Peace - A Navy SEALS Novel (DeLeo's Action Thriller Singles Book 3)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  A chorus of compliments from the Seal Team Six party confirmed the success of the dinner.

  “How about dessert?” Jill asked next.

  The groans, which emanated from around the table, made Jill laugh.

  “I gained another ten pounds since I sat down,” Holly complained good-naturedly. “It’s a good thing we’re going to dance tonight. I’m beginning to look like one of those floats in the Thanksgiving Day parade.”

  “You two look like beanpoles compared to the way Becky…” Dan began.

  “Heyyyyyy…” Becky cut him off with an elbow to his rib cage, Dan blocked just in time. “Unless you want to go home with Bull tonight, you better keep that big mouth of yours shut. I’ll call the baby sitter and let her know only one parent will be returning tonight.”

  “I was just trying to make Jill and Holly feel better…” Dan protested jokingly.

  “I know just what you were doing,” Becky cut him off again. “You’re lucky I regained my figure after Allie was born.”

  Dan folded his hands in front of him on the table with a deadpan expression, bringing a gasp from Becky, who took a moment to realize she was the butt of Dan’s humor. The rest of the Seal Team were used to the banter between their team commander, and his wife, having enjoyed many of their trade-offs in the past.

  “Not to change the subject,” Bull grinned, “but when will Peace be starting the entertainment?”

  “As soon as business slows down a little in the bar,” Jill answered. “We’re having a great weeknight for business.”

  “Let’s adjourn into the bar then,” Bull suggested. “We’ll make Peace buy us our after dinner Champaign, and we can rag him while we sip it.”

  Jill laughed as the others all expressed their support for Bull’s idea. “Peace already has it on ice, and he has a couple of tables saved for you all.”

  “I hate it when he’s always three steps ahead of me,” Bull retorted. “He’s getting as annoying as Ed.”

  “I want to drink my tea before we go in the bar, Hon,” Holly said, stroking Bull’s arm.

  “Sure, baby,” Bull agreed quickly, settling down next to her again. He looked up puzzled when the others broke into laughter at his immediate acquiescence. “What?”

  In the bar, Peace was serving tables, joking with the regulars who were having after dinner drinks. Ed filled his other server’s order at the bar while she waited. He looked up as a tall, strongly built man, with a sandy haired crew cut, sat down at the bar. The man looked around the bar with an amused look. When Ed had finished with Mona’s drink order, he turned to the new patron.

  “What can I get you?” Ed asked with a smile.

  “What do you have on draft?” The man asked in a low toned voice.

  “Pabst,” Ed answered, “light or dark.”

  “I’ll have the dark.”

  Ed poured the beer, and placed it on a napkin in front of his new customer. “That’ll be three-fifty.”

  The man gave Ed a five, and Polasky made change for it, setting the difference down on the bar.

  “I heard this was a Seal bar,” the man commented quietly.

  Ed smiled, always happy to hear the reputation of his restaurant repeated from a new customer. “Yep, we get some of the guys in here now and then.”

  “I was a Seal during Afghanistan and Iraq,” the man told Ed.

  “Really,” Polasky said, his smile disappearing, as Peace walked behind the bar with a full tray of dirty glasses.

  Peace noticed the annoyed look on Polasky’s face, as Ed helped Peace unload his tray into the sink below the bar. “What’s wrong, Ed, we’re doing gangbusters tonight. You should have a permanent smile pasted on your face.”

  Ed grinned at Peace, and gestured at the new customer seated at the bar. “We got us a real live Seal here, Peace. What’d you say your name was, Sir?”

  “Sam,” the man answered, “Sam Brighton.”

  Peace looked worriedly from Ed to Brighton. “C’mon Ed, it’s a great night. All the guys are here, and I’ll be entertaining soon. Don’t…”

  “No, no…” Polasky waved Peace off with a gesture of his hand. “All the more reason to make this a memorable evening.”

  Just then, Jill led Seal Team Six, and their dependents into the barroom, giving Peace and Ed a little wave, before guiding the party to their tables. Doc and Nick walked up to the bar, nodding at Peace and Ed.

  “Hey, Peace,” Doc said, “that was one fine meal, my friend.”

  “We hear you have our Champaign ready back there,” Nick added. “Doc and I will take it over if you want.”

  “Coming right up, guys,” Peace replied, pointing a finger at Ed before ducking into the back.

  “Hey guys,” Polasky said, gesturing at Brighton. “This gentleman’s an ex-Seal. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

  Nick started chuckling as Peace walked hurriedly back to the bar with a large ice bucket and three bottles of Champaign. Doc saw him shaking his head at his friends, trying to get them not to join in with Polasky. Doc smiled his understanding, as he took the ice bucket from Peace. Doc nodded at Brighton, much to Ed’s dismay, and Nick followed suit. Brighton acknowledged the two Seals’ nods, and shook hands with Nick, who had extended his in greeting while Doc handled the Champaign.

  “Nice to meet you, Sir,” Nick said, as Peace relaxed with a sigh.

  “Thank you for your service.”

  Brighton nodded, as Polasky seethed, and Peace bumped him.

  “Think we’ll get some college crew in tonight, Peace?” Doc asked, grinning at Peace’s attempts to calm Polasky down.

  “Yea, Doc, we’ll pipe some sounds out to the street,” Peace replied. “Sip a few while Ed and I catch up back here. You want me to open those for you?”

  “We’ll manage,” Doc answered, walking towards their party’s table with Nick following.

  “Nice guys,” Brighton observed.

  “Yea,” Polasky said through clenched teeth, as he bent down in front of Brighton with his hands on the bar. “Those guys at the table over there are real Seals.”

  “Ed…” Peace grabbed Polasky’s arm.

  Brighton looked over at the table, where Jill stood laughing over the exaggerated motions Bull was making as he opened the first bottle of Champaign. The other Seals ducked their heads down comically. “No shit?

  I should go over and say hi. How come those guys didn’t say anything?” “Because real Seals…” Ed began angrily.

  “What Ed here means,” Peace broke in, pulling back on Polasky before Brighton turned around, “is it probably wouldn’t be a good idea tonight. They’re having a little celebration.”

  “All the more reason,” Brighton said as he faced the bar again.

  Peace cut in between the bar and Polasky. “Say, Mr. Brighton, did you know Ed here has a wall in the restaurant, just beyond where you came in, with all the pictures of past and present Seal Teams? I’ll bet you might even see your team there. Why not go have a look. All but the newest teams are there.”

  A shadow passed across Brighton’s face, as he hurriedly took a long gulp of his beer. He stood up as Peace inserted himself completely between the bar and Polasky.

  “Ah… yea, I think I will have a look, thanks,” Brighton muttered, turning to walk out of the bar.

  “Yea… and…” Polasky began, but Peace nudged him into silence.

  “I know how you feel about this stuff, Ed,” Peace whispered urgently, “but calm down, Dan and Becky found a babysitter at the last minute to be able to come tonight. Let’s not spoil this. He’ll take a look at the wall, and then hightail it out of here.”

  Ed’s expression softened immediately at the mention of Dan’s name. He nodded in agreement as he looked over at the Champaign toasting taking place at the Seals’ table.

  “You’re right, kid,” Polasky acknowledged. “I wasn’t really going to start a fight or anything. You’ve seen me handle these guys before.”

  “Yea, but lou
d public humiliation can really take the edge off a fun evening, my friend,” Peace reminded him.

  “Okay, okay,” Polasky grinned, going back to his dish washing. “I’ll behave. Why don’t you go in the back and start warming up. Mona and I can take it from here. Pete and Barb should be here in about ten minutes.”

  “I hope they won’t be mad about getting called in,” Peace replied, taking the clean glasses and putting them away.

  “Are you kidding? They’ll make a week’s tips tonight.”

  Peace nodded, drying his hands. “I’ll add some on to make it worth their while too.”

  “I’ll take care of them,” Polasky said. “You go on back and get started.”

  “Any requests tonight?”

  “You know me, I… hey… wait a minute,” Polasky hesitated. “Do you know that old forties’ one… ah… I’ll Be Seeing You?”

  “Oh man, I haven’t sung that one in a long time. Great tune. I’ll save it for when I see you poke your head in the back.”

  “I’ll tell the guys you’re going back to warm up,” Polasky said as Peace walked towards the back.

  A moment later, Brighton walked back into the bar after Jill had led the Seal Team Six table members into the back room, having received permission from Nancy to join them. Polasky gripped the bar with both hands, rigidly channeling his anger through his mauling of the bar. Brighton paused in front of the scowling Polasky.

  “I…I’m sorry about claiming I was a Seal,” Brighton said hesitantly, trying to meet Ed’s stern gaze. “When I saw your picture wall, I…I was ashamed.”

  Polasky’s whole countenance changed. He stuck out his hand, and Brighton grasped it gratefully. “Apology accepted. It took a real man to come back in here and make it. Sit down, and I’ll buy you a beer.”

  Brighton nodded, taking a seat at the bar. “I served on the Eisenhower for three years as an Electrician’s Mate.”

  “Nothing to be ashamed of there,” Polasky replied, setting the glass of draft down in front of Brighton. “Without the support people all over the military, the Seals would never launch from anywhere.”

  “I don’t know why I did it,” Brighton admitted. “I mean…”

  “Listen,” Polasky interrupted, “I can’t tell you how many guys come in here, thinking to pass themselves off as Seals. You made a mistake, and you owned up to it. Don’t give it another thought.”

  “I’ll never do it again, Sir,” Brighton promised. “I saw your picture on the wall.”

  “The name’s Ed. If you ever get back by, bring a picture of you on the Eisenhower with your friends. I’m thinking of starting another wall of pictures.”

  Brighton’s face lit up. “I’ll do that. It would be an honor.”

  After Brighton finished his beer, he shook hands with Polasky again, and said good night. As Ed watched the man walk out of the bar, he thought of Peace, sending the man out to look at the pictures. Nancy walked into the bar. She saw the faraway look on her husband’s face as Polasky wiped the bar off. When he noticed her striding over, he grinned appreciatively.

  “You look hot tonight, Hon.”

  In spite of the many years the two had been married, Nancy flushed under her husband’s gaze, giving him a quick wave off. “Oh, you old devil.”

  “I see I can still make you blush,” Ed laughed.

  “What put you in such a great mood?”

  “Just the idea maybe the younger generation ain’t so goofed up as I thought,” Polasky replied.

  “Wait till you see little Cole running around,” Nancy reminded him knowingly.

  “Oh man, that will be a fine day,” Polasky said dreamily, before looking quizzically at his wife. “Now then, what can I get you?”

  Nancy turned away with a smile and a wave. “You already got it for me. Maybe a dance later.”

  “Count on it,” Ed replied, waving back.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Last Dance

  Jill had been taking turns dancing with Peace’s unattached teammates, to Peace’s vast repertoire of songs. As more and more of the college coed crowd showed up, the Seals split off with other groups, leaving Jill to sit with Dan, Becky, Bull, and Holly. She sipped her iced tea, while listening with undisguised awe at how her husband could entertain. Peace sang, joked, and traded comments with the myriad of well-wishers, who filled his tip jar; all the while, carrying on a one man piano show.

  “Wolvy’s been going nonstop for an hour and a half,” Bull commented, when Peace had ended a feverish rendition of Great Balls of Fire, to energetic applause, and shouts of approval. “I guess I didn’t run him hard enough today.”

  “I think he feeds off the crowd,” Dan added, as Bull’s last comment drew appreciative laughs. “I have to admit, I could listen to him for as long as he wanted to play.”

  “Hey, here comes Ed and Nancy,” Becky pointed out, as the couple threaded their way towards the dance floor, without their aprons.

  Polasky shook hands with Peace, giving him the nod. Peace stretched in comical fashion before announcing what he had in mind.

  “Let’s have a big round of applause for the owners of the best bar and restaurant in the Western Hemisphere: Ed and Nancy Polasky.”

  Peace’s announcement drew a standing ovation for the grinning Ed, and his blushing wife. Peace sat down at the piano, and fingered a complicated keyboard jazz opening of a tune’s hauntingly familiar refrain. Jill looked at the others at the table quizzically, as Ed and Nancy began waltzing to the slowing melody.

  “This is for my wife, Jill,” Peace whispered into the mic. “I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places…”

  The entire room hushed as Peace sang, with couples surging to the dance floor. Dan put his arm around Becky, pulling her close. Jill smiled, seeing Holly lean into Bull, her hands grasping both of his. To say the song enraptured the room would have been an understatement, Jill thought, listening intently. Peace slowed the lilting melody, bringing intensity to the words, almost painful in its tenor. Tears welled up in Jill’s eyes as Peace closed the song with a whispering repeat of the title. Jill saw she was not the only one at the table with tears, as everyone in the room stood, applauding wildly. Nancy, brushing tears from her own eyes, jumped up on stage and hugged a surprised Peace. Peace helped Nancy back down to Ed, before bowing, and acknowledging the crowd’s appreciation. He finally gestured with his arms, smiling and nodding.

  “Gee, I guess you all liked that one, huh,” Peace commented into the upright microphone at the front of the stage.

  Laughter and more applause greeted Peace’s quip.

  “Thank you all, and good night,” Peace finished simply, climbing down, and shaking hands with Ed again to the disappointed groans of the room.

  Ed nodded approvingly, holding a still tearful Nancy close with his other arm. “Jesus, kid, you really hit the high note with that one.”

  “You picked it out,” Peace reminded him, as he enfolded Jill into his arms, giving her a kiss in greeting. “Hey, you’re crying too.”

  “I can’t help it, you goof,” Jill sniffled, smiling through tear blurred eyes at Peace.

  “I don’t think I ever heard it done any better,” Polasky added.

  Bull and Holly walked up to the group next, still holding hands. Holly leaned past Jill to kiss Peace quickly, her eyes still welling with tears. Bull grinned at Peace, and nodded.

  “God, Wolvy, there ain’t a dry eye in the place,” Bull remarked.

  “Hey, where’s Dan and Becky?” Peace asked, looking past Bull. “Did they have to take off early?”

  “No,” Bull answered. “He had a call on his cell phone he had to take away from the crowd. Becky’s with him. Maybe he had his cell on vibrate, because I didn’t hear it. I’ll bet he didn’t want us to know you teared him up with the song.”

  “Better not let him hear you say that,” Peace warned, as the others laughed. “Here he comes.”

  “He looks like someone shot his dog,” Ed co
mmented.

  Becky clung to Dan like a second skin as he threaded his way to his friends. The solemn look on his face made Jill lean in closer to Peace.

  Dan took a deep breath before speaking.

  “I hate like hell to do this,” Dan said simply. “We have to go. Jessup’s happy as hell he dumped on us all in one place. That was one great evening, Peace. I’m sorry it’s ending this way. I’m taking Becky home.”

  Becky couldn’t trust herself to speak, so she hugged everyone. Dan shook hands with Ed, and gave Nancy a quick hug and kiss. He looked pointedly at Bull.

  “Can you and Peace round up the guys for me, Chief?”

  “You bet,” Bull agreed. “How long we got?”

  “None,” Dan answered, leading Becky away. “Do the best you can.”

  “Gee, that could have gone better,” Peace said, seeing the stunned looks in Holly and Jill’s faces.

  Nancy simply hugged him tightly, knowing from experience how painful long goodbyes were for the men. Ed shook hands with Bull and Peace solemnly.

  “See you kids when you get back from camp,” Ed stated.

  Jill breathed deeply before taking Peace’s hand. “C’mon Hon, Holly and I will help you and Bull round up the guys before the coeds take them home.”

  Holly, who had been on the verge of bursting into tears, nodded in agreement. She led Bull away without another word. Ed pulled Nancy close. The couple watched their extended family walk away on their quest, each wondering what trials were ahead for them all. When Peace had returned, wounded, it had been a heartrending experience for them.

  “Jill and Holly are keepers,” Nancy remarked finally.

  __

  “Peace, Peace!” The young Iranian man, who acted as liaison with Seal Team Six, and Dave’s CIA special ops group, scrambled up the slope to where Peace huddled with Tony Chin, watching intently through digital, long range scopes.

  The two Seals looked like part of the brown rocky slope. Both men had full beards, dusty brown from the gusts of wind sweeping along the ridge with varying strength. Their dirt-covered tarp, buried deep into the ground along its edges, extended up and over the Seals’ heads. The only part of their faces and hands in the open, were shielded by ragged camouflage netting. Peace’s sniper rifle lay next to him, as did his MAC 10. Tony Chin had his MAC 10, and an M60 machine gun set up, and covered, next to him.