Aria put her hand on Jen’s arm. In a hushed voice, she said, “What did you tell them? Jimmy’s sensitive about the whole school thing.”
“I told them that you were going to be my new friend and Dan has never gone gooey in his life, except when he talks about you. Any woman who can melt him like that deserves my praise and support.” Jen patted her hand and turned toward the door as it squeaked open.
There was nothing Aria could say. Never in her life had someone ever said anything so kind to her. Emotion squeezed her heart. I should have come here sooner, a lot sooner.
Visiting with Jen was incredibly heartwarming. Aria had never felt so at ease with someone as she did with JC’s wife. Dan was correct in his prediction that they would become fast-and-furious friends. When Jen’s parents took Jimmy out for ice cream, she told Jen the whole story, and for some reason trusted her completely, maybe because Dan did, too.
Aria took a sip of her iced tea. “Did I tell you I contacted one of my old roommates? Lulu knew Mark in college. When I asked her about him, she told me he was creepy and used to follow her around, asking questions. She considered getting a restraining order at one point, and then suddenly he lost interest. Lulu said she never understood how I could be friends with him.”
“Why didn’t she warn you?” Jen looked shocked. “If you were my friend, I would have said something.”
“Yeah, I asked her. The rest of our roommates talked her out of it.” That knowledge made Aria feel sick. “You know…the three of them were really close. They dropped out together, were in each other’s weddings, and had babies at the same time. I didn’t follow that path, so we didn’t stay…close.”
“No offense meant by this…but I think you can do better, friendwise.” Jen sucked on the lemon slice before she dropped it into her unsweetened tea.
“Me, too.” Aria smiled at her.
“I don’t think I would have had your restraint. I would have found the son of a bitch and kicked the crap out of him. A woman’s lower body, especially her legs, are often stronger than a man’s.” Jen kicked out a leg, demonstrating her technique. “One quick kick and that would end his lust.”
“I don’t know that it’s that simple,” said Aria. “He knows everything about me. I had to change every one of my passwords…because I shared them too. I feel absolutely violated, and I don’t know how to make it up to Jimmy. Do you have any ideas?”
“I’ve worked with a lot of abused kids. It’s a complicated situation. But there are actions you can take that are effective. Be open. Have a space for talking…a time away from your normal environment.”
“Yes,” said Aria. “We’ve been walking around the neighborhood every day. It’s been pretty good. Sometimes I talk. Other times he does. The silence is harmonious, too. I just want to make sure I’m doing it right. I don’t know who to ask questions of.”
“Me! Please ask me. I’d love to have something else to concentrate on.” Jen trailed her fingers over her belly. “Aria, remember, kids are resilient. Don’t keep bringing it up or trying to make it up to him. Let him come to you…unless you see a problem, and if you do, call him on the issue immediately. Pretend he is a canine—reward him when he’s good and say no when he’s bad.”
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you just told me to train my brother like a dog.” Aria laughed. “That’s so not politically correct.”
“Well, crap,” said Jen. “Practically every baby book says the same thing on training and guidance…it all feels like dog training to me. In my opinion, it’s a compliment. Our old treasure, Chilly, who was a boxer, ate better than us, slept on our bed, we picked up her poop, bathed her, and wiped her butt. She watched movies with us, got to go to the beach to run and play, took doggy-training classes, and generally had an awesome life. If I ever die, I’d want to come back as her. Wouldn’t you?”
Aria wasn’t sure about the dog/kid training stuff, but Jen did seem to have a generous heart. The whole house was baby-proofed, and there were two baby every things everywhere, from high chairs to infant swings. “Are you going to get another dog?”
“Yes. When the twins are two years old… We want them to have something to howl with besides us.” Jen waved her hands. “Just kidding. You are so easy to tease. I’m sorry, I’ll have to restrain myself. Honestly, we’re waiting for the terrible twos to arrive, because my sister-in-law will be going to college at that time and living with us. Part of her rent-free arrangement is to help out in the afternoons and a couple nights a week. I have visions of taking a nap or a bath and perhaps even having a date night with JC, but the reality will probably be all of us chasing the munchkins throughout the house. I’m sure the babes will be running.”
“You’re looking forward to it, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a mom…just like my own. It took me a long time to get pregnant, and I’m going to treasure these little guys like the crown jewels.” Jen tensed and then relaxed. “Are you going to…have children?”
“Yes…someday.” Aria looked around this house. Photographs of JC and Jen filled the walls, and every corner looked lived-in and enjoyed. She wanted that type of home, where people could visit and be comfortable, where she could be happy welcoming another stage of her life. She wasn’t sure how she would get her life into that position, but she felt it would come. Dan was the key—their joy together, communicating, loving, and enjoying every moment. Could she be as strong as Jen? In all likelihood, yes, she could. Regardless of any concerns, she wanted to try.
“I miss having a dog,” said Jen, staring off into space. “Excellent protection. You might consider getting one…given your situation.” She fanned herself with her hands. “I cannot wait for these kids to get out here so I can love on them. Though…” She paused and crooked her head to the side as if listening to something Aria couldn’t hear, and then she returned to the conversation with a smile. “I really, really want JC to be home for it. Maybe if I cross my legs…well, if I could cross them…”
***
Aria drove down the road, admiring the view of the ocean. It was a beautiful day! She found herself humming and enjoying the memory of meeting Jen. Jimmy had had a great time, too. He ate an entire ten-scoop sundae all by himself and then played touch football in the park with Jen’s dad. Her brother looked tired as he leaned back against the headrest and he yawned.
“So what do you want to do when we get home?”
“Veg out in front of the TV or play a video game.” Jimmy’s voice was getting sleepier. He cuddled his chest with his arms, a habit which he had done since he was a baby. There were so many times over the past few days she had been reminded of his childhood. Jimmy was a teen and growing up, almost a man, but it was hard to look at him without seeing his start in life.
“According to our agreed-upon schedule you have an hour of TV and forty-five minutes of gaming time. Are you sure you want to waste it now rather than save it for tonight?” She glanced at him, and his eyes were slowly closing. “We can watch Fletch. I know how you love that movie.”
“Fine. I’ll wait.”
She pulled into the turning lane and then into the Silver Strand neighborhood. There was a crowd of people at a house near hers.
“What happened?” asked Aria as she joined the group.
Several neighbors nodded at her as they looked in, too. In the arms of many of them were baskets or canned hams. Aria had a sudden impression of being at the zoo during feeding time, and she wasn’t sure who were the exhibits and who was the audience.
When she looked in the window, all at once it hit…making her stomach clench. Inside the house Eve was crying. Her triplets were sitting on the couch, dressed in matching blue sailor suits and holding their teddy bears. They looked miserable and their faces were streaked with tears.
She watched the hated Mrs. Hiney fetch and carry and comfort Eve. Standing there for ten minutes, it amazed Aria…seeing the ice queen’s warmth. Maybe she shouldn’t have judged that book
by its cover. Filing that nugget away for future thought, she backed away from the window.
She knew what had happened, and the fact that no one had said it confirmed that terrible fear. Eve’s husband had been killed. There was no way to make it gentle. This was the ice pick of all outcomes. Everything changed from there. The death of a loved one was the devastation that would never heal, and the loss would never go away.
She shivered. Oh, God, please…
Looking up, she could see there were dark clouds overhead and the wind was picking up. She said a silent prayer, hoping her husband was safe. Then she went inside to escape the cold air blowing in from the ocean and locked the door securely behind her.
Chapter 17
Dan and JC took turns dozing. For years they had performed this type of task together, and Dan knew keeping himself hyper-vigilant was one of the ways that kept him from giving into the cold. His core temperature was low after spending all day undercover so close to the frigid water. Sure, he’d chugged a couple of thumb-sized energy drinks and downed about ten power bars, but he was still fucking cold and cramped.
He wondered how things were going with Aria. He missed her.
Hammer signaled that it was time to leave as full dark blanketed the area. The moon was just beginning to show a sliver of light, but there was still a ton of cover. Hammer and Dirks left the safety of their cover first. Dan and JC hiked around the lake to their side, keeping to the shadows and the bank. When they reached the edge of the foliage, they silently left the reeds and greenery behind and followed their brethren, acting as rear guard.
A smile formed on Dan’s lips as Hammer detoured them through the hot spring and then up the mountain. Pretty nice to be moving, warming the body up…even for a short time!
The terrain was rough as they worked their way up to the rocky plateau. When they were at the top, Hammer triggered the explosives. The building fell in on itself, killing everyone inside, and they watched until they knew everyone was gone in the fiery wreckage. If the enemy did an investigation, it should all lead back to a traitor in their midst.
That’s for you, Sandra, and all the innocents these bastards have crushed! Dan felt the emotion rock his gut.
The Team disappeared over the ridge and made its way down into another valley and up the other side. Dan’s memory for terrain images was eidetic. He never forgot a layout once he saw it, and actually enjoyed being teased about being Bravo’s human compass, especially when he remembered a pass between two large mountains that was only a half mile to their right.
Dan led them in the direction they needed to go. It would have been impossible to traverse some of the mountains—the sheer cliffs were dead ends that couldn’t be handled without the proper gear. Regardless, he was glad they traveled light, having left their larger packs behind in the truck.
They were making better time taking the straightforward path, and it would have been a bitch to heft everything through this area, especially for the last part of the escape he had in mind.
“I’d rather go caving than bouldering,” said JC at one point as he sliced his calf on a sharp outcropping. The cut wasn’t too bad, but if they didn’t do anything, the blood might leave a trail behind.
Hammer had threatened to use duct tape, but luckily for JC, he didn’t have any on him. It was in his kit. It was too funny, watching him gesture that info.
Dan gave Hammer a wry look, then split JC’s pants wide and sprayed his injured leg with nonscented hand sanitizer before holding the skin together and slapping superglue on the cut. It worked! The handy items were smaller than a penlight. His amazing wife had given him both of these treasures, pointing out that they’d fit snugly in his pocket, where she’d tucked them. Damned if they hadn’t come in handy! He’d have to thank her…personally.
Catching a few stray sounds, they got moving again. They couldn’t stop for long, as lingering would only provide a target for the enemy, so they scrambled down a hillside and up a different side of the mountain. It would take them longer to go this way, but it was a cleaner escape, in Dan’s opinion.
The stress and exhaustion was starting to hit him. Dan knew he had about eight hours, tops, before he needed to catch at least twenty minutes of catnap and get a serious meal. He’d eaten all of his stash and had even grabbed food from JC, but he could tell the rest of the Team was tiring, too. Luckily, he had a plan that should be a minimal risk and take very little energy to get them to safety.
Avoiding villages and the occasional cluster of houses, they made their way to a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan. The view was stunning. The smell of the salt air was welcome…like coming home.
The four men took cover under the trees and reviewed the plan. Farther down from them was a rather busy town, even for 0400. Chances were this was the best spot they could pick, and given the footprints, they’d have to go soon or risk being discovered.
“Really? Did you really have to pick a cliff this high? See that spot, the one over there? It’s shorter and leads down to the ocean. You know…walking.” Dirks spat out his comments. He was pissed off; he was not a fan of heights but always managed to deal with them. There was nothing they could do to change the plan at this point. They either leaped into the water or risked getting captured. “I’m not objecting to the whole plan…just how we get into the water.”
Hammer gave Dirks a frustrated look. “By the time we hike over there and climb down the cliff, it will be full daylight and the window will be closed. Sorry, my friend. Suck it up!”
“Damn.” Dirks frowned and then rolled his shoulders and shrugged.
Dan studied the scene below the cliff, finding the landmarks and catching the rhythm of the water. This was the deepest water and the safest jumping point. With the tide going out and the currents pulling south, if they were smart about it, they could catch a ride all the way down to a safe zone. They could practically float their way there, too.
Dan wondered, How many people have escaped this country using this spot? Standing on his toes, he looked down even farther without losing his balance. How many have been impaled and died on the rocks below? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
Hammer was looking at the sky and checking his watch. “Come on, let’s move. Sun’s going to be up in a few hours—we’ve got to hit it if we’re going.”
“Agreed,” said Dan. Giving his most serious face to JC, he said, “JC, do you want to hold my hand?”
“Ew, I might get cooties!” His swim buddy laughed softly and then checked the area one more time. “All clear. Dan, it’s your idea, so you’re first up.”
Dan nodded. “Remember. Jump to your left—the waves will pull you straight out into the sea without you getting stuck on a rock.” Then Dan took a breath and ran as far and fast as his legs would carry him until he was pumping the air and falling down, down, down, into the ocean below.
Chapter 18
Aria’s house seemed to have a revolving door. The minute it closed, another person opened it and came through. They didn’t even bother knocking anymore. It was a strange sensation to know that people felt that comfortable with her and Jimmy.
Exhausted after a day with Judy’s boys, Aria left Jimmy playing video games with a bunch of Dan’s SEAL buddies. She was hoping she could catch a little shut-eye. But sleep was a long time coming. She dozed for maybe an hour, caught up in a string of frustrations and nightmares. She didn’t know what to expect in the fallout with Mark, because she hadn’t talked to him and because everyone was taking the possibility of an incident with him so seriously. Her worry factor was through the roof, and what she really needed was for everyone to go home and give her some space.
After rolling over for the fourth time in five minutes, she gave up, threw back the covers, and left the bedroom. Flipping on the hall light and another one in the kitchen, she felt better.
Night had enveloped their small neighborhood. The sounds of children playing had been replaced with those of dogs barking to come in for the ni
ght and ships sounding their horns as they came into the bay. The air was salty and fresh, beginning to turn crisp, and the wind picked up.
She checked the lock on the patio door then laid her forehead against the window, longing for Dan to be home as she stared outside into the darkness beyond her fence. Her nerves were drawn so tightly, she could practically feel them twanging inside of her. She shivered. Her fingers grasped tightly together at the thought of someone out there watching her and Jimmy.
Harvey came up behind and placed a hand on her back.
She jumped a mile and spun on him. “Oh, hi! Sorry.” She wrapped her arms around the front of her body and hugged herself.
“Are you okay?” he asked. Concern wrinkled Harvey’s forehead and eyes, a strange look for someone that usually seemed so carefree. “Is there something outside? Do you want me to check?”
“N-n-no. I’m fine.” She did, but couldn’t tell him yes. How could she admit to being afraid of a bogeyman, when it was Mark who had betrayed her trust. It was confusing and disconcerting at the same time.
“It’s pretty stuffy in here. Let’s get a little air, okay?”
“Sure.”
Harvey unlocked the door and stepped out on the patio. He grabbed the sides of the fences and peeked over them and then walked the perimeter of her patio and backyard again.
She wanted to scream, No! Come back! There might be someone out there… But Harvey was a Navy SEAL. She didn’t think he was scared of the unknown…not the way she was. She shivered. Something felt off tonight. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Maybe she was too wound-up. Paranoia was making her crazed with worry.
Her eyes followed him as he circled the back and then stood at the back fence. He stared out for a long time. When he came in, he shrugged. “Nothing out there that I can see.”
Once a SEAL Page 21