transaction between friends. Two weeks’ pay is the minimum for us to cover this up, one week for each of us, or you can take your chances with the Master at Arms stationed out in the hallway.”

  “The big, bald, black guy?” Sherman asked.

  “Yeah, and I don’t think you’re going to get a better deal from him,” the woman said. “Or you can take your chances at Captain’s Mast. You know damned well a positive drug test without a current prescription is against regs.”

  “An NJP, followed by a rank reduction, 45/45 if you’re lucky and a few weeks’ pay. That’s if they don’t boot you out,” the man said. “Take our offer. It’s better.”

  “That it is,” Sherman agreed. “I don’t have that much cash on me right now.”

  “Go to the bank. Bring it back here by sixteen hundred this afternoon, and Chief Sherman, don’t be late,” the man warned.

  “And I get my clean test record then?” Sherman asked.

  “Yes,” the woman confirmed.

  “Deal,” Sherman said.

  Shepherd heard some noise, a door close, and the loud background sound of various voices come through the speaker as he assumed Sherman moved through the passageway.

  “Hope you got all that on tape,” Sherman said.

  “We sure did,” Shepherd transmitted. “Get someplace private so we can talk.”

  “Okay, I’m alone,” Sherman’s voice came after several long minutes.

  “For the official record, who was in the room during the shakedown?” Shepherd asked.

  “Petty Officers Tanisha Rogers and James Swanson were the only two people in the room, UPC and Observer, respectively. I confirm that they both offered to cover up my positive urinalysis results in exchange for two weeks’ pay.”

  “And per the recording, you agreed to pay the demanded amount,” Shepherd asked.

  “Affirmative. I will bring the cash back to pay them by fourteen hundred today. I will wear the wire to record the transaction as evidence for their court marshals.”

  Shepherd chuckled. “Part of this sting is also trying to identify whoever is selling the shit on those boats. When you go back, bring some extra cash and try to score more pain killers. See if they will sell it to you. If it’s not them, maybe they will send you to whoever it is.”

  “Roger that,” Sherman said.

  By the time Shepherd returned to his apartment, Diana was dressed and in the kitchen. “I made a couple of protein shakes. Yours is in the refrigerator. I have to run.” She bent over and gave him a kiss. “Hope you have a great day. I’ll be back at my normal time.”

  He held his phone up. “Let me know if you have any problems getting in or out of the garage. You shouldn’t.”

  After she left, he put himself through a short workout. He was careful to not arch his back at all. He was just amazed at how much feeling he had. Diana was nothing short of a miracle worker. He was eager to get full mobility back and be able to reliably stand and walk. What had seemed impossible just two weeks before, was just over the horizon. Within a month, he just may be walking.

  In the shower, he saw the bottle of body wash Diana left there. He popped the lid open and inhaled deeply. It was the fresh scent that he smelled on her. He inhaled it again with his eyes closed and an image of her beautiful face appeared in his mind. The emotions that filled him were powerful.

  He rolled into his office with an optimism that made the day bright. He put himself in the harness right away and stood behind his desk. He was more than a little surprised when he checked the staff calendar to see that Angel logged herself in.

  He dialed her cell phone. “Why are you at work?” He greeted when she answered on the third ring.

  “Good morning. I’ll be right in.”

  “Angel, really, you should be home resting and spending time with your mom,” he said when she came into his office.

  “Shepherd, I have so much to finish before I go on maternity leave. My doctor cleared me to work four hours a day until I deliver.”

  “You take it easy. Do you understand me?” Shepherd said. He knew he sounded like the disciplinarian father. “And you go off on leave whenever you need to.”

  Angel smiled warmly, knowing Shepherd was concerned. “I will. Don’t worry.” She hugged him. “So, what happened Saturday night? I saw Doc and Elizabeth yesterday and I heard you had a medical issue yourself.”

  He couldn’t wait to tell her that he had walked, and that he wasn’t truly paralyzed in the sense of it that he’d thought he was for so long. He knew she still felt guilty for what had happened to him, like it was somehow her fault. It was not. “I tried to walk. I fell,” he paused as his smile spread wide over his face. “And it was the best thing that could have happened. Angel. I walked. I felt the floor under my feet.”

  “What? How?”

  “Diana’s treatments for the past few weeks is what did it. She took some x-rays yesterday. I’ve had what is known as a bilateral pars fracture at L-4 and L-5. The bones in my spine have been compressing my spinal cord causing all the symptoms, the numbness, the pain, the weakness, all of it.”

  “Oh my God!” She exclaimed. She wrapped him in a strong hug. “Are you saying you are going to be able to walk again?”

  “It looks like it. It will take some time for her treatments to resolve it, but yes, I’m going to be able to walk again.” This was the first time he spoke it out loud and believed it. The joy that filled him was indescribable.

  When they parted from their embrace, Angel had tears in her eyes.

  “No tears,” he said compassionately.

  “I’ve always been so sorry this happened to you,” she said.

  “Angel, it was not your fault.”

  “I’ve always felt responsible.”

  He swiped a tear from her cheek. “And I’ve always been sorry I could not prevent you from being hurt that night. All of it was out of our control. But recovering from that night was, and you have been amazing. When I think about the work you have done here, about how amazing of a mom you are, and how good of a friend you are, to me and everyone else, I am grateful you are in our lives. You turned a traumatic event into an incredible life, and you have helped other women too. That is why I want you to take it easy during these last few weeks of your pregnancy and just enjoy having your mom here. You deserve it like no one I know.”

  “I know you are going to be short staffed with me on maternity leave, especially when Brielle has to reduce her schedule and goes on maternity leave too. And it’s not like Elizabeth will be able to help a lot, after school starts and she has Little T all day too. I want to get as much done as I can before I have to go out.”

  “So, I was thinking, there is some stuff you could do from home, both now and after the baby comes. Would it help you if you could do some work when the new baby sleeps while at home? Rather than coming into the office? I would pay you the same to work from home as here.”

  “Yes, that would help a lot.”

  “And, I was thinking of hiring Kaylee to man the front desk over the summer, full time after Brielle has the baby. What are your thoughts on Kaylee backing you up while you are on maternity leave?”

  Angel smiled. “That would work, and she could call me with any questions.”

  “I want you to get as much rest as you need, both now and after the baby comes. Work will always be here, and we will make do without you. You are the highest priority right now. Remember that.”
>
  Angel smiled and moved away. She had just been dismissed. “I will. Thanks.”

  Papa

  Diana felt anxious as she walked into class. She’d have to face Mike. She still wasn’t sure what she’d tell him about Saturday night. And she was quite annoyed that she hadn’t heard back from him after sending the text on Sunday. He hadn’t reached out to her Saturday evening or Sunday morning to check on her. If it had been him that federal authorities had taken, she would have contacted him.

  She took her seat, noticing that he wasn’t there yet. He entered just as the instructor started class. It was hours later, as they headed to the clinic, that they got the first opportunity to talk.

  “Hi, Diana,” he greeted, catching up with her in the hallway.

  “Hi, Mike.”

  “I was glad to hear from you yesterday morning. Did everything work out okay with your patient?”

  “Yes, he fell and was in a lot of pain.”

  “Was he like in witness protection or something?”

  Diana laughed. “No, nothing like that.” She didn’t elaborate.

  “I had a nice time. Wish it hadn’t ended so early, though.”

  “Yes, I am sorry about that,” she said. “When I checked my phone, I realized I had it silenced. My patient tried to call and text me, but I didn’t know.”

  “Do you give your phone number to all your patients?”

  “Some of them, who have been in bad pain.”

  “That’s going above and beyond.”

  “I don’t think so. A good doctor needs to be available to her patients. It’s no different from having an answering service that calls with an emergency.”

  “Except strangers have your personal cell phone number. Besides, it’s not like you’re a heart surgeon or an obstetrician that you need to be on call and get bothered at all hours of the day or night.”

  His tone was condescending. Diana didn’t like what he was implying. “Really? You don’t think patients need to reach their doctor if they are in horrendous pain?”

  “You’re a chiropractor. It’s not like you’re a real doctor.”

  Her anger flared. She had heard it before, but she didn’t expect it from Mike. She schooled her reaction. “As a matter of fact, I am a real doctor and my patients have real serious medical issues. I suggest you think about that before continuing with this program. Not approaching people’s healthcare with seriousness is inexcusable.”

  “Diana, what did I say? You’re pissed?”

  “Yes, I am. I get pissed at any practitioner who doesn’t take patient care seriously. Now if you will excuse me, I am on rotation in the clinic treating real patients with real medical issues they want to resolve.”

  Well, now she did not have to wonder how to tell Mike she wasn’t interested in seeing him again. If he was dumb enough to ask, she would let him have it. And she wouldn’t have to mention that she was involved with someone else, not that she would have found it necessary to give him a reason. The fact was, she knew that she was interested in Sam Shepherd before she accepted the date with Mike. She should not have accepted Mike’s invitation to dinner.

  Just after lunch, Angel poked her head into Shepherd’s office. “I’m getting ready to take off for the day. Keeping it to half a day as promised. I notified Ops and Brielle will be at the front desk. Oh, and Doctor Diana called. She is having a couple pieces of workout equipment delivered this afternoon. I have Requisition Ryan on standby to help install them in your apartment’s workout room when they get here.”

  “Why didn’t she call me?” Shepherd asked.

  “She asked about delivery instructions, not sure of the procedure and which elevator the freight guys should deliver it to.” She paused and laughed. “She knows I do most of the ordering of supplies around here, doesn’t know about Ryan.”

  “Thank you, Angel. Have a good afternoon.”

  About an hour later, he realized that Lexi had not come over lunch as scheduled for his massage. He dialed Diana, but her phone went right to voicemail. She was in class, so he wasn’t surprised. He found her mother’s card and dialed her.

  “Holistic Physical Medical Center,” Peggy answered.

  Shepherd recognized her voice. “Hi Peggy. This is Sam Shepherd. I need to double check my appointment schedule. I thought Lexi was coming over lunch to give me a massage at my office.” He had his calendar up and was staring at the appointment on it.

  “Diana called this morning and cancelled it. She said she’d be giving you your massage when she arrives at your normal appointment time. Has the new equipment arrived yet?”

  Shepherd searched his memory. Did he and Diana have any conversations regarding the appointment getting changed or the new equipment? He seemed to be the only one who didn’t know about it. “No, it hasn’t.”

  “Give me a call back if it doesn’t arrive by four this afternoon. Diana was guaranteed delivery by then.”

  “Will do, thank you, Peggy.” He disconnected the call, feeling a bit irritated.

  And he was sore. He wanted his massage, but the thought of Diana giving it to him instead of Lexi instantly lifted his spirits. A smile curved his lips as he envisioned a very intimate massage given by her. His phone chimed, breaking the moment. It was Ops.

  “Shepherd.”

  “Got Mother and the team checking in. It’s substantial, patching you in.” There was a click and then Smith’s voice continued. “Big Bear is online.”

  “What do you have, gentlemen?” Shepherd asked.

  “Got a doctor on the Bush offering to sell me Adderall,” Mother said. “I went to sick call today after getting another peek at my bunkmate’s prescription bottle. The corpsman was more than willing to take a bribe to direct me to that particular doctor. I complained about pain and swelling in my shoulder from an old injury, worked in my inability to focus and general restlessness in getting ready to deploy again, said the last time I felt a bit claustrophobic in the bowels of the ship. He suggested a prescription pick me up but said it would cost me. Guaranteed it would be dispensed as an anti-inflammatory and would not be detected if I got called for a piss test.”

  “How much will it cost you?”

  “Twenty a pill,” Mother replied.

  “That’s way over the street price,” Shepherd said. “Though, I guess covering it up on a piss test is what costs premium.” He paused and chuckled. “How many did you agree to buy?”

  “I didn’t want to raise suspicion, so I only bought five,” Mother said.

  “We got it on tape,” Lambchop added.

  “I have a feeling I will get a test, get popped, and get shaken down for more money,” Mother said. “I think they probably have a well-oiled machine going of supply and shake down.”

  “I’ll notify SecNav and see what he wants us to do. I expect it will be similar to what he ordered with the Birdman, take it as far as we can and get as much proof as possible. It is beginning to look like you may be on board when those boats sail, but I’ll get you off as soon as we get as much proof as possible.”

  “Is there any word yet on the port side of the drugs getting on base?” Lambchop asked. “Someone on the base is the conduit for getting them onto base before they end up on the ships.”

  “I have a meeting with Manning and his Norfolk AIC in about an hour. I’ll fill you in after,” Shepherd said.

  Later, after two frustrating meetings, one with SecNav the other with Manning, Shepherd got the team in Norfolk on a video conference call. Cooper was at the conference table with him. “After our last conversation, I placed a call to SecNav. As expected, he wants us to take this as far as we can. And we have been ordered to keep all intel we come across away from Manning and the DEA.”

  “Fuck, Shep,” Mother groaned. “I get that the Navy is under NCIS’s jurisdiction and not the DEA, but how are we to effectively conduct this investigation while keeping Manning and the DEA in the dark?”

  “Carefully and strategically,” Shepherd said. “Man
ning’s AIC there in Norfolk has made an enemy out of SecNav and Naval Law Enforcement in past situations. I don’t blame SecNav for being careful. If this guy is lazy about protecting intel or is corrupt, we don’t want him to know what we’ve found.”

  “Agreed,” Lambchop chimed in.

  “And neither AIC Lewis nor Manning seemed willing to share many details of their side of the investigation either,” Cooper said. “I have to believe that if they did, it would burn their informant or an agent they have planted with the group getting the drugs onto the base.”

  “We are getting ready to sail. Are the drugs already on board? If not, will we be notified they are getting smuggled on board beforehand?” Sloan asked.