Two Days Of A Dream (25 page)

Broan shook his head. "No, no card game. Tanyard had a radio hidden there and had gone to report on our next mission. Millam confronted him, and when the gunfire started, Millam was distracted. Tanyard thought he could knock Millam out and get away in the confusion. He hit Millam harder than he had meant to. Then couldn't get out of the shack because three people were blocking the door. It didn't take Pendle long to crack him. We've made two raids from the information he provided. That—and what little bit we got from the sniper—has saved a lot of lives."

"Don't beat yourself up over this. This was not your fault. This is what we do. We train them the best we can, but no one knows when their time is up." Duran started to speak but Broan talked over his objection. "Whether Millam were back home slinging burgers in a dead-end job and gets hit crossing the street or he's here being the best he can be and dies for his country isn't our decision. He decided to join the Marines. Boot camp trainers decided to teach him to be a good soldier. You decided to teach him everything else to be fully prepared to fight the enemy here. It was Tanyard's decision to switch from friend to enemy in the blink of an eye. You did your best. Millam did his best. Tanyard did his worst. As much as we would like to think so, it's not up to us who lives and dies."

Duran didn't have the strength to argue with Broan. Besides, his colonel was right. He dropped his head. He felt as though his chest had been wrapped in bungie cords to lock his heart securely in place. How did everything get so turned upside-down?

"She's one tough lady. If there's anyone who could handle being a Marine wife, she's it. She reminds me a lot of Mrs. Broan who was a great wife." He chuckled. "And if there's anyone who could handle her, it's you."

Duran didn't see anything funny in anything they had been talking about, especially inflicting his life on Kelly. And as far as “handling Kelly,” you didn't.What she deserved was to be loved and protected. Since he just might love her he figured he could protect her by staying away.

Broan must have sensed Duran's sour mood. "Just consider it, Captain. If you don't see her again you'll always regret it. Tell me you'll think about it."

"I'll think about it, sir."
For about one minute, tops
, Duran determined.

"If you want, I'll get you leave or maybe I could rotate you back to the States early."

"No need, my rotation is up in three months."

Broan scrunched up his face. "That's too long to wait. But we might have to postpone." He sighed. "The investigator will have more authority to let you leave. His investigation could take three months." He went back to his desk and sat, causing his chair to moan pitifully. "I need to get back to real military business. You're dismissed. Oh, Captain, if you want to take a day or two off to think over your options, I'll understand."

"Thank you, sir." Duran saluted and left quickly.

The last thing he wanted to do was “think about it.” Duran went in search of Graves and one of his convoluted parts projects.

Chapter Thirty-six

The summons pulled Duran out of chow, and for the first time in three weeks there was fresh vegetables and salad on his tray. The fresh food came in on the same transport that took Millard's body away in a casket and Tanyard away in irons. Duran scooped the carrots and celery into one palm and grabbed the meat with a slice of fresh bread.

It was true. Talbit had been there, along with a lot of other people who were trying to put this all straight in their minds too. Duran's men, using their military skills, played NCIS to find meaning. Talbit, always joking, had stayed extra busy driving Major Stone and the whole hospital staff crazy with his spring cleaning. Not once chasing any of the females who made the mistake of crossing his path. And here Duran was moping around instead of finding something productive to do, as though he were the only one involved. Duran felt pangs of embarrassment over his behavior.

Broan, always prompt but never early, drove up as the plane came to a stop. A flurry of personnel chocked the wheels and readied to secure the ladder when the door opened.

Duran had been trying to think of ways to prolong the investigation, so he wouldn't have to leave his men early, when the plane's crew chief descended the ladder. He saluted the colonel then went to check the exterior of the plane.

A short, balding lieutenant colonel peeked out the opening, adjusted his glasses, and donned his cap. Now Duran would have to meet the Chihuahua. The lieutenant colonel was in his greens, complete with tie. A young crew member slipped past him and scurried down the ladder.

Talbit poked him, and said. "What’d I tell ya?" Duran nodded.

The lieutenant colonel tossed his duffel gently down to the crew member waiting at the bottom. Then he, with great effort, climbed down, clutching the ladder with white knuckles. On the ground, he wobbled a little, and the crewman steadied him, placing the duffel over the little man's shoulder.

"Lieutenant Col. LaMans!" Broan yelled over the dying jet engines.

The man saluted. "No, sir, I'm Lieutenant Colonel Meyers!"

Another officer emerged from the plane but he was a captain. He looked fresh out of college. The man quickly retrieved his bag and saluted sharply.
Yep, just out of school.

"This is Captain Tuttle, sir!" Meyers yelled.

Broan returned the salute so the captain would put his arm down. "I was told Lieutenant Colonel LaMans was coming, where is he?"

At that moment a tall, olive skinned woman with black hair pulled back and tucked under her beret appeared in the hatchway.

Meyers leaned over to Broan. "That ... is Lieutenant Colonel LaMans." His voice caressed the name and even Duran had to take a closer look.

She wore desert khakis and high-top boots—spit polished, Duran would guess. She glanced down at the men before she donned field sunglasses and tossed her bag with such force the crewman had to stumble after it. With movement like a cat she was down the ladder and striding towards the officers. Duran was impressed that she barely bent her trim body to achieve the feat. He could almost feel Talbit's tail wagging.

Stopping her progression, closer than most would have felt comfortable, in front of Broan, she saluted and announced herself. "Lieutenant Colonel LaMans, sir."

"I wasn't expecting ..." Broan cleared his throat. "... Three investigators."

She removed her sunglasses with a smile. "I'm the only investigator.” Her eyes twinkled. “Meyers and Tuttle are shrinks. They're here to determine if there's been any damage done to the camp's psyche or some other nonsense. They have more isms than the desert has sand. But don't worry, sir, I have them on short leashes and won't let them have too much fun."

Broan actually cracked a slight smile. "There's not enough room for everyone, so Duran and Talbit, you can meet us at my office." The woman’s head whipped around, her dark eyes probing Duran. "That will give us enough time to drop your bags off. I'll have another tent prepared while you start your first interviews."

With that, the new arrivals climbed in after their bags. LaMans barely took her eyes off Duran while she loaded her bag and climbed aboard. Broan roared the engine. Talbit and Duran ate dust.

Duran stopped his friend before Talbit could run after her. He thought it sad he knew Talbit all too well. "You're not going to make a play for the Lieutenant Colonel are you?" Talbit didn’t seem to be listen to Duran, but his wolf ears were standing straight up and his tongue hung out. "Ah, Talbit, she's going to pin your ears back and drop-kick you." Then he would have to pick up the pieces until Talbit was distracted again.

Talbit's eyes twinkled. "You think so?"

"Man, you're pathetic."

The colonel and visitors weren't at the colonel's office when Duran and Talbit arrived. There was nothing for them to do but wait in the hot sun.

The jeep pulled around a corner. LaMans was in the front passenger seat in rapt attention to whatever story Broan told. Missing Duran and Talbit by only inches, the colonel stomped the jeep to a halt and slid out of the driver's side, hustling to LaMan's side to help her out.

"That's fascinating Colonel, perhaps you could tell me more over chow tonight?" The two colonels walked into the tent, oblivious to Duran and Talbit's presence.

"I'd say you have some competition, doctor," Duran jibed.

"Don't worry too much," A high-pitched voice spoke from behind them. "She has a way of disarming you and before you know it you're spilling your guts. Man, I wish I could develop her ability." Duran turned to stare down at Captain Tuttle, causing the young captain to gulp. "Sorry, sirs." He scurried around them and joined the others.

Duran nudged his friend. "Are you sure you want this one?" Talbit disarmed would be quite a sight, but maybe the world wasn't ready for that.

"Yes." Colonel Broan was stationed closely beside the younger woman. When the woman leaned down to retrieve a pen, Duran noticed that Broan scrutinized her backside.

LaMans straightened up and turned to face Broan, she looked rather comfortable with the colonel’s close proximity. "Okay, I need a secure location so I can privately interview, with no interruptions."

"I have commandeered Captain Duran's office for the duration. If there's anything you need, you just let me know and I'll make it happen." Broan might be the Old Man but from her expression, Duran would say Broan still had it.

"Until an assistant is assigned to me ..." Duran had to grab Talbit before he could volunteer. "I would appreciate if I could borrow Sanderson here."

"Yes, by all means." She could have asked for the moon, and Broan would have given it to her. The young captain was right. She did have a way about her.

She scribbled some names on a pad of paper. Ripping the page from the pad she handed it to her new assistant. "Round up these people, and tell them to report to Duran's office."

She studied him for a moment, then grinned. “You just might be at that.” She glanced back at Broan with a parting smile before turning back. “Okay, then, Captain and Major, shall we take a walk so I can see where this supposedly happened?”

It may have been a question, but only the implied order behind it could have made Duran go back to that shack. He had been avoiding it since he woke from Talbit's cocktail.

Speaking of Talbit, he jumped out and held the tent flap even though there was no need. LaMans smiled as she walked under his outstretched arm. His grin couldn't have gotten any bigger. If for no other reason, Duran needed to go just to keep Talbit out of trouble. That's what friends are for, right?

Duran glanced back at a frowning Broan, before he reluctantly followed them.

When they were in sight of the offensive little building, Duran slowed his steps. There it sat like a sleeping dragon dreaming of its next meal.

Duran shook his head.
Man, I'm getting bad, I gotta get a grip
. It was just a temporary little shack.
Sheesh Duran, next they'll be putting you in a straitjacket and locking you in a padded room with Tuttle
. He was talking to himself now, not a good sign.

Why don't you go back to your torture chamber and leave me alone.
"Yes, ma'am." Positioning himself, Duran stood stiffly, not looking at the ground where he had laid her bleeding body.