A Promise Never Forgotten Read online

  “Thank you, Matthew.” Marsha glanced at the three men making their way toward her. “Do you still work in the same department?”

  “Yes.” He looked sheepish for a second before he announced, “I’ll be taking over for Gabe.”

  Marsha looked relieved. “Would it be possible…could I bother you…to return anything personal that he may have had in his office at work?”

  “Certainly.” Matthew gave her a reassuring smile. “I have to stop in the office tomorrow anyway. May I bring the things I find to your home tomorrow afternoon?” At her hesitation, he added, “I’m sure Lizzie and the children would also enjoy a visit.”

  Marsha smiled brightly. “Yes. That would be wonderful.”

  “Thank you for handling that, Senior Special Agent Saint Clare.” Deputy Director of Operations Noah Hennel stepped next to Matthew and held out his hand to Marsha. “Gabriel was one of our best agents and will truly be missed. I considered him a friend as well and I will miss him even more in that capacity.”

  Marsha momentarily seemed surprised but covered it quickly. “Thank you for allowing Matthew to clean out Gabe’s office at work. I can honestly tell you I’m not looking forward to going through his office at home.”

  Director Hennel raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me, but I was under the impression that Gabriel had moved out.”

  Logan’s senses piqued. Why would Gabriel’s boss care?

  Covering her slight embarrassment, Marsha said, “He did, but he still used his office at our house.” She shrugged. “I guess he didn’t have a safe in his apartment.”

  If Logan hadn’t been watching, he would have missed the slight widening of the operations director’s eyes. Was he worried that Gabe had brought classified information home and kept it in his safe?

  Logan thought about the contents of his own home safe which contained a few guns, a couple thousand in cash, his personal passport as well as his red jacketed diplomatic passport, and, yes, a few classified documents that he needed to review before he returned to work.

  Matthew must’ve been thinking along the same lines. “How about I help you sort through the contents tomorrow when I bring you the personal items from Gabe’s office.”

  Hennel didn’t exactly look relieved, more resigned. That was strange. He should have complete trust and confidence in Matthew, yet he didn’t look pleased at the suggestion of his new Special Activities Division Director who had one of the highest security clearances of anyone in the U.S. government.

  Logan stored that tidbit of information.

  Giving Matthew a perfunctory smile, Hennel nodded. “I’m sure anything you find work related will be immediately returned to Langley.”

  That was an order if Logan had ever heard one, and as a career Marine, he’d personally been given orders for over twenty-two years. Perhaps Hennel didn’t trust anyone.

  During the previous conversation, Marsha’s eyes had darted back and forth between the two men until the next man in line cleared his throat. She extended her hand. “Thank you for coming. Did you work with Gabriel?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I’m Deputy Director Stephen Boyer.” He took her hand and held it. “On behalf of Director Mueller, we wish to extend our condolences. Senior Special Agent Davis has been an integral asset to the Central Intelligence Agency for over twenty years. The agency is doing everything within its power to track down your husband’s killer.”

  Matthew’s wince wasn’t missed by Logan, or anyone else on their former team.

  Lies.

  The CIA was known for them.

  If anyone was ever accused of murdering Gabe, he would be merely a sacrificial lamb, probably guilty of something equal or worse than murder. He hoped the clandestine organization wouldn’t hang Matthew out to dry. Logan was beginning to like the guy.

  The word killer spoken by the number two man in the Central Intelligence Agency seemed to stun Marsha. She visibly gathered herself before she spoke. “Thank you. Gabe worked hard to eliminate every threat to the U.S. government, but he always knew he could be in someone’s crosshairs.” She swallowed hard. "He would’ve preferred going in the line of duty over the slow death of suffering from cancer like his father.”

  “He died a hero, Mrs. Davis.” When the second highest ranking man within the CIA laid a hand on Brann’s shoulder, Logan wanted to rip it off. He wondered if this man even knew the truth.

  The third man shuffled in front of Marsha. With his dark brown skin, Middle Eastern facial features, and nearly black hair, he and Hennel could be cousins. Their body language spoke volumes about their dislike for one another. Logan wondered if they were both practicing Muslims. Perhaps it went even deeper and one was Shiite and the other Sunni.

  “Mrs. Davis, I am Joseph Lambert, Deputy Director for Support.” At her confused look, the man with nearly black eyes added, “That’s what we call our human resources. I have been assured that my assistant director has been in touch with you, assisting you through this difficult time.”

  “Yes, Berit Barker has been wonderful.” Marsha threw a glance toward the brunette woman in her mid-forties speaking in low tones with the funeral director and his staff. “I’m grateful for all her help. She’s been invaluable to me over the last few days.”

  “Excellent.” He gave her a toothy grin. “She will continue to be your liaison for the next year. If we at the Central Intelligence Agency can do anything for you, don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Barker.”

  Logan knew better than most that the weirdest shit could pop up over the next year. He lost his mother twelve years ago to a heart attack and was not at all involved in the decisions for her funeral. It wasn’t until his father passed away just over a year ago that he realized everything involved in the business of death. He’d never been a Casualty Assistance Officer, although he’d assigned plenty as a commanding officer.

  There were so many important decisions to be made quickly when all you wanted to do was grieve. He had never discussed his father’s final wishes, and as an only child, everything fell on his shoulders. He alone had to decide on everything from viewing hours to the songs during the funeral mass. The biggest surprise was mail that still arrived a year later, asking to renew his annual donations, or reminding him that an investment rolled over once again.

  Pulling himself from the past, Logan’s gaze swept the room. There were always a few stragglers, but the ladies of the church were already cleaning tables and packaging left over food.

  “You ready to leave?” Teagan asked Marsha.

  Nodding, she hugged her children to her sides. “I think we need some alone time.” She glanced down at her droopy-eyed daughter. “And a nap. We’re all rather exhausted.”

  Micah, whose phone had buzzed several times during the past hour, swept in first. “I’m sorry, but I really do need to get back to Dam Neck.” He kissed Marsha on the cheek. “I’ll see you this weekend.”

  When Matthew and Elizabeth moved in to say goodby, Logan caught up with Micah.

  “Problems?” He asked his longtime friend.

  “Some of my boys are in trouble in northeastern Iraq. I really need to get to the ops center,” Micah gave him a considering look. “They are actually near Urmia, Iran gathering intel on Nassar al-Jamil. Rumor has it he’s establishing his New Islamic State on the shores of Lake Urmia. Do you have anybody even close to that area?”

  “Not that I can think of off the top of my head, but I can call General Lyon.” Logan whipped out is phone.

  “Thanks for the offer.” Micah opened the exterior door. “As soon as I get in my car, I have a conference call with the general.”

  “Stay in touch.” Logan called to his friend then turned to go back inside and came face-to-face with Teagan. “You’re leaving?”

  “Yes. We’re done for today.” She gave him a weary smile. “I wouldn’t turn down a drink, if you’re interested.”

  Oh, he was interested.

  Chapter Two

  “Thanks for coming with me this
afternoon.” Teagan touched Logan’s rock-hard bicep and gave it a little squeeze. Damn, the man was ripped. Impressive for someone pushing forty-five. She mentally shrugged. Of course he was. He was an active duty Marine, required to take a Personal Fitness Test twice a year. Plus, he was still a special operator and lead by example. She wondered if he got up before dawn to run and swim with his men.

  “No problem, I enjoy spending time with the kids. How long do you think Marsha needs us to keep the children away from the house?” Logan asked Teagan as they followed Brann and Anora around the Great Cats exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC.

  “Gabe didn’t have that much clothing left at the house.” Teagan noted quietly, wondering if Logan needed to leave, or if he was just bored. “But Marsha told me she hadn’t even started on his office.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “It didn’t take you long to go through his apartment this morning.”

  “Can you see the mama lion and her cubs?” Brann asked Anora as he pointed down over the edge of the concrete wall. He tried to lift his sister, but Logan grabbed her and planted the little girl on his hip.

  As the children watched the clumsy cubs try to crawl up the large rocks to the upper level, Logan leaned toward Teagan. “It was a completely furnished two-bedroom apartment so not much of the contents were his. All the clothes were donated to a charity that showed up just as we were finishing. There was surprisingly little in the office. He had a small laptop that Marsha took thinking Brann might like to use it for play games. The desk drawer was full of thumb drives that at some point, someone needs to go through.”

  “She may need to give those to Matthew,” Teagan suggested. Glancing toward Logan, she noticed how casually he held the little girl and wondered why he had never remarried. He’d make a great dad. He was wonderful with Brann.

  “Good idea.” Logan let Anora down as she chased her brother around the circle of big cats to check out the tigers. “There was a small container with more than a dozen microSD drives that Matthew should check out, too. All he had in the file drawers were a few personal bills; the lease for his rarely-used sports car, and a copy of the divorce papers, unsigned by the way. On the desk, he had a few pictures of the kids–all three of them.”

  Teagan purposely walked slower, allowing the children to get a few steps ahead. “Marsha said she didn’t care about losing his deposit and was going to let the leasing agency deal with cleaning the apartment. I think she was afraid of finding remnants of other women left behind. She was relatively sure he didn’t have the next Mrs. Gabriel Davis already selected, but she didn’t want to know who had been sleeping in his bed.”

  “I didn’t see any indication of women.” Logan grinned sarcastically. “That’s probably why Marsha asked me to clean out his drawers while she tackled the closets. She only took a small box home with her.”

  “Are there tigers?” Anora asked excitedly.

  “I don’t see any,” Brann replied. He turned toward his sister. “It’s pretty hot out here. Maybe they’re staying cool inside their cave.”

  Teagan saw the slightest movement in the far corner, deep in the shadows. She picked up Anora and pointed. “See how their stripes hide them? And their brown color blends in with the dead grass.”

  When the little girl wrapped her arms around Teagan’s neck, she almost melted with love. If she had one true regret in life, it was not having children. For the longest time, she didn’t think she wanted kids. Now, she couldn’t have them.

  She had loved the fast-paced life as a Navy helicopter pilot. Unlike so many other female pilots, she enjoyed being deployed. She lived for the adrenaline rush every time she donned her helmet and strapped into the ugly leather seat. She loved the way her heartbeat increased when she grabbed the stick and lifted off the earth, challenging gravity, focused on getting her passengers to the landing zone, or picking them up safely and getting them back to the ship or base. But that life was over. She now worked on helicopters on paper, only getting to fly during testing.

  “They should mow the lawn so we can see the animals,” Anora suggested, bringing Teagan out of her thoughts of the past. She hugged her goddaughter and inhaled that little girl scent.

  Back in her twenties, had she known how much love she had for a child, she might have made different decisions. At forty-two, it was too late. So, she would live vicariously through her best friend, Marsha, loving on her godchildren as often as possible.

  As they continued around the circle, Teagan saw the sign for the bathrooms. “Let’s make a pit stop and hit the restrooms. You two have been so good, maybe we’ll be able to get some ice cream, or at least a cold soda, over at the grill.”

  “I don’t have to go potty, but I want ice cream,” Anora announced.

  “Tell you what,” Teagan kneeled down so they were eye to eye. “Why don’t you give it a try. Let the air hit it and see what happens. It’s a long way back to the car.”

  Begrudgingly, the little girl agreed.

  Logan methodically scanned the area constantly as they walked down the wooded path. Nervously, Teagan grabbed Anora’s hand. Did he actually believe they were in danger? Had they put the children in peril by bringing them out in this public place?

  Over drinks last night, she and Logan had discussed the events of the day. He had shared with her the basics of the report from USSOCOM. Not for the first time, Teagan regretted introducing her former roommate to Gabe. They had seemed so happy, especially in the beginning. He had been a beaming father when both children were born.

  Although Teagan and Marsha had always been close, her friend had never indicated why they had separated. Maybe now that he was gone, Marsha would feel more comfortable talking about what happened, or didn’t happen, between them.

  By the time Teagan and Anora had waited through the long line to use the restroom, Logan and Brann were waiting for them, ice cream and sodas in hand.

  “What took so long?” Logan asked while handing her a Coke.

  She sniggered. “You haven’t spent much time with women in public places, have you?”

  He looked sheepish. “Well, not really.”

  Pointing to the long line that extended outside the restroom, Teagan commented, “That’s what took so long. Obviously, public restrooms were designed by men. A woman would have made the ladies’ restroom twice as big with three times as many stalls. On more than one occasion, I’ve seriously considered announcing that I was gender identifying as a male just so I could use the men’s room.”

  Logan tried to fight a grin…and failed. Damn, he had a great smile. Too bad she didn’t get to see it more often. He was the ultimate in serious warrior. “You might be shocked at what you see with a group of men lined up at urinals.”

  Glancing around to be sure the children were out of earshot, Teagan gave him a sassy grin. “It takes more than a line of men’s dicks to shock me. If you’ve seen one, you seen them all.” Then she corrected herself. “Okay, if you seen the two different kinds, circumcised and uncircumcised, then you’ve seen them all.”

  Logan leaned in close and whispered. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that if I were you.”

  “Let’s head for the fish,” Brann said between bites.

  “Sounds like a plan, but it’s a long walk,” Teagan warned.

  The children finished off their snacks and headed down the paved trail.

  “Listen, Logan, I wanted to apologize about last night. I’m sorry I had to bug out early. Mom’s dementia is getting worse, seemingly every day.” Teagan was so embarrassed. She’d gotten a phone call from the nursing home where her mother had been for the last five years. They wanted to sedate her because she was screaming for her daughter, Jessica. Their records indicated that Teagan was her only child. She’d left Logan at the bar and immediately driven to the nursing home. It’d taken nearly two hours, and a mild sedative, to calm her mother down.

  “Not a problem. Did you get things straightened out?” Logan was such a nice guy.r />
  “Yeah.” Teagan was not going to discuss her mother’s crazy rantings. Wanting to change the subject, she asked, “Did we put the kids in danger by bringing them here?”

  “No,” he said without hesitation. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you’re constantly scanning our surroundings.” She followed his gaze. “Do you think someone is after us?”

  Logan shook his head. “It’s just habit. A good one, by the way. I’m constantly aware of my surroundings, and you should be too.” He shrugged. “Maybe after I’ve been out for six years, I won’t be so hypervigilant.”

  She suddenly felt terrible for not being more aware of everything around them. She hadn’t even thought about a secondary exit, or sniper hides. Damn. She’d been out of the game too long.

  Sipping the last of her drink, she wished it had rum in it. She’d entertained the children in their home for three and a half hours that morning while Logan and Marsha cleaned out Gabe’s apartment. After lunch, taking the kids to the zoo with Logan seemed like a good idea. As it was fast approaching four o’clock, Teagan was exhausted. She didn’t know how Marsha kept up with two children and a full-time job.

  “Walk faster Aunt Teagan.” Anora grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “I want to see the otters and Brann said we only have an hour left.”

  Thank God. They could swoop through a fast food joint on the way home and grab enough supper for everyone, eating it once they got back to Marsha’s house.

  Matthew had tried to call Marsha’s house a couple of times. He’d even tried her cell but got no answer. Box in hand with the personal items Gabe had at his desk at the office, Matthew tucked it under his arm to ring the doorbell.

  The door was cracked open.

  Alarm bells rang within his head.

  Matt quietly set the box on the concrete porch and withdrew his weapon. With his free hand, he slowly opened the door. Listening carefully for any sound of movement, or voices. He stepped into the foyer.

  The house was silent.