Veil of Silence

by K'Anne Meinel

  “I can see on your face that you didn’t know that the other passenger, Bridgette Townsend, was a woman.”

  She nodded in agreement, but kept quiet so she could hear the rest of the story.

  “We do not have much data on Bridgette Townsend. From what we have gathered, she was a trans from male to female. She met the lieutenant at some point, may have developed a romantic relationship with him, and convinced him to desert.” Marsha was well aware that Colonel Kodel had flinched at that statement about romance. “They hopped the same flight as you in order to head over to the base to get his personal belongings. We have information that indicates he had money, passports, and other things he would need to enact his plans.”

  She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She didn’t dare look at Colonel Kodel sitting in the corner. She could only imagine how furious he was at the release of this information. No wonder they wanted to know what she knew. A desertion was not treated lightly.

  Lance had no such compunction. He looked directly at Kodel to see his reaction to this news. The man was furious, his face a mottled red color. After the colonel finished his statement, he could no longer hold himself back and nearly shouted, “My son was not a deserter. He was AWOL, but he did not desert his post!”

  “Colonel Kodel, you are here as a courtesy as we look for information that might help us locate Lieutenant Kodel. If you can’t maintain a civil tongue and keep it to yourself, you may be excused.”

  Lance understood now why Kodel was in civilian clothes. He must have either lost his commission or resigned voluntarily. He made a mental note to have Corporal Harris investigate that further. Since Kodel had been involved in his orders to Kabul, he thought perhaps the man was on leave regarding this and had no official capacity in these matters.

  “Furthermore, it has become apparent that Major Gagliano does not, nor did she ever have, information on Lieutenant Kodel.”

  Marsha frowned at this statement, something niggling in her mind.

  “You can’t…” Colonel Kodel began.

  The colonel held up his hand to cut the man off. “We find that Major Gagliano did nothing wrong and we thank you for your time. Should you remember anything else you feel may be helpful to us in this matter, we would appreciate you communicating it through Captain McKellan. Other than that,” he looked around the table so everyone could see his findings were final, “you are dismissed.” He looked at Marsha, wondering how a woman who had just given birth could look so not pregnant at this point. She had been absolutely huge and now looked very much deflated and almost normal in her uniform.

  Lance immediately stood up and waited for Marsha to follow. Already, Corporal Harris was standing and packing up the few things they had with them.

  Slowly, Marsha stood up. She wanted to say something, but felt it would be inappropriate. She was relieved, but at the same time she felt sorry for Colonel Kodel. Standing at attention for a moment, she nodded and took her leave.

  “Holy shit,” she murmured once outside the door. She had been sure they had some trumped-up charges on her.

  Lance nodded in agreement. “Well, Major, this means you can take some well-deserved time off as you deal with your family obligations and decide what you wish to do with your career.”

  She nodded as she finally began to realize the implications of everything. She had some decisions to make and she knew Heather would be a big part of that decision. Right now was not the time to make them as she had to recover from the birth of her son. She planned to take the full twelve weeks they were allowing her, slashed down from the eighteen weeks they allowed her when Hayley was born. Apparently the rules regarding maternity leave had changed while she was captive.

  Slowly, they made their way outside. The rain had stopped for a moment and they headed to their separate cars. Marsha looked at the Corolla with distaste.

  “Do you know yet what you wish to do?” Lance asked her as he escorted her to her car and opened the door for her.

  She shook her head. “I’ll have to discuss it with my wife.”

  “Once you decide, or if you remember anything, please contact me immediately,” he warned her.

  “I will, Captain,” she turned to look at him with genuine warmth in her big, brown eyes. “Thank you.” She held out her hand for him to shake. He’d kept her sane during an insane time.

  He smiled at her thanks. “I was just doing my job, ma’am,” he told her formally. He saw her into the car and handed her the seatbelt before closing the door with a kathunk. He waved as she pulled out of the parking spot and left.

  “I did wonder why they were so adamant that she remember the details of certain points,” Corporal Harris mentioned from behind him.

  Lance turned. He frequently forgot that his assistant was there, but then, that was his purpose. “I think Colonel Kodel’s involvement was the reason they tried to jar her memory. Unfortunately,” he shrugged, “there were no memories to be had.” He went over a couple pieces of paperwork they would have to file before he too headed for his car. The top was up today and he cursed when he found there had been a leak due to all the heavy rains that had come down.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Marsha drove home with a happy thought. She could finally rest, she needn’t worry anymore. They had ruled that she had done nothing wrong. She really wished she could remember more, but finding out that fourth ‘guy’ on the chopper had been a woman had been a surprise. She wouldn’t, or rather couldn’t, tell Heather about this. She would just have to be happy that they could be a normal couple for a while.

  “Well, you are home early today,” Heather looked up from where she was entertaining the children, everyone indoors due to the rain.

  “Mom!” Bahir said and came running for a hug. Hayley looked on longingly and Marsha saw it. She wouldn’t force it, but she wanted more from that child.

  “Mom!” Amir imitated his sister to get a hug.

  “How is Liam today?” she asked Heather as she finished hugging the two children that demanded it and then reached for one with her wife.

  “He’s cranky. I hope you are home to feed him?”

  “What about the milk I left this morning?”

  “Someone spilled that out,” she answered, glancing at Hayley reproachfully.

  “It was an accident,” the little girl protested, looking ashamed.

  “I’m sure it was,” Marsha told her and then glanced at Heather who shook her head quickly.

  “Why are you home early?” she asked, wondering.

  “I’m clear. It’s official. I don’t have to go back for twelve weeks.”

  “Oh, that’s fantastic! They will continue your pay during the twelve weeks?” she worried.

  “Yes, full pay for maternity leave,” she confirmed.

  “That’s good,” she smiled, relieved.

  “We should go shop for a car at some point,” she said meaningfully. That money in the bank did them no good if they didn’t use it.

  Heather nodded in agreement as Marsha let her go and went to the bedroom to change into civilian clothing.

  * * * * *

  Heather would have let Marsha sleep in the next morning, but Liam insisted on being fed early. She got up to prepare breakfast for their brood, eagerly anticipating shopping for cars with Marsha today as she got Hayley off to school.

  It was just as Marsha was up and showered that the doorbell rang. She answered the door in her bathrobe and slippers. “Yes?”

  “We’re looking for Major Gagliano?” one of the two uniformed officers asked her.

  Entirely fed up with the military and looking forward to her well-deserved maternity leave, she didn’t appreciate them intruding on her the very next morning. “I’m Major Gagliano,” she answered, trying to keep her annoyance from showing.

  They looked at the way she was dressed and one of them handed her a manila envelope. “You are expected at the base later today, Major,” he told her formally.

  She wanted to
ask, “What now?” but kept her silence as she opened the officious-looking envelope. She studied it for a moment, reading the fine print, and then looked up, alarmed, at the two officers. “When did this come in?” she asked.

  “Late last night, ma’am,” he responded respectfully.

  She sighed loudly, audibly. “How the hell can…?” then she looked up and closed her mouth. “Thank you, gentlemen. I’ll go change.”

  “We’re to wait for you, ma’am. Give you a lift.”

  “By whose orders?” she challenged.

  “Captain McKellan,” was the response.

  She stared at them, wondering why Lance hadn’t phoned her this information and then realized he had to go through channels like everyone else. This had to be official. “Give me a few, gentlemen,” she told them and closed the door.

  “What is it, babe?” Heather asked as she came from the bedroom carrying the baby.

  “I’ve been summoned back to the base,” she said despondently.

  Heather frowned. “I thought everything was cleared up?”

  “This is something new,” she told her, wondering if she dared share it with her wife. She decided since the military was involved, for now she wouldn’t tell her.

  Shaking her head, Heather asked, “Will you be gone long?”

  “I don’t know,” she answered honestly and wondered how long this would take. She wanted to be home without any worries, and now this.

  “Do you think you should pump?” she worried, reminding Marsha that she had to pump for Liam to get his milk from her breasts during the final interrogations.

  Sighing again, knowing the men were waiting outside, she decided they would just have to wait and she went to go pump in the bedroom so that Bahir and Amir who had just gotten up and were coloring in the living room wouldn’t see. She didn’t like displaying herself even though she knew it was perfectly natural. They had both seen her breastfeed their brother Liam, but she didn’t need them to see everything.

  “Could you let the two waiting for me know that I’ll be a few minutes?” she asked, resigned.

  Heather, who was fully dressed since she had gotten Hayley up and off to school, agreed. Carrying Liam with her, she went outside and explained to the waiting officers that Major Gagliano would be delayed as she got ready for them.

  “How long will she be?” one of them asked, annoyed.

  Heather considered her answer before replying, “Major Gagliano is pumping her breasts since she isn’t sure how long she will be detained at the base.” As she joggled Liam over her shoulder, he let out a tremendous burp which sounded juicy, as though he would throw up. The man looked alarmed and a bit ashamed. Heather smiled sweetly and turned and went back in the house with their son.

  “What do you think it’s about this time?” she asked Marsha when she put Liam in the crib that had been set up in their bedroom.

  “Just more crap,” she sounded annoyed. She knew. The papers had been clear, but she didn’t want to upset her wife. She was, however, very upset. It was affecting her ability to let down her milk and she tried to think of something else.

  “Having trouble?” Heather asked, watching her pump.

  “I’ve just fed him not even half an hour ago and I don’t have much,” she complained as she gave up and began to clean up.

  “Well, he’ll make due,” she tried to console and looked away as Marsha got up to put the small amount of milk in the kitchen, pulling her robe closed. She bit her lip, wondering what was going on to upset Marsha again. They’d both looked forward to shopping for a new vehicle today. When Marsha returned to begin dressing, putting on a maternity bra and inserting pads to catch any milk that might dribble out, she asked, “Think we’ll be able to shop later or tomorrow?”

  Marsha looked up. She had already forgotten they were going to shop today. “Do you want to go alone?”

  “No,” she said adamantly. It was why they had waited, so they could do it together. Besides, shopping with three children under the age of five was insane. If Hayley was with them, it would only be worse as she had been acting up lately.

  “I’m sorry. This wasn’t what I planned,” Marsha answered when she saw the alarm on Heather’s face over the thought of shopping alone with the three kids. They had to do something and soon. There simply wasn’t room for four car seats in the Corolla. Besides, it had started making this ominous sputtering sound when they drove it. She walked over to put her hand on Heather’s shoulder.

  Heather gulped. Marsha was dressed in only her bra and panties and they hadn’t been intimate since her return. She was too hugely pregnant at that time, but since Liam had been born, she looked great. Her body was ready for those intimacies, but Heather wondered when her brain would be. The few times they had cuddled had been fantastic, but there was a line neither had crossed. Heather was burning for Marsha’s touch, but she showed no interest in going there.

  “It’ll work out,” she said consolingly and then she went to get dressed, her formal outfit causing her to sneer. She’d thought it was put away for a few months after yesterday and now here she was getting dressed in it once again. She sighed as she got dressed.

  * * * * *

  “Captain?” Marsha reported to the office they had given Lance as she stood at attention and looked down at him sitting there looking industrious.

  He looked up. He’d been so engrossed he hadn’t heard her come in. “Major, please have a seat,” he gestured to the chair across from his desk. He got up to shut the door, the room was spartan and small.

  “What is this?” she gestured to the manila envelope she was carrying.

  “Exactly what it says. Zabi has petitioned the United States government as to your whereabouts and seeks custody of his children.”

  She was speechless. Thinking rapidly, she asked, “How can he do that?”

  “He went through some channels in Kabul who then presented it to Mr. Tudor.”

  “The ambassador in Kabul?” she clarified.

  He nodded. “That was forwarded to the army since Tudor knew who you were.”

  “Does Zabi know where I am?” she asked fearfully. Suddenly, she thought of Heather and the children at home and vulnerable.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know how he could. We have a choice here. We can simply not answer it and he may petition again.”

  She waited.

  He waited.

  “Or?” she asked, tired of waiting.

  “You can have them answer him.”

  “Hell, no!” she answered succinctly.

  “I thought that would be your answer,” he smiled and then looked thoughtful.

  She waited.

  He waited.

  “What are you thinking?” she finally asked.

  He pursed his lips and looked at a wall. “You didn’t hear this from me,” he continued to study the wall, moving up to the ceiling, “but someone,” he used finger quotes, “could leak to Zabi that we don’t know where you are.”

  “How could that be done?”

  He looked at her finally. “Major, I don’t think you want to know that.”

  She looked at him for a long moment before asking, “Could you arrange that?”

  “There are pros and cons with that plan. One, he is going to know we are lying and if he already has knowledge that you arrived at the embassy, that could create some embarrassment. Two, if he knows where you are here in the United States that could become a problem for you.”

  “Do you think he knows where I am?” she sounded fearful, thinking of Heather and the children.

  He looked at her sadly. “I am not going to lie to you, Marsha, he could. We don’t know his capabilities and America is a very open country; however, we never let the newspapers or media know of your return. Now that your interrogations are over, they will have to inform the public that you are alive and returned.”

  “Freedom of Information Act?”

  He nodded. “It sucks, but I would suggest that since yo
u and your wife have lived in that house for many years, you may wish to think about moving.” He saw her reaction. “I’m not suggesting a witness protection program here.”

  “If I wish to stay in the army, can’t they help me?”

  “Of course, and officially you are out on maternity leave.”

  “Oh, gawd. If Zabi finds that out, he’ll have more reason to find me. Sons are highly desired,” she was thinking of Liam. She already knew that Amir was what Zabi really wanted. If it was just Bahir, he might not be attempting anything.

  “So what would you suggest I do?” she asked, worrying.

  “For now, just live your life and rest. No offence, Major, but you look like shit,” he noted the big circles under her eyes from lack of sleep and he didn’t think it was just the baby. “Use your maternity leave, decide what you want to do when you come back, and just rest.”

  “What if he…” she began, gesturing with the manila envelope.

  “We can play ‘what if’ until the cows come home, Major. I suggest we worry about the problem when it becomes a problem.”

  “Since it came through official channels, don’t you have to respond?” She looked very worried. He wondered what kind of poker player she was.

  “I’ll get to it in due course. These things take time,” he answered and with that he showed her his copies of the paperwork, put them back in their folder, and put the folder at the bottom of the stack on his desk.

  She smiled. She understood the paperwork shuffle very well. “Do you need anything else from me, Captain?” she asked formally.

  “No, Major. That will be all. I will continue to keep you apprised of anything at this end. In the meantime, I’ve been reassigned to this base and have other cases to work on. I’ll let you know if I find out anything on the other promotion we were working on.”

  “You are moving here permanently?” she asked.

  He nodded. “My wife is thrilled. She’s packing up the old place now.” He didn’t sound as thrilled, but that was the army life, from post to post sometimes.

  “Let me know when she gets here. We’ll have a barbeque,” she felt comfortable enough to offer.