“The phone’s in the study, Admiral,” he said. “Then if you’d like to shower and shave before you go in, Kyoko will show you to a guest room.”
The admiral rubbed the sides of his face with both hands, his characteristic gesture, and then nodded absently. He followed Train to the study, where Train showed him the phone. Then Train came out, closing the door behind him.
Karen met him in the hallway.
“He’s at the end of his rope, I think,” Train said. “Taking him to see Jack doesn’t seem like such a good idea just now.”
“1. agree. If the police showed up, they’d be very suspicious if they found the admiral there, especially if Jack seized the opportunity to deny Galantz’s existence and point the finger at his father.”
“Damn. He would, too.”
“That three-star is going to force Sherman out,” she said.
“And he knows it.”
“I hate to say this,” Train said, “but maybe you should go in with him.
He’s-going to need a friendly face.”
She smiled up at him. “About time you were nice to this poor mart-. And why, exactly, do you hate to say that?” she asked.
Train actually flushed a bit under her direct look. “I don’t want to let you out of my sight. Things of value, you know?”
She, smiled again and squeezed his hand. But then she thought about Sherman’s situation. “If they agree to see him this morning, on a Saturday, they’re not going to want any commanders in the room,” she said. “Especially commander lawyers. This will be a flags-only meeting.
No mere mortals allowed. At least not until they get all the blood off the walls.”
“Yeah, but I’m worried about what he might do afterward. Like try to go to find Jack, and maybe walk into Galantz in the process.”
Karen was not fooled. “And while we’re gone, kind sir?
You will be staying right here like you promised? Like a good Train, right?”
Train was looking over her head and squirming perceptibly. She grabbed his elbow and steered him away from the closed-study door. “You promise me, Train von Rensel. No Lone Ranger stuff. You be here when I bring this poor man back out here. You promise, right now, or I don’t go with him.”
“I wasn’t thinking of-“
“Oh yes you were,” she said. “Now you promise me-“
The study door opened and the admiral came out, running his left hand through his hair. They turned to see what he would say.
“It’s show time,” he announced. “At noon, I’m to meet with Admiral Kensington in his office. I think they’ve made some decisions.”
“Admiral, Karen thinks she should go with you,” Train said before Karen could speak. “Moral support, if nothing else.”
Sherman gave Karen a weary smile. “This isn’t going to be a pretty sight, Karen,” he said. “They’d probably invite you to wait out in the hallway. And if you did come in, I have to warn you that commanders who get in the middle of a flag-level gunfight do so at their professional peril.”
“I’ll take my professional chances,” she replied, shooting Train a look.
“Besides, I have firsthand knowledge of the facts, and the law.”
“Well, I’d appreciate the hell out of it. Not that they’re likely to let facts or law get in the way of a little purge. Mr. von Rensel, may I take you up on that offer of a guest room?”
I I This is Admiral Kensington’ “He’s coming in. At noon.
“Have you solved our problem?”
“Yes, I have. Those people sent someone over this morning. He was able to lift the protocol long enough for me to edit the file and then replace it. Then he put the protocol back in place. I’ve lifted the access restrictions as of Monday morning and returned it to the archives. Until then, there’s a security trap on it.”
“You’re telling me more than I want to know. Very well.
You told him to come to my_ office?”
“At noon.”
“Good. I’ll send everyone home before then. Is this going easy way or hard way?”
“That’s not knowable, Admiral. But that detective has been in touch. It seems Sherman’s son is involved in the homicides somehow.”
“His own son? Well, that does it. This isn’t going to be any problem at 0, Thomas.”
“I hope not. I’ll see you just before noon, thew.”
At eleven o’clock, Hiroshi brought Karen’s Mercedes and then the admiral’s sedan around to the front of the house.
Train thought the admiral looked impressive as always in his blues, the single broad gold stripe glowing in the morning light. Kyoko had done his shirt, and a shower had done the rest. Except for circles under his eyes, he looked almost ready for a fight. When Karen came out on the porch, he felt his heart do a little flop. She, too, had prospered from an hour’s rest, and a treacherous voice in his head pointed out what a good-looking couple they made, both handsome people in uniform. And you suggested they go into the Pentagon together to face the lions. Good move, bud. Really great thinking. But then she winked at him and he felt a whole ‘ lot better.
Karen went to get in her car. The admiral came over to Train. “Mr. von Rensel,” he said, offering his hand.
“Thanks foreverything. You have a lovely home out here.
I assume that after this morning, the Navy’s official role in this investigation will be finito.”
“Admiral, that may be true,” Train said, taking the admiral’s hand and shaking it. “But I’m not ready just to let this thing go, even if the Navy is. This guy has tried to kill me once and Karen twice. If the cops don’t get him, and soon, I’m going to take a shot.
Their eyes met. Train got the impression that the admiral knew precisely what he was talking about. “If this goes the way I think it will, call me,” Sherman said. “I’d like to go along when you take that shot.”
Train went over to the Mercedes and Karen lowered the window.
“Did I ever tell you I’m a sucker for sailors in short skirts?” he said.
“This is not a short skirt,” she retorted, although sitting in the front seat of a car in a straight skirt was making a liar out of her.
Train grew serious. “Look, I’m not thrilled with your venturing out alone. We promised Mcnair-and this guy’s already tried for you twice.”
“You promised Mcnair,” she said. “And besides, this was your idea, was it not?” Then she put her hand on
“You’re right about this. Somebody has to be there with him. And one of us should be here in case Mcnair tries to contact us.”
“I hope to hell someone besides us is working this problem. Any sign of trouble out there on the road, you get onto nine-one-one. And remember, your car phone is not secure.”
“Everybody knows that. And I promise to yell if something starts. And you promised to stay here, right?”
The admiral’s car started forward around the circular drive, heading for the gate. Train stepped back from the car.
“You better roll. You’ve got Saturday shopping traffic to get through up at Springfield.”
“Train, you promised!”
“I know. I won’t do anything stupid.”
She gave him a warning look and then started the car and followed the admiral out.
Train watched them go and then walked thoughtfully back into the house.
He yawned. He had slept a little bit last night, but not restfully. Need to call Mcnair again. Tell him that Sherman and Karen are headed to the Pentagon. Then I’m going to go put my hands on that kid.