“Let’s go, Joe.”
On the way to the EOD van, Adler said, “In case you’re wondering, I called the admiral when I arrived here.”
“Haven’t had time to call him, Joe. Been running ‘balls to the wall’ these past few hours. Any idea if he’s had that meeting with State?”
“He said he met with SECDEF and SECNAV.”
“Anything about SIS being brought in?”
“Negative. I mean, he didn’t bring it up.”
“Guess we’re still on our own then.”
“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Adler laughed, as he got into the passenger side of the van.
“Maybe not this time.”
It wasn’t the answer Adler was expecting. “I guess you’re right.”
Grant opened the driver’s door, seeing his .45 in the holster with a loaded clip laying next to it. He took out the weapon, then rammed the clip in. He slid the weapon back into the holster.
“But tell me, skipper, what the hell just happened back there?”
Grant attached the belt around his waist. “You mean between me and Jack?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t exactly hearing friend-to-friend chatter.”
“I don’t know,” Grant answered, shaking his head, “but he’s scared shitless about something. He just won’t talk.”
“Maybe he just needs time.”
“It’s something none of us have, Joe.”
“So what’s next then? We going to see the cops?”
Grant adjusted the holster on his hip, as he slid behind the steering wheel. “Not yet. Need to talk with the marine C.O.”
“Okay, but I’ve gotta tell you something,” Adler said in all seriousness.
“I suppose you’re hungry.”
“Damn straight! I’m up for trying some good English food.”
“How about fish ‘n’ chips or a Cornish pasty?”
“I need more than a pastry!”
“Pasty! Pasty! A complete meal in a compact design, easy to carry, good for travel,” Grant laughed as he backed out of the parking space.
“I’ll give it a shot.”
“Afraid you’re gonna have to wait. More important shit to do first.”
“That’s cruel. That’s damn cruel!”
“Here,” Grant said, reaching into his pocket. “Chew on this!” Adler took the Snickers and stripped off the wrapper.
Grant put the van into drive, when he saw Henley in the rearview mirror, running after him, waving almost frantically. He hit the brakes.
“What the hell…?” Adler spat out, bracing his hands against the dashboard.
“Something’s goin’ on,” Grant replied. He rolled down the window, and ducked his head out just as Henley got to the van. “What’s wrong, Jack?”
Henley grabbed the door frame with both hands. “Victoria! She’s not answering the phone!”
“Why the panic? She could just be… ”
“No! No! She doesn’t have a car. There’s no place for her to go at this hour. She’s always home getting dinner ready. Something’s wrong, Grant! I’m sure of it!”
Grant slammed the gearshift into park. “You drive!”
Adler was already climbing into the back seat. Grant slid over to the passenger side. “Go!”
Chapter 12
Twenty minutes later, Henley started slowing the vehicle. A twenty acre park, shaped like a fairway dogleg, was within sight of his neighborhood. Flower gardens, fountains, and a small lake attracted locals everyday. This evening, two children were chasing ducks across the grass, while their parents stood close by, holding small bags with feed.
“We’re almost there,” Henley said while he held onto the steering wheel with a death grip. He made a left turn, going up a slight hill on a narrow road. “That’s the street,” he said pointing to the right.
Grant said quietly, “Stop here.”
The street was a cul-de-sac that had about twenty houses, ten on each side, all one story. They were built in pairs, each pair attached by single car garages. All were the same beige colored stucco, except garages were different colors.
Grant looked out the side window. “Which house?”
Henley pointed. “Fourth on the left, with the blue garage door.”
Adler kept his eyes on the surrounding area, as Grant asked, “Any other doors besides the front?”
“There’s one in the kitchen leading out to the backyard.”
“What’s the layout?”
“Living room, dining room to the right; kitchen in the middle; two bedrooms to the left; one bath in between the bedrooms.”
“What’s out back?”
“There’s a narrow tree line with more houses behind it.”
“Give Joe the house keys.”
Henley took the keys from the ignition and slid one skeleton key from the ring. He handed it to Adler. “That opens front and back. Here’s the key to the garage.”
“Is there an inside door to the garage?” Adler asked.
“No.”
Grant pointed straight ahead. “Drive to those trees.” Henley started the engine and slowly drove up the main street. “How’s it lookin’, Joe?” Grant asked as they passed the side street.
“A couple of kids playing at the end of the road. Only three cars parked in driveways. That’s it.”
“Okay, Jack. Pull over here.”
Grant and Adler got out. Grant leaned toward the window, looking at Henley. “Turn around. Wait near the park we just passed.”
“But… ”
“Take off, Jack. Wait there.”
Reluctantly, Henley drove away. Grant and Adler ignored him, keeping their full attention on their objective.
“Take the front door, Joe. I’ll work around to the back.”
Adler held the key in his left hand, with his right hand on his holstered weapon. Cautiously walking up two steps, he followed the short sidewalk to the front door. He took a moment to look one more time around the neighborhood, making sure no one was standing by windows. Seeing Grant disappear around the side of the house, he unlocked the door.
Stepping into the entry, he drew his weapon. Looking into the open spaces, he listened for any sounds. Nothing.
The back door was clear glass top to bottom. He saw Grant leaning slightly, in order to get a view of the kitchen. Adler unlocked the door. Taking one last scan of the yard, Grant slipped into the room.
The kitchen was narrow… no wider than five feet. Cabinets and counters were stark white. A gas cooktop was next to a small stainless sink. Opposite was a small fridge under a cabinet. Brit housewives usually shopped everyday, bringing home fresh vegetables and meats. Electricity was at a premium. Most homeowners had a meter in the garage. A supply of shillings was kept handy. Run out of shillings… run out of electricity.
The two men slowly walked through the room. No food was on the counters or cooktop. The absence of cooking odors suggested nothing had been prepared. The kitchen was spotless.
Standing in the kitchen doorway, Grant motioned for Adler to go around to the dining room and living room. He turned and quietly headed to the front bedroom.
The door was closed. He stepped nearer, looking down the hallway, seeing the bathroom door open. The second bedroom door was closed.
His left hand was on the door handle when he saw Adler coming toward him, shaking his head. Grant motioned for him to position himself outside the back bedroom.
Slowly opening the door, Grant stepped in cautiously. Again, everything was in its place. The bed was made. There were two wardrobes. He opened the first. Long dresses, mini skirts, and blouses hung undisturbed from a wooden bar. Boots and shoes were lined up across the bottom. Then he opened the wardrobe next to it. Henley’s uniforms, ties and civvies were neatly arranged.
He left the bedroom, walking toward the bathroom, motioning for Adler to check the back bedroom. Within a minute Adler reappeared, shaking his head. Grant poked his head into the small bathroom. Nothing.