She tilted her head with an innocent expression. “My crew, of course, didn’t do anything to make my absence any more difficult for him, did they?”
“Who us? Never.” Nick grinned back.
“I owe you. You make him appreciate me more. How’s my little fishy?” She pointed to Ton’s tank area.
Frank shuddered. “He’s been a total asshole with you gone. When he bothers to come in, he splashes everything he can, including the crew. He even gathered the bay’s buoys and tossed them over the wall. He made it clear to everybody that he was not happy with the arrangement.”
“Did Michael talk with him?”
“He tried and got soaked. Even little Splasher avoided the tank.”
“It’s so nice to be home.” Sam smiled, hugging both crewmen. “This was one assignment I prefer never to repeat. Give me terrorists any day.”
“We heard they nearly raped you,” Nick whispered.
She nodded. “Way too close for my comfort level. It’s done and Daddy felt so guilty he bought me three pairs of new shoes.” She giggled. “Okay, let’s get back to work. Make sure everything stays real quiet to drive my brother crazy.”
“It should. We were giving him fires to put out twice an hour daily.” Frank chuckled back. “I would be lying if I said it wasn’t fun harassing him.”
Michael sat back in his chair, watching the lab activity. Not one problem, not one question since his sister returned. The blinds were up in both offices so he could see they weren’t even coming to bother her. How does she do this? He sighed; he was just happy she was back and in one piece.
Rich came over on the hopper to join the three for lunch. They walked down the Shelter Island walkway and into the restaurant on the far side of the bay.
“I want my coconut shrimp. I deserve something good after putting up with Michael’s cooking the last two weeks,” Sam informed the boys.
Jen nodded. “Me too. I felt like I was being grounded too, especially with not being allowed to see you or talk. I had major texting withdrawals!”
“I’m sorry about that, Jen. It happens with us sometimes. Speaking of grounding, have you talked with Daddy and Uncle Scott yet about your time with Rich?” Sam asked. She knew that incident was still bothering her brother; along with the fact that the secret was being kept from their elders.
“I really haven’t had a chance. They left for DC right after we got back, remember? I’ll talk with them tonight, okay?”
“The sooner, the better. They are going to be very protective of us for a while because of this assignment. Just be prepared,” Sam informed her.
“It seems like this assignment matured you. I’m not saying you were immature, but you’re different.”
“She’s harder. She’ll get back to normal in a few weeks. She killed three men. It’s her means of protection,” Michael explained.
“Rich? You’re really quiet. Are you okay?” Jen asked him, stroking his arm.
He shook his head. “Not really. I have to process this stuff, that’s all. I’m still feeling guilty for being so severe with you, and it’s hard for me to accept your ability to kill.” He touched Sam’s hand.
She squeezed his back. “You know I had no choice.”
“I do. If it were Mike, I wouldn’t think anything of it. But you…”
“I’m a girl. I understand. Daddy pointed out that there are some things I really need to change in how I conduct myself with you guys. First, Michael, I want to say I’m sorry.”
“For what, baby?”
“When Wilkes touched me, I should have let you step in. I saw you move but didn’t give you a chance. Daddy showed me that it’s okay to let you guys take care of me whenever you can.”
“It doesn’t bother me when you defend yourself,” Michael insisted.
His sister looked directly at him. “But it bothers me when you lie to me about it. I don’t consider you a macho man, but you are my protector. I need to allow you to take care of me when you can. You too, Rich. I deserved everything you gave me that night and more. I lied to you and I was drinking and driving.”
“You were not!” Jen gasped.
Sam grimace. “I also stole Scott’s Hummer.”
“But, you were on assignment,” Jen argued. “That wasn’t fair to punish her, Rich!”
“Neither of them knew that. I should have told you that I needed to do something but wasn’t able to give you details just yet. That would have been enough to make you two understand that something was up. I should have been able to trust both of you to believe me and respect my secrecy. Especially you, Michael. I’m so sorry, guys.”
“We’ll know better next time. Use Code – Trust Me. Let’s just take what happened to heart and not let it happen again.” Michael smiled sweetly, patting his sister’s hand. She met his eyes. Only he had truly felt the terror she had faced that night. He had shared it with her, through their weird link. Only he could truly understand that she needed time to heal. She was grateful of the link with him. It saved her from having to verbalize her horror out loud.
“I hope there will not be another next time,” she muttered.
“How have you been doing out of the water?” Jen asked, trying to change the subject. She could sense the hurt the others were feeling.
“I’m going to need to take a long deep dive real soon. My turgor is sluggish. Maybe this afternoon. Will that be okay, Mike?”
“I’ll go with you, if you like.”
“Sure. We can swim home. Rich or Jen can drive your car.”
“Sounds good to me. Here.” He handed Rich the keys, shocking her. He NEVER let anyone drive that stupid car. “Bring Jen to the house after you run an inspection of her room. I suspect you have been lax in your big brother duties and let her place fall to pieces.”
“Mike!” Jen protested.
Rich laughed. “By the sound of that, a little reminder might be in order, yes?”
“NO!” Jen huffed.
Michael chuckled. “Just remember what happens when you need to feel better.”
“Is Scott home tonight?” Rich asked, snitching a piece of Sam’s shrimp.
“Mine,” Sam growled, stabbing at his hand with a fork.
“Dad is picking him up at the airport right now. Be careful, Scott is not the most pleasant of people post-conference and long flight. Especially if…”
***
“There were three screaming brats kicking my seat. We would never have put up with that type of behavior from our kids in public. Unbelievable,” Scott complained.
“Why didn’t you fly first class?” Dr. Quimby asked.
“Fucking government screwed up my fucking reservations.”
“Oh, we are in a great mood. Do you need to stop anywhere or do you want to go home?”
“I should go to the base.”
“Right, with the sole purpose of bullying everyone you cross. No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We have to deal enough with the Jenkins induced PTSD as it is.”
“Fuck you.”
“No, thank you. You’re really not my type.” Dr. Quimby smiled patiently. The complaints continued during the drive home and silenced only when Scott retreated to his bedroom to change into swim trucks. Dr. Quimby sighed, handing Scott a bottle of water as the older man settled into the hot tub. He knew the complaining would continue for another hour and would cease when the kids came home. Only with both of them there would life return to normal.
“Are you listening to me?”
“I’m hearing your colorful vocabulary amidst some sporadic information. I’m glad your niece isn’t here to learn from you.”
“That girl. Two grand to fix my truck! Did she drive it off the side of a mountain?”
“No, just into a tree. It will be out of the shop in a few days. Insurance covered it.”
“Fucking government should pay for it.”
“Well, they aren’t going to, so stop whining. Get this out of your system before the children come h
ome, please. They are excited to see their uncle, not an old asshole.”
“How much do you want to bet the little one will ask for a present within the first two minutes?”
“That’s because you’ve always brought her something. Did you?”
“Of course. A new belly button ring. It says ‘brat’ on it.”
“And you wonder why she’s spoiled. I need to warn you, though, this assignment really took a toll on her. She’s got that hard ass look right now.”
“The post-kill?”
“Yeah. Scott? When did we turn our sweet little baby into a weapon?”
“It’s in her blood, just like the service is in ours. You were the freak, going doctor and all. The rest of us designed weapons and knew how to use them.”
“I never would have gone into martial arts or the service if it wasn’t for you.”
“Yet, you are so natural being part of it. You would never have made it as a country doctor. And straight hospital work drove you insane.”
“You’re right. I just sometimes feel like we robbed them of their childhood along the way.”
“Joe, hear me out. They would have still gone and done something we wouldn’t have approved of like FBI or DEA. Facing danger is part of their make-up. We gave them the tools out of necessity, but they made the choices. I’m very proud of how they turned out. No matter what occupation they chose, both have become extraordinary young people.”
The phone rang. Dr. Quimby sighed after answering it. “Your extraordinary young people have decided to swim home. The other two are on their way here. I guess I’m making dinner tonight.”
“You’ll make someone a good wife one day, old friend,” Scott teased, closing his eyes.
“We’re home,” Rich announced, walking in forty minutes later.
“I’m in the kitchen,” Dr. Quimby said.
Jen hugged him hello, kissed his cheek and snatched a piece of cucumber from the salad he was making. “Need any help?” she asked.
“You two can set the table if you want. Let’s eat outside.”
“Whatcha making?” Rich asked, nosing around the stove.
Dr. Quimby popped the back of his hand with a spoon. “Out of here. Scott’s in the hot tub. Go say hello. He’s grumpy, so beware.”
“Welcome home, Scott,” Rich said, walking outside.
“Hello, Dad #2, how was your trip?” Jen asked, leaning over to kiss his cheek. He grabbed her arm and yanked her into the tub with him.
“I really need to teach you some basic moves, Miss Jennifer,” Scott announced, dunking her again.
“I can’t believe you did that.” She emerged, hair plastered to her face.
Rich pulled her out. “Go get dried off and stay away from him. Did you see me go anywhere near him? There’s a reason.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
Rich set the outside table as Scott complained about his trip.
Dr. Quimby shook his head, bringing stuff outside. “Wonderful. Scrooge has a new set of ears to listen to him complain twice as much. Rich, feel free to tell him to shut his yap.”
“Sorry, Doc, but he scares me.”
“Chicken-shit.” Dr. Quimby grinned.
Rich’s eyes twinkled. “Self-preservation,” he mimicked the man’s regular response to the comment.
“I’m back. Do you guys have a minute? I need to talk to you,” Jen said, sitting away from Scott’s reach.
“Sure, let me turn down the stove. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you want me to stay?” Rich asked.
“I might need my big brother, so yes,” she whispered.
“Okay, Jennifer, what’s going on?” Dr. Quimby asked, sitting on the lounger.
Slowly, she confessed the happenings from their trip and Rich’s findings in her room. Afraid to see their expressions, she faced the floor and told them about her time with Rich and promise to completely cease all the activity.
“Richard?” Dr. Quimby asked, “Would you care to add anything?”
“No sir, she was quite accurate. Trust me, gentlemen, I was not lenient. Michael and Sam know about it as well. We just felt it would be good for her to inform you since she is part of this family. And, except for special assignments, we don’t keep secrets.” Rich smiled.
“Good jab, boy. Remind me to kick your ass for that when I get out. Jennifer? Do you feel you were adequately disciplined?” Scott asked.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, my dear. It’s time we get some rules here,” Dr. Quimby said, tapping her knee. “You know how my kids, including Rich, answer us. It’s respectful and we believe we deserve that respect. So yes or no sir, for now on, okay?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl. Now, I’m not convinced that Rich’s time with you was adequate punishment for this. If you were my daughter, you would be grounded for at least a month, plus you literally would not be sitting for the following three or four days. This was a strapping offense. Richard, compared to what you delivered to Samantha, how was Jen?”
“Not as bad. It was her first experience. I reached the desired response and stopped. “
Jen gulped. Not as bad? Her poor friend.
“In addition, I suspect your son took a little time to improve her condition,” Scott added with a frown.
“Yes, I believe you are correct. Jennifer? What would you like us to do with this confession?”
“I, well, I just wanted to be honest with you guys, that’s all.”
“Are you okay with that? Do we need to step in and provide parental support?”
“No,” she answered quietly. Dr. Quimby crossed his arms, saying nothing. She wet her lips. “No, sir.”
“All right, if you feel you’ve learned your lesson and paid your dues, then it’s done,” Dr. Quimby said softly. Jen stared at the ground, then looked at Rich helplessly.
“If you still feel guilty then you need to either deal with it or be dealt with,” he said gently.
Jen tried not to start crying. “I’m so sorry. I feel like I’ve deceived you two. I don’t want you to think badly of me.”
“I don’t understand why you’re crying. If you’ve paid the price then there is no reason to feel guilt,” Scott said, pulling himself out of the water.
“I don’t want to be punished again,” she said tearfully.
“But?” Scott probed. Rich eyed him, admiring the man’s technique. Lots of practice.
“But if you two are really taking the position of my dads, then you should also punish me. I want what Sam has with this family, good and bad,” she confessed, crying again.
“Fine. Then you can deal with me,” Scott said. “Go into my room and wait for me.”
“Now? But—”
“There is no time like the present. Move it,” Scott said gruffly.
“Yes, sir,” she whispered, leaving quickly.
“You sure you want to handle this?” Dr. Quimby asked, wrinkling his brow.
Scott dried off slowly. “I’m better with instilling fear than you are. This is serious. Rich, truth. If Samantha had done this, what would she deserve?”
“I promised her that I would use a cane on her if I ever caught her DUIing again.”
“Man after my own heart. Joe forbade me to use the cane on them. Pussy.”
“My grandfather caned me once and he broke skin. I wouldn’t subject my children to that. I have enough problem with Mike using a switch.”
“Sometimes it’s better to be that hard than for them to hurt themselves,” Rich said gently.
“Don’t you ever use a cane on my daughter. I mean it.” His eyes were dark.
“I don’t think I will ever have to. But if I do, I promise it would be well deserved. And I also promise to not break skin,” Rich said, his hand on the man’s shoulder, meeting the glare with compassion.
“I’m going down to the dock,” Dr. Quimby said abruptly.
Scott snapped a towel at him. “Good idea. You need to clear your head
. Rich, finish setting the table. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Scott?” Rich held the man’s arm. “I really did lay it into her. She had no experience with this.”
“She doesn’t need experience. And I know the limits when it comes to stuff like this. Chill.” Scott smiled, patting the boy’s hand. Towel around his neck, he walked into his bedroom where Jen was sitting on the edge of his big bed. Excusing himself, he went into the bathroom to change into dry clothes. Jen trembled, hearing him move quietly in the other room. He came out in a snug muscle shirt and shorts. Though not as broad as Dr. Quimby, he was still muscular and well cut. She didn’t know which frightened her the most, his outer strength or the inner strength.
Chapter 8
Scott sat on a straight chair across from Jen, looking into her eyes. “Jennifer, when I am talking to you, you are to look at me, not the floor. What you did could have cost you everything you are working so hard for. Do you realize that if I had known about this, I would have been obligated to remove your clearance?”
“No, sir, I didn’t. I’m so sorry.”
“But you did know that using and selling is against the law, right? You don’t have a prescription for it, do you?”
“No, sir. It was purely recreational.”
“And you knew that if you got busted in school, you would lose your scholarship and your enrollment, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How much money did you make selling the shit?”
“About $200 a week.”
“How long have you been selling?”
“About two months, maybe three.”
“Ten or twelve weeks?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay, what Rich gave you was for using. My time with you will be for selling. I consider that a more serious crime then an occasional high, don’t you?”
“Yes, sir. I’m really so sorry.”
“Yes, well, so am I. I do admire the courage it took to come to us with this, and the honesty you showed in admitting you deserved more. That brought you up a notch in our respect for you.”
“It did?”
“You sound surprised. We value truth and trust. Nothing you could ever do would be so bad that coming to us with the truth won’t fix it. You will also be on restriction for two weeks. You are to stay here in the guest room downstairs. We will have chores for you to do and you will learn how to make coffee properly. Understand?”
Aftercare: General's Daughter, Book 4 Page 9