“Not so fast,” Justice interrupted her. “You need to tell me what this is all about, starting with why you’re involved and why you chose me.”
“I can’t go into too many details, but I’ve received intel that there’s suspicious activity occurring on the beach. Homeland Security is aware of it, of course, but I want someone no one would suspect…”
“You mean someone like me who can’t think worth shit.”
She laughed softly. “Precisely. Chief Ferguson is an excellent cop, but she lacks your skills. The simple truth is I need you out there keeping an eye on things for me. I wish I could give you more information, but we just don’t have a handle on the magnitude of the situation yet. Chief Ferguson is expecting you tomorrow at four o’clock. Can I count on you to make it?”
Justice rubbed the rough stubble on his chin. “I’ll be there. But I’m not making any promises. If I don’t like the vibe I’m getting, I’m not staying. Is that clear?”
“Of course, Lieutenant Commander,” she placated him.
He felt his blood pressure rise at her condescending tone. His father must have noticed his face turning red because he laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“If there’s nothing else, Madam Secretary, I’ll say goodbye. I’ve got plans to make.” He pressed the END button on his cell phone. “Total bullshit!”
“Calm down,” Franklin urged. “Please.”
Justice grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and gulped half of it. Dragging his arm across his mouth, he muttered, “She wants me out of the way.”
The older man nodded. “I agree.”
When Justice had been told that the Navy was retiring him, he’d been surprised. He still had five years left until he could retire with twenty years of service. Even if he couldn’t lead missions anymore, he could still be useful behind the scenes.
Justice gazed at his father. “Afghanistan. Do you know something I don’t?”
“No. But I could pull strings to find out.”
To his shame Justice felt tears sting his eyes. “Dad, whatever happened…I don’t remember too many of the details. Was it my fault?”
Franklin shook his head. “No. Let’s not worry about it right now. We have to pack and book a flight to California.”
As they tended to their individual tasks, Justice’s mind whirled with the possibility that someone had screwed up and he and his men had paid the price. And the last thing Madam Secretary wanted was for Justice to find out the truth.
* * *
The McQuaids landed at John Wayne Airport, about fifteen miles away from Laguna Beach, close to midnight. They rented a car and thirty minutes later checked into their hotel on the beach. After stripping down to their boxers, father and son wished each other good night and fell exhausted into their separate beds.
Bad dreams plagued Justice, as they had every night since losing his team. He tossed and turned, and drenched in sweat, he awoke shortly after dawn.
His father, noticing the messy bed, remarked, “You had another restless night.”
“Yeah. I’m taking my shower first, if you don’t mind.”
“No. Go ahead.”
After both men had showered and dressed, they discussed where to have breakfast.
“A local diner,” Franklin suggested. “There’s bound to be gossip, and if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll run into a couple of cops.”
Justice agreed, and they grabbed their wallets, cell phones, and car keys. In the lobby of their hotel, he asked the desk clerk to recommend the most popular diner for breakfast.
The young woman offered a flirty smile that suggested she was single and available before she replied, “Everyone loves Pop’s Diner. It’s only a couple of miles east of here. Do you need directions?”
Justice deliberately flashed one of his brilliant, sexy smiles which caused his father to roll his eyes. Holding up his cell phone, he shook his head. “The wonders of modern technology.”
As they ambled toward their car, Franklin admonished him, “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
Justice chuckled. “Aw, Dad, come on! She’s probably ten years younger than I am. Just a kid.”
