Minor Redemption

By R. L. Keller

(Follows my “Minor Encounter” and “Minor Adjustment)

(Once again, a big thank you to Pauline and her Contrived Pictures)

Seaview was on a routine cruise for NOAA, replacing or updating sensors along the western US coastline plus gathering samples here and there for Admiral Nelson’s continuing projects. Lee never questioned why his boss wanted to stop. He and Chip had simply started planning extra days into any sail. The longer the trip was supposed to take, the more days they added. But trips lately had been pretty quiet and this one, especially, was almost boring. So, when Sparks called to Lee, at that point chatting with Lt. James at the chart table while Chip was out diving with Admiral Nelson, and Lee heard in Seaview’s Head Radioman’s voice a tone of almost nervousness, Lee wasted no time scurrying to the Radio Shack – the aft port side of the giant submarine’s Control Room.

“Parquer, sir,” Sparks referenced one of NIMR’s most experienced Radiomen, and handed Lee the second set of headphones.

“What’s up, Parquer?” Lee asked, keeping his voice level and controlled.

“Not sure, sir. I need you to listen to this, please,” and the man turned on what was obviously a recording.

At first, all Lee heard was background noise of some sort. He detected what he thought were traffic sounds, both big and small vehicles. There were voices, but far enough away that he couldn’t make out individual words. Then, it seemed that he could, but there were obvious gaps so the entire message – if that’s what it was – didn’t completely make sense. “Crane…minor…ca…pend…da...p…come.” Lee glanced at Sparks and realized that he was also recording what Parquer had recorded.

“Sorry, sir,” Parquer came back on the line. “That’s the best I can do.”

Lee didn’t answer for a second, until he realized Sparks, and apparently Parquer as well, were waiting for him to respond. He gave Sparks a wry look. “Got it, Parquer. Sparks recorded it. I’ll try to decipher it.” He paused. “Any idea where the call came from?”

“No, sir. Not really. It went to the NIMR switchboard and at that point was apparently more clear – a man asking for you. Unfortunately, they didn’t record it. They, knowing Seaview was deployed, sent it to me to forward. By that time the call was breaking up so bad, well, you got the best that I could get, and it wasn’t long enough to get a trace, but…”

Lee was trying to not get impatient, especially because both Parquer and Sparks were two of the most genius people he’d ever run into with communications equipment. “What did you detect?” he finally asked…with that little bit of pride in his voice.

“Yes, sir,” Parquer acknowledged Lee’s knowing that there was more information to give. “If I had to guess, I’d say it came from not that far away.”

“A little more specific, Parquer?”

There was a soft chuckle. Parquer knew that he had a good reputation, and worked hard to keep it. “Southern California, sir. Somewhere within a hundred miles. No more, I’m…well, sort of sure,” was added, not hesitantly, but Lee wasn’t about to challenge it.

“I’ll take it,” he told Parquer. “Tell the switchboard to be alert, and if anything else comes in, record and trace.”

“Already did, sir.”

“Good man,” and Lee broke the connection. He glanced at Sparks.

“I’ll see if I can do anything to clean it up, but if Parquer couldn’t…” He shrugged.

Lee gave the man’s shoulder a light touch. “I understand. But will you send it also to my cabin phone voicemail.” He frowned. “I almost think that I recognize the voice, but…” His turn to shrug.

The puzzle was interrupted as, over the Dive Channel kept open softly in the background, Lee heard Nelson call a halt to the dive. He headed for the Missile Room to welcome everyone back aboard.

He wasn’t at all surprised that he met Seaview’s CMO, Dr. Will Jamison, also headed that direction. “Expecting owee’s of some sort, Jamie?” he asked.

“Always, around here,” Will muttered, but his frown caused Lee to chuckle.

“Mostly me, and I didn’t go out.”

Will stopped and sent Lee a glare. “And just why didn’t you go out, Cdr. Crane?” Lee sent the man his shy, through-the-lashes look. “I rest my case,” Will smarted. Lee nodded and they continued walking. Lee had, a couple weeks previous, taken what was supposed to have been a quick, simple, assignment for his part-time employer, ONI, and it hadn’t gone completely as planned.* While the injury was healing nicely, Lee hadn’t pressed the issue by challenging the CMO’s standing number one rule – no one dove who wasn’t in perfect health.

Both men, however, were smiling when the dive hatch was opened and Nelson, Chip, and Patterson stepped out. “Good dive, sir?” Lee asked.

Nelson did send a quick glance between the pair, but smiled. “Always,” he announced. “Chip, you can drop those bags here.” Seaview’s XO had several collection bags attached to his weight belt, having played the part of Nelson’s packhorse this dive, something that Lee usually did. Seaman Patterson had gone out as the pair’s watchdog, keeping an eye out for possible hazards while the other two were concentrating on other things.

“If you would, sir,” Lee told his boss. “And you, too, Chip. Could you come to my cabin once you’ve changed? I seem to have inherited a puzzle while you were outside.”

“Help,” Will muttered. The frown that had hit both Nelson’s and Chip’s faces at Lee’s request instantly turned into chuckles at the old joke, but then once more focused on Lee.

Lee shrugged. “I’ll explain…well, at least what I know, then.”

Nelson nodded, already stripping off his wetsuit. “Five minutes or so,” and he got a quick nod from Chip. It never took long to change, as well practiced as everyone was. “Sharkey,” he addressed the boat’s COB, who had been Divemaster for this dive, “would you take those,” he pointed to the collection bags Chip had set on a bench, “to my lab. Nothing there that can’t wait a bit.”

“No problem, sir, as soon as everything is cleaned up here.” All four officers nodded. Sharkey ran a tight boat. And if he occasionally ran it a little sideways from actual Navy protocol, no one complained.

Lee wasn’t at all surprised when Will invited himself to whatever was going on. Once Lee explained, he played the recording, then played it again as everyone had puzzled expressions on their faces. “I feel like I should know the voice, but I just can’t place it.” He got nods from the others, and he played it a third time.

“Minor.” Nelson said it slowly.

Lee snapped his fingers. “Milt.” The others nodded. While Lee had the most contact with former Navy SEAL Lt. Milt Minor, they’d all met him when he’d decided to end his self-imposed exile on a small deserted island and return to civilization.

“Do you know where his is?” Nelson asked Lee.

“No, sir. The last contact I had was when we brought him back here. He left that same day, and…” He shrugged. “But I’d better call Admiral Jones…” He stopped at the glare Chip sent him and almost smiled. “Chip, Milt’s mom was Admiral Jones’ cousin.” Chip finally relaxed and nodded.

“If anyone knows where he is, it would probably be Robert,” Nelson agreed. “You’re welcome to use my office for the call.”

Lee nodded a bit shyly. “Probably a good idea, sir. Thanks.” Nelson headed for his lab, Chip to the Conn, and who knew where Will wandered off to. Lee took a couple deep breaths, walked around the corner to Nelson’s more sound-proofed cabin, and had Sparks place the call. He told the Radioman to monitor the call, at least at first, so that he could play the tape for Admiral Jones. “After that,” he told Sparks with a bit of humor in his voice, “you’re on your own.”

Sparks answered in kind. “Got it, sir,” and proceeded to start the call to ONI’s Director, Admiral Robert Jones.

The first person Lee had to get past was Jones’ assistant, Lt. Roger Andreas. Thankfully, that man was also a friend of Lee’s and Lee was able to sidestep what he actually wanted to talk to Jones about.

That Admiral was apparently in a foul mood. “What?” came the officious demand.

“Sir, do you know where Lt. Milt Minor is at the moment?”

“Why?” came even louder.

“Sparks, play the tape, please.”

“Yes, sir,” and once more Lee listened to the garbled message.

Once it was over, Lee said quietly, “Sparks, you can go back to your duties.”

“Yes, sir.” Lee didn’t hear a click. He had no idea if Sparks was continuing to listen or not, and totally didn’t care.

There was, however, also silence from Admiral Jones’ end. Lee knew that he was still there because he could hear tapping, like a pen against a coffee mug. Lee waited him out. Finally, “I haven’t heard from him in several weeks.” There was another pause. “He was supposed to deliver the package I had you take.”* More pause. “He was doing some work for me at Camp Pendleton.”

“That could have been what was partially cut off,” Lee said carefully.

“Harrumph,” Jones muttered, but almost soft for that Admiral, and then more pause. “The rest might…and I mean might,” he uttered firmly, “have been Dana Point.”

Lee’s turn to pause, but only a moment. “Would you like me to check, sir?”

An even longer pause, but Lee waited silently. “Let me get back to you.”

“Seaview is at the moment off the southern coast of Oregon. It wouldn’t take me long, with FS1, to get there, and we’ve parked FS1 at Pendleton before.”

“Harrumph,” came again just before the line went dead. Lee shrugged and headed for the Conn.

He wasn’t at all surprised at the frown on Chip’s face as he came down the spiral stairs and walked up to the blond, but almost instantly Chip sent him a raised eyebrow.

“Admiral Jones will get back to me,” was all Lee said. Chip nodded, and the pair spent a few minutes getting caught up with boat’s business before Lee grabbed up the Duty Roster and went off on one of his casual ‘walkaboats’. He was a little more forthcoming when he poked his nose into Nelson’s lab, and explained most of the call. Nelson merely nodded, and Lee continued on.

Chip decided that, with the dive right after an early lunch, he was starving at 1730 hours and pointed Lee as well toward the Officers’ Wardroom. They were just finishing the cherry pie Cookie had made for dessert when Nelson walked in, probably chased out of his lab by COB Sharkey since by now it was 1815 hours. Will wandered in on Nelson’s heels. Before anything was said, the intercom interrupted. “Skipper, Admiral Jones for you, sir,” came in Sparks’ crisp tones.

Nelson, still standing, grabbed the mic. “Two minutes, and send it to my cabin,” he told the Radioman. When he got the instant, ‘aye, sir’ he motioned to Lee and the pair headed to the Admiral’s cabin.

Once there, Nelson had Lee take the call. Jones’ first words were angry and harsh. “Why would he call you?”

“I don’t know, sir,” Lee answered honestly. “I haven’t seen or talked to him since we brought him home from the island.”

Again, silence. Lee saw Nelson start to get impatient. He sent his boss a small, but somewhat sad, smile and a raised finger, willing Nelson to be quiet, at least for now. Nelson nodded that he understood. This was obviously very hard for Robert. The two men were friends, when push came to shove. Nelson could understand that Lt. Minor was important to Jones. “He wasn’t doing anything for me that should have been dangerous,” finally came hesitantly. “He’s still…”

“A little fragile, sir?” Lee asked softly.

“But so much better,” Jones insisted. “I know he was better…” Jones’ voice trailed off.

“I can leave immediately, sir.” He sent Nelson a sheepish look at that bold statement, but the Admiral nodded back.

There was a heavy sigh evident over the phone line. “Flamingo Motel. It’s not much of a place, but Milt seemed comfortable there.”

“Understood. Do I need to know what he was doing for you, sir?”

“NO!” Jones thundered back, before there was another sigh. “As far as I know he’d completed that project. Said he had, anyway, and just needed a few days to himself.” Another pause. “I don’t push him.”

“Of course not, sir.”

“Harrumph,” Jones muttered, and Lee and Nelson shared a look. “I wasn’t too worried when I couldn’t reach him…”

“Understood, sir.”

“But now…” Jones seemed unable, or unwilling, to finish his thoughts. Lee waited. “Nelson will let you go?”

“Yes,” Nelson answered before Lee could, “he will.”

“Harrumph!” came loudly through the system. Lee ducked and Nelson smiled. “Keep in touch,” Jones muttered before the line went dead.

“You’re not going alone,” Nelson told Lee firmly. Lee’s slight miscalculation was still fresh in everyone’s mind.

“Actually thinking I’d borrow Kowalski as my co-pilot, sir.” His smile was shy and wry at the same time. Nelson chuckled but nodded, and the pair headed for the Control Room.

Once the mission was explained to Chip, he had a few suggestions of his own. Lee frowned, but in fact agreed with most of them. While initial contact would be kept low key, FS1 carried quite a bit of extra equipment than she normally did for the relatively short flight to Camp Pendleton Marine Base. Nelson had called ahead for permission to leave the small craft there for a few days – he was a bit vague with the Base Commandant, but Nelson and Lee were well-known, and there weren’t any questions. A staff car was also offered for Lee’s use. Lee and Nelson had kibitzed a bit about how to proceed; Lee had finally decided that, at least at first, they’d keep somewhat official and wear their uniforms. Both he and ‘Ski packed civvies as well, not having any idea what they were getting into.

Lee went to start FS1’s pre-flight as ‘Ski was still gathering a few supplies. When he finally came down the ladder, dogged the upper hatch, and stowed the ladder in its travel position, Lee asked with a grin, “XO Morton have a few last words?”

Kowalski, Seaview’s Senior Rating – and one of her most fearsome fighters and Lee’s staunch supporter – sent the grin back, although a little sheepishly. “Yes, sir.”

Lee chuckled. “I know that you haven’t been told much so far about what’s going on. Figured that I’d fill you in on the flight.”

“Works for me, sir.”

By the time they made the short trip, settled FS1, transferred what they thought they might need to the car, and found the motel, it was quite late. Jones had been right – the place was a bit run down. But the lobby was clean when they walked in still wearing their flight jackets since the evening had turned cool for that time of year. The night clerk was a bit hesitant to give out much information, but apparently Lee’s uniform insignia had some influence. The man confirmed that Mr. Minor was indeed a registered guest. Turned out that the motel was something of a long-term residence place, and Minor had paid for a month. “But I haven’t seen him for a while,” the man told Lee. “But then,” he shrugged, “I’m only here at night. That’s when I think Mr. Minor works.”

“Do you know where he’s working?” Lee sent the man a smile. “His uncle is getting a little antsy because Milt hasn’t checked in with him.” Lee purposely used Minor’s first name.

The man shrugged. “Someplace within walking distance. Well, at least he didn’t have a car that I know of.”

“Humm.” Lee looked at ‘Ski. “Guess maybe we take a room, ah,” he looked at the clerk, “could we get a room here?”

“Have to charge you for a week. It’s our shortest period.”

“Milt’s uncle is good for it,” Lee told ‘Ski with a grin. They’d worked out this scenario ahead of time, just in case.

“I can give you the one right next to Mr. Minor, if you’d like. He asked to be clear at the back, and most people want more up here.”

“Perfect,” Lee quickly agreed, and handed over his credit card as ‘Ski filled out the simple check-in form. At this point there was no need to pretend to be anyone they weren’t. Once the key was handed over, they thanked the clerk and drove around to the back part of the motel.

It was even seedier back here, but the room when they entered was clean. Outwardly, they pretended to settle in for what was left of the night. But once everything was dark and quiet, Lee snuck out and quickly picked the lock on Minor’s room while ‘Ski kept a casual lookout around the corner.

Lee wasn’t sure what he was looking for – mostly, any clue to where Minor was, or what had spooked him enough to try to contact Lee. To that end, he was disappointed. He did find one thing, although he had no idea if it was actually a clue or not. There was a matchbook tossed casually – it seemed – on the bedside table, and Lee knew that Minor wasn’t a smoker. But matchbooks weren’t all that common anymore so if Minor had picked it up, he must have had a reason. Other than that, the room looked like Minor had merely left for a few hours; toiletries were in the bathroom and clothes in the closet and dresser. Nothing appeared to have been disturbed, but a good searcher knew how to not leave clues that a search had taken place. Just before leaving, Lee picked up the matchbook, put it in his pocket and, after a careful look, locked up and went back to his own room.

Sitting down, he tossed the matchbook on his own bedside table, explaining to ‘Ski why he found it an anomaly, and went into the bathroom. When he came out, the rating was examining it, turning it over in his hand, then opening it up. Nothing was written on the inside – Lee had already checked. But ‘Ski tipped it to see behind the rows of matches and showed what he found there to Lee. “What does it mean, sir?” he asked his CO

“Haven’t a clue,” Lee admitted, then half chuckled. “Well, we have a clue,” he said, indicating the letters that had been written low behind the matches. “Now we have to figure out what it means.”

The letters didn’t spell out a word. At least, none that Lee knew, in any of the several languages he spoke. As far as either he or ‘Ski could tell, it was nothing more than gibberish. Frustrated, the pair tried to get some sleep for what was left of the night, and hopefully make a fresh start in the morning.

But Lee couldn’t sleep. He tried not to disturb ‘Ski but the rating sat up, admitting that he couldn’t sleep either. “Coffee,” Lee muttered. ‘Ski nodded, but the room was basic enough to not have a coffee maker.

“On it, sir.” ‘Ski grabbed the room key and headed who knew where. Lee sent him off with a grateful nod.

But then he got to work. The first step was to write out the letters on a piece of paper – the matchbook was too unwieldy to easily work with. Finding a piece of plain paper also proved a problem until he remembered that in the first aid kit he automatically packed these days he sometimes packed a small notebook. Almost holding his breath as he dug into his pack he happily came up with a small spiral pad. On a blank sheet, Lee carefully wrote out the words:

xfqyhwjj pgjfhmuf wp-5

He was still staring at it when Kowalski returned with two large disposable cups of coffee, one of which he handed to Lee.

“Not as strong as you like, sir,” the rating apologized.

“I’ll take it,” Lee told him thankfully. As he drank, ‘Ski studied the paper.

“If we could just figure out one part,” the rating muttered almost to himself, and started to say some of it out loud. Figuring the shortest one might be the easiest, out came “W-P minus five.”

Lee stopped drinking. “What did you say?” Now a bit nervous, ‘Ski repeated what he’d said. “Gah,” Lee muttered softly. “I was reading it ‘dash’. But you’re right – it’s ‘minus’.”

“What difference does it make?”

“A lot. Maybe,” Lee backpedaled slightly. Quickly downing the last of the coffee, he took another blank sheet and wrote out the alphabet. Using ‘Ski’s logic, he started with the shortest word. Five letters back from ‘p’ was ‘k’. He wrote that on the far right of the page. Five back from ‘w’ was ‘r’, and he wrote that before the ‘k’. Kowalski quickly caught on, and called out the letters five back from the one on the matchbook until they ended up with ‘Salt Creek Beach Park’.

“Cool, Skipper,” ‘Ski told his CO.

“Only if it got deciphered.” Anything else that might have been said was interrupted by flashing blue lights coming through the cracks in the blinds they’d pulled over the window. “I’m in the bathroom,” Lee said, grabbing up all the slips of paper, plus the matchbook. “Turn the TV on – low.”

“Got it.” Kowalski was never slow on the uptake.

The rap on the door, from Lee’s perspective behind the bathroom door, wasn’t exactly soft. But, thankfully, also wasn’t overly harsh. He trusted ‘Ski to handle the situation while he quickly ripped the small sheets of notepaper into even smaller ones, lit a match to burn everything – thankfully the bathroom had a small window that could be opened – and flushed everything down the toilet. He re-entered the main room zipping up his pants, his shirttails loose. “Problems, officers?” he asked, coming to stand next to Kowalski.

The two men, dressed somewhat similarly to Lee, actually, in khaki Sheriff’s Department uniforms, gave Lee the quick up-and-down look of most observant policemen. “Checking on a complaint,” said who Lee took as the more senior officer. “Someone reported a prowler.” Lee suspected that the officers knew perfectly well they were lying through their teeth, and were waiting to see these two strangers’ reactions.

Lee smiled and touched ‘Ski’s arm. “You wander where you weren’t supposed to on your walk to get coffee, ‘Ski?”

“Didn’t think so, sir,” the rating played along.

Lee turned back to the officers. “We were both a little wired from the drive up from Pendleton.” Lee shrugged. “Coffee probably wasn’t a big help. But ‘Ski wanted to stretch his legs while I settled in here.”

“Stationed at the Marine base?”

“No. I’m Cdr. Lee Crane, Navy Reserve. I work at the Nelson Institute of Marine Research in Santa Barbara. Kowalski is one of my crewmen.”

“Your business here?” While the initial pose of both officers had been stiff, Lee saw that his casual attitude seemed to be having his desired effect as both started to relax shoulders. Not completely – Lee knew that they were both still highly alert, especially as the one who had yet to speak kept looking around the room.

Lee shrugged. “Errand for Admiral Nelson. Well,” he sent a shrug at ‘Ski, “actually for Admiral Robert Jones. He’s a friend of Admiral Nelson’s.” Lee purposely didn’t identify Jones’ post. “His cousin…” He stopped and looked at Kowalski. “Is that what Milt is? I always get confused. Milt’s mom is Jones’ cousin, so that makes Milt his First Cousin once removed? Second Cousin?”

“Got me, Skipper,” ‘Ski played along and lounged back against the closest chair.

“Whatever,” Lee shrugged.

“Skipper?” Lee knew that at least the senior officer had recognized Lee’s uniform insignias.

“I command Seaview, the Institute’s research sub.” He frowned. “She’s out on a cruise at the moment…”

“Why are you here?” That came out as a definite demand.

Lee lifted the left side of his shirt, showing the bandage that Lee still wore. He really didn’t need it anymore, but it kept his shirt from rubbing against the several stitches still in place. “Got grounded,” came out in a grump, and carefully maintained the frown as he heard ‘Ski have to bury a snicker. “When Jones called Nelson, to see if someone could maybe go and see why he hadn’t heard from Milt for a few days, I got tagged.” He sent ‘Ski a glare that he knew the rating would recognize as false. “And ‘Ski got tagged because my CMO refused to let me come up alone.” He sent ‘Ski another glare. “Totally unnecessary.”

“Aye, sir,” Kowalski told him, but hid another smile behind his hand.

“You know this Milt-person?” came the next demand.

Lee shrugged again. “Met him a couple times. Was told that he was staying here,” he swept a hand indicating the motel. “Was told by the night clerk that he was still registered but not here at the moment.” He shrugged again. “It’s late, I decided this was as good a spot as any to spend the night. Like I said, ‘Ski was restless before he could settle down. Figured that I’d decide in the morning if we hang around a day or so, see if he shows up, or just head back home.” He sent another look ‘Ski’s way. “If Milt is ticked at Jones and doesn’t want to talk, no way am I getting in the middle of that fight.”

“No, sir,” came out strongly from Kowalski. The officers seemed to hesitate, not quite knowing how to proceed. “Sorry if I walked somewhere I shouldn’t have,” ‘Ski added to the officer. “Didn’t think I did,” he told Lee. Both shrugged and returned their gaze to the officer.

“Well, I guess it was just a mistake on everyone’s part,” the man backed off. But there was still some intensity in his expression. “Need me to ask around about this Minor you’re looking for?”

Lee very carefully didn’t react – he’d not told the man Milt’s last name. “Suit yourself, but I’m not overly concerned.” As that seemed the last anyone had to say, the officers left.

“They knew the last name, sir,” ‘Ski said very softly once the door was closed.

“Caught that, did you?” Lee said just as softly. He sent the rating a smile. “They could have gotten it talking to the desk clerk. However…”

“Yeah, sir.”

Neither man got much sleep for what was left of the night.

Once up the next morning, they casually checked out of the motel and just as casually drove until they found what looked like a decent restaurant to have what they hoped would appear as a casual breakfast. Both felt that they were probably being watched but, since they didn’t know by who, couldn’t be sure. They didn’t see any police cars paying them any attention, but that meant nothing. Lee had, before they left the motel, tried to spot any tracking devices that might have been attached to the car, but came up empty.

Conversation over the meal was kept totally general, although Lee made a few off-hand cracks about staying out of Jones’ reach when they reported coming up empty with their search. It took ‘Ski only a moment to realize that the comment was meant for the man who had just sat down in the booth at the rating’s back.

Once back in the car, Lee frowned. “How the heck do we get to the park without being followed?” They’d stayed dressed in uniform because they were driving the Base-marked car, but both had brought civvies.

“Check into a different motel, change clothes, and hotwire a car?”

Lee laughed at the rating because he knew that ‘Ski wasn’t overly comfortable having that skill, even if it had come in handy before.** “I will not be caught in a stolen car,” he announced.

“So, we don’t get caught.” ‘Ski was comfortable enough to try to slightly tease.

Lee sent the rating a look, but then got thoughtful. “On the other hand…” He didn’t finish the thought, nor did ‘Ski interrupt as they once more casually drove around. Finally, “I have memories of that area around the park. The Admiral had some sort of meeting there that I got dragged to.” He sent ‘Ski a grin, and got one back. “It’s a really public place. Big hotels, golf course. There’s a nice beach but you have to pay to park up on the hill and walk down. I don’t understand why Milt would have pointed us there.”

“If he did?” ‘Ski asked softly. “Could that matchbook have been a plant?”

“Then why the visit from the local militia?”

“Got me there, Skip.” Lee sent the rating a grin at the shortened form of address. Kowalski was the only crewman he’d ever heard use it, and felt that it enhanced the two men’s connections to each other.

They drove for a while longer before Lee asked, “Did you bring anything besides a loud Hawaiian shirt?” They were the rating’s favorites for casual wear.

Kowalski ducked. “No, sir,” he said shyly. “But I did bring a dark sweater to wear over it.”

Lee grinned. “Too warm for a sweater during the day. Time to go shopping.” Kowalski merely shrugged. He’d learned that, whenever Lee went off on a tangent there was always a good reason. If he waited patiently, that reason would come to light. To that end he sat quietly while Lee prowled around until finding a convenient shopping mall. They’d both only packed small backpacks. While FS1 had been loaded with a few extra ‘toys’, Lee had been cautious about bringing much in the official car. He’d handed ‘Ski a small revolver with a couple magazines of ammo, which the rating hid nicely in his pack while Lee did the same with the weapon he took. Beyond that, everything else was left, although ‘Ski had seen that particular backpack before that Lee now grabbed, and knew that it had a couple of rather unique features. Lee indicated for ‘Ski to also grab his, and they casually locked the car and headed into the mall.

Kowalski took his lead from Lee. It had worked before with the pair, and each was comfortable with having the other ‘watch his back’ as it were. They meandered through the main hall, looking for all the world as if they were window shopping. Their uniforms, with the Marine Base not all that far away, actually allowed them to not be given a second glance. Lee tried to catch anyone that might be watching them but didn’t want to be obvious, so guessed that there could still be someone at least keeping tabs on their movement. He was also basically casing the mall; he wanted to know which exits led where, so the pair put in a good long walk, albeit casually, covering every square inch of the main floor. Lee wasn’t all that interested in the second level.

Once he had his bearings, Lee led the way into a casual wear store, and in the men’s section they both picked out comfortable jeans, t-shirts, and light jackets in semi-dark colors. Lee preferred darkish brown while Kowalski stuck with navy blue, to match his jeans.

From there Lee headed to a coffee shop where they ate lunch. Lee chose a seat where he could casually keep an eye on people walking past the front of the shop but was fairly sure that he never saw the same man twice. Immediately he had to remind himself that women could be just as lethal as men, and then had to explain that frown to Kowalski, who nodded.

Before they left the shop they both used the restroom, quickly changing into their new outfits after making sure all the tags were removed, and stuffing their uniforms in the shopping bags. Lee led the way to a mall entrance around the corner from where they’d left the car, looking for a taxi stand. Instead he saw a city bus, mumbled “even better,” and he and ‘Ski hopped aboard just as it was pulling out. He purposely walked to the back where he could keep watch on any vehicle following the bus. He was pretty sure that the bus would loop around and end up at a station where passengers could catch buses to other parts of town so he was in no hurry to get off.

So far, he was happy; it was a ‘no’ for followers as far as he could tell, and ‘yes’ for the station, which also had lockers. He and ‘Ski both stowed their backpacks and shopping bags, after discreetly tucking weapons in the waist band of their jeans at the back, hidden by their t-shirts and especially if they chose to slip on their jackets.

Lee did hesitate as they tucked the locker keys in their pockets, and ‘Ski sent him a look. “I was hoping for a car rental.”

“It would have to be in one of our names, which the whoever they were last night have.”

“No hotwired cars,” Lee muttered, but he also smiled.

Kowalski nodded. “Do you know where we’re going from here, s…” Lee grinned as the rating cut off the automatic ‘sir’ he normally would have added had they still been in uniform.

“I have a theory.” He nodded and walked outside the station, away from any other people. “The beach itself is too public. No place to hide that I can remember.”

“But somewhere close?”

Lee nodded. “The golf course is on the top of the cliff area, with the beach below. There’s lots of wooded and brushy places between the fairways.”

‘Ski looked doubtful. “Do you play golf, s…” Again he cut off the ‘sir’ and again Lee smiled.

“Nope,” Lee admitted.

“We can’t exactly walk around calling Lt. Minor’s name. Or even get on the course?” He sent Lee a raised eyebrow.

“When we were at the conference, I got bored…” ‘Ski couldn’t stop a snicker. “Yeah, the Admiral laughed, too,” Lee admitted. “Anyway, I went for a walk and discovered that, if you stay on the cart paths, you can walk the course.” He shrugged. “You have to pay attention, and occasionally dodge a wayward golf ball and all the golf carts.” He grinned, and so did ‘Ski. “And…” He hesitated. “I’m wondering if we’ll find him around the fifth hole.”

“The note,” the rating almost whispered.

“I wondered at the time; five is too common a number to use for that kind of code if there wasn’t another reason.”

“As good a place to start as any, s…” He sent Lee a sheepish grin, Lee laughed and backhanded his shoulder, and they went back inside the station to check the bus schedule.

But almost immediately he changed his mind when he spotted a police car drive past outside the station. It didn’t appear to be anything more than a very casual drive-by. But it still worried Lee. “Did you see any long-term parking when we came inside?”

“Didn’t look,” ‘Ski admitted, and they wandered over by the windows. But not too close. The rating raised an eyebrow.

“I do not want to involve anyone else,” Lee muttered.

“Understood,” ‘Ski agreed. Stealing a car, even if no one noticed, still involved an innocent. He wandered over to the schedules and wandered as slowly back. “If we wait forty minutes there’s a bus that goes out to the park. It says. I’m thinking that it goes to the parking lot, where you said people have to park and then walk down to the beach. Is that anywhere near the lot for the golfers?”***

“Can’t be that far that we can’t walk it.” He smiled. “Maybe we can say that we’d rather walk on the cart paths than the sand?” Agreeing that that plan at least sounded reasonable, they found a corner to hang out in until the right bus was just about to pull out.

Lee’s phone had been quiet, so he almost jumped when he felt the vibration against his side, his phone in its holder now attached to the belt through the jean loops. He didn’t dare not answer, and the Caller ID wasn’t helpful. He decided that being a bit irreverent fitted his mood at the moment. He did have to grin when Kowalski reacted to how Lee answered. “Hi ho,” Lee said lightly.

“This isn’t ‘Ho’,” Chip’s voice snapped back.

“Whatever.” Lee had no idea how Chip was calling that it didn’t show on the Caller ID screen.

Chip must have been reading his mind. “Sines is wagging his tail.”

Lee laughed out loud. Lt. Sines was Sparks’ actual name and rank. But by saying what he did, Chip all but indicated that he was talking about a dog in case the need for secrecy was in play. “Pat him on the head and tell him he’s a good boy,” Lee smarted right back.

That made Chip laugh. “Will do. Need anything?”

“Not right this moment.” He had a thought. “Any chance of someone picking up Dad’s car?” Chip would know he was referring to FS1, since they’d called it that before a quick trip diving one of the Channel Islands.****

“Sorta why I called, actually,” Chip told him. “He wants it back.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He tried not to laugh at Kowalski, who could only hear Lee’s side of the conversation. “It might not go far without more gas,” he added. He hoped that Chip would figure out that Lee might want it close.

Apparently he did. “Understood. Shouldn’t be a problem. He wasn’t planning on going far.”

“Probably a good plan.”

“Sines is barking. Gotta go.”

Lee laughed, but understood that Sparks needed to end the call before it could possibly be traced. “This number?” he did ask, meaning was the number on the Caller ID useable to call back.

“Yep,” Chip told him and they ended the call.

Kowalski looked at him. “All okay at home?” Lee grinned and nodded, and they finished the bus ride in silence.

Turned out that the bus made a stop close to the golf course clubhouse, and Lee and Kowalski quickly stepped off. Remembering his other visit, Lee headed to the Pro Shop instead of the clubhouse, and ambled in like he knew what he was doing. “Okay to walk the cart path? Want to show my friend,” he asked the woman behind the desk.

Looking tired, she shrugged. “It’s a quiet afternoon. Everyone wanted to play this morning and we had a hard time getting them all in. No one wanted to wait,” she all but whined, and waved a hand. “Still a few on the course, so watch out for stray balls.”

“Will do,” and Lee hurried out before she could change her mind or think of questions he might not be able to answer, Kowalski right on his heels.

Keeping to a quiet walk so as not to collect anyone’s attention, the pair meandered down the course. The cart path, because it stayed off the fairways, actually bisected some of the heavier cover areas. They hesitated at each hole, Lee apparently pointing out the idiosyncrasies of each green, pointing and waving a hand like he knew what he was talking about. The only people they saw were a few groundskeepers, who pretty much ignored them.

They were still walking calmly as they came to the fifth tee box but inwardly both went on high alert, watching and listening for any sign that Milt Minor was anywhere nearby. There had been tree and bush hazards on all but one of the first four holes, but five was a par five so there was more opportunities for hiding places on the longer hole. Lee did offer quietly that Minor might have meant a Par five hole, of which there were three or four more on the course. ‘Ski shrugged, so did he, and they continued their stroll.

They were about three-fourths of the way to the green, traveling through a particularly brushy area that included half a dozen trees, when Lee thought that he heard something. He stopped walking and out from behind a tree came one of the groundskeepers. Lee tensed and felt Kowalski, about half a step behind him at that moment, do the same.

“Lovely day for a walk through the course,” the man said. He had a rake in his hands and he nodded to it. “Amazing the balls you can find out here.” He laughed. “All sorts of stray shots.”

Lee took a chance. “There would be if I played. Would take a bird to find some of my shots.”

The man nodded. “Found one the other day over by that far tree,” he indicated another thirty feet or so into even heavier brush. “Anyway, enjoy your walk.” He nodded and headed back toward the clubhouse.

“Keep an eye on him and make sure he keeps walking away,” Lee told Kowalski.

“He will,” came from behind a different tree, and Milt Minor stepped out, but only far enough for Lee to recognize him. “I don’t totally trust him, but he’s a Veteran, like me. Been keeping me fed the last few days, after all hell broke loose. He’s had any number of opportunities to turn me in. He thinks I’m homeless, and I haven’t corrected him.”

Lee nodded, gestured to ‘Ski, and they followed Minor deeper into the brush. Finally, “What’s going on?” Lee couldn’t stand the suspense any longer.

“Wish I knew,” Minor told him, and said no more until he’d led them to a small campsite as far off the actual golf course as he could get and still stay hidden. “I met Kyle,” he pointed the direction the groundskeeper had taken, “at the local VFW center.+ Seems like a good guy. Knew he worked here. Pretty much a loner, like me.” He sent Lee a small smile and Lee returned it. “When I needed a place to hide, I came here.”

“And left me a breadcrumb.”

“And prayed that you’d find it,” Minor agreed.

“Thank Kowalski,” Lee told him.

“He’d have found it,” ‘Ski said softly. “I just sorta beat him to it.” He shrugged and Lee waggled a hand. “But he figured out the variety of bread,” ‘Ski added.

“What happened,” Lee decided to get back to business.

“I got stupid.” Minor frowned. “Asked the wrong question and nearly got my head blown off. Couldn’t go to the police.”

“I think we met a couple of the bad apples.”

“You must have handled them better than I did.”

Lee shrugged. “The whole local force?”

“I think most are okay. But not sure enough to trust.”

“Understood,” Lee told him.

“Did Jones tell you why I was here? I assume that you called him.”

Lee nodded. “I asked, he said I didn’t need to know.”

“I can’t believe I was so dumb not to put two and two together faster. I was such an idiot.” When Lee stayed silent, he continued. “Drugs.”

“Why does it come down so often to that?” Lee shook his head sadly.

Minor nodded. “Unfortunately.” He shrugged. “But I get the feeling that I walked into something else. Or includes drugs, but that’s not the whole picture. I didn’t get enough information before I had to run.”

“Thank you for calling me.”

“I was scrambling, didn’t have much time, I knew the call had to be fairly local, and even then I couldn’t be sure enough of it got through.”

“Barely,” Lee admitted. “But we got it figured out. Now,” he looked at Minor, “how can we help?”

“Get me out?” He sighed. “My cover, for what it was worth, is for sure busted.”

“And probably ours, after last night,” Kowalski offered, and Lee nodded.

“Thanks to your XO,” Lee told ‘Ski, “with an assist from a way too talented Sparks,” both Lee and Kowalski grinned, before Lee turned back to Minor, “I think we got that part,” he paused, “maybe not totally under control, but with a good plan, anyway.”

Minor sighed again. “You seem to be constantly bailing me out.”

“Hold that thought. We aren’t out yet.” Minor nodded. “From here can we get down to the beach?”

“With or without breaking your neck?”

Lee snorted. “Preferably without. Chip would kill us both,” he indicated himself and Kowalski.

“I haven’t totally scoped it out but I think, perhaps, a little closer to the fifth tee there might be a way down. But,” he added, “it would have to be well after dark.”

“Exactly what I had in mind,” Lee agreed, and laid out the plan he was working on for the other two.

Just before 2200 hours, Lee called the phone number Chip had used. He grinned when it was almost immediately answered. “Please tell me you remembered to pick up Take Out,” came in Chip’s snide tones.

“Please tell me you remembered to feed the dog,” Lee snapped back and they both laughed. “Did Dad’s car get picked up?”

“Ready and gassed, then Dad decided not to move.”

“Does he know where he’s going when he does decide?”

There was a pause, and Lee visualized Sparks tracking the GPS in Lee’s cell phone. “Yep,” came the short reply.

“O-dark-30,” Lee told him, there was a double-click for a reply, and they both disconnected.

* * * *

As full darkness set in, the three men made their way south along the edge of the cliff but staying in cover as much as possible. When Lee figured that they were about opposite the 5^th tee, Minor edged closer to the cliff and pointed. In the minimal light from a half moon, Lee could just barely make out what looked like an animal trail. “Saw deer on the golf course, and when they got spooked by a stupid golfer they headed this way,” Minor explained.

Lee couldn’t control a quick shudder, then had to explain to both Minor and Kowalski, who’d caught it. “Had my own experiences with a game trail,” he said sheepishly.++ “Had its moments.”

“Been there,” Minor offered with a shrug. “Best I can do, unless you want to continue scouting.”

Lee hesitated only a moment. “Don’t think we have that much time.” The other two nodded. “Plus,” he added, “the beach below looks nice and deserted.”

“Too far from the main access for people to walk, especially this late at night,” Minor agreed. Lee shrugged, and carefully started down the steep bank.

Lee had to struggle when he hit the bottom of the trail. ‘Hit’ being very much the operative word as he basically slid on his backside the last ten feet or so before coming to a sudden halt in the gravel at the base of the cliff. Deer I’m not, he told himself. Even if Becca does call me dear. And then he had to take firm control as that terrible pun nearly caused him to laugh out loud. Pebbles hitting him from above quickly got his mind back on business and he moved out of the way as first Minor, then Kowalski, joined him. Their dark clothing helping them blend into the shadows, Lee decided to stay where they were. He did open his phone and hit Redial but said nothing.

It was enough. Within thirty seconds Lee heard a double-click that he took to mean Sparks had located his GPS signal and he turned the phone back off. Nelson must have been standing by because within two minutes Lee caught the faint yellow glow just below the surface thirty yards off the edge of the beach. “Time for a quick swim,” he told the others, but Nelson had other ideas. As the three men headed for the surf, FS1 turned and backed into them until she grounded with her aft hatch enough out of the water that Lee quickly had it opened and they jumped in. Lee barely got the hatch closed before the small craft headed for deeper water.

“Everyone in one piece?” came from the co-pilot’s chair, and Lee finally turned and saw Jamie. A quick look showed Sharkey was piloting, not Admiral Nelson. The COB immediately started heading carefully back into deeper water.

“Think that last rock I bounced off of might have left a mark,” Lee faux-growled the tease.

Kowalski picked up on his senior officer’s mood. “Gotcha beat, Skipper. I hit at least two.” Soft chuckles filled the small craft as she sank below the water’s surface.

Since the two back seats weren’t set up at this time, the three men settled on the deck. “Ouch,” snuck out as Lee tried to make himself comfortable for what he figured would be a short ride back to Seaview. “We may have to compare bruises, ‘Ski.”

“Lt. Minor?” Will asked, albeit carefully. He was very aware of the ex-SEAL’s history.

“Maybe a few more bug bites, sir, but thankfully in one piece. Nothing a shower and some clean clothes won’t cure.”

“We’ll figure out a way to get your stuff from the motel,” Lee told him. He glanced at ‘Ski. “And our stuff from the bus station lockers.”

“Tomorrow,” Will growled.

Lee sent him a soft grin. “Actually, today,” and he pointed to his watch. Will turned his chair to the window, putting his back to Lee as both Sharkey and ‘Ski snickered, and the trip back to Seaview was mostly in silence.

Lee didn’t get a whole lot of sleep that night, or rather what was left of it as he’d teased Jamie. He figured that both Nelson and Chip would be in the Conn when FS1 docked barely twenty minutes after picking him up. Back to normal lighting both men, as well as Jamie, gave the three a long look up and down, but other than their dirty clothes all three were basically unhurt. Will did have Lt. Minor accompany him down to Sick Bay, but they all knew that it was mostly to get him somewhere more private, where he could get the shower and fresh clothes he needed. Lee wandered down just as soon as he’d showered and changed, Chip keeping him company. Nelson as well, to get the highlights from the previous two days. It was also Nelson who collected the locker keys, as well as Minor’s room key, and decided that if they sent MP’s from Pendleton to collect everyone’s gear, along with the staff car, they should be safe from interference of any kind.

Minor, as he dressed in clothes brought to him, started to try to explain what he knew about what was going on, but Nelson stopped him with a soft smile and a raised hand. “Time enough when you’ve had a chance to rest. Sharkey,” he nodded to the COB, who had brought the clean clothes, “will see that you get a good meal, and then to one of the guest cabins. Sleep as long as you want. Or need,” he added.

“Appreciate that, Admiral.”

Nelson nodded. “Time enough to get things sorted out. Seaview isn’t scheduled for anything with a definite timetable for a couple of weeks. We have the time…” He looked at Lee. “And the need,” he added with a look that was half smile, half determination, “to get to the bottom of whatever you stumbled into.”

“Got that right,” Lee growled softly. Chip frowned, but also sent Lee a small nod.

“Admiral Jones…” Minor’s voice trailed off.

“I already let him know that you were safe,” Nelson told him, then smiled as Lee all but stared at him. “Knowing Lee,” he continued to Minor, “I knew Robert would want that much. Told him we’d contact him when we had some idea of what the heck was going on.”

“Thank you, Admiral. Again.” Minor sent Lee a small smile.

“We take care of our own,” Nelson told him firmly.

Once Minor had left with Sharkey, Will stared rather pointedly at Lee. “Wired, Jamie,” Lee admitted.

“Understood,” Will told him. “Whatever caused all the dirt didn’t break any stitches?”

Lee sent him his shy look. “Checked when I pulled the bandage before jumping in the shower.” The shy look deepened when Nelson chuckled.

Will nodded. “Wander down here sometime tomorrow…ah, later today,” he corrected, “and I’ll take the stitches out.”

Lee suddenly grinned. “The bandage did, actually, come in handy,” he admitted.

“Tell me when I’m awake,” Will said with an added glare. But he also grinned when the others did, and everyone headed belatedly to their beds.

But Lee was restless and couldn’t settle down. He did try, mostly to placate Chip who escorted Lee once more to his cabin and gave him a quick verbal boat’s report. Lee never worried about Seaview when he wasn’t aboard; Chip was perfectly able to handle anything that happened. Of course, Lee was very careful how he dealt with Chip. If the blond ever even suspected that Lee easily accepted ONI assignments because he never had to worry about Seaview and her crew in his absence, XO or not, Chip would make Lee’s life miserable for the foreseeable future given his dislike for the Navy’s intelligence-gathering division. Well, to be honest, Chip didn’t hate ONI. He just hated that Lee so often came back injured from his ‘errands’ for the agency. The two men had been best friends from their first year at Annapolis. Lee knew that Chip worried about him, as friends do.

It wasn’t a topic they discussed very often. Both knew how the other felt. But it was also one reason Lee couldn’t settle down, even for what little was left of Seaview’s night. He tried. But half an hour of tossing and turning and he was back up, dressed, and prowling Seaview on a very early morning ‘walkaboat’, his mind on how to figure out what Minor had stumbled into, and how to sort it out. Lee hated problems, no matter whose they were. And he especially hated criminals who hid behind badges. So he wandered Seaview’s wide corridors, stopping to visit with whoever he found on duty in whatever area he found himself in, until he could be fairly sure breakfast was ready in the Officers’ Wardroom. He’d been too wound up to try to eat anything before Chip headed him toward his cabin, but now realized that he was actually quite hungry.

He'd just sat down with a tray nearly twice as full as his normally small breakfast portions were, and having to bury a grin at the expression on Cookie’s face when Seaview’s chef saw it, when Chip walked in. Thankfully the blond’s frown changed to a smile when he also noticed the amount of food on Lee’s tray, but he still growled, “Did you get any sleep?” Lee kept from answering by stuffing a forkful of scrambled eggs in his mouth. Chip glared, Lee shrugged, and the blond dished up his own breakfast before sitting down next to Lee. “One of those nights!” Chip finally said, not making it a question.

“Yep,” Lee got out around the food still in his mouth.

“Understood,” Chip nodded. And he did, really. Not that that kept him from harassing his friend. But he was very aware of Lee’s dedication to those people, and ideals, that were so meaningful to him. Chip wasn’t about to knock that dedication; there were too many occasions when that was pretty much the only reason Seaview survived the chaos she and her crew ended up in. “Find any answers in your early morning walkaboat?”

Lee didn’t bother wondering how Chip knew; he merely shook his head. “Only more questions,” he admitted. Chip nodded and they were both silent as they worked their way through Cookie’s breakfast of ham slices, scrambled eggs, croissant French toast, and fruit compote; that last was because Will insisted that while he knew the crew worked hard and needed hardy food, there also needed to be something lighter, maybe a little healthier, as a balance. Lee teased him that it was so Will wouldn’t gain too much weight during Seaview’s cruises, as compared to what his wife fixed at home. But even Lee had to admit that he found the variety of Cookie’s menus quite pleasant. He was finished eating, and pouring himself his fourth mug of coffee – or maybe fifth, he’d lost count – when Nelson walked in.

“Drinking your breakfast?” the Admiral asked. It was said mildly, with half a smile on his face.

“He ate a really good breakfast,” Cookie butted in before Lee could answer. Chip hiccupped, burying a snicker. Lee sent a glance between the two, but merely shook his head.

Nelson’s smile increased. “Well, come and finish your coffee while I eat.”

“Yes, sir,” and Lee sat back down next to Chip, who had gone back for seconds of the special French toast Cookie didn’t make very often.

“Had a chat with Robert again this morning,” Nelson said between bites of his own fairly well-loaded tray of food. Lee figured that his boss hadn’t gotten much more sleep than he had. “He’s fairly sure, from Lt. Minor’s original report before he went dark, that the issue he’d been sent in to investigate is taken care of.”

Lee nodded. “Milt said pretty much the same thing. Something to do with drugs on the Base at Camp Pendleton. But he then said something about asking the wrong somebody the wrong question, and that apparently caused all heck to break loose.”

“Robert’s had a further report from the Base MP’s. When they used what intel Minor gathered and shut down that particular pipeline into the Base, they got a sniff of a larger organization. Not enough to follow, unfortunately, but they did turn over what they had to the locals.”

“And if it was the ‘locals’ Kowalski and I ran into,” Lee emphasized the word, “Milt’s lucky to be alive.” He explained his and ‘Ski’s encounter the first night.

“Damn,” came out between bites.

“Yes, sir,” Lee agreed.

“It’s rather obvious that the three of you can’t go near that area now.” Nelson sent Lee a rather pointed look.

Lee acknowledged the comment with a nod, then elbowed Chip when the blond said softly, “Good.”

“But I know you well enough,” Nelson continued, “that you aren’t willing to just drop it.”

“No, sir,” Lee agreed firmly. “At least, if I can help in any way to clean up that particular rat’s nest.”

“Understood,” Nelson agreed. “We’ll just have to figure out a way. Which,” he paused, “could take some doing.” He shrugged.

“Yes, sir.” Lee nodded. “Milt thought that the majority of the locals were honest. He wasn’t, unfortunately, able to figure out good from bad before he had to duck and run.”

“And the MP’s have no authority off Base, or with anyone other than military personnel. Even if they did have further intel.” Both Lee and Chip nodded.

“NCIS?” Chip asked, naming the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. “They work with locals when Navy or Marine personnel are involved. Maybe they could backdoor in, since the Base is involved?”

Nelson shrugged. “Possible, I suppose. Probably better leave that one for Robert.” He looked at Lee. “Not, obviously, what you want to hear.”

“Not really, sir,” Lee admitted.

“Live with it,” came softly from Lee’s right. “Live being the operative word.” Lee elbowed him again as Nelson snorted.

“What have they done now?” Will muttered, just walking in the door.

“You don’t want to know,” Chip smarted, and then moved before Lee could elbow him again.

But Nelson could practically see ‘the wheels turning’, as the old expression went, in Lee’s very expressive eyes. “What’s on your mind, Lee?” he asked, almost gently.

It took Lee a few seconds to answer. “I need to talk to Milt; to get him to tell me the whole story of what happened. Mostly, since he was working on something to do with the Base, why he was living at Dana Point.”

“He’s officially retired, isn’t he?” Chip asked.

“He’d still be welcomed on the Base,” Nelson told him.

“Unless being there interfered with what he was trying to investigate,” Lee offered, and the others nodded.

“Just be a little careful with your questions,” Will warned. “His level of PTSD you don’t get over so easily.”

“Understood,” Lee agreed. “But he was actually going to tell us last night.” He sent Will a sheepish look. “Earlier this morning,” he qualified, “until you hauled him off to Sick Bay.”

Nelson buried a snort at the glare Seaview’s CMO sent her CO, but eventually they all nodded. “He trusts you,” Nelson added to Lee.

“And I’ve gotten the feeling that he’s no longer as fragile as Admiral Jones seems to think.” He held up a finger to stop whatever Will was opening his mouth to say. “But I’ll be careful.”

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Minor poked his nose into the Wardroom. Lee sent him a smile. “Found the coffee.”

“Remembered my way,” the former SEAL told him and walked the rest of the way in. Nelson and Chip, having finished eating, left. Will, just filling his tray, went to sit at a table across the room, giving Lee and Minor some privacy. Lee got up and once more filled his coffee mug, but sat back down as Minor got food, after three hits on the coffee urn, and sat down opposite Lee with the tray and his fourth mugful.

Neither said anything until Minor was about halfway through his meal, then the former SEAL sent Lee a look Lee couldn’t quite qualify. “Thanks. Again,” was, however, all Minor said.

Lee smiled an honest smile. “Told you before, been there. Oh,” he qualified, “not so bad as you on the island.” They both nodded. “But been caught in situations I wasn’t too sure how I was going to get out of.” More nods. “Friends are a handy thing to have.”

“Amen,” came softly back. Minor ate a few more bites. “You’ve talked to Uncle Robert?” Lee raised an eyebrow at the title, and Minor smiled. “It’s a lot easier than ‘second cousin Robert’, but I could never just use his first name.”

“Understood. And no, not really. There was just the original comment sending me to the Dana Point motel. Admiral Nelson let him know we got you out safe but I haven’t talked to him, and the Admiral didn’t say Jones had added any more intel last night. Well,” he amended once more, “this morning.” He shrugged. “I was curious, if you were sent to check on something at the Base as he indicated at first, why you were staying there.”

Minor nodded, polished off his coffee, and refilled the mug before answering. “Drugs on the Base.”

Lee nodded. “Got that part. An ongoing issue almost everywhere these days, although usually a little easier to control in a confined community than the general public.”

“Not when it’s Bace personnel trafficking it,” came out in a growl. A word slipped out of Lee’s mouth before he could stop it. He downed the last of his coffee and went for a refill. “They had a pretty good deal going down. The MPs were sure they knew who was behind it but they could never catch them in the act.”

“Why?” Lee was puzzled.

“One of the MPs was their inside man. Well, one of their inside men, anyway.” The same word slipped out of Lee’s mouth again. “Got that right,” Minor agreed. But then he sent Lee another look Lee couldn’t quite translate. Lee kept quiet. The story needed to come out at Minor’s speed, and not just because of Jamie’s earlier warning.

“Have an old friend in the vicinity of Dana Point,” Minor finally continued. “Lives close because he was born and raised in the area, but washed out of SEAL training and left the Marines as soon as he could. Great car mechanic; has his own shop. Didn’t want to involve him too much; he has a wife and a couple of really cute daughters.” Both men smiled. “Didn’t tell him I had a room at the motel; he thought I was sorta on the streets, staying off and on at the VFW center. They run a sort of hostel.”

“Cool.”

“Yeah. They help a lot of people,” Minor agreed. “Kept my head down, but eyes and ears open.” He suddenly smiled. “How I met Kyle,” he mentioned his helper at the golf course. “The place has a nice bunch of volunteers. I tried not to get too close to anyone.” He suddenly smiled again. “Afraid to screw up my cover.”

Lee nodded with his own smile. Now he knew that Minor was a whole lot better than when he’d found him on the island. He didn’t know why, and it wasn’t any of his business. But Minor had definitely got the help he had so desperately needed. As Jamie said, he still should be dealt with carefully, but there was now a spark of the old Milt Minor that hadn’t been there before.

“There were a couple of guys that would show up at the hostel when they obviously hadn’t had anything to eat for a few days. Rough, both of them…” His voice trailed off and he stuffed a bite of his own breakfast in his mouth.

“They can’t be helped until they want it,” Lee said softly. “Until then…” He shrugged and Minor nodded.

“Hard to watch, but yeah. I talked to them a couple times, but they…well…neither seemed like they wanted to change. They’d just come in, get a meal and maybe a bath if the volunteers could talk them into it, maybe a new piece of clothing, and back to the streets they’d go. But one time…they almost always came in together, but this time it was just one. He seemed really nervous. I tried to talk to him but all he wanted was to stuff his pockets with whatever food he could and rush back out. I pretended to ignore him, but when I could I ambled out and headed in the direction he’d gone.” He looked at Lee. “By this time I’d figured out where a bunch of them hung out. There were a couple of homeless camps not that far away. I’d stayed a night or two in each, but…” He focused on his coffee mug.

“That must have been very hard,” Lee said softly. “You want to help, but know that nothing you say or do will make any difference until they want the help.”

It took Minor a bit to continue. “I didn’t get too close, but I discovered that the one guy’s buddy was really bad sick. Or rather, the more I watched, had the D.T.’s really bad.” Lee could only nod. “I figured booze but as I watched, one of the volunteers from the hostel showed up. I couldn’t see everything that happened; needed to stay kind of hidden.” Lee nodded again. “But the next thing I know the sick guy is sitting up and eating like crazy.” He frowned. “Seen that reaction before. He was in desperate need of a fix, and when he got it had a mean case of the munchies.”

“A volunteer giving the wrong kind of help,” came angrily out of Lee’s mouth.

“Yep. And I knew the volunteer. At least, where he worked.”

“The Base,” Lee guessed.

“You got it first try. He’s a civilian. Well, now. He’s former military. Really good friends with the bad MP.”

“Lovely,” Lee spit out.

“I had no idea how the drugs were coming in but I now knew who was handling them. Or at least, two to watch.” Lee nodded. “I called Uncle Robert.” Minor said something too low for Lee to decipher. Although, from the tone used he figured that he didn’t want to know what it was. “Used the pay phone outside the hostel.” He slammed his fist into the table. “Stupid!”

Lee saw Cookie appear in the breezeway between the Galley and Wardroom, no doubt a reaction to the sound of the fist, and raised a finger to signal not to come any further. The chef sent a nod and headed back into the Galley. Lee focused on Minor, but said nothing until Minor looked up. “You think it was bugged?”

“The more I think about it, the more confused I get,” Minor admitted. “But something happened. It took a while,” he added. “Once I reported what I knew, I wanted to stay in the background. But I also didn’t want to suddenly disappear, either.”

“Didn’t want to be blamed for the fallout by suddenly leaving.”

“Exactly. I’d been mostly going to the VFW in the evenings. My friend lent me an old clunker car and I parked it far enough from both the motel and the hostel that no one – I thought – figured out that I had it. My friend had switched plates so, even if it was found, it would trace back to a vehicle that had been junked and crushed.” He sent Lee a small grin. “The cops don’t pay much attention to an old car, and I drove very carefully.” Lee grinned softly and toasted him with his coffee mug. “Continued to go, just not as regularly as I had been. Stayed quiet, just listened.” Again Lee nodded. “Nothing happened much. Seems like everyone else was suddenly quiet as well. Didn’t see the volunteer – I still don’t know his name.” He frowned. “Didn’t want to know, in case…”

“He tried to get close to you,” Lee guessed. Minor nodded.

“But one night when I was there, another guy I’d seen at one of the homeless camps came in. Acting kind of strung out, I thought. He looked around, then asked something of one of the guys who run the place. I couldn’t hear the question, but the guy told him that ‘Mark’ wasn’t coming anymore. The homeless guy started to get really agitated and the worker guy tried to calm him down and lead him to a back room. But the guy wasn’t having any of that. He shoved the worker guy away – ended up almost putting him through a glass front to the sandwich case before he stormed out.”

“Needed a fix and his dealer not being available ticked him off.”

“Something like that, anyway,” Minor agreed. “By that time Uncle Robert had passed on my intel and I figured that the Base was cleaning out the rats.” He frowned. “I should have left then.” Lee shrugged. “A couple nights later, that same guy came in, all normal-like.”

“He’d gotten his fix.”

Minor nodded. “So, like a stupid idiot, I thought that I’d try to be friendly, and maybe find out where he’d gotten his new supply.” His frown deepened and he pushed away his food tray, although there was still food that he hadn’t eaten. “Two nights later, when I parked the car where I had been and walked back to the motel there was a Sheriff’s car prowling around. Thankfully I saw them before they saw me. I hid until they finally left, managed to get into my room, I thought unseen but I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to take the chance. Left the matchbook I’d picked up somewhere along the way, grabbed a few things to help me turn into the homeless guy I was pretending to be, found a pay phone away from the motel to make my call to you, and headed for the golf course.” He sighed. “Thank heavens for Kyle. And you,” he added, heartfelt.

Lee smiled. “Always happy to help a friend.” Whatever else he started to add was cut off by the intercom.

“Lee, could you come to my cabin?” came in Nelson’s voice.

Lee jumped up and grabbed the mic by the door. “Two minutes, sir.”

“And do you know where Lt. Minor is?”

Lee smiled. “Just finishing breakfast, sir. Would you like him to come as well?”

“Please,” and the intercom clicked, indicating Nelson had disconnected.

Lee sent Minor a grin for the raised eyebrow the former lieutenant was sending him. “My guess, Admiral Jones has called.”

“Not sure I’m looking forward to that conversation,” Minor admitted.

“No sweat,” Lee assured him. “Admiral Nelson’s voice was calm.” He glanced at Cookie, who had once more appeared, probably to clean up Minor’s dishes and Lee’s coffee mug. “There’s never any doubt when he’s ticked.” Both he and the chef sent Minor a nod. Minor polished off his coffee and followed Lee to the Admiral’s cabin.

Lee had to carefully control his expression when he entered Nelson’s cabin, although he realized that his boss caught the effort. Nelson was relaxed back in his desk chair when he waved the two men in and toward the two visitor’s chairs on the other side. Lee knew that it was an added effort to keep Minor as relaxed as possible, and shared a quick nod as he sat. Minor was a bit stiff at first, but not noticeably upset or nervous.

“Just got off the horn with Robert,” Nelson started, still relaxed and sending Minor a smile. “Last night I merely told him that you were safe.”

“I’m sure that he’s demanding my report.” Minor looked at Lee. “I should have called him first thing.”

“Not a problem,” Nelson interrupted whatever Lee was opening his mouth to say. Minor didn’t exactly glare at Nelson, but his look was firm. It caused Nelson to chuckle. “I’ve dealt with Robert for too many years to not know how to handle him.” Lee had to bury a snort – unsuccessfully. Nelson’s grin spread. “Have Lee tell you a bit about Chip’s turtle sometime.” Lee choked getting that guffaw cut off.

“Very long story,” Lee told Minor. “Will probably take a beer or three.”

“Can’t wait,” Minor said, although there was definitely caution in his tone. It caused both Nelson and Lee to grin.

“Robert’s been in touch with the Base this morning,” Nelson continued. But Lee noticed – and was pretty sure that Nelson knew that he noticed – that Nelson continued to keep a relaxed pose and his voice moderated. “You were busy,” he told Lee, “so I rounded up Kowalski who was able to give a good description of the two local cops you ran into.” Lee could only nod. Nelson knew that Lee had been with Lt. Minor and hadn’t wanted to interrupt.

“I really need to report the rest of it,” Minor told Nelson, who nodded.

“Sparks is standing by to place the call, and I told Robert that you’d get to him once you’d caught up on your sleep.”

Lee choked off another snort. He knew only too well how impatient Jones could be, and his no doubt nasty reaction to Nelson’s apparent irreverence. “Thank you, sir,” he told Nelson with an almost under control tone.

Nelson sent him a grin but turned back to Minor. “I’m headed to my lab. Lee will help you make the call from here. Ah,” he grinned, “my office is pretty well soundproofed, so if Robert yells, just yell back.” He laughed out loud, rose, and left. Lee just shook his head.

“He really didn’t mean that,” Minor asked Lee, “about yelling back, I mean.”

Lee shrugged. “With the Admiral, I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I know he yells at Admiral Jones on occasion.” He cringed. “I’ve wanted to a few times,” he admitted. His expression lightened. “You’re family. Probably safe.” He chuckled as it was Minor’s turn to cringe, got the call started, and left Minor to deal with his second cousin.

Checking in with Chip in the Conn, he discovered that Admiral Nelson had sent Seaview’s MAA, Chief Hauck, along with Kowalski and two of Hauck’s Security team, ashore with FS1 to meet at least two of the Base’s MPs as well as at least one agent from the local NCIS office to retrieve everything from both motel rooms as well as the bus depot lockers. Chip seemed surprised that Lee didn’t already know; that Nelson hadn’t mentioned it. Lee shrugged and reiterated that Nelson had been taking Jamie’s advice to keep things calm and hadn’t mentioned it. Chip did raise an eyebrow, and Lee nodded that Minor had told him everything he knew about what had happened.

“I thought the Admiral said ‘Ski and I weren’t supposed to go ashore until…” His voice trailed off when Chip sent Lt. James a frown as that lieutenant had to cut off a snort. “I gather,” Lee continued, “Senior rating Kowalski had a few things to say about that plan.”

Chip nodded. “But Chief Hauck assigned Monroe to not let ‘Ski get more than two feet away from him at any time.” He finally grinned. “Kowalski promised to be good.”

“And COB Sharkey promised to assign him to ballast tank cleanup for the foreseeable future if he screwed up,” Chris added. Both Lee and Chip snickered softly. Lee grabbed up the nearest clipboard off the chart table – he didn’t particularly care which one – and headed off on one of his casual ‘walkaboats’.

* * * *

That evening, just as Lee was finishing his usual last walkaboat before heading to his cabin for the night, Chief Hauck appeared around a corner. “Got a second, Skipper?”

“Of course, Chief. Your office or mine?” Hauck shrugged, Lee grinned, and since his was closer Lee lead the way there. “What’s up?” Lee asked as they both sat, he in his desk chair and Hauck in the visitor’s chair next to the desk. “I gather all went well with your cleanup detail.”

Hauck nodded. “No problem, sir.” He grinned. “Although, not sure there would have been with that many men carrying sidearms in attendance.” Lee chuckled as he nodded agreement. “Both the MPs and the guy from NCIS said that they’d started getting some of the story as well, and some definite housecleaning was on the agenda now that they have the added information from Lt. Minor.”

“Hallelujah,” Lee sighed.

Hauck nodded, but then hesitated. Lee sent him a soft smile, along with a raised eyebrow. “Any idea what Lt. Minor’s plans are now, sir?” he asked.

“Not a one. Why?”

Again there was a pause. “Dewey,” he referenced the head of NIMR Security, Dewey Caudill, “has an opening.”

“Oh. I hadn’t seen the notice,” Lee admitted.

“Ah…it’s sort of…unofficial. At least so far.” Hauck hesitated again. When Lee said nothing he finally continued. “It’s not because anyone is leaving,” he admitted. “Dewey wants to do a little reorganizing and he needs the right person for a new position.”

“And you know this because…?”

“I told him to his face he can’t have any of my men.”

Lee burst out laughing, but he settled down fairly quickly. “You know Milt Minor’s history.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, sir.” Lee knew that Hauck had heard at least some of the story when Seaview brought Minor home from the island. “I should probably have waited for Dewey to tell you what he wants to do. But…”

“Milt is here now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lee nodded. “Does Dewey have concerns? I sure haven’t heard, if he does.”

Hauck shook his head. “Not really, sir. But, well, when he was the liaison with the locals, before he took over as Security Head, he would often kind of wander around through all the buildings and departments, just kind of keeping track of things.” Hauck grinned softly. “Sorta like your ‘walkaboats’.” Lee nodded, but with an almost shy look. “He doesn’t have the time to do that anymore.”

At that Lee nodded. “He still does, or tries to do, a lot of the liaison work. He’s made a lot of great connections over the years with the locals.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have you talked to Dewey about Milt?”

“No, sir. Figured I’d wait until we get home tomorrow. But from what Kowalski was saying, it sorta sounded like Admiral Jones had Lt. Minor doing pretty much what Dewey needs – someone to wander around keeping eyes and ears open”

“Yep,” Lee agreed. “Have no idea if Milt would even be interested.” He paused. “But I have absolutely no reservations asking.” He smiled at Hauck. “Thanks for bringing it up.”

“You bet, sir. Always try to keep good people around.” Lee nodded with a smile, and Hauck left.

Lee looked at the clock on his desk and started to get up; he could be pretty sure that Admiral Nelson was still up. But better sense prevailed. He gave himself a mental kick where it would do the most good and went to bed.

But he was up early enough the next morning to catch the Admiral just coming out of his cabin. “Got a couple minutes before your first cup of coffee, sir?”

Nelson harrumphed at the gibe, but immediately grinned and the pair went back into Nelson’s cabin where Lee quickly explained. The OOM wasn’t quite as quick as Lee had been to sign on to the idea, but he wasn’t all that slow, either. “Don’t know if he would accept,” he said after a bit of thought.

“I had that same reservation,” Lee admitted. “But no reservations about having him at NIMR.”

Nelson nodded agreement before a slow smile spread over his face. “Not sure how Robert would feel about it.”

The same slow smile hit Lee. “Milt’s no longer in the military. He could accept any job he wanted to.” Both men’s grins spread and they headed for the Wardroom.

Lee didn’t have time to warn Chip about what was going on because both XO and Minor walked in together. Nelson and Lee shared a quick look, by mutual agreement neither saying anything other than boat’s business until everyone including Will, who had come in right after the other two, were almost done eating.

Finally Nelson sent Minor, sitting next to him, a look. “We’ll get home about 1530 hours. NCIS kept your things from the motel until forensics were checked in case there was anything that could tie in with their investigation.” At Minor’s concerned look, he smiled. “I think they are hoping that there might be trace evidence to tie to the local cops who no doubt searched your room after you skedaddled.” Minor, as well as Lee, since this was the first he’d heard about that, relaxed and nodded. “But they will deliver everything to NIMR sometime tomorrow.”

“You’re welcome to stay with me, if you’d like,” Lee told him.

Minor didn’t say anything for a few seconds. “Thanks, Commander,” finally came out softly. “I’ve troubled you too much already.”

“First, it’s Lee,” Lee told him with a smile. “And you aren’t a problem,” was added firmly.

“Any plans now,” Nelson continued, his tone one of simple curiosity.

“Not really,” Minor told him.

“Want a job?” Lee now asked, keeping his voice casual as well.

Minor sent a cautious look between Lee and Nelson. “Doing what?” came out with even more caution as he sat up straight in his chair.

Lee glanced at Nelson, but smiled sheepishly. “Basically, what you were doing for Admiral Jones. NIMR’s Head of Security, Dewey Caudill…have you met him?” Minor shook his head.

“Cool dude,” Chip offered. He was starting to catch on about where this conversation was going.

Lee sent a quick nod his XO’s direction. “Dewey is looking for someone to just sort of float around. No assigned duty station. Well,” he grinned, “the whole of NIMR, grounds and buildings, would be your duty station. Keep your own schedule, report directly to Dewey.”

Minor settled back in his chair. No one spoke, although the four NIMR men calmly finished their breakfast. “What did Uncle Robert have to say?”

Nelson chuckled softly and sent Minor a broad grin. “Haven’t asked him. None of his business, as far as I know.” He sent Minor another quick nod, and polished off the last of his coffee before standing up. “No need to answer right now. Just give it some thought. Talk to Dewey after we reach port,” and he headed out. Lee sent Minor a nod and a grin, and both he and Chip stood and left as well.

Minor didn’t move. Will, still sitting next to him, calmly polished off the last of his food and coffee, before he also left. No one else happened to be in the Wardroom at the time, and Cookie quietly came to stand behind the pass through between the Galley and Wardroom. Milt looked his direction.

“You’re among friends here,” Cookie told him, nodded, and went back into the Galley.

Minor’s stiff shoulders gradually relaxed. He stood and poured himself another mug of coffee. “Yeah,” he said softly to himself, “I think I am.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* See “Famous Last Words” by R. L. Keller

** See “A Turtle’s Tale” by R. L. Keller

*** Apologies to anyone who is familiar with the Salt Creak Park area. Any changes are what I needed for the story😊

**** See “Low Tide” by R. L. Keller

+ Veterans of Foreign Wars

++ See “Feathered Friend” by R. L. Keller