Rules of Engagement

Chapter 43

Four days later, Brad and Harry had arrived in San Diego to convalesce at the Balboa Naval Hospital. After providing initial medical treatment for the crew, Doc McCary had approached Dan Bailey and Admiral Keuseman with a special request from Brad and Harry.

The admiral had been pleased to arrange the recuperative leave for the two men who had shot down Maj. Nguyen Thanh Dao.

Harry's arm had been encased in a cast, and Brad had the responsibility for carrying their bags.

Unbeknownst to Brad, Harry had called Nick Palmer at the hospital to let him know when they would be arriving. Nick, in turn, had made another call for Harry.

When Austin and Hutton walked through the main entrance at the hospital, Nick and Leigh Ann were waiting for them.

Brad dropped the luggage and embraced Leigh Ann when she rushed into his arms. She tilted her head back and kissed him. "Brad, I hope you're not upset that I'm here."

"Of course not," he replied, feeling awkward in front of his friends. "I'm just surprised… pleasantly surprised, I mean."

Palmer laughed. "Get your foot out of your mouth."

Brad turned to Nick and shook his hand. "You're looking great. When are they going to let you go?"

"I think that I've already overstayed my welcome, judging by the remarks the nurses have been making."

"Well, partner," Harry chuckled, "we're back together again." "Yeah," Palmer sighed. "It's a dream come true." "Excuse me," Brad said, reaching for Leigh Ann's hand, "but we're going to take a little stroll."

"Wait a second," Palmer said, turning serious. "I don't know what's up, but a Lieutenant Colonel Chastain has been trying to locate you since yesterday. The guy has called almost every hour."

Puzzled, Brad looked at Palmer for a moment. "I've never heard of him. Did he leave a number?"

"He sure did," Palmer responded with an emphasis on the word sure. "Every single time, as far as I know, including his home phone. They've got it over at admissions. Says he's calling on behalf of Senator Kerwin."

The senator had contacted Leigh Ann the day before she had left Memphis.

"Brad," Leigh Ann said in a small voice, "I need to tell you something."

He looked at her suspiciously. "What?"

Hutton and Palmer looked up expectantly.

"I had been worried about you, and the possibility of a court-martial when you are really a hero, so I talked to a friend of the family — "

"Court-martial?" Nick interrupted, thoroughly confused. "What court-martial?"

"Nick," Brad said, trying to find out what Leigh Ann had done, "Harry can fill you in on the details."

Turning back to Leigh Ann, Brad spoke in a measured voice. "Whom did you talk to?"

She looked toward the ceiling, then back to Brad. "Senator Kerwin."

"No shit," Harry exclaimed, quickly adding to Leigh Ann, "excuse me."

Stupefied, Brad considered the implications. "Arlin Kerwin, the head of the Senate Armed Services Committee? You talked to him?"

"Yes," she answered, feeling a sudden chill. "I wanted to help you. I was so worried, and I didn't know to whom to turn."

Brad collected his thoughts. "Leigh Ann, it was supposed to be confidential, and anyway the matter has been dismissed. It's history, and everything is okay."

Palmer was growing more inquisitive. "What is going on?" Clearly irritated, Brad looked at Hutton. "It's a military secret. Harry, keep them amused until after I make this call."

Ashen faced, Brad rejoined his friends. "Well, folks, I've been invited to a hearing in Washington."

Leigh Ann cringed. "I'm sorry. I was…," she cast her head down.

Brad put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. "I guess you blew it, but how could you know? It's okay. It really is. I have been asked — ordered, actually — to attend a hearing concerning what we were told never happened at Phuc Yen." Austin exhaled, then shook his head. "So, it's time for another rug dance."

"Are we in the frying pan again?" Harry asked, changing his words out of respect for the lady who was present.

"I don't know anything at this point, except that I've got to report to Colonel Chastain tomorrow afternoon." Brad hugged Leigh Ann in an attempt to reassure her. "I'm supposed to catch a flight out of North Island this evening."

Taking a deep breath, Leigh Ann looked up at Brad. "I want to go with you. Please."

"Okay," Brad replied without hesitation. "I'll let them know that I'm going to fly commercially."

Harry frowned. "You better watch your six."

Brad nodded and faced Leigh Ann. "Where are you staying?" "In a motel near here, and I've got a rental car."

"Okay," Brad replied with a smile, "we'll grab your luggage, check out, and head for the airport."

Brad turned to Hutton. "Harry, will you call North Island, and let them know that I'm taking an airliner to Washington?" "Sure," he grinned. "Give 'em hell."

"Yeah," Brad chuckled. "What can they do? Make me a captain and send me to Yankee Station? You guys take care of each other."

WASHINGTON, D. C.

After the long flight, Brad and Leigh Ann checked into the Hotel Washington. They ate a late dinner, followed by a nightcap in the quiet cocktail lounge. Their relationship was on solid footing again, but the stress and uncertainty of Brad's difficult situation dulled the elation.

Exhausted by the tedious trip from San Diego, Leigh Ann and Brad succumbed to their weariness shortly after midnight. Collapsing on the ornate bed, they held each other, then fell asleep with Leigh Ann's head on Brad's chest.

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, Brad and Leigh Ann walked down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Instead of experiencing pride, Brad had a gnawing feeling inside. His anguish was fueled by a mixture of sadness and loathing. The decisions that were being made in that building were causing untold lives to be lost in a protracted, senseless strategy of slow escalation.

He steered Leigh Ann back past the Treasury Building, crossing the street to enter Sherman Park.

"Brad," Leigh Ann said as they crossed another street and walked into Pershing Park, "what do you think will happen in the meeting?"

"Hearing," Brad squeezed her hand affectionately. "This is not a good-old-boy town meeting."

She tugged on his arm. "Okay, hearing. Will you be in any jeopardy?"

Brad thought about the various possibilities. "The way I understand this, your friend Senator Kerwin is basically using me as the kindling to start a roaring blaze."

Leigh Ann pulled Brad to a halt. "What do you mean? Arlin Kerwin is one of the most respected politicians in Washington. I don't think he would do anything to hurt you… or me."

"Leigh Ann," Brad replied, taking both of her hands. "My handler, the lieutenant colonel I called from San Diego, couldn't say much over an open phone line, but he painted a clear picture for me."

"What did he tell you?" Leigh Ann asked, motioning toward a park bench.

"I don't know the whole story," Brad answered, sitting beside Leigh Ann. "Apparently, there has been a lot of feuding between Capitol Hill and the White House about the direction the war has taken.

"It seems as if," he continued, lowering his voice as a couple walked past, "certain individuals, including Senator Kerwin, have been waiting for an opportunity to catch the administration with their shorts down."

"Brad, I am really sorry for getting you into this. I didn't know that everything had worked out so well for you and Harry."

Brad smiled and put his arm around her. "I told you not to worry. My incident, and the subsequent cover-up, is the catalyst Kerwin has been waiting for. If, in some small way, I can help expose the madness in the White House, the better off we'll all be."

Brad chuckled and shook his head. "Believe me, when Kerwin starts digging, he won't quit until he has all the answers, or he surfaces in China."

"That's what bothers me," Leigh Ann said with a hint of sadness. "I don't want to see you used, then discarded."

Leaning over, Brad tilted Leigh Ann's chin up and lightly kissed her. "Let's have some lunch before I have to report to the colonel."

Brad paid the taxi driver, then walked into the hotel lobby. Leigh Ann was sitting in a chair, looking radiant in a beige dress with brown accessories.

"How did it go?" she asked, rising to greet him.

"Fine. The colonel is a nice guy, and we had a cordial chat. He told me when and where I have to be tomorrow, then encouraged me to hold my ground and tell it like I see it."

"Is he going to be there with you?"

Brad gave Leigh Ann a wry smile. "I don't think so. I would imagine that anyone remotely connected with me will be hunkered down in a bunker tomorrow."

Leigh Ann impulsively kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be there."_

Brad laughed out loud.

"What's so funny?"

"Ah… I'm not sure I can withstand any more of your help." Leigh Ann looked hurt.

"I'm kidding… just a little humor."

She gave him a thin smile. "I am sorry, and I'd like to make it up to you. How about if I take you to dinner?"

Brad cocked his head. "You're going to take me out for dinner?"

"That's right, flyboy," she said with a look of determination. "I learned a lot about being independent from a guy I once met in Hawaii."

Brad raised his eyebrows. "Is that so?"

"Yes," she smiled demurely, "and afterward, I have a stimulating evening planned."