“Our Brooke is missing too,” Whitney Schmidt said, her eyes bloodshot, a handkerchief to her nose. “She disappeared a day after Emily. And no one’s here to speak for them, but the two Brady girls are still missing. Surely you didn’t just come here meaning to address one problem and not the other?”
Scott reached for his wife and pulled her close. “Sir, don’t take us the wrong way, please. We appreciate your being here, and we are all very sorry for what happened to your men. Their sacrifice can never be repaid. But we have other issues that need sorting out before we can even begin to consider leaving here. And to that point, I agree with Sarah, because there’s no way either one of us are going anywhere until we find Brooke.”
Nods and gestures of agreement filtered through the group of seated occupants.
Dave absorbed the banter in stride and folded his arms. “As of this moment, I have not been brought up to speed on the precise details of the missing or the extent of the endeavors put forth thus far to track them down. Before I retire to the rack this evening, I plan to know all there is to know, and directly thereafter, I’ll be tasking Tim here and his entire recon subunit with the investigation. And from that point forward, Tim and his men will sift through two hundred thousand acres of the surrounding woodlands to find them should it prove necessary. Any objections, Sergeant Reese?”
“Not a one, LT,” Tim replied.
“I didn’t think so,” said Dave. He sighed, removed his cover, and tossed it on to the table before him. “Folks, I came here to help, not to claim ascendancy. I’m not here to order everyone around, force you out of your homes and the only lives you’ve known since the world folded over on itself. Ironically, this is the freest our country has ever been, and I will not amend that freedom here or anywhere else, over and above. You are free to go about as you have and as you please, and that means if it’s your wish to remain here through thick and thin, until the cows come home or the end of time itself, you may do so. I will not be enforcing any mandates, no matter how fair or unfair—unless the safety of my unit is jeopardized. Missing kids isn’t something to be downplayed, and I empathize with you, I do. But I don’t reason it’s the least bit irrational to consider relocating those not germane to a location out of harm’s way for the interim. But maybe that’s just me.”
Several minutes of back-and-forth followed before the group began to disperse. Dave met with some of them face-to-face and partook in a few brief dialogues before making his way back to his sister and niece to inquire further about Fred. Though before he could get there, Kim had scuttled through the gathering and away, having ushered Megan with her.
Dave had hoped for something of a brief, impromptu family reunion before moving on to the business at hand, but it appeared doing so would have to wait for another time. He motioned for Woo Tang and Tim Reese to rejoin him, and continued toward the staircase to make his exit until the prospect of another reunion crossed his path. Rerouting, he made his approach with an outstretched hand. “Alan, I can’t express how good it is to see you here, sir. It’s been quite a long time, hasn’t it?”
Alan lurched to an inelegant standstill, caught off guard by yet another in a thick catalog of unfamiliar someones he didn’t know, but clearly knew him. He gave the weathered soldier a lengthy once-over from his bootlaces to his tattooed forearms through to his boonie hat, then slipped a hand away from his wife’s to shake with him. “I’ll have to take your word for it, I’m sorry. My memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“Roger that. And no apology is necessary; I’ve been briefed on what happened to you. I’m very delighted knowing you’re still with us. It couldn’t’ve been easy escaping the mound of suck you were up against.”
“Not from what I recall of it.” Alan retrieved his hand and presented his better half. “This is my wife, Michelle, in the event the two of you haven’t met before.”
“We have not.” Dave removed his cover and placed it beneath his left arm, exposing a gnarly, matted buzzcut, then offered his hand. “Mrs. Russell, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, ma’am.”
“Michelle.” She smiled tiredly, concealed a yawn, and took his leathery hand.
“Very well.” Receiving ‘let’s get a move-on’ looks from Tim and Woo Tang across the room, Dave halfheartedly diverted. “Eh, obligation calls. Hate to get this far and bail on you, but a boatload of exigent matters command my attention.”
“That’s okay. It’s plain to see you have a lot going on,” Alan said, looking sheepish. “It’s also plain to see that you and I know each other, but a lot’s missing on my end. At some point, we should converge for some catching up…that is, if and when you’re free.”
Dave replaced his cover and raised a brow. “Converge? Alan, are you asking me out on a date?”
Slightly taken aback at first, Alan recovered quickly. “That’s moving a little fast for me…especially after all this time apart.”
Dave chuckled, his expression taking an upturn. “Very fine. I suppose we can rekindle devoid of rushing into it. How does coffee and shooting the poop strike you?”
“It strikes me as acceptable. My place or yours?” Alan asked, grinning.
“Yours,” said Dave. “Mine’s undergoing renovations at the moment. Would tomorrow morning be too soon?”
Alan looked away, deferring to Michelle.
“Tomorrow morning is fine,” she said, yawning again. “What time should we expect you?”
“Sometime after reveille, I imagine. I’ll drop in once all my ducks are in a row,” said Dave, rough-as-nails smile on display. “I hope Janey opts to join
