The Guardian's Wildchild (22 page)

When she arrived, Sam was busy with his computer. After he finished typing, he stood up.

“There will be no interrogation tonight. Do you have any comments about our afternoon meeting?”

He remained preoccupied with shutting down his computer and tidying his office. Determined to show only strength, she walked up to him.

“Just one request, sir.”

“The candle thing?”

“No. Would it be okay if I talked with Lorna for a minute or so, after supper?”

He snapped his hat onto his head. “What for?”

Sidney blushed. “It’s personal.”

Sam was hesitant regarding his next move. He put his hat on his desk and activated his comlink, contacting Lorna.

“Are you available in about half an hour, Lorna? The prisoner wants to see you. She says it’s personal.” He nodded at Lorna’s response and cut the link. “Lieutenant Bridges, you’ll bring her to the infirmary after her supper.”

Sam turned back toward Sidney. “Be sure you do exactly as Bridges says. Is that clear?”

“Yes. Thank you, Captain.”

“You’re welcome.”

Sam was gone in the next second. Before picking up her meal in the conference room, she gave Sam’s crystal a telepathic nudge, knocking it off its pedestal, and placed it a few inches from the far edge of his desk. If nothing else, after a few days — if she had that much time — he might let go of his analytical brain and use his creative brain to consider the crystal’s mysteries.

After dinner, Sidney was brought to the infirmary, where she was met by Lorna.

“Well, Sidney. How in the world did you get this privilege?” Lorna asked, chuckling. “Bridges, wait outside.”

“I’ve been behaving like a model prisoner. Make my bed, keep my room clean, and answer all his infernal questions. Besides, when I told Captain Waterhouse it was personal, he didn’t seem anxious to get more details. He’s such a gentleman.”

“Too damn much of a gentleman, if you ask me. What do you want, Sidney?”

“I need your help, if it’s not too much trouble. Captain Waterhouse allows me to exercise outside on the deck. But I can’t do much wearing this heavy jacket. My blouse was apparently damaged, and I was wondering if you still have it somewhere, and if I could fix it. My bra, too.”

Lorna smiled. “Oh, so that’s it. You realize I’ll have to report to him anything we discuss?”

Sidney grimaced. “Oh. I never thought about that.”

“You really aren’t an experienced … subversive, are you?”

“You won’t get into any trouble with Captain Waterhouse if you help me, will you?”

“Are you kidding? I think I’m going to enjoy explaining to Sam about your bra. Anything that’ll get him to loosen up, put a smile on his face — that’s my purpose in life.”

“Sounds like you kind of like the man.”

“Sam? What’s not to like? He’s gorgeous.” Lorna fluttered her eyelashes and fanned her face. “Actually, the blouse and bra were disposed of right away. Nothing left to save. We really didn’t believe you’d survive, so … well, there wasn’t any point in keeping them.” Lorna went back to stripping the linen off the beds. “Let’s see. What can I do? Seems to me the navy owes you some clothes.”

“I just need something to wear that’s not so hot, Lorna. Please don’t go to any trouble.”

“No trouble. I can probably find a t-shirt for you to wear. There are some gals on the ship your size that I can wheel and deal with. The bra’s another matter. I’d let you have one of mine, but I’m afraid you’re a wee bit too little.” She cupped her large breasts and grinned.

“Ah, yes. One gift I didn’t receive.”

“That’s okay, little one. You do have a nice figure. It hasn’t gone unnoticed, particularly by some of the officers. I tell you what. Tomorrow we’ll be in port. I’ll go shopping for you. How’s that?”

“But Lorna, I can’t pay you. Bras are expensive.”

“Never mind. Let’s see. You’re about a thirty-four B. I think I’m going to enjoy this, trust me. You go back to your cell now. I’ll have this fixed by tomorrow night.”

Before Sam retired for the evening, he received an urgent call from Admiral Garland. Over the monitor, he could see that the admiral was as tense as ever, pacing and obviously taking great effort to remain in control of his emotions.

“I’ve captured another saboteur,” the admiral informed him. “At the Mountiago Naval Base. The bastard was in the process of planting bombs. Caught him red handed. Goes by the name of Marcus Darby. He’s being transported to Lima. You’ll receive him at the docks tomorrow afternoon. He’s to be executed forthwith — as soon as you leave the port. Is that clear?”

Sam stiffened and held his breath. Immersing himself in military conduct, he responded. “Yes, sir. I trust the reports on his interrogation and hearing will be arriving with him.”

“No interrogation necessary. Like I said, he was caught in the act.”

Sam had his doubts about that. “How are my boys, Admiral? Haven’t been able to talk with them since last week.”

“Oh, yes. Forgot to tell you. They were having such a good camping trip that it was extended another day. They’ll be home tomorrow night.”

“Glad to hear they’re getting some experience roughing it a little. I’m requesting a visit with them next weekend, sir.”

“Fine.”

“I’ll book a room at the West Coast Inn. I trust your staff will arrange for the usual air transport for me, sir?”

“I’ll notify Celine. How soon will the
Nonnah
be docked at Pearl Harbor?”

“The
Nonnah
’s scheduled to be in Honolulu this Friday about seventeen-hundred hours.”

“Celine will arrange for your flight from Honolulu to leave early Saturday morning. She’ll send you the details. How many days are you requesting?”

“At least four days. I’ll send Celine my itinerary. Of course, I’ll pick them up and return them each day at your home, sir.”

“Fine.”

The comlink was disconnected. Sam leaned forward with his elbows on his desk and massaged his forehead.
Another execution
, he thought.
More blood to clean up off the deck and ever deeper in the admiral’s grip.

13. A Witch’s Magic

Tuesday Morning, July 9, Peru

By 0400 hours Tuesday morning, the USS
Nonnah
had arrived at Lima, Peru. Sam and Commander Moon stood together on the bridge monitoring communication between the ship’s staff as they carefully guided her into place. Few words were spoken between the two men. An uneasy tension was building. Sam wondered how Moon knew his sons were living with the admiral. He’d never discussed his private life with anyone aboard the
Nonnah
.

“Are you going ashore today?” Moon asked.

“No, but why don’t you join some of the officers for some well-deserved R and R?”

“I just might do that. We set sail by fourteen-hundred hours, according to our schedule.”

“That may change, Rhett. This morning there are only a few small containers for Admiral Garland to load. We’ll leave as soon as the Darby prisoner arrives. I’m expecting him about noon, so ensure you and the shore leave personnel are back before then.”

Moon nodded.

“By the way, I’m flying back to New Seattle from Honolulu to spend some time with my boys. You’ll be in command during that time.”

“And the prisoners, sir?”

“Both prisoners will have been executed before arrival at Pearl Harbor.”

For the remainder of the morning, everyone steered clear of Sam’s path. It was a sound practice when a prisoner was to be brought on board. The captain’s mood dropped, and he was ever more exacting.

After Sidney ate her breakfast, he again ordered her to sit in the chair and place the comlink on her jacket. She sensed the change in his demeanor and quietly complied with his demands.

“Miss — ”

Sidney interrupted. “It would help if you’d call me Sidney, sir.”

Sam shifted nervously in his chair. “All right. I don’t have much time this morning, so I’ll get right to the point. Your mission’s objective, you’ll explain later. Right now you’ll explain how you bypassed security and defused the missiles.”

She breathed deeply.

“
Now!”
he barked. “And I don’t want a long, convoluted answer.”

Bringing her hand to her chest, she sought the guidance of her Guardian wisdom. Her eyes darted from Sam to the crystal, and back to Sam. “Captain, normally I’d never discuss my abilities with someone who might not use the information wisely. And I’m trying to search for the words that will make sense.”

Sam was relieved by Sidney’s desire to cooperate. He also reminded himself that he was trying to gain her confidence and trust, and barking at her wasn’t the way. He shifted to a more controlled and softened manner.

“I suppose it’s something that’s not easily explained. May I suggest a demonstration of your skills? Would that help you?”

Sidney smiled. “Yes, that way is always easier, especially for someone like me who’s always been the student, never the teacher.”

“You’re a student?”

“In a manner of speaking. When it comes to the skill of sensing energy and redirecting it, I’m a novice. My teacher continues to guide my understanding of energy. It’s a lifelong study.”

Sam resisted reacting to her claim, thinking that perhaps he hadn’t heard her correctly. Casually he responded, “It sounds as though your teacher is powerful.”

“I suppose that’s one way of seeing him. I see him as the most gentle and loving person. But, he’s capable of doing things I can only dream about. He’s far more disciplined than me. In fact, you and he are much alike. You’re not the only one who gets annoyed with my disregard for rules. In fact, I’m known as the ‘Wild Child’ at home.”

Sam chuckled and sat back in his chair. “Wild Child? It suits you.”

Sidney blushed. “Over time, he taught me that all things — our bodies, our thoughts, and especially our intentions, are actually energy.” Sidney interrupted her explanation. She studied Sam’s face to see his reaction. “Are you with me so far?”

Sam was now more intrigued than on a mission to have control of the interrogation. “Yes. It sounds interesting. Please continue.”

“When Greystone — ”

“Greystone?”

Sidney hadn’t meant to reveal the name. “Yes. He’s my mentor. Greystone’s ability to access the universal energy, or the Creator, combined with his intent to seek the higher good for all and his unconditional love for all, allows him to transcend dimensions, even time and space.”

Sam shook his head. “Now you’ve tipped the boat over. You’re saying this fellow, Greystone, is the same thing as a god, are you not?”

“I suppose so. Greystone sees all things, all people as being one with the Creator and thus having the same ability to create and to love unconditionally. We’re all equal, or more precisely, we’re all from the same source, cut from the same cloth. You, me, and even Admiral Garland. Greystone sees all as being worthy of unconditional love.”

Sam put his hands up. “Hold it. This is all very interesting, but we’re getting off track. You were going to tell me how you bypassed the security systems. Does any of this have anything to do with that?”

“Sorry, Captain. How about that demonstration? If you lock a door, I’ll show you how I unlock it. That would be a start.”

Sam was delighted. “Good.” He tripped one of the sensors on his desk. “All three doors in this room are now locked.”

“Okay. I’ll unlock them, one at a time.” Sidney got up, standing tall, and closed her eyes.

Sam braced himself to witness bizarre actions. However, he saw no movement. She seemed merely to be in a trance, breathing deeply. It took less than twenty seconds. One by one, the green light over each door came on. Sam dashed to each door. They opened easily. He glanced at Sidney, then the door. His mouth was agape.

“This can’t, god, how … I really never expected you to do this, at least not that easily. I could see no effort on your part. How on Earth?”