Epilogue #1
Mike watched from the side as Kam stood behind the podium once again surrounded by TV cameras.
This time the press conference was covered by national nightly news.
“I want to thank my team for the excellent investigative work that went into this operation. We were able to free forty-seven sex slaves who had been kidnapped from around the world. Most of the girls were taken in their early teens. All were forced into prostitution. My team and I will continue to hunt down Big Daddy. We’ll get him. ”
When Kam stepped off the raised platform at the end of the press conference, she all but fell into Mike’s arms. “You know you just made yourself an even bigger target?” He hugged her to him tightly. She was the bravest woman he knew. And the most determined.
Kam leaned back and smiled at him. “I heard some great news this morning. Tala and Perlah are headed back to the Philippines later today along with several others. A friend of Captain Hubbard’s arranged for the girls to return on a private jet. Have you ever heard of some guy named Digi?”
Mike chuckled. “Every salty SEAL has heard about Digi. He’s saved our asses more times than we can count. The man has connections all over the world and can make shit happen with a phone call.”
“Well, he certainly came through for the girls.” She took his hand as they headed to their cars. “Digi is also helping to set them up with some kind of a business. There’s money available for the women who stay in the USA through the Victim’s Assistance Program we have at Homeland.”
A well-dressed man in an expensive suit headed directly for Mike and Kam.
I “Agent Hood, I wanted to personally thank you for the excellent work you’ve done here in San Diego.
” The Secretary of Homeland Security held out his hand.
“I’d also like to offer you a new position in Washington D.C.
as the director of Investigations for Human Trafficking.
You are an inspiration to everyone.” He glanced at Mike who was in uniform since he’d come to the press conference straight from work and had to return.
“Commander, thank you for your unheralded service. Your trident tells me what kind of man you are.” He glanced back to Kam before returning his gaze to Mike. “If she accepts the job, I will do everything I can to get you transferred to Washington if Agent Hood asks me.”
“Thank you, sir.” Mike took Kam’s hand even though it was against the rules. “Will you give us twenty-four hours?”
“Take as much time as you need.” He handed Kam his personal business card. “Call the number on the back when you decide.”
They talked as they returned to their cars. “This is one hell of an opportunity for you. I’m sure with the help of the Secretary, I can get orders to DC. Hell, I’m due for orders anyway and the Pentagon would be my next step.”
“Are you telling me that you would move all the way across the country just for me?”
“I’d move to the moon just to be able to hold you every night, protect you from bastards like Big Daddy, and eat your Italian cooking.
” He fingered the box in his pocket that he’d carried around for a week.
“I wanted to do this on the beach, our toes buried in the sand. I’m old enough to know what I want, and I want you.
Forever.” He went down on one knee. “I love you, Kameron Hood, will you marry me?”
“Of course. I love you, Mike Gallagher, and I want to get married just as soon as we can. At our age, there’s no reason to wait. Do you think we can make that happen tomorrow?”
Mike pulled her into his arms and kissed her knowing she was already his.