The Major's Wife. Anthony Whyte

is fine. It’s that bigoted father of hers. That’s my concern. Maybe…ah –”

      “We’ll go the whole nine yards to have this wrapped up in a snap, Vaughn.”

      “Okay, I’d like to be updated on every inch of this investigation. Please make sure I’m up to date.”

      “No problem. As I said, Captain Blackbird is our liaison on the investigation. I’ll have her reporting to me and—”

      “No, have the captain communicate directly with me. And Dan, I just want you to know that with the help of some important people in the NSA, I’m deploying a little trap of my own.”

      “And what will that be?”

      The knock on the door interrupted the discussion. Both men looked in the direction of the doorway. Commandeering their attention was a statuesque, six feet tall Black captain. Blackbird was the epitome of good looks with the beautiful face of a model jumping from a fashion catalog. Her youthfulness belied her knowledge and expertise. Vaughn King raised his brow, nodded at Blackbird, and glanced at Mason. Then his eyes went back in the captain’s direction.

      With a knowing nod, Mason said, “Oh, Captain Blackbird… You’re just in time. Come in and meet General King.”

      “Nice to meet you, sir. And my condolences to you, and your family, sir.”

      “Good to meet you, and thank you, Captain Blackbird,” King said.

      “General Mason, you asked to see me, sir?”

      “Yes, General King. Captain Blackbird is one of our finest army investigators. You can feel assured that she will do everything to bring your son’s killers to justice.”

      “Thank you, sir.”

      “Captain, the general just arrived and would like an update on the ongoing investigation,” Mason said.

      “Yes, sir. So far detectives Sharkey and McAlister, the lead detectives on the civilian side, are following up on a report of an incident at the Blue Oyster—”

      “An incident…? What kind?” King echoed.

      Captain Blackbird went on to explain and brought a distressed, but attentive King up to date. He thanked her and held his eyes to the ceiling. Then the retired general stared off, seemingly looking through the walls. Mason waited then reiterated the query.

      “Vaughn, do you care to share that strategy now or—?”

      “This’ll be just like Operation Just Cause—the same tactics we used down in Panama to get Noriega out—”

      “Are you familiar with this, Blackbird?” Mason asked Blackbird.

      “I’m familiar with our sonar waves technology…”

      “Great, except in our case, we’ll modify the strategy to include our control of the media as part of our dispersing agent… It will operate on a twenty-four - seven basis until that sonofabitch is flushed out in the open. Once we’ve done that, we’ll hammer fast and quick in getting an indictment. Eventually leading to a conviction.”

      “Hmm, I don’t see any problem with that, sir. We can immediately enlist AFN, and I’ll get on the landline with our CNN and BET contacts. We’ll be able to spread to national in no time, and we also have numerous print media on our hands. So signals can immediately start going out,” Captain Blackbird said.

      “Sounds good, let’s use them immediately. But let’s focus on a local nonstop blast. I’m talking twenty- four -seven coverage. I already have my people at the State Department and NSA laying the groundwork,” King rejoined.

      “I know you’ll want to hear what’s going on immediately. Captain Blackbird and her staff at criminal investigations can facilitate that. I’m sure,” Mason said, nodding in agreement.

      “And please keep a tight lid on this part of the investigation. Not even the civilian investigators should know about this. Top secret,” King said, speaking directly to Captain Blackbird.

      “Yes, sir. Will do as ordered, sir.”

      “Very good. We’re all on the same page.”

      “All right, captain. The general will be staying at the officer’s quarters.”

      “I’ll have a security team setup there,” Captain Blackbird said.

      “Are there any questions, captain?”

      “No, sir.”

      “All right. I’ll get all the appropriate information to you. Thank you, captain.”

      Captain Blackbird stood at attention and saluted. Then sharply, she wheeled out of the office. The two old friends waited until the door was closed. Then they began talking.

      “Dan, are you sure about her?”

      “Yes, I am sure, Vaughn.”

      “I must be getting old because that captain looks like she should still be in college.”

      “Blackbird is top of her class. You saw her. She’s a super soldier and a damn good investigator. Blackbird comes with all the right intangibles, dependability, loyalty, and high character. She comes with very high accolades from General Murphy over at Military Intelligence.”

      “And Sergeant Eubanks, nothing against your choice, but a female who looks somewhat high school senior—”

      “Vaughn, don’t let that pretty, young face fool you. She’s a superior driver, and knows how to use her weapon very well.”

      “Then, if she’s so damn good, why do you need all these FBI guys to back her up?”

      “Vaughn, we had nothing to do with those agents. They come complements of Homeland Security. They’re still treating this as a possible terrorist strike. So Eubanks is assigned to drive you anywhere and accompany you.”

      “All right. Since you vetted and endorse Eubanks, then I’ll put away my concerns. Thank you again, Dan,” the retired general said, reaching to shake his friend’s hand.

      “Before you go, Vaughn. I don’t know if this is the right time, but I want to know if you would like to help plan, ah, your son’s interment services?”

      The retired general stood six feet, two inches tall. He kept his salt and pepper hair neatly trimmed on his head. He was ruggedly built and had served as a tank battalion and infantry commander. King had survived to exit at the top where most men failed or just plain bottom out. Even though he was a strong man, King appeared shaken to the core with the idea of burying his son. A drained expression stayed. It was clear that King was reluctant to participate.

      “Yes,” he managed, swallowing hard. “Give me a call, and we’ll do it. Maybe tomorrow, huh?”

      “That’s fine, Vaughn. One thing is you can be sure that your son will have a full-scale honorable military funeral,” General Mason said.

      “Thanks again, Dan,” King said.

      There was a hint of gloom as the retired general quickly turned to walk out of the office. Mason watched his friend and jumped to attention. Then he gave the command.

      “Staff, attention!” Mason ordered.

      He raised his right arm in a salute. Soldiers and civilian staff members stood and remained standing until King left the office. When King, then the Commandant of the aviation school, said, “Staff, at ease.”