by Geri Foster
“How old is he now?”
“I’m not sure, but he’s not a pup anymore. Maybe twelve, thirteen?” Stopping, he put several items in his cart before moving on. “And usually, the geese scrounge up their own food. I only feed them a little in the winter.”
They finished at the feed store then stopped briefly at the post office for him to check his mail. Russ waited in the car for that stop. After picking up a prescription from the vet, and then picking up a pair of boots he’d had sewed up, they decided to stop for lunch.
He didn’t like going to Gert’s Diner, too many people, but Russ wouldn’t consider anywhere else. As they stepped inside, they spotted Austin sitting at a booth in the middle of the diner. Not a position he liked to be, with his flank exposed, but to each his own.
The instant Austin saw them he picked up his glass of tea and nodded, moving to the back of the diner. He knew Jeff would be more comfortable with his back against the wall. He smirked at his nephew’s actions. He sure was a perceptive man.
“Hi guys,” he called out. “What are you two doing out and about?”
Austin’s easy smile lit up the entire diner.
“We had a bunch of things to tend to, so thought we’d do them together.”
“That’s good,” Austin replied. “It’s a nice day, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” Russ agreed, rubbing his hands together. “Glad spring is on the way.”
“I am too, but Candi’s afraid since we decided on an outdoor wedding it will rain.”
“Oh.” Russ waved his hand, dismissing Austin’s concern. “It will be a beautiful day, and so will the bride.”
“I hope so.”
“I can’t believe you’re finally getting married,” he shook his head. “I thought we were both confirmed bachelors.” He caught the disappointed glance Austin tossed his way and added, “Then again, if I caught the eye of a gal as pretty as Candi, I’d have already snatched her up.”
From the looks on their faces, he didn’t fool anyone at the table. There was no woman in his future, contrary to Russ’ continued encouragement. Not after Cindy and her damn Dear John letter. The one he received while thousands of miles away from home fighting a war. The bitterness still scalded the back of his throat.
“I’m moving as fast as I can,” Austin said. “She didn’t want to have our wedding too close to her friend Rachel’s. So, we have to wait a few months.”
“That sure was some wedding,” Russ added. “I’ve never seen a happier bride.”
“That’s in part because her dad was released from prison and her family was finally reunited. I can’t say I blame her.”
“Mark my word, our Candi will be just as pretty.”
Austin smiled. “She already is.”
“Her son, Tyler, is about to pop out of his britches. Can’t wait for the big day.”
“He’s just anxious to move into the new house so he can play in the pool.”
“I have to say,” he added. “I admire Candi for waiting to move in with you. She’s adamant about protecting her son.”
“She is, and I’m glad. She didn’t want our living together to come back on Tyler.” Austin gazed at him. “I can accept that.”
Russ laughed. “You don’t have a choice, son.”
* * *
Lexington, Tennessee
Ex Commander Eli Munson sat in his recliner and sipped a glass of bourbon. The clock on the mantel hadn’t struck ten in the morning yet, but he didn’t care. The alcohol numbed his pain and made the disappointment of a ruined military career easier to deal with.
Curling his lips, he thought back to Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeff Crawley, member of the elite Navy SEAL team two. The man had stolen his future and ruined his reputation. Hell, he couldn’t even get in job in DC after the trial he was forced to endure.
He lifted the glass and downed another long drink. Today, for some reason, the liquor didn’t seem to be doing its job. He still felt the stinging, insulting dismissal of the tribunal. Even now, ten years later, the words continued to vibrate through his brain like a steel ball in an arcade machine.
He’d never admit to making the mistake causing ten men to be slaughtered. He’d taken a chance, listened to the wrong person and chosen money over his duty, and the results proved unbearable. Not because of the loss of his men, but because of the loss of his future. After he was brought up on charges for ‘not taking all necessary and appropriate actions in defense of his command’, the Adjutant General had had no choice but to relieve him of duty. Down went his career, his marriage, and his prestige among his fellow Naval Officers.
Chief Jeff Crawley had set all that in action and would pay for that. After years of waiting, he now had just the man to help him pull off his plan. It was a long time coming, but finally, retribution would be his.
He swirled the liquor in the glass. “Soon, soon you bastard, you’ll know what pain really is.”
Chapter 2
Nancy was relieved when the busy day finally drew to an end. She loved her job, sure, but it was still hard work. After the drawers were balanced and everyone was out the door, she locked up and went back to her desk. It’d been a long day and her feet hurt. Kendall and Rachel’s suggestion that she update her wardrobe might have been the right move, she’d absolutely needed an upgrade, but that didn’t make wearing heels any easier on her toes.
Kicking off her shoes, she rolled her ankles and pressed the bottom of her soles against the floor. Wearily, she leaned her head back and sighed. “Ah, relief at last.”
While she liked her newfound friends, Kendall, Rachel and Candi, taking an interest in her appearance, she knew it wouldn’t do any good. They were nearly fifteen years younger than her and didn’t understand what happened to a woman as she got older. No matter how nicely she dressed or how great her personality, no man wanted a woman in her forties, twenty pounds over weight with a set of boobs equal to Dolly Parton’s. And they were all real, ladies and gentleman. Her mother had to stick her in a minimizer at the age of twelve for crying out loud.
A light tap on the front door instantly brought her upright and tense. “Oh dear, I completely forgot.” Running barefoot, she raced to the door and twisted the lock. “I’m so sorry, Randy. I hope you weren’t waiting long?”
“No, ma’am, I just got here. Eddie’s due any minute.”
She opened the door wider. “Come on in. I’ll set up the refreshments. Doctor Molinsky will be here shortly. I received a call from him this morning saying his meeting in Dallas might take longer than expected.”
“Can I help you?”
She smiled up at the veteran who’d lost his left arm in an IED attack in Iraq. “That would be excellent.”
Due to his injuries he had to go slowly, but she patiently puttered around until he’d finished the task assigned. Soon, as predicted, Eddie came through the door wearing his usual camouflage jacket and tattered jeans.
Pressing out the plastic tablecloth spread on the table, she stacked Styrofoam cups and then fished around in the supply cabinet until she found the napkins. A mad rush to the employee lounge had her filling a pitcher with fresh water before starting the coffee. Fred Avery, from Fred’s Donut House, always donated fresh pastries, and she’d made brownies last night. With everything finally set up for the meeting, she went back to her desk after ensuring the gate separating the teller and vault areas from the public portion of the bank was secure. She wasn’t worried about the veterans’ honesty, but it was part of the agreement she’d made with the bank board members that any non-bank personnel be kept separate from the cash. So, the meeting was held in an open room off of the offices once a week, while the rest of the bank was locked up.
Within ten minutes, several other vets joined the circle of chairs. One seat was left empty for the therapist, Dr. Molinsky. Here, attendees freely discussed the trauma they’d experienced in war. While she had no training or experience on how to help these men, and women should any ever care t
o join, she’d pushed until the Board of Directors agreed to provide a place for the wounded soldiers to meet. She understood how important it was that they had support and understanding, even if she couldn’t relate to their experiences.
Back at her desk, she’d just taken a file out of her desk when a strange man knocked on the glass. Surprised, she rose and went to the door. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, I’m a vet and I want to come to the meeting.”
An alarm went off in the back of her mind, but she shook her head and smiled. They didn’t check out those who came here for help—an open-door policy had always worked best in the past, since many soldiers didn’t share a lot of themselves with strangers—but something about this man felt…off, somehow. Feeling a little guilty for judging a man who had clearly come here for help, she brushed off the unease.
“Yes, of course. Come right in. The others are right back here. I’ll show you the way.” Following behind her, he stood close enough for her to feel his breath on the back of her neck. Goosebumps prickled her forearms and she wondered what’d gotten into her. The stranger touched her arm and she jumped, swallowing a scream.
Suddenly Dr. Molinsky entered the bank with a loud, “Hello.” He moved toward her with a wide grin. “I see the gang’s all here.”
She nervously turned to the stranger to find they were inches apart. The man definitely did not understand personal space. Looking up into his face, she stiffened. His dark brown eyes were glaring at her, completely guarded and cold. She could almost feel his gaze boring into her. Licking her lips, she stepped back, putting some safe distance between herself and the newcomer.
“We have a new gentleman joining your group tonight.” Ignoring her nervousness, she held out her hand. “Dr Molinsky this is—” She moved closer to the doctor, her gaze glued to the stranger. “I’m afraid I didn’t get your name.”
His gaze dropped to the floor. Obviously, he didn’t want to say anymore.
“We have to have a name, sir,” Dr. Molinsky said. “These military personnel are all about sharing. If you can’t give your name, then we might not be the group for you.”
He tightened his jaw. “It’s Alec.”
Dr. Molinsky smiled. “Alec what?”
While Dr. Molinsky had always been the most generous, understanding doctor in the world, tonight he stood firm, asserting his role as leader.
“Jones.”
She didn’t know if the doctor believed him or not, but she sure didn’t. Lying often happened in the meetings because it took time for the newcomers to learn they could trust the people present, but no one had ever lied about their name. Well, that she knew about.
“Okay, Alec Jones, follow me.”
Relieved the man was gone, she closed her eyes and pressed her hand to her chest, feeling the pounding there. What a strange encounter. Opening her eyes, she moved toward her desk and sat down. When she glanced up, Alec Jones had taken a chair and was staring directly at her.
If it weren’t for the fact she had to remain on site during the meetings, she would’ve left just to get away from the awful glower from the newest member. The man creeped her out. Deliberately moving her chair, she presented him her back for no other reason than to settle her nerves.
* * *
Not for the first time, Jeff sat outside the bank in his pickup wishing he had the courage to go inside to the meeting. Instead, he sat outside staring into the dimly lit building. How could he explain he’d been the only one in his platoon to return? Even if doing so had been a near miracle. In the midst of the gunfight, no one stood a chance, and yet, somehow he’d made it out alive.
Scrubbing his face, he shook his head. No matter how many times he relived the attack, he couldn’t figure out how he’d survived.
Through the window of the bank he saw Nancy sitting at her desk working. He admired her dedication. While his brother Russ took advantage of every opportunity to exalt Nancy Wigan’s many virtues, he didn’t have to bother.
He knew.
Hell, the whole town nearly crowned her queen. No one did more for the people of Rainwater than Nancy. Even the mayor worried one day she’d take his job. But, he didn’t think she wanted the attention.
Lost in his thoughts, before he knew it the door to the bank opened and the veterans filed out. He’d met all of them at one time or another, but he didn’t know them personally. Still, they were all brothers and he’d made the effort to learn their names.
Randy, who’d served with the famed 101st Airborne, Eddie, a young Private in the Marines, Manuel, an ex-Army Ranger, now in a wheelchair after his legs were blown off, Brent, a Second Lieutenant fighter pilot for the Air Force, and last, Vida, a company leader for an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit—the craziest job in the military.
They were men who made it back. The so-called lucky ones. Sometimes he didn’t think lucky quite described coming home.
He watched as the doc left, leaving Nancy alone with a man he’d not noticed before.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of his neck came to attention, and he found himself getting out of his pickup and heading for the door of the bank.
On his way, he briefly greeted the men on their way out then headed inside and in Nancy’s direction. The stranger stood too close to her and his balled fists didn’t speak good things.
“Hey, Nancy,” he called out, more cheerfully than he felt. “I’m here to walk you home.” He barged between them like a two-year-old, but he didn’t care. Something didn’t seem right and he refused to throw Nancy to the wolves.
She appeared stunned to see him, but quickly recovered. By the flash of relief on her face, he grasped he’d done the right thing.
“Thank you, Jeff. It’s so nice of you to offer.” She turned to the new guy. “This is Alec Jones. He just joined the group.”
He turned and gave him the hardest stare he could muster. “What branch?”
“Branch?”
“Service. What branch of the military?”
“Army,” the man mumbled, averting his gaze.
Liar. You’ve never worn a uniform.
“What unit? Where’d you serve?”
“I’m not ready to talk.” Jones turned and stomped out of the bank, his hood up, eyes down.
He squinted after him, taking him in. He was so focused that, when Nancy reached out and touched his arm, it took a master-stroke of control not to instinctively jerk away. When his body reacted to her touch in a most unexpected way, he wished he had. A warm softness spread through him like a summer breeze after a harsh and cold spring, soothing him, body and soul.
How stupid could he be? A summer breeze? Those words had no place in his vocabulary, least of all in describing his feelings.
He shook his head, trying to dislodge the new sensation.
“He’s a weird one,” she said, her eyes trained on the back of Jones’ head. “I didn’t know he was coming. He showed up late, didn’t fill out the paperwork and, from what I could hear, didn’t say a word in therapy.”
“Then why’d he come?”
She shook her head, pressing her lips tight for a moment. “I don’t know.”
Shaking off her hold and turning to face her fully, he admonished, “You shouldn’t be in here alone. These guys have all been through some serious stuff. You don’t know what they’ll do. Hell, they don’t know what they’ll do. From now on make sure Dr. Molinsky sees you home.”
She stepped back, her smile upside down. “What are you doing here?”
Caught without an excuse, he had to quickly formulate a lie. “I was just driving by.”
The look in her eyes let him know she didn’t believe him, but she wasn’t going to call him on it either. He appreciated that more than he wanted to admit, and it left something aching inside him. Just another detail about Nancy that would dance through his mind that night. Oh well, it didn’t matter as long as she was safe.
With that thought, he abruptly turned and walked toward the door. Nodding
his head in the direction of the exit, he commanded, “Let’s go.”
If he expected her to fight him on his tone he was in for a surprise. Nodding her head in easy agreement, she pointed to her office. “One second, I need to get my bag so I can lock up.”
As they stepped outside, she looked around acutely. “I think he’s gone. You don’t have to waste your time. I’ll get home safely.”
Should have known it wasn’t so easy. Smirking to himself at her tenacity, he wiped his face clear before turning back to her. “Damn right you will, cause I’m taking you.”
* * *
Alec Opara crossed the street and watched as the man he’d hoped to run into led the woman from the bank out the door. Not exactly how he’d intended it to go down, but if he proved to be Jeff Crawley, then he’d met his man. The man he planned to kill.
That’s why he couldn’t use his real name. Once it got out, Crawley would recognize the surname as the same as one of the men who’d served under him—Alec’s brother, Hector. Put two and two together and he’d rightly suspect that someone had come to town for justice.
That’s precisely what he’d done.
In the course of trying to find out exactly what happened to cause Hector’s death, he’d run across the name of the top Commander in Tennessee, a man named Eli Munson. He paid the man an unexpected visit looking for answers. That’s when he learned about Jeff Crawley, in all his arrogance, and how he’d recklessly led his team into a trap. Every man had died but Crawley.
Sadly, nothing could be verified by the Navy, but he did learn that Crawley had received a General Discharge, not an Honorable one. That spoke volumes. He’d Googled what that meant and learned that a military man had to have done something pretty serious to not be Honorably Discharged.
That something was getting Alec’s brother and his whole team murdered. He planned to make the man pay with his own life.