True to his word, David was there in less than a half hour. He pulled up right to where Lizzy and Gale were. Lizzy hopped into the front passenger seat while Gale took a seat in the back. David didn't even say hello and just pulled out and started to drive. It was complete silence in the car before finally David said something to them both. "When Lizzy first started asking questions about Hermy, I did a little digging around just to satisfy my own curiously. Gary went straight from military school to the actual military. He served in various wars for our country and still works for Uncle Sam. His base is located just outside town. Sergeant Major Smith is training at Fort McClarren right now. The base is off limits to the general public, so the only way you can get on site is with police escort."
It took them a little under an hour to get to the base that was just located outside town. From what Lizzy could tell there were a lot of new recruits that were all eager to be the best they could be for Uncle Sam. While Lizzy had her opinions about war and the politics behind them, she was aware of her surroundings and knew this was a time to keep those thoughts to herself. As the pulled up to the gate to enter the base, a guard stepped forward to block their entrance. "Please identify yourself."
David didn't hesitate to pull out his badge. "Detective David Sheppard, we’re here to speak with Sergeant Major Gary Smith."
The guard went back into the booth and called in the request. A few moments later he returned. "Come on in, Decective. Take a left when this road ends and you're looking for building B12."
David smiled, "B12, thank you." Once the gate was up, David floored the car onto base and quickly found the building they were looking for. Once he stopped the car, he shut off the ignition and immediately turned to face Lizzy and Gale. "You're free to come along, but I do all the talking. I mean it. Until I say so not a single word out of either of you. Understood?" He paused for a moment, "Where's the bear?"
Lizzy patted her purse, which was more the large enough to fit the teddy that started this whole mess. "He's right here."
"Keep it there until we really need it." David said as he opened the door. "Let's go and not one word." As they got out of the car David took the lead and as he was walking up to the building he spoke to an officer that was walking out. "We're looking for Sergeant Major Smith. Is he inside?"
"Who wants to know?" the officer sniped back.
David again flashed his badge. "Lose that chip of your shoulder pal and just answer my fraking question. Where can I find Smith?"
"He should be back soon." the soldier replied. "He took his crew for a jog."
As the soldier said that, Lizzy immediately understood what he meant. She looked behind her and noticed in the distance there was twenty five men jogging towards their location, chanting something you only thought they did in the movies but it was quite real and in her face which was startling. When the brigade arrived to their location, she watched as the drill sergeant ordered them to halt and remain at attention. The man who was running that crew stuck out easily with a large hat and a whistle around his neck. He was also build like a house and looked like he could kick anyone's ass... even David's and up until this point Lizzy thought David was the toughest man she had ever seen. She then realized why David didn't want her to come alone.
David however was ready to live up to his reputation and showed no fear as he walked up to Smith and flashed that badge of authority in the Drill Sergeant's face. "Sergeant Major Smith?"
The big man smirked when he heard his name. "That's me, and what the hell do you want?" Smith sniped back at David.
"I'm Detective Sheppard and I need a moment of your time."
"My time is very valuable, Sheppard." Smith said with little regard or respect for the man talking to him. "Maybe you can come back when I'm done with these punks."
"Maybe I can toss you in cuffs and continue this conversation downtown!" David said as he went nose to nose with the big soldier. He had no intentions of hauling Gary anywhere, but usually just saying that would get people talking.
Lizzy didn't want to say anything but David and Gary were two alpha males that were trying to make themselves look like the bigger man in front of everyone else in a very public setting. She decided to take it upon herself to interrupt and try to settle the guys down. "I'm sorry Mr. Smith, but I need to talk to you Hayden Sheppard."
"I knew him, but that was a long time ago." Gary then turned his attention to David when something dawned on him. "You're his brother. What the hell is this about?"
Lizzy couldn’t understand why David acted so aggressive, but that might have just been the way the man worked when on the job. She could tell he wasn’t too fond of her budding in but it was too late. "We came to talk to you about something that happened a long time between you and Hayden, who was my husband."
"If it's between me and your husband." Gary repeated very coldly, "Then why isn't his chicken shit ass here with you?"
"He's dead." Lizzy answered.
"Figures." Gary said coldly.
"He was a fireman and he died in the line of duty." David said as he looked like he was about the clock the Sergeant in the head. "You show some respect for the dead, especially a real hero like my brother."
Before Gary could respond to that gripe, Lizzy stepped in again. "This is about Hermy!"
Just stating that name brought something out of Gary Smith. His face flushed and his knuckles turned white as he clenched both fists. He paused for a moment and took a deep breath before addressing the twenty plus soldiers that were still standing at attention. "You pieces of snot droppings have sixty minutes to run back to your barracks and make it acceptable for inspection. I want the floors to be so clean I can eat off them! The clock is running... move, move, MOVE!!!!" Lizzy watched as the soldiers all started a mad dash for their barracks, which were likely no where near ready for inspection. Then Gary turned back to face Lizzy and he didn't look very happy or impressed with her revelation. "Do you know who took my Hermy?"
"Yeah." David said as he stepped in. "I did."
Lizzy had no idea what was going through David's head, but he seemed eager to get something on with Gary every since his rash comment about Hayden’s death. His false confession to stealing Hermy was all he needed to say to get it started. Gary didn't hesitate to run at David and swing the first punch, but since David saw it coming a mile away he stepped out of the way and tried to land a punch of his own. Gary however blocked it and returned with a body shot that not only knocked the wind out of the detective, but send him to his knees hurt and barely able to breathe. Gary was about to kick David while he was down, an apparent sign of how angry he was but Lizzy had had enough. She stepped in front of David, holding in her arms the mother of all human shields: his Hermy.
"Hermy!" Gary hushed as he stopped dead in his tracks. It had been almost twenty years since he had seen the bear and it was almost enough to make the tough soldier cry right there in the middle of the base.
"I’m not here to upset you." Lizzy said as she stepped closer. "We came here to return something that is rightfully yours." She walked up and handed him a piece of paper. "Look at number thirteen." Gary looked up and down the list and then at the item she asked him to. "Hayden stole your Hermy a long time ago and was trying to find the courage to return it himself. Since he never got the chance to do that, I’m here to do it for him." She held out the bear and offered it back to Gary.
Gary was on the verge of crying, but he didn't. He took the small bear from Lizzy and held it in his arms for the first time in two decades. What Lizzy didn't realize was the truth behind Gary's emotional attachment to this bear, and no one really did which is why his response was so shocking to everyone. "My grandmother made this for me. Sewed it together with her own hands." he said to her. "It was the only thing I remember her giving to me. She was a wonderful lady and she passed away when I was five. This was the last thing she ever gave me and I wanted to keep it so that I could pass it on to my own children one day." the man who had l
ooked meaner than a junkyard dog, bulging with muscles and a buzz cut that made any man look fierce. And yet there Gary was, starting to soften right before her eyes. "Thank you very much for taking the time to bring him home. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.”
"I did it for Hayden." Lizzy said as she pointed to the part of the list that was still in Gary’s hand. "It’s right there. Hayden wanted to return it, and I think he would have found the way if he had more time."
"I'm sorry to hear about his passing.” Gary replied as he passed the list back to her. “It sounds like he made a good life for himself and made a real difference in this world."
"He did, and so did you." Lizzy said as she offered the Sergeant a hand. "It was a privilege to meet you and I'm sorry you didn't get this back sooner."
"If there is anything I can do to repay you, don't hesitate to ask." Gary asked, and before he knew it Lizzy was ready to take him up on that offer.
David was still struggling to get up and Gale was helping him now. Lizzy reached into her purse and pulled out the picture of Hayden and the mystery girl from high school. "Actually, can you tell me who this lady is?"
Gary took a quick look at the photo and grinned. "Of course I can. That’s Shannon Nichols. She and Hayden were high school sweethearts. But that was before your time, Miss." he said with a friendly wink.
"All right." Lizzy said as she put the photo away. "Thank you for your time."
“No, thank you.” Gary said as he smiled back.
Lizzy walked over and helped Gale take David back to the car. David needed a few moments to compose himself and while he did that Lizzy watched Gary walk his Hermy back into the officer's barracks. He seemed content and at peace. While it looked weird to see the big man holding his teddy bear, Lizzy was happy to see that this issue Hayden was afraid to confront himself had been finally resolved. As they were driving out, Lizzy was the first to speak. "Would anyone here like to tell me why the Shannon I had been asking about was Hayden's high school sweetheart? Anyone?" Both David and Gale where quiet and didn't want to respond. "Well you two had better talk soon because I am going to find her and when I do it will be one conversation you do not want to miss."
"You don't want to talk to her." David said, "It would just cause problems."
"I will be the decider of that!" Lizzy snapped back, "I want to know about these two and you guys are going tell me right now!”
David could tell this was going to be one long ride back downtown but he had no choice. She wanted the info and she was going to get it so he might as well be the one to break all the news to her. It was time she knew the truth.