thought. But just as quickly, he took a breath and shook his head.
“No way. Things don’t just fall into place so perfectly in life. At least, not for me.” He checked his cell phone; it was time. He gathered the files and walked down the hall to his boss’ office. The door was open and Melinda, the perky office manager, greeted him with her customary warm smile.
“Hey Scott, good morning!” She looked at Rivers’ stolid expression and dropped her cheer. “Oh, boy. I know that face. Are you okay?”
“Things could be better, Melinda. Is the admiral in?”
“Go right on in, sir.”
With a curt smile he nodded and walked into Rear Admiral Bob Marrion’s office, the man who recruited him to DSC three years prior. Melinda closed the door once he was in the room and returned to her desk.
“Sit down, Scott,” said the burly, balled African-American with his massive back to him. Rivers took one of the two seats in front of desk. When Marrion turned around, he had a coffee cup in each hand. He set one down in front of Rivers, then sat down and took a sip of his own. Without looking at him, Marrion used his left hand to tap a few buttons on his laptop.
“I read your e-mail, Scott; twice, in fact.”
“And? What do you think of my assessment?”
“I think you’re wrong, to put it bluntly.” Rivers opened his mouth to protest, but stopped when Marrion calmly raised his palm. “Slow down, Scott. There’s nothing wrong with your overall tactical analysis. Your points are clear and understandably conservative; but it seems you fail to see the premise of why I wanted you to head this particular project.”
“Admiral-”
“Bob, goddamn it,” Marrion blurted with light-hearted frustration. “How many times do I have to remind you? I know you still have your uniform pressed in your closet, but you’re a civilian now.” He snickered while Rivers nodded dismissively.
“Bob, you’ve trusted me all these years.”
“Twenty-five, actually,” Marrion added abruptly. “From the day we first met at the Academy.” Marrion smiled with pride, warmly displaying his deep sense of loyalty towards their friendship.
“Well then, why won’t you let this project go? I don’t support it; and even if I did, it’s such a long shot that it will work, to speak of nothing of the cost and risks involved.”
Marrion nodded with understanding.
“Relax, Scott. Drink your coffee.” Rivers put the cup to his lips and took a long sip. Marrion looked away from his laptop and pressed his hands together as if to pray. “Scott, do you believe in second chances?” This question seemed to catch Rivers off guard.
“What?”
“Second chances,” the admiral repeated. “Do you believe in them?”
“Yes. Yes, I do. Sometimes thirds, depending on the situation.”
“Good, because I do very much believe in giving second chances,” Marrion said in a very low and committed tone. “You now have the authority to grant second chances to two individuals, maybe even three.”
“How?” Scott asked completely baffled.
“Commander Rudy Miller, the man you replaced.”
“But I’ve never met him.”
“That’s because he left a few months before I called you. He was picked up for Captain, but refused it.” Marrion’s face registered regret. “He couldn’t live with himself and abruptly retired. That’s why you received all your pass-down from me personally.” Rivers simply stared at him, not making any connections. Marrion realized this and nodded. “I just sent you a detailed e-mail attachment with all the facts about the case. You will understand more when you read it.”
“Why don’t you just tell me, Bob?”
“Because we both know you are too cerebral. You need time to mull things over, and I want you to have all the facts of this project on paper so you can integrate it. It’s what you do best, better than anyone I know.” He leaned forward across his desk. “It’s what I’m counting on.”
“I take it that this project is going forward despite my reservations?”
“Affirmative. This matter has one of the highest priorities for the Pentagon and I’m to report to Admiral Espinoza directly at regular intervals, not to mention those above me in the DSC circle.”
“How much time do I have?”
“We have everything you need, and have arranged all the particulars from paperwork, locations, to the logistics. If your initial contact is successful, we’re expecting you to be ready to go in six months. After that, we may have run out of time; which also translates to the world running out of time.”
Rivers mulled over the timeframe and the situation silently. He looked at Marrion whose eyes were almost pleading.
“Bob, it’s such a-”
“Long shot, we know this. But the situation is so dire, so important to our national security, that we’ve got to try.” He took a deep breath. “We’ve got to try.”
Rivers looked deep into Marrion’s eyes and saw the concern and fear that shackled him. This was indeed a massive undertaking, perhaps an impossible one; but if Bob Marrion asked him to do it, who was he to deny him? Who was he to ignore 25 years of close friendship? He nodded his head affirmatively, albeit reluctantly.
“Thank you, Scott.” Marrion handed him a sheet of paper. “This is your e-ticket for your flight to San Francisco. You leave tonight. Melinda has money and documents for you, plus two return reservations. If it doesn’t work out, let us know and we’ll cancel the other reservation.”
“I understand. Then I guess I’d better get packing.” Marrion stood up and offered his hand, which Scott took without hesitation.
“I know this is completely out of your job description, Scott; but as far as I’m concerned, if there’s anyone who can make this work, it’s you. Don’t worry, if you can’t, just come back. We’ll find another way.” Rivers nodded, still clutching Marrion’s hand.
“Thank you for the opportunity, Admiral.” He let go and proceeded towards the door.
“It’s Bob, goddamn it!”
Rivers smiled, suddenly a bit more comforted that no matter what happened, he’d still have his impenetrable friendship with Bob Marrion.
More than 20 hours later, he would find himself in a room at the Concord Sheraton Hotel, just a few miles from where his new mission would begin.
Chapter 2
A House in Order
2458 Olivera Villa Apartments
Concord, California
Jason
