“I hope he did figure it out. He is being less argumentative about you,” Dr. Quimby commented. He snatched a piece of her bacon.
“Mine. Daddy, you forget that we’ve been trained in interrogation. This is 101. There are certain things that indicate if someone is lying or covering up something. I suck at both and so do you.”
“Why is it that you inherit something like that from me instead of my temperament?”
“I don’t know. Lucky I guess.”
After speaking with Scott and updating him on the condition of his truck (which had been taken to the shop that morning), Dr. Quimby took his daughter out for shoe shopping. He had to keep reminding himself that he owed her this for what she had encountered, but still hated the chore. Loaded with three pairs of new shoes, and three bags of new clothes and ‘potions’, he escorted her to the car located under the shopping plaza. She stopped in her tracks, arm in front of him.
“Robbery,” she whispered, seeing a man breaking into a vehicle. “Let me—”
“No, I’ll handle this. You just call the police on your transmitter,” Dr. Quimby said, handing her the bags and approaching the car carefully. “Excuse me, but are you having car problems?”
The man swung his crowbar, reaching only air. In seconds, Dr. Quimby had him face down on the ground while Sam calmly contacted the authorities. Dr. Quimby coolly took the bags back and placed them in the trunk, ignoring the glare he received as the thief was cuffed and placed in the back of the cruiser. “Broad daylight, would you believe that?” he stated casually. “Training session, my dear. What was the difference between my stopping him and you?”
“You’re old—”
“Be serious.”
“He immediately perceived that you were a threat and attacked you. I would have had to provoke it.”
“Good, what else? How did I handle him that would have differed with you?”
“You restrained him. I would have knocked him way out.”
“Exactly. There is no need to apply deadly force unless your life is threatened. Yesterday was totally appropriate, but Wilkes was not. By the way, I forgot to tell you, I was very impressed with not only your skill, but also the fact that you took no credit for it. That’s not like you, my prideful little soldier.”
“I thought the cops would be more sympathetic towards me if they thought I couldn’t defend myself.”
“So being a damsel in distress was beneficial for you?” he asked slyly.
“Yeah… what are you getting at?”
“What I’m saying is you don’t always have to be the one who does the fighting. We will fight for you anytime. We want to.”
“But Wilkes—”
“Should not have touched you. However, your brother was there to defend you. Allow us to be your heroes now and then, okay? It’s good for our egos.”
“I didn’t think any of you cared about that. It’s so silly.”
“To you, but not to us. Like I said, our delicate male egos required stroking now and then, or they feel useless.”
“I didn’t know that. And I am very surprised to hear you admit it. Is that why you won’t let me carry my own bags?”
“That’s not ego, that is etiquette. Big difference. I’m hungry, let’s go grab some lunch.”
The boys were home by time Dr. Quimby and Sam returned. Michael raised an eyebrow. “Is this a new way to be grounded? Go shopping?”
“Quiet down, Michael. I’m relieving my guilt,” Dr. Quimby grumbled, putting the bags down.
“Did shopping make you feel better, little sister?”
“Daddy caught a car thief at the mall! You should have seen him, he was magnificent.”
“Now that was very good ego stroking, my love. Thank you. Take this stuff upstairs and put it away.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll help,” Rich offered, grabbing the bags and running up the stairs two at a time. He put them on her bed then embraced her warmly. “I haven’t had a chance to kiss you since your dad got home. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Are you mad at me? I know I disobeyed you again,” she said quietly.
Rich kissed her brow. “I’m just grateful that you weren’t seriously hurt. How did you get yourself into that situation anyway?”
“I panicked. I didn’t know what I was walking into when Bob went to repark the truck.”
“I heard a rumor at work today. Did you know that Bob Banks worked for Capt. Wilkes?”
“He did? You’re kidding!”
“Nope. Even more, I heard that Banks was accusing a little sixteen-year-old girl, no bigger than a wisp, of being responsible for killing three men with her bare hands and for breaking his jaw. There was also something mentioned about crushing his balls with a karate kick.”
“I’m eighteen and he’s a crazy idiot. They turned on each other.”
“That’s what you told the cops. Why would you say that?”
“I just wanted out of there without getting charged with a DUI.”
“I see. Know what else I heard?” Rich asked, pulling her onto his lap. “That Wilkes and Banks were linked to a suspected prostitution ring of underage girls. Did you know that?”
“No way! You’re kidding! Well, good thing I stepped in. Perfect timing, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Samantha, look at me. The game is up. And I’m proud of you,” he whispered as he kissed her soundly.
She threw her arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry. I was under orders not to say anything.”
“For someone who is trained in Special Forces, you aren’t very good,” Rich teased.
“What do you mean?”
“What I meant was I didn’t know you were on assignment until you confirmed it just now. Mike suspected it and we put two and two together. You just admitted without me saying it.”
“You butthead.”
“Ah, yes, but I am a smart butthead. Don’t worry, nothing will be said until you’re cleared. Very clever, though, how this worked out.”
“Rich, I was terrified yesterday. Not just about what happened to me at that house, but that you were going to walk. It was eating me alive keeping this secret.”
“I promise you that the only thing that would ever make me walk was if you told me that you didn’t love me anymore. You have to trust me.”
“I told you that I had my reasons and asked you to trust me, remember? You thought I was messing around on you.”
“I’m so sorry. I never suspected something like this. Please forgive me.” He touched her lips with his thumb, gazing into her eyes.
“Of course. You couldn’t have known what was really happening,” Sam answered softly. She looked up at him. “Rich? I want you to make love to me.”
“Not with your father home. Let’s put your new things away then you need to go love on your brother. He’s feeling neglected. He has baby sister withdrawals.”
“Poor Michael,” she said, modeling her new heels for him. He shook his head with relief, glad that it had been Dr. Quimby who was forced to go shoe shopping rather than him. They went downstairs into the living room.
“I love you, Michael. I’ve missed you so much,” his sister said, climbing onto his lap and kissing his cheek.
He hugged her. “I’ve missed you, too. I’ve hardly seen you at all the last two weeks and when I have, you’ve been in trouble.”
“I know. I’m sorry I was so bad for you.”
“I should spank you for it, you know,” he teased, chucking his finger under her chin.
“Yes, I know.” She sighed, her head against his chest.
Michael just squeezed her. “I’m just glad you’re okay. Dad? When is this stupid suspension going to be lifted? I need her in the lab, the crew is driving me bat-crap crazy.”
“I don’t know, son. Samantha? It’s past your bedtime. School tomorrow.”
“NO! I don’t want to go back!” she yelled. Rich hid a smile, winking at Michael.
“Sis, we have gon
e through this every single night for the past two weeks. Dad is home now which means the time for being nice is over. You’re going.”
“You can’t make me, Michael.”
“No, but I can. Go to bed. I’ll take you in the morning.” Dr. Quimby pointed to the staircase.
Stomping her foot, she ran upstairs, hiding her laughter. Dr. Quimby had no idea that the boys knew the secret so she had to play along to keep her father from suspecting. There was a tap on the door. Her father entered.
“What?” She grinned.
He shook his head. “You are still going to school and I had best not get any calls from the principal. This should be cleared any day now.”
“But I don’t want to go to school. I have a test tomorrow I haven’t studied for.” She grinned again.
“You do your best. You know I’m not concerned about that. I’m more concerned about this.” He touched her lips with his finger. “This beautiful little mouth gets this whole little body into a ton of trouble. No sassing.”
“But they expect it from me now.”
“Then expect to get that little rump swatted. I do not want to be called to come get you. You heard me. Now obey.”
“Sir! Yes, sir!”
“Good night, Samantha.”
“Good night, Daddy.”
He was chuckling when he returned downstairs. The boys hadn’t moved from their places on the couch. “Are you moving in with us, Richard?”
“I should. I’m here all the time. Besides, I like your cooking.”
“I’m flattered. So, when did you figure it out?”
“Figure what out, Dad?”
“About your sister. Don’t play coy with me. I’ve been doing this longer. I’m the Intel Officer, remember?”
Michael laughed, listing the clues that gave it away. Rich completed it with the final confession. Dr. Quimby laughed. “So it goes full circle. She’s the only one who doesn’t know that we all know that we know.”
“I know.” Michael snickered. “This is going to be fun. And the suspension?”
“Was lifted this afternoon. I gave her special leave through the end of the week to recoup. She deserves it.”
“Except she’s going to get herself into more trouble by playing along with this game now,” Michael commented.
Dr. Quimby nodded. “Yes, but she made one vital error in her calculations. She revealed a new and very effective weapon.”
“And that is?” Rich asked.
Dr. Quimby looked at him, straight in the eye. “You. You are one path she will not be crossing anytime soon.”
Chapter 7
Without deliberately trying, the girl found herself, once again, sitting in Mr. Dell’s office waiting to be picked up. He stood to greet her father at the door. Dr. Quimby looked annoyed. Sam swallowed; his vein on his neck was pulsing. After introducing himself, and offering a seat, Mr. Dell sighed heavily, looking at the girl.
“Dr. Lewis, I’m so sorry to bother you. Apparently your daughter was caught cheating on an exam. We have a zero tolerance for that here.”
“Cheating? Why would you cheat? That’s not like you.”
“I didn’t cheat, Daddy. I tried to explain that I don’t need to cheat. I already know all the stuff.”
“A little humility would become you, daughter.”
Mr. Dell cleared his throat. He felt sorry for the tiny girl shrinking in the chair in front of him. He had met her brother several times and now her father, who seemed to be larger than life and more than a little intimidating, even to him.
“To be honest, I agree that she had no need. However, evidence points to it. I had no choice but to call you.”
“Would you care to enlighten me regarding the circumstances?” Dr. Quimby asked firmly, looking at Sam.
“English class. Tolstoy. War and Peace.” She shrugged.
“What about it?”
“It was an essay. She wanted to know what was discussed between Andrew and Natasha when he rejected her. So I wrote it.”
“Verbatim?”
“Yes, sir. Of course.”
Mr. Dell raised his eyebrow; he had not seen this side of the young girl. She actually could show some respect! How about that? “Please continue, Miss Lewis.”
“Ms. O’Neil accused me of plagiarism. I simply quoted what she told me to. In English and in Russian.”
“This is where the problem really began, Dr. Lewis. Ms. O’Neil is from Moscow.”
“I don’t understand the problem.”
“Are you saying your daughter is fluent in Russian?”
“Yes, Mr. Dell. Also in French, Spanish, German and Japanese,” the man answered clearly. “So am I. I would like to speak with this instructor, if you don’t mind.”
“Then she hasn’t been pulling my leg?”
“My daughter is a lot of things, but she is not a liar.”
Dr. Quimby stood politely as the woman walked into the room. She was tall, slender with mousy brown hair and thick-rimmed glasses. Mr. Dell introduced them and Dr. Quimby requested her side of the story.
“What made you think my daughter was cheating?”
“It is impossible for anyone to quote a specific prose unless they knew exactly what was on the test. And then she tried to repeat it in Russian.”
“She is fluent.”
“Somewhat. That is regardless.”
“No, it is not. Do you have a copy of the book, Mr. Dell?”
“I can get one.”
“Here, Daddy. Use mine,” Sam said, relaxing in her chair. It brought back good memories of the game they used to play when they discovered her ability to recall.
“Thank you. Have you looked at this printing?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Mr. Dell, pick any page, any paragraph that you want. Ms. O’Neil, please stand next to him so you can see for yourself.”
“Page 824, third paragraph from the top.”
Shrugging, Sam began to quote it effortlessly. When she completed the paragraph, she repeated it in Russian.
“Very good, Samantha. Your accent has improved.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“I’ll be damned. That incredible,” Mr. Dell said. “Can we do it again?”
“Go for it.” Dr. Quimby smiled. He used to do the same thing and was endlessly amazed by her gift.
“I’m convinced. I’m so sorry to have bothered you,” Mr. Dell said, dismissing the English teacher from his office.
Dr. Quimby smiled kindly. “She is an incredible little girl. We do have our issues. I understand that she’s been quite a challenge for you.”
“She’s had a tough time here. She’s so advanced that it’s hard to keep her interested. You should really think about testing her out of high school and get her into college.”
“I already did. She’s got a master’s degree. I sent her here to learn to get along with normal kids in her age group.”
“A master’s?”
“On a PhD program. Both she and her brother are Rhodes scholars. Did some time at Oxford, even,” Dr. Quimby said proudly.
“Did you act up there, Miss Lewis?”
“Just a little. Not too much or Daddy would have killed me.” Sam smiled at her father. Her hero.
“I do want to apologize for the headaches she’s given you. She did speak highly of you when she shared about her difficulties here. She is a little spoiled, my fault. I’m sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize. I’m glad to have met you. You’ve also reminded me to never to assume the impossible. Will she be returning?”
“No, I think her work here is done. We’ll find someone else for her to terrorize.” Dr. Quimby smiled.
Mr. Dell stood to shake his hand, then reached for the girl’s. He was surprised by her grip. “She might consider the service. I really believe that could help her focus. I’m prior army.”
“Been there, done that, Mr. Dell. I’m a commissioned Marine Corps Lieutenant. It still hasn’t ta
ught me to keep my big mouth shut. Let me introduce myself, 1st Lieutenant Samantha Anne Quimby, Special Ops. Daddy is really a general, as well as a doctor. We changed my name so the military kids here wouldn’t single me out as the general’s daughter.”
Dr. Quimby nodded, seeing the man’s surprise. “Yes, it’s true. I told you her time here would be short. It’s time for her to get back to work and see who else she can torture. You have a good day, and thank you for putting up with her. Daughter, to the car.”
“Yes, Father, dearest.”
Dr. Quimby put his seat belt on, held the wheel then looked at his youngest child. “How the hell do you manage to get yourself in these messes? We went through that exact same thing at Oxford!”
“I don’t know. Trouble follows me.”
“Yes it does. I did warn you though, what would happen if I got called to come get you, didn’t I?”
“Daddy! This wasn’t my fault! That’s not fair.”
“Showing off? Admit it, young lady.”
“I was trying to get an A.”
“In English or in Russian?”
“On my test.”
“Smart ass.”
***
“It feels so good to be back. I missed this place.” Sam twirled, entering her lab. After much yelling and screaming, more from Michael than his sister, Dr. Quimby allowed her to resume work the next day. By now the entire base knew about the operation and the results. Three more men from the Armory were identified and placed under arrest.
Jen hugged her friend happily. “I missed you so much. That man is an absolute bear without you around! I was this close to drowning him in the whale tank!”
Michael looked at her with a scowl. “Keep getting mouthy and you’ll see a bear. Get your butt back to work.”
“Yeah, a polar bear.” Sam giggled. She watched her brother return to his office. “So catch me up, you guys. What have I missed?”
“Nothing much, ma’am. Like Miss Jen said, a lot of growling and barking from the commander. He really is at a loss without you here.” Nick snickered, winking at her.
Aftercare: General's Daughter, Book 4 Page 8