programs was voluntary, and it was up to the individual to fulfill the requirement in a “reasonable” time after promotion. No one monitored this requirement, and it was common for them to be overlooked altogether. So, the option was that Mr. Finney could be terminated after twenty-five years of Government service, including his military time, or he could take the course and be monitored under probation for three years. He would also have restrictions on closed-door meetings and personal consulting with female subordinates. It was up to Laura to agree to the latter course.
She didn’t like Buzz, but she also didn’t want to be responsible for his termination. He’d never touched her. She accepted the re-training option and felt good about her decision. She didn’t want to hurt anyone. Three weeks later, Buzz Finney resumed his manager’s roll, but kept his distance from all the women. Laura was a hero in her department.
Soon after the incident with Finney was settled, she met Hunter over the phone. He was new with the Border Patrol in San Diego, which she supported. Neither he, nor Laura, knew much about Government Acquisition, so they struggled through several small purchases together and started a cyber-friendship. Even though he was a few years older, they were both starting new careers and sharing some of the same challenges adapting to tight procurement procedures.
Hunter had been wounded as a Navy SEAL and was convinced to quit the Navy by his sister. The Border Patrol was hiring, and he found the transition from one uniform service to another easy. He liked the Border Patrol but missed the equipment (“toys”) the Navy teams were issued. Laura got to hear his complaints as he worked through the system to buy some of the basics he wanted, such as Kevlar and GPS. She not only learned how to function as a buyer, she learned a lot about the man. When he moved to Washington, both were hopeful that their relationship would grow.
She was overwhelmed when they first met. He was tall, handsome, and commanding, but also a very caring person, always sensitive to her feelings and moods. After two years, her attraction to him, and his to her, had grown stronger.
But the trip to California had frightened her. His brother-in-law was murdered. The whole family was photographed by some dangerous person with a gun. Then Sue Ann was kidnapped and almost murdered. There were threats made, and Hunter was concerned about her safety. This scared her. She didn’t question her love for him, but the fear remained. Laura wasn’t an adventurous person and needed a fair amount of nurturing. Hunter liked this about her and was an ideal protector, but now, now there was someone tangible making threats about killing his family. She would be included in the mix.
She was nervous occasionally, especially after dark. Hunter wanted her to move in with him, but she wanted to prove to herself that she wasn’t going to be intimidated. He called her frequently, and they spent most of their free time together, yet she still felt the necessity to live her life as she chose, not through fear. She wanted to be able to take care of herself.
Before leaving work at six-thirty, she called him as planned.
He said, “So, you still planning to come over to my place for dinner?”
“Yep. Do I need to pick anything up from the store?”
“No. I think I’ve got it all set.”
She asked, “Hunter, could you teach me some self-defense?”
He understood her anxiety. “Laurie, I can teach you some things that will surprise most attackers, if you want.”
“You mean like Karate?”
“Sort of. We don’t really label in the military, it’s just a combination of a lot of things. How are you dressed?”
“I’m casual today, loose jeans and a blouse.”
“Good. Come on over, and we’ll eat then wrestle around in my living room.”
She smiled. “Just self-defense – at least to start.”
“That’s what I meant.” He was smiling, too.
Reconciled
Saturday morning, Sue Ann (Suzy) was having morning tea with Claire. She’d been staying in Sacramento for over a week, and it was time to go home.
Claire said, “You know cous’, it’s nice having another adult here. I don’t want you to leave until you’re good and ready. It’s also nice having a teacher around to help the kids with homework.”
Suzy smiled and put her hand on Claire’s. “I know you would keep me, Claire, but I can’t be scared forever. It’s time to go back. Mom and Dad will meet me in Santa Clara (her apartment) and help me clean up after the police went through it. I just bet the refrigerator is crawling away.”
“Well, sweetheart, I just want you to feel you can be here any time for as long as you want.”
“I know, Claire. I really like it here and appreciated it. The school has been great, too, and told me to take as much time as needed. But to tell you the truth, I need to get back to work. I just get depressed hiding out. Besides, I don’t think lightening will strike twice on me.”
“I hope you’re right, Suzy.”
“It’ll be okay. I talked to my landlord. I think he’s got a crush on me. Anyway, he put in super deadbolts and re-keyed my place. He even put in a security system for me and is paying for the monitoring service himself. He even put cameras in the parking area. I’ve got the safest place in the Bay Area now.”
“Well, I hope so.”
Sue Ann packed her new BMW and waved goodbye to everyone around ten o’clock. She claimed the car was her one indulgence on a teacher’s salary. Once on the interstate, she called Hunter.
He saw her number, “Hey. How you doing, kid?”
“I’m good, Hunt. What’s that sound in the background?”
“Laurie and I are on the mall (Washington Mall) listening to the country bands trying to outdo each other. Great day for a little shit-kickin’ music and barbecue.”
“Say hi to your girl for me.”
“I, will. So, where are you? You still at Claire’s.”
“I’m driving home to San Fran.”
“You feel okay, Sue Ann?”
“I’m fine, Hunt. I actually feel like I beat death. It’s exhilarating!”
“Yeah, well. Just don’t go forgetting to be careful for now on until we fix this thing.”
“I’ll be careful, cous’. And kiss Laura for me. It sounds like the bands are going ballistic.”
“Yeah. We’re right in the middle of it.”
“Okay. Take care.”
“By, hon.”
The night before, Hunter and Laura worked on some defensive moves for Laura – before her defenses let down. Hunter also gave her a whistle and would buy pepper spray over this weekend. She would stay with him until Sunday night.
Her training went extremely well. She was a swimmer and took dancing lessons as a girl before going to college. Hunter was genuinely impressed by her flexibility and balance with some of the things he showed her about breaking holds and incapacitating a man. He could sense her self-confidence as they walked in the crowds around the massive park between the monuments and the Smithsonian.
“It’s really beautiful her today, Hunter. I’m glad you thought of coming down.”
“Yeah. It’s really special here. A lot different than California.”
“Do you miss it?”
“Yeah, kinda. Mostly, I just would like to be closer to my family right now. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I do. If you hadn’t gotten involved with lobbying for the drug bill, your family wouldn’t be in danger.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and turned her to face him. “But, I wouldn’t have met you either.” They kissed.
“Do you think you could ever stay here, Hunt?”
He didn’t want to answer too quickly. “For you I would, but I don’t know what I’d do for a living.” They started walking again, holding hands.
“You could be a lobbyist. You’re pretty good at it.”
“No, I’m not. I get my guidance from someone who really knows what she’s do
ing. Besides, I feel like an influence peddler.”
A slight smile appeared on her face. “That’s what I mean. You’re a good influence peddler.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s what I’m cut out for in the long run. Claire asked me to do it, and I’m here doing it.”
“You don’t sound sure.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Laurie, I want to be where you are. That’s it, pure and simple.”
She smiled quickly then turned to keep walking without saying anything.
Evidence
Monday morning, Kasey McDougal was in her office on Golden Gate Avenue, reading emails on their secure network. The crime-lab report was completed for José Rivera’s Mercedes. She read it in detail then sent a copy to John Richards in Sacramento.
He called her half an hour later.
“Hi, Kasey. Interesting report. Your guys are good. I didn’t think anything would be left after the sea creatures worked over the car for two years.”
“Yeah, John. So, what do think is the most interesting?”
“Hum, I’m still reading but I’m surprised that his wallet was intact, nothing apparently taken. His money, credit cards, driver’s license. They were all there.”
She commented. “Did you see what they found under the algae?”
He paused. “Yeah. It says there was a grid pattern etched through the paint leaving a distinctive oxidation (rust) pattern. The lab experimented three hours of low vibration, simulating a fishing boat under power, and concluded that the car was under more than four tons of netting. The netting weave dimensions were calculated.”
John sat back with his