Page 37 of Spring UnVeiled
Evan sat back in his chair and let out a long sigh.He didn’t want to ask the question but needed to know its answer.“Did he know she was pregnant?”
“No.”Digi didn’t hesitate.“It gets a little complicated, as you’ll see in the transcript, I just sent you.It looks like he shipped out at the end of summer and ditched his phone but didn’t let your daughter know.He never got the messages from her.”
Evan checked the clock on his desk.Commander Dennis was due in one minute, no doubt already waiting in the outer office.
“I’ll take a look after this next meeting.I truly appreciate your help.”Evan was so tempted to make his Team 1 commanding officer wait, but when he was at work, his personal problems came last.
“Anytime, Captain Hubbard.I’m here for you and your men.”The Digital Defender ended the call.
Evan’s administrative assistant buzzed the second the light went out.
Commander Dennis came into the office with a lieutenant right behind him.
“Men, sit.”Evan gestured to the chairs in front of his desk.
The commander sat down immediately but the lieutenant stared at the pictures of Kylie and Ian that Marta Merkel had made for him.The young man seemed a little tentative, but many junior officers were uncomfortable in the presence of a captain.He’d get over it.He finally sat down.
The lieutenant’s eyes met Evan’s and his world shook.He knew those unique green and gold eyes.He looked into them at every feeding and changing.
Is that why he was staring at the photos?Could this lieutenant be Ian’s father?A flash of panic zipped through Evan.Would this young man take their grandson away from them?
Why hadn’t he been there for Kylie?Then he remembered what Digi said—the man hadn’t known she’d been pregnant.
Was he married?Maybe that’s why she hadn’t ever introduced him to Genevieve.A quick glance at the young man’s left hand showed no indication of a ring, now or in the past.But that didn’t mean anything.Most married SEALs didn’t wear a wedding ring.It could get caught on too many things and might rip off a finger.
Forcing himself to compartmentalize, Evan asked, “What did you find?”
“Unfortunately, a lot.”Commander Dennis handed Evan a folder.“I’m going to turn this briefing over to Lieutenant Chaney since he and his platoon did all the work.”
“First, sir, it was an honor to be selected for this mission.I’m personally sickened by what we discovered and revolted that SEALs are involved.”Lieutenant Chaney went through the information clearly and concisely.
They had names and verified addresses with pictures of the SEALs and the foreign girls entering and leaving their apartments.The recorded testimony from several of the young women would go a long way toward convictions.
This was going to make the kind of statement Evan needed.It also meant he had a lot of work to get done before his speech on Monday.
Evan stood, indicating it was the end of the meeting.“You’ve done an excellent job.I’m very pleased by what you were able to accomplish in just a few days.Do you and your men want to be in on the arrests?”
“Absolutely, sir.”Lieutenant Chaney said as he stood.
“Lieutenant, may I have a word in private?”Evan asked, hiding his nerves.When Commander Dennis turned and raised an eyebrow Evan tilted his head toward the door.“Commander, I’ll explain later.”
When the door closed behind the Team 1 commanding officer, Evan grabbed the pictures of his daughter and his grandson.At that moment, he wasn’t sure he really wanted to know if the young man in front of him was Ian’s father.
“When you came in, you stared at my daughter’s picture.It’s the same one that was at the memorial service.Did you know my daughter?”Evan watched the young man’s every move, looking for a lie.
“Sir, I was Officer of the Day and was unable to attend the service.My condolences, sir.”He then stared at the picture.“I had no idea Kylie,” His voice broke on his daughter’s name.He swallowed hard before he choked out, “had passed away.”
“So, you knew my daughter?”
“Yes, sir.We dated up until the week I left for Iraq.”The lieutenant held Evan’s gaze.That took a lot of inner strength.
“Did you know she was pregnant?”Although Digi said the lieutenant didn’t know, she might have gotten ahold of him some other way.Evan kicked himself for not sending Digi Kylie’s computer.
“No, sir.”The lieutenant’s gaze dropped to the picture of her holding her newborn baby.
Evan held up a picture of Ian.“This is very possibly your son.”
Lieutenant Chaney stared at the picture and Evan thrust it at him.The young man accepted the picture and blinked several times.“Sir, if you wish for me to take a DNA test, I will.”
