26. Chapter 26
Chapter twenty-six
Warlock
Less than seven hours later, we’re landing in Coronado.
“Got any big plans with Tallahassee during your downtime?” Doc asks.
I’m not thinking that far ahead. Tonight, all I want is to get home, crawl into bed with my woman, and hold her close all night.
Hawk waggles his eyebrows. “Maybe another romantic trip in her RV?”
I grin.
That’s not a bad idea.
“What about you guys?” I ask. “Any plans?”
“I’m playing in an online Deadly Warfare tournament,” Nitro brags. “It’s my chance to destroy my rival, TerminateU, and take back my champion status.
“I have a second date with a certain hockey player,” Ricochet says with a smug smile.
“A second date? When the hell did the first one happen?” Hawk wants to know.
“We went out after the hockey game.”
“Guess that just leaves us,” Hawk says, turning to Doc and Pony.
“Let’s charter a boat, go fishing, and drink some beers,” Pony suggests.
“Hell yeah,” Hawk readily agrees.
“I’m in,” Doc concurs.
Pony smacks me on the back. “You and Tallahassee. We’re happy for you, man.”
I’m happy too.
I’m smiling as I sling my pack over my shoulder, and together the six of us walk off the plane.
That’s when two men approach us. Dressed in suits, they’re out of place on the runway. “Master Chief Darren Stevens?”
I turn to face them, my teammates gathering around me. “Yeah.”
“I’m NCIS Special Agent Spivey.” He slides his unbuttoned jacket aside, flashing the badge and service weapon clipped to his belt. “By order of Commander DEVGRU, I’m placing you into custody, suspected of violating Articles 114 and 128 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
“What are you talking about?” Pony’s tone is equal parts confusion and outrage.
“What the fuck?” Hawk exclaims.
Nitro voices his annoyance, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.”
“Please turn around and place your hands behind your back, Master Chief,” Spivey orders, ignoring my teammates.
“Like hell he will,” Ricochet snaps.
I don’t protest when Spivey’s partner relieves me of my pack.
“What the hell is going on?” Doc asks, directing the question to me.
Turning to place my hands behind my back to be cuffed, I tell him the truth. “I have no idea.”
The cold metal of the handcuffs bites into my wrists as they click into place. With an agent on either side of me, they lead me across the tarmac toward their SUV, every curious eye in the vicinity keeping a close watch on our progress.
I’m transported to the Naval brig, where my handcuffs are removed, my pockets emptied, and my personal belongings confiscated. I’m given a black jumpsuit to change into. When I’m brought into an interrogation room, my commanding officer is already there.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask, taking a seat across from him.
“I don’t know. I received a call to return to basebase, and they brought me in here.”
When the door opens, a man in uniform enters. “I’m Lieutenant Commander Woolsey, Navy JAG. I’m here to read the charges against you.”
The Lieutenant Commander reads me my Article 31s, and I finally hear the charges against me. “Master Chief Darren Stevens, you are accused of reckless endangerment and assault in the beatings of Cyril Abernathy, Brady and Brandon Lombardi, and Corey Kimball.”
“This is about those four assholes I kept from raping a woman?”
“Master Chief!” my commanding officer barks. “I urge you to consider your rights before you say anything,” he warns when my eyes snap to him.
He’s making it clear I should keep my mouth shut. Based on my current circumstances, it’s probably sound advice.
“This is your confinement order,” Woolsey tells me, holding up a sheet of paper. “You’ll be assigned a JAG to represent you.”
It’s clear now why my commanding officer is here. With a heavy sigh, he turns to me. “Master Chief Stevens, I’m obligated to confine you to the brig for the duration of the investigation.”
At least he doesn’t look pleased about it.
What the fuck is going on?