by Dirk Patton
“Some bullshit about budget cuts,” she said, dropping onto a bed and putting her face in her hands. “And it wasn’t my CO. It was General Olber.”
“Personally?” Sean asked in surprise.
Anna nodded, looking up. Her eyes were damp, anger threatening to seize control of her emotions.
“There’s no way a three star calls you with this news! Not if it’s because of something you did. He’s pissed, but this came from over his head. Him calling you, personally, was his way of apologizing and showing respect.”
“What do I do?” Anna cried, jumping back to her feet.
“What can you do? The Commander of the First Army just called you. I’ll bet you anything that if he could do anything about it, he would. That means this is coming out of Washington. Probably SECDEF. Someone from Langley called him and he made it happen. There is no fighting this.”
Sean stepped closer and tried to pull Anna into his arms, but she was having none of it.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” She cried, pushing him away. “You just give up? Or is it because you think this means you’ll get what you want? My father’s company!”
Anna immediately regretted her words, but it was too late. Sean’s face changed to surprise, then quickly went blank as he slammed the door on his emotions. Calmly, he placed the phone on the bed and left the room. She wanted to run after him, to apologize and beg for forgiveness, but didn’t trust herself to not say something else equally as offensive.
Minutes later she heard the front door open and close, then their rental car started. Rushing to the window, she watched as Sean drove down the winding driveway, disappearing beyond a thick stand of trees.
Anna’s emotions finally got the best of her. Between the death of her father, the sudden loss of her career and now her husband walking out because of something she’d said in anger, it was all too much. With a sob, she threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in the pillows.
Close to an hour later, Anna raised her head when the doorbell rang. Thinking Sean had come back and was locked out, she leapt to her feet and raced down the broad, curving staircase. But when she yanked the front door open, it wasn’t her husband. Instead, a perfectly turned out Army Sergeant Major, wearing a Class A uniform, stood at rigid attention.
“Ma’am,” he greeted her.
It took Anna a moment to gather herself, having expected to see Sean.
“Sergeant Major Hennessey,” she said after a longer than proper amount of time had passed. “What are you doing here?”
Her eyes flicked across his uniform blouse, briefly pausing on the ribbon that designated him as a Medal of Honor recipient. He’d earned that medal by fighting single-handedly through over twenty Al-Qaeda soldiers to rescue the crew and passengers of a downed Black Hawk helicopter. General Olber had been Colonel Olber at the time, and if not for the man standing in front of her, would not have survived that day.
“Ma’am, I boarded a transport at Ayn al-Asad Airbase nearly twelve hours ago on orders of General Olber. He pulled some strings and had me flown directly into Fort Rucker, just down the road. And, personally, I think that Air Force pilot broke some speed records.”
“I’m forgetting my manners, Sergeant Major. Please, come in. I’ll make some coffee.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said, stepping across the threshold. “But, if you don’t mind, I’ll decline the coffee. I have a return flight waiting at Rucker.”
Anna gently closed the door and faced him, eyes coming to rest on the large brown envelope tightly clasped beneath his left arm. There was also a garment bag slung over his shoulder which she assumed had held his Class A during the grueling flight from the other side of the world.
“So, you’re the messenger,” she said, still looking at the envelope. “Kind of overkill to tell someone they’re fired, don’t you think?”
Sergeant Major Hennessey extended the envelope, and after a long pause, Anna took it from his hand. He surprised her when he also extended the garment bag.
“This is yours, ma’am,” he said.
“Don’t know why you bothered to bring me a uniform,” she groused. “I won’t be needing one again.”
“The General thought you might like to wear it when you deliver the paperwork to BUPERS at Rucker.”
He was referring to the Army’s Bureau of Personnel and held the bag out, waiting, chrome hanger hooked over one finger. Anna finally took it and tossed it onto a table in the foyer.
“I’ve also got a message for you from the General,” he said. “A message he couldn’t put in writing or say over the phone. If you understand my meaning, ma’am.”
Interest piqued, Anna stared at her visitor intently, then nodded her head.
“I understand, Sergeant Major. Go ahead.”
“Ma’am. The General wants you to know that this was above his pay grade. He regrets that he had no input or latitude in this matter. He also wanted me to convey to you that despite your position, you had come to his attention, and he feels you are one of the brightest and best officers he has seen in a very long time.”
The man paused, and Anna couldn’t help the lump of regret that was forming in her throat. Regret for having doubted the General and even more for having treated Sean the way she had.
“Thank you, Master Sergeant. And please deliver my thanks to the General.”
She started to reach for the door knob, but stopped when he spoke again.
“Ma’am, there’s one more thing. The General wants you to know that it’s in your best interest to cooperate with the individual who visited you. This person, and the organization he works for, has a history of solving problems in a very permanent manner.”
Anna was taken aback, staring with her mouth hanging open as her mind whirled.
“What does that mean?” She blurted, though she was quite sure she got the meaning.
“I’m sorry ma’am. I’m just delivering a message. I’m not privy to the details behind it.”
He turned and reached for the door, stopping when Anna put her hand on his arm.
“Sergeant Major, you’re privy to every detail. Don’t bullshit me! What does the General know? Is there more to my father’s death than what I’ve been told?”
Hennessey turned to face her, stepping close and looking directly into her eyes.
“Ma’am,” he said in a mumble. “The message is exactly what I relayed to you. Anything beyond that would simply be assumptions that are best not discussed. Do you understand?”
They stood unmoving for close to a minute, eyes locked. Finally, Anna nodded her head and stepped back, removing her hand from Hennessey’s arm.
“Thank you for making the trip personally, Sergeant Major. And thank the General for me. Tell him I’ve received his message, loud and clear.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The Sergeant Major let himself out, gently closing the door. Anna remained frozen in the foyer, staring at nothing as she thought about the ominous warning she’d just received. The envelope in her hand was forgotten as she imagined what might have really happened to her father.
She’d been very surprised when told he had died of a massive coronary. He had always been very healthy and worked hard to stay fit, especially as he aged. Also, he still flew, which meant regular physicals by an FAA approved physician to maintain his pilot’s license. It didn’t make sense that nothing had been picked up that could have caused a fatal heart attack.
Had her father gotten in too deep with the spooks? Seen or heard something he shouldn’t have? Or decided he didn’t like being in business with them and tried to end the relationship? Had they killed him so he could be replaced with someone more malleable? The thought chilled her to the core, but it also angered her.
She jumped in surprise when the door opened, a frightened gasp escaping her mouth before she realized it was Sean. He stood there staring at her, a box of donuts and two cups of Starbucks coffee in his hands.
3
“Did you read this?”
Sean looked up from across the table. The donut box and empty Starbucks cups were between them. To Anna’s great relief, he’d forgiven her without a second thought, dismissing her unfairly harsh comment. He hadn’t been leaving in anger, just removing himself from the emotion of the moment before either of them said something that couldn’t be taken back.
“What?” She asked, looking up from a scattering of crumbs that seemed to be commanding her full attention.
“Your retirement paperwork.”
He pushed the detritus of their meal aside and placed a thick sheaf of bound papers in front of her. The first two-thirds of the stack was folded over, and he tapped a spot on the exposed page.
“I don’t care to look at it,” Anna said, reaching out to clean up the empty containers on the table.
“Yes, you do,” Sean said, sharply tapping the paper.
With a sigh, Anna pushed her thick hair off her face and leaned forward to look at the bulleted section he was pointing out. She read it, then paused in confusion. Grabbing the document off the table, she reread the section several times before raising her eyes to see her husband grinning at her.
“This can’t be right,” she breathed. “This just doesn’t happen!”
“It is right, and it did happen,” Sean smiled back. “At least it will. As soon as you sign and deliver this to BUPERS.”
Anna looked back at the page, slowly shaking her head.
“General Olber can’t do this. He doesn’t have the authority.”
“Turn the page.”
She did, getting another shock when she saw the signatures that approved the orders.
“This isn’t possible.”
She still couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
“Well, that’s SECDEF’s signature,” Sean said. “And while I’m not sure how the whole legality thing works without the President’s signature, I’m willing to bet it’s legit, and you’ve got some people who are looking out for you.”
Anna flipped back a page and reread for the sixth time. Then a seventh. Turning forward, she looked at the crisp signature and date stamp.
“I’m a Brigadier General,” she whispered in amazement.
“You will be, for all of one minute, then you’ll be retired,” Sean said.
“But why? What the hell’s the point?”
“Honey, just think about it. This whole thing stinks of Langley. The message the SarMajor delivered basically said as much. It also told you to watch your ass and don’t make waves. But, if General Olber knows anything about you, he knows you aren’t one to go along to get along. So, somehow, he managed to convince SECDEF to give you the one thing that’s almost guaranteed to keep you safe.”
“I’m not getting it. What the hell are you talking about?”
Anna was growing frustrated. The events of the past several hours had upset her, and she wasn’t thinking analytically. Despite her emotional state, she was thankful Sean was with her and able to look at the situation calmly.
“You’re about to become a retired one star. It doesn’t matter whether you ever served in that capacity, you will forever be General Thompson. General Thompson! Think about what that does for just a moment.
“Instant credibility in political and military circles, as well as immediate respect within the civilian world. You’ve just inherited a multi-million dollar PMC business. Would you rather walk into a meeting as Anna, daughter of the founder and an officer of some forgotten rank in the Army, or as General Thompson, President and CEO?
“And, let’s not forget that ominous warning from General Olber. I know you’re already wondering if the CIA had your father killed. And the very fact that it’s a possibility should worry you. It does me. But, as a retired General, you’re much harder to touch.”
“I don’t understand,” Anna said, calming as she thought about what Sean was saying.
“If the CIA felt you weren’t playing ball, and decided it was time for you to go, do you think they’d hesitate to go after a retired Lieutenant Colonel? But, now, they’ve got to consider the repercussions of going after a retired General! Consider that for a moment.
“I know you don’t operate in this world, but I do. There’s an unwritten rule that anyone above the rank of Colonel is off limits. At least when it comes to permanent solutions. They might dig up something to disgrace you, but if physical harm were to come your way, or even something that appears to be natural causes, the Army is going to take a very close look at the circumstances. A closer look than the CIA would be comfortable with. General Olber has sent them a very strong, yet subtle, message. They may have gotten their way, but not with impunity.”
Anna stared at him, comprehension slowly dawning.
“You’ve got friends in high places,” Sean said, reaching across the table and taking her hand. “A three star doesn’t put a Sergeant Major on a flight around half the planet to hand deliver paperwork and a personal message unless he’s trying to make a point. FedEx could’ve done the same job for a whole hell of a lot less.”
He squeezed her hand, and after a moment she smiled and squeezed back.
“Did you check the uniform he brought?” Sean asked.
Anna’s eyes opened wider in surprise. She’d forgotten all about the garment bag she’d tossed carelessly to the side. Jumping to her feet, she rushed to the foyer and snatched it up, whipping the zipper down and pulling the heavy, protective plastic to the side.
A Class A uniform was inside, but the only thing Anna could look at was the gleaming star on each epaulet. Sean came up behind her and circled his arms around her waist, hugging her gently.
“You’re going to outrank me,” he whispered in her ear, giving it a nuzzle.
“As it should be,” she said, turning and giving him a kiss.
The emotions of the morning fueled their passion, and soon clothing was being shed as they stumbled into the living room and fell onto the closest sofa. Two hours later, freshly showered and wearing her new uniform, Anna descended the stairs. Sean was standing in the foyer, waiting, and as she approached he snapped to attention and executed a parade ground perfect salute, despite trying to contain his smile.
“Cut it out,” Anna grumbled.
“What’s the matter?”
“I was thinking about my dad while I was getting ready,” she said, turning to check her appearance in a mirror. “Wondering if I'm paranoid or if the CIA really had something to do with his death. I wish he hadn’t been cremated. I’d have his body exhumed and reexamined.”
“You're not paranoid,” Sean said.
Anna, patting her hair into place, paused with her hands held on either side of her head and met his eyes in the mirror.
“I don’t mean that I know something,” Sean said quickly. “But, you're not paranoid if the possibility of something occurring is real. I think it might be a good idea to get a copy of the autopsy report.”
Anna resumed fussing with her hair, turning to face her husband when she was satisfied.
“After BUPERS, let’s go by the medical examiner’s office,” she said. “I’ll go in uniform. We’ll see if this star carries any weight in the civilian world.”
Sean shook his head.
“I’ll go,” he said. “No reason to draw that kind of attention.”
She thought about that for a moment before nodding.
“We’ve only got one car. How do you want to do this?”
“We’ve got two. I made a call while you were in the shower and Thompson Aviation promptly brought over a company vehicle for their new CEO. Didn’t your dad have a car? The garage is empty.”
“No,” Anna said, chuckling. “Dad flew helicopters into combat, but he didn’t like to drive. As soon as he started making enough money, he sold his car and hired a driver. He always said the odds were higher of dying in a vehicle accident than a chopper crash, but if he had to use a car it was safer in the back seat than behind the wheel.”
&nb
sp; Sean considered that for a moment, but kept his opinion to himself.
“I’ll take the rental,” he finally said, leaning forward to kiss his wife on the cheek.
4
When Anna arrived home, she was surprised to see Sean waiting for her in the courtyard. He was leaned against the front fender of their rental, arms crossed as he watched her approach. It wasn’t until she stepped out of her vehicle that she noticed the pistol holstered at his hip.
“Let’s take a walk,” he said, pushing upright and taking her hand.
“What’s…”
“Shhhhh,” he interrupted her.
After looking around to make sure they were alone, Anna allowed him to lead her around the side of the house. A hundred yards away, an old barn squatted in a neatly mown field and Sean headed directly for it. The ground was soft from a recent rain, and she had to pause and remove her low-heeled uniform shoes which were sinking deep into the muck with each step.
In the barn, Sean closed the door behind them and walked to an ancient tractor parked in the middle of the open space. Reaching up, he pressed the starter button and the engine clattered to life with a roar and belch of blue smoke. Once it was settled into a noisy idle, he came to stand close to Anna. Even then, he had to raise his voice to be heard over the clattering racket of the old motor.
“So, I don’t think you’re paranoid,” he said. “We need to be careful what we say and where we say it.”
“What happened?”
“I went to the medical examiner’s office. Talked to a nice lady who helped me fill out a request and took my ten dollars for a copy of your dad’s autopsy. Only problem was, when she went to print out the report, the file was corrupted.”
“Corrupted? What do you mean, corrupted?”
“Exactly that. It wouldn’t print. Wouldn’t even open to view it on the computer. It’s there, you can see the file name, but it’s unusable.”
“What are the odds of that?” Anna asked.
“I’m not a computer guy, so I’ve got no idea. But I did ask the lady how often that happens, and she said it never has before. She tried a couple of other reports that were created the same day, and they’re just fine.”