It was her recommendation that resulted in Brackman joining her on the trip to the polar ice cap. Compounding her culpability, Brackman would have already transferred to his next job if she hadn’t convinced him to remain the president’s senior military aide for another year. Her motive had been selfish. She and Brackman agreed on almost every issue, and she didn’t want to lose her dependable ally in the political wars waged among the president’s staff. Finally, she had closed the watertight door and sealed Brackman in Compartment Eight.
There was no avoiding it. Brackman was dead because of her. She wondered how many people gathered around Brackman’s grave understood her guilt. She glanced at Brackman’s parents and his sister. They were seated in front of her, looking away toward Brackman’s casket, and Christine was grateful she did not have to look them in the eye during the ceremony.
The chaplain stepped back from the gravesite and the OIC signaled the firing detail, ordering them to attention. The president and military personnel saluted as the firing detail fired three volleys. As the echo of the last round faded, the bugler sounded taps. The long, lonely notes from his bugle filled the air. Christine knew only the first line of the lyrics:
Day is done, gone the sun.
She looked up into the overcast sky, the sun hidden by clouds. The weather, at least, was appropriate. As the last note from the bugle faded, the chaplain resumed his position at the head of Brackman’s grave and offered the benediction. The casket team folded the American flag they had held over Brackman’s casket, then handed it to the president, who presented the flag to Brackman’s parents.
“On behalf of a grateful nation and proud Navy, I present this flag to you in recognition of your son’s years of honorable and faithful service to his country.”
Brackman’s mother accepted the flag as tears streamed down her cheeks. The president stepped back and saluted, then the casket team marched away from the gravesite. The OIC signaled the firing detail, who also turned and headed down the slope.
The president offered his condolences, followed by members of his staff and cabinet, as well as Brackman’s friends from the many commands he served on. Christine remained behind, searching for the right words, but they eluded her. The line of mourners wound down, and when there was no one left, she could put it off no longer.
Christine stopped in front of Brackman’s parents, and as they met her gaze, she decided to keep her condolences short. “Your son saved my life. I cannot thank him, so I thank you.”
Brackman’s parents nodded their appreciation.
Christine wanted to say more, but wasn’t sure if they harbored resentment toward her. After all, their son had traded his life for hers.
Brackman’s sister stood and offered Christine a hug. As Lisa pulled away, she said, “We understand why Steve did what he did. He spoke highly of you.” It looked like there was more she wanted to say, but then she noticed Christine’s pain. Lisa hugged her again, this time whispering in her ear, “Don’t feel guilty. It was Steve’s decision, not yours.”
She had stopped by to offer condolences, but it was Lisa who did the consoling. Her words helped, and the lump in Christine’s throat diminished. Brackman’s family stood, then headed down the slope to their sedan. The president also departed, as did his staff and cabinet, followed by Brackman’s friends, leaving only Christine, the chaplain, and the OIC. The two men bid her farewell, then joined the congregation making its way toward the cemetery’s exit.
Christine remained behind, standing at the foot of Brackman’s grave. She thanked him one final time, then looked up into the dark gray sky, blinking as heavy snowflakes hit her face. The snow was falling harder now. She pulled the collar of her overcoat around her ears, then tucked her chin down as she headed into the bitter wind.
COMPLETE CAST OF CHARACTERS
KEVIN HARDISON, chief of staff
CHRISTINE O’CONNOR, national security advisor
DON RICHARDSON, secretary of defense
DAWN CABRAL, secretary of state
LARS SIKES, press secretary
STEVE BRACKMAN (Captain), senior military aide
MICHAEL MCFARLAND (Admiral), Chief of Naval Operations
GARY RILEY (Rear Admiral), Director, Undersea Warfare Division (N97)
BOB TAYMAN (Vice Admiral), Commander, Submarine Force
RICK CURRENT (Captain), chief of staff
VINCE HARMS (Electronics Technician Second Class), Communications Center Watchstander
MARC ARSENAULT (Chief Electronics Technician), Communications Center Supervisor
JOE RUSCIGNO (Commander), C4I Watch Officer
ANDY WHEELER, C4I Watchstander
OFFICERS
PAUL TOLBERT (Commander), Commanding Officer
GEORGE SITES (Lieutenant Commander), Executive Officer
ROGER SWENSON (Lieutenant Commander), Engineer Officer
MARK LIVINGSTON (Lieutenant), Weapons Officer
SCOTT MOLITOR (Lieutenant), junior officer
JP VAUGH (Lieutenant), junior officer
CHIEFS
PAUL MURGO (Sonar Technician Master Chief), Chief of the Boat
MIKE MORAN (Electricians Mate Chief), Electrical Division Chief
LARRY JOHNSON (Machinist Mate Chief), Auxiliary Division Chief
TONY SCALISE (Machinist Mate Chief), Machinery Division Chief
BOB BUSH (Sonar Technician Chief), Sonar Division Chief
PETTY OFFICERS AND SEAMEN
ART THOMPSON (Electrician’s Mate First Class), Electrical Division
TIM BRANDON (Electrician’s Mate First Class), Electrical Division
ALLEN TERRILL (Electrician’s Mate Second Class), Electrical Division
SCOTT TURK (Machinist Mate Third Class), Engine Room Forward Watch
BOB HORNSEY (Electronics Technician Second Class), Quartermaster
JOE HIPP (Electronics Technician First Class), Propulsion Plant Operator
TOM PHILLIPS (Fire Control Technician Second Class), Plots Operator
REGGIE THURLOW (Sonar Technician Second Class), Broadband Operator
DAVID LORMS (Seaman), Phone Talker
MURRAY WILSON (Captain), Commanding Officer
TERRY SPARKS (Lieutenant Commander), Executive Officer
KELLY HAAS (Lieutenant Commander), Supply Officer
MARCUS BENJAMIN (Lieutenant), Weapons Officer
BARBARA LAKE (Lieutenant), Junior Officer
MARK DECRISPINO (Lieutenant), Junior Officer
PAT LEENSTRA (Electronics Technician Second Class), Quartermaster
CHRIS MALOCSAY (Fire Control Technician Second Class), Fire Control Technician of the Watch
JOHN MCNEIL (Commander), SEAL Team Commander
JAKE HARRISON (Lieutenant), SEAL Platoon Officer-in-Charge
LORIE ALLEN (Lieutenant), SEAL Platoon Officer-in-Charge
JEFF STONE (Special Warfare Operator Chief), fire team leader
TIM OLIVER (Special Warfare Operator First Class), sniper
BRAD KRATOVIL (Special Warfare Operator Second Class), breacher
JIM HAY (Special Warfare Operator Second Class), communicator
JOE ALEO (Commander), Medical Officer