The Colonel's Daughter (7 page)

Maintaining his reconnaissance role, Dallas listened from the seawall ladder. He didn’t want to jeopardize his objective of protecting Abby by initiating a hasty assault.

* * * * *

Maurice drove his black sports car across the ferry ramp onto a four lane divided roadway accelerating to over a hundred miles per hour while his careless hand veered the car between the lanes.

“You reckless son-of-a-bitch!” Dallas yelled while trying to keep up.

Maurice laughed as he looked in his rearview mirror and realized he was being followed. He howled with excitement continuing his high-speed charade. Feeling overconfident, Maurice let the car veer off to the side again but this time he overcorrected sending the car careening over the center median.

Dallas watched the car zigzag onto the southbound traffic lanes and drive away. He chose not to pull the same stunt, which would have endangered innocent people, and continued in the northbound direction while letting Maurice go.

* * * * *

Dr. Bowes, carrying Javi’s chart, walked into the hospital room and after some brief small talk, was no longer able to conceal the severity of what he had to say. He sighed, tapping on the chart with his pen, “I’m afraid that because of your injuries, I have to recommend that you be declared medically unfit for duty.”

“Ah, come on doc., just get me doing some physical therapy and I’ll have this leg up and running in no time.”

“Capt. Santos, you received a temporal bone fracture. You fractured your skull. You may still be experiencing some of the symptoms, which include amnesia. And even though the results of the new CT scan do show significant progress in your recovery, I think it’s time you think about retirement.”

“Retirement? You’re talking like I’m an old man or something.”

“You know what I’m talking about. Think of it as starting a new phase in your life. The surgical team did an excellent job and I’m confident you will be out of here in no time. Then, perhaps you can have a nice retirement party with all the bells and whistles. At least think about it.”

“The Army is my life. When I was young and I first signed the enlistment contract…and I swore that oath, I knew I was gonna be somebody…I was gonna make my mark on the world. Some nights in those barracks, I could hear men cry for their families, their girlfriends, and their way of life back home. I thought to myself, I’m not like them. I’m here because I have a calling.”

“You almost died. Next time you may not be so lucky. Think about it.” The doctor flipped the chart closed and left the room.

From behind the nurse’s station, Dorothea called out, “Excuse me, Sir? You need to knock first before you go in there.” She pointed in the direction of Javi’s room.

Lieutenant Brian Star gave Dorothea a dimpled smile and then a wink. Placing his first two knuckles against the door, he gave it a swift knock then swaggered in. “So how are you doin’ Cap’n?”

“I’ve been better.”

Handing him a small get-well teddy bear, “It’s all they had in the gift shop.”

“What am I, your grandmother? You don’t need to bring me anything.”

“Well don’t ever say I never got you anything, alright? “ Dallas ran a hand over his own crew cut blond hair scratching the top of his head. “Listen Captain, I’ve kinda been waiting for you to heal a little bit so I can come over and pick you up. I figure you always bounce back quickly. We really gotta go, man.”

“I don’t think I’m going anywhere right now. I cracked my head open, bro. And this shrapnel wound,” he pointed to his bandaged side, “Isn’t just superficial either.” He paused with downcast eyes. “I used to feel so invincible.”

“You were unstoppable, Jav. You still are.” Dallas waved a hand over his cast. “Look, you didn’t even mention this…you already forgot you had a broken leg. Like the Colonel always says, just a scratch. Right Cap’n?”

Javi’s face grew somber.

Suddenly concerned, Dallas whispered, “You do remember our mission, don’t you?”

Javi shook his head in sorrow.

Dallas brought a chair to the bedside and while taking a seat, he caught a glimpse of the chessboard on a roll away table.

“Challenge you to a game for old time’s sake. What’d you say, Captain?” Dallas picked up the tattered chess box and carefully arranged the pieces.

Javi brought a hand to his bandaged head. “I cracked my head open but my brains didn’t fall out. You’re on,” he said moving his pawn forward.

Trying his best to get the Captain to remember, Dallas recounted, “You and me fast- roped down right into their trap. We couldn’t tell
where
those bullets were coming from. Those bastards were hiding in the caves.” Dallas moved a pawn forward. “You’re the one that got us out of there. I’m here today because of you, Captain.”

“I got us out of there? They captured us because of me.”

“Ah, come on, it was bad Intel. You can’t blame yourself. You’re focusing on the negative.”

“I’ve been having dreams about the old Colonel.” Javi said. “He kept telling me to come to Tampa.”

“You’re right. He did tell you to come to Florida.”

In an uncharacteristic move, Javi played with haste allowing Dallas to win the game.

“I never beat you at chess.” He raised an eyebrow. “You should’ve castled to defend.”

The one thing he had loved for a greater part of his life, his military career, Javi was in danger of losing. Unprepared, he struggled in silence. He found it impossible to put words to the tumult of thoughts and emotions. So he focused on the Colonel. “That old bird couldn’t just sit back and look at a damn map. He had to do that fly-over himself and survey the area. That crazy son-of-a-bitch started throwing hand grenades out the bay door of his helicopter.” Javi squinted as he remembered. “He said so himself, he forced that pilot to fly low and that’s how they got clipped.”

“The Colonel does have a strong taste for being out in the field,” and setting up the chessboard once again, “Alright, you get one more shot at beating my ass.”

Accepting the challenge, Javi moved king’s pawn forward, opening the way to for his queen, but paused for a moment of unexpected clarity. “They’re coming after his daughter, aren’t they?”

“I knew you wouldn’t forget our mission.” Dallas moved his knight. “As soon as the Colonel got word he was being sold to the highest bidder, he told us to protect his daughter at all costs. She’s the only one with access to the codes.”

“Who in their right mind would give their daughter codes to start a nuclear war? I don’t think my mother on her drunkest binge would have pulled something like that.” Javi clutched a captured pawn with his fist.

“Yep, you reacted the same way back then, too. And as much as I agree with you brother, one punch and you would’ve gotten your ass handed to you by the Colonel. He’s a tough bastard.” With a concentrated stare at the game pieces, Dallas straightened his back. “The Taliban had him within inches of his life and still couldn’t get anywhere with that old bird. That’s a man of steel right there.” He kept his eyes on the game.

“I should’ve boarded that supercargo with you and headed to Spain.” Using his knight, Javi immediately captured the bishop. “After our escape, I should’ve just gone with you to Spain.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. Those guys at Camp Mejia needed your Intel and your leadership. You’ve said it many times…the battle field is where you’re needed most.” His queen captured Javi’s knight.

“So have you seen the Full Bird’s daughter yet?” Javi smiled, his lips slanted yet displayed a natural set of straight teeth.

Dallas averted his eyes. “This Iranian guy, Shahrivar, his opium empire controls most of the drug cartels in Miami. He has contacts all over the city. I need you to come with me, man. I got clearance from the General. He said to come get you as soon as you’re ready.” And chopping the air with his hand he added, “Look…I got everything we need…I just need you to come with me.”

Javi, refusing help, pushed the roll-a-way table with the chess game away from his bed and managed a slow painful limp to the bathroom.

Dallas paced.

“If I come with you right now, I’ll be more of a hindrance than anything else. I’m not as young as you are, pal. Give me another week at least. Go down to Miami yourself and scope things out. Make sure the girl’s safe and see what else you can find about Shahrivar.” Javi painfully adjusted his body back into bed.

Dallas hung his head and as he left the hospital room, a young male orderly entered holding a tray of food. Dallas stopped to address him in a low voice, “Listen…word to the wise,” he pointed to Javi, “Do whatever he tells you,” then walked away.

Before the young orderly could replace the chess game with the tray of food, Javi interjected, “Do me a favor…there’s no way I’m going to eat that stuff. I was in the desert for two years and now I’m stuck eating this? I know you can get me a nice thick juicy burger with some steak fries.”

“I’m…not…sure the doctor will allow it.” The orderly stammered.

“What the doctor doesn’t know won’t kill me, alright?”

“Yes sir.”

* * * * *

“Javi?” Jasmine whispered as she opened the hospital room door. “Is it okay to come in?”

“You can visit me anytime you want.” Javi sat on the hospital bed with his broken leg propped on pillows.

“How do you feel?”

“Do I really have to answer that?” Javi coughed.

“Are you up for another game?”

“What kind of game?”

“Chess, silly, what do you think?”

“I just thought you’d want to have dinner with me first, you know before playing games.”

“Are you asking me out? Hmm…well…you did get me those lovely flowers so how could I turn down dinner?”

“That’s right I did.” He chuckled.

“Okay…you tell me what you want to eat and I’ll do my best to bring it to you and we’ll have dinner here…together…my treat. Does that sound good?”

“Sounds delicious,” Javi smiled.

“So what do you want?” She placed her hands in her sweater pockets and waited for his reply.

“Come closer.” He motioned. Disappointed with her small steps, he waved again, “Closer.”

She got close enough for Javi to take her by the hand and sit her down on the bed next to him.

“That’s better.” He said.

“You’re going to get me in trouble.” She giggled. “So what do you want me to bring you? Remember, I have to get permission for this so no spicy food or anything the doctor won’t allow.”

Javi stroked her arm with the back of his hand entranced. Captain Santos had traveled the world during his military career and had met some of the most beautiful women around the world but never before had he felt so smitten. Jasmine made him feel different. His soul found rest when she was near.

“What I really want is to take you out to a nice restaurant and we can have a beautiful evening getting to know one another. I don’t plan to be in this place for very long. Maybe we make that happen soon.”

She smiled. “I’d like that.”

“But in the meantime,” he said. “Tonight, I want a nice thick juicy burger with some steak fries and a pickle. But I already got that taken care of.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

Javi brought his face to Jasmine’s neck and took in a lungful of her sweet fragrance.

Jasmine closed her eyes and brushed her cheek against his. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and she jolted off the bed.

A young male orderly walked in holding a large takeout container. “Here’s your burger and fries. It’s from my favorite place. These people are good.” He looked at Jasmine and gave her a half smile.

Javi chuckled. “Don’t worry, she won’t tell on you.”

“I’ll see you later, bro.” The young orderly shook Javi’s hand, gave Jasmine a nod, and scurried out.

Jasmine stared at Javi, lifting an eyebrow, “You sure are resourceful. And here I was, feeling sorry for you.”

Javi grasped the takeout container and said, “Burgers are an everyday-easy-to-get kind of thing but you are a once in a lifetime. I’d like to share something more special with you.” He lowered the container, opened the lid and exclaimed, “Oh! He forgot the ketchup.”

“I’ll get you some ketchup.” She laughed and walked towards the door watching him grab fries like a little child with a new toy.

* * * * *

A rising sun dried the remaining specks of dew that had settled on the grass. Dallas reached inside the pickup truck for his sunglasses then leaned against the fender. He waited for Abby after spending the night watching her apartment. As a Special Forces Ranger, he had grown accustomed to interrupted sleep and long periods of time in confined spaces and after being in the desert, the blistering Miami heat was no threat. But what he had not been prepared for was the image that took him by assault, Abby exiting the building in a mini sundress and swaying her hips as she put one foot in front of the other, and headed right to him. Dallas stared at her shapely legs.