The Captain's Lady (24 page)

"It's not what you think,” Eric replied, the defensiveness clear in his voice.

"Oh, and what is it that I'm thinking?” The light teasing mocked Eric's words.

Nervous, he ran a hand over his head as he realized Joe wasn't backing off. He just stood there staring at him, light amusement flicking in his eyes, informing him he could read him like a book. Breaking the stony standoff, Eric turned, extending a hand to the chair in front of the desk. Waiting for his friend to join him, he lowered himself into the chair. He grasped for a way to head off the direction of the pending conversation. When nothing was forthcoming, he took control of the moment. “So how's the investigation coming?"

Joe raised his eyebrows, his eyes flashing with laughter. “Changing the subject, are you?"

Raising his stubborn chin, clenched tight in annoyance, he became very aware of Abby in the next room. His lips firmed as he laughed softly.

"Okay, Eric, play it your way. Joan's been checking into Gail's past allegations. Actually, it's quite interesting; it seems she filed three similar charges against three former commanding officers."

Surprise jolted him and he blinked at the incredulity of the charges. “Holy shit, how was this overlooked?"

"One thing is clear: none were too happy hearing her name. From what Joan said, there were never any formal charges laid in any case. But the damage was done by the implications. She apparently made a lot of noise when she received little or no support from military personnel. No one has come right out and said it, but it appears everything was just made to go away. Same sort of scenario here; let's get rid of this charge, then put an end to any games she's playing.” He waved his hand and closed his eyes, letting out a deep, heavy sigh. “Anyway, what we know happened is she was given a transfer with a slight promotion after each incident, to appease her and shut her up."

Joe leaned forward and lowered his voice. “It does appear she was questioned quite thoroughly. Although there were no witnesses to support any of her allegations, she refused to go away or be bullied by anyone."

Eric breathed in the pain, feeling a sense of desperation and hopelessness about the situation. “She's really fucking with my career and my good name. She's going to get away with it, isn't she?"

Joe kept his voice low and his words were clipped and strained. “Pull yourself together. We'll beat this. She has created so many lies that this time we're going to trip her up. She won't get away with it.” He took a quick look at the closed door to Eric's bedroom. Sitting forward in his chair, he leaned on the desk, and lowered his voice even more. “Remember what Petty Officer Hampton said about her planning something, only she left the room before hearing it?"

Eric jerked forward as if he had been asleep and just now woken up. He braced his hands on the desk as the earlier conversation with the Petty Officer came back to him. “Shit, I forgot about that. Weren't there two others that stayed in there with her?"

"Actually there were three women. Mary-Jo Johnson left before Jennifer and from what I understand, gave her quite the upbraiding. There was a Cassie Hodges and a Brandy Sanford who also remained in the room. Joan has spoken with both Hodges and Sanford and reviewed their statements. She's meeting with Mary-Jo this morning."

He closed his eyes as momentary relief washed through him. Did he dare hope for this whole mess to be cleared up? Bracing his elbows on the desk, he leaned forward to support himself. “That's good news."

Joe smiled at his friend's relief. He leaned back and crossed his arms. “You know, Eric, I'm watching your back. Anything you need to know I will tell you."

"I know. But I also know your back is to the wall, too. There is a fine line, as captain and the accused. I'm under investigation and I know you haven't told me all the details. But I also know you will keep me in the loop, so I won't be blindsided."

Their eyes fixed a silent pact not acknowledged before, but the commitment to each other as friends had grown strong over the years.

Joe cleared his throat. “Joan wants to talk to Abby."

Eric almost exploded out of the chair. “No way!” he yelled, slamming a fist on the desk before wincing and taking a sharp glance at the closed bedroom door. He lowered his voice and added, “Keep her away from Abby. I don't want anyone questioning her right now ... understand?"

"No one's going to upset her,” Joe said softly. “I understand what you're saying, but Joan needs to talk to her. I'll be there to make sure no lines are crossed and that Abby's not upset.” Sighing he leaned forward again.

Eric couldn't explain it, but he didn't want any of the case discussed with Abby. It was dirty, this false accusation, the lies. It could taint anyone connected with it. And Eric had sworn to protect her.

"This is going to happen whether you want it to or not. Joan has an investigation to conduct. She's been given free rein by the Admiral."

His words did little to soothe Eric as he stalked across the room, then turned with purpose and strode back to stop in front of his friend. He let out a huff of air and ran his hands wildly through his short-cropped hair. “Nobody talks to her for a couple of days. The end of the week is soon enough. And I want to be there. If anything, to make sure the details of what Carruthers has accused me of are not discussed with her. She doesn't need to hear it.” He stopped a forthcoming protest from Joe with a firm hand held up. “I will not budge on this; those are my terms, so work with them. I'm not flexible on this point, at all!"

"Okay, I'll talk to Joan; we'll speak with Abby on Saturday.” Even though they had compromised, neither was happy about the outcome. “So, how is she?"

"She's good, the baby too. What a doll. Abby named her Rachel.” Eric felt pride bubble inside, just talking about them.

Joe sat stone-faced.

At that moment, the door opened and Larry walked into the room. Both men turned to look up at him. “Everything okay, Doc?'

He nodded with a slight grin on his face. “I'm happy to say both mother and baby are doing fine. It makes me miss my own kids every time I look at them."

Eric sat there composed and relaxed, smiling in appreciation.

"You taking her back to sickbay?” Joe asked.

Eric cut him off with a quick shake of his head, before standing and moving toward Larry. “The end of the week is soon enough. Leave them be for now ... unless there's a medical reason they need to be down there."

"No, they're fine,” Larry replied. “I'll come back later to check on them."

Patting Larry on the shoulder, Eric thanked him and waited for him to leave. Then, he turned back to Joe who obviously was not prepared to leave yet, and added, “Spit it out, whatever it is."

"What about Abby? When are you going to move her off the ship? And do you know where you'll move her?"

Eric let out a heavy sigh. “I know I need to move her soon, but not until I get some things figured out first. Do you think Mary-Margaret would be willing to help get her set up?"

"You know my wife well enough to know that if you didn't ask she'd have your hide. Just give me the word and I'll put a call through to her. She'll have Abby and the baby under her wing quicker than you can say jackrabbit. You know my wife has a soft spot for you. So I am presuming with all this, keeping Abby here, your mysterious behavior, that Abby is the one? Because you know my wife is going to interrogate me for all the details. And before you answer, you should know she'll be thrilled you've finally found someone.” The open acknowledgement of Abby being part of his life had been put out there as if to force him to confront his feelings.

"Thanks, Joe. Give me a little bit to get things shored up here first before you call Mary-Margaret."

Before departing, he reminded Eric that Joan was meeting with Mary-Jo in an hour.

Eric found himself whistling merrily as he headed to the bedroom to check on Abby and Rachel.

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Chapter Twenty-Eight

"What time are you meeting with Mary-Jo?” Joe asked.

Joan lowered her coffee to the wardroom table with a soft thud. She watched Joe walk over to the thermos of coffee and pour himself one. Before sweetening it, he turned to her with carefully concealed expectation. She was aware he wanted more in-depth details than simply the time they were meeting.

"Soon. I presume you'd like to be present?” Joan asked wryly, unable to keep the amusement from her voice.

Grinning, he lifted his coffee to take a quick sip. “Yeah, if you don't mind. I know this is your investigation, but I'd kind of like to be there."

Joan returned his smile. “Sure, that's fine. Just let me lead the questions and please don't interrupt,” she said unable to contain the smile that pulled at the corners of her mouth.

He quirked his brows and then nodded just once before pulling out the chair directly across from her and sitting at the table. “Okay, thanks."

Pushing away from the table, Joan walked over to the thermos to refill her own coffee. With her back to him, she struggled to suppress the physical attraction she felt toward him. From the moment they met, the chemistry was there. He was handsome, though not ruggedly so, like Eric. He had a charm and charisma that Eric lacked. He seemed to be an honest man with a strong sense of honor, a rare commodity that enhanced her attraction to him. She knew he was married with kids and felt a momentary envy for his wife. One day she would find someone like him for herself.

Joan had honor of her own and would never pursue a married man. She had no respect for married people who carried on affairs. Having witnessed it far too often intensified the resolve to make sure it never happened to her. Over the years she'd learned to hide her feelings from those around, mainly by pouring herself into this career. But if one looked close enough, the telltale signs were there. What all that meant: she had to mourn from afar what could never be hers.

"We didn't have a chance to talk about the statement you got from the other two ladies. Did anything come from them?"

She shook her head at his forthright approach, headed for the large dining table, pulled up the chair across from him, and sat down. Joan wrapped her hands around her coffee to occupy them and force the errant thoughts back to the current task. “According to both women, Mary-Jo and Jennifer both left before Gail mentioned a specific plan to get back at Eric. And just for the record, they both used the words,
get back at him.
"

Joe remained silent, although he felt his face mirror his surprise. He listened intently while Joan filled him in on the details of the statements.

"She never came right out and said she was filing this accusation against him, but the conversation in their quarters took place supposedly after the incident. Gail brought up the name of a lady commander whom she hoped would replace the captain on this ship. According to their statements, Gail asked for their support if she filed a grievance against him. She even went so far as to offer to write the statements for them to sign."

"Now, something else for the record: both Cassie and Brandy said they told her they would never do anything so malicious. At the time, they thought that had been the end of it."

An abrupt knock at the door startled them both. “Enter.” Joe called.

Mary-Jo appeared, unruffled and in control. “Petty Officer Mary-Jo Johnson, Sir. Ma'am."

"At ease sailor, sit down,” said Joan as she directed Mary-Jo to a chair at the head of the table between her and Joe. As Mary-Jo sat, she remained at attention.

"At ease. I presume you know why I summoned you here."

It was not a question, but Mary-Jo gave a stern nod and then glanced at Joe, who directed his eyes back to the Commander. It was a simple statement and one she understood clearly, Commander Foxworth was leading this investigation and she was to answer all questions. “Yes, ma'am."

Nodding at the girls’ candid attitude, Joan couldn't help but note the rigid irritation that betrayed itself in the woman's harsh tone. Joan trusted her instincts and believed the sensitivity was directed at the situation and not them. More specifically, the ire was directed at Gail Carruthers.

"I understand that on Saturday, June 19, at about 2100 hours, in your bunkroom, a conversation was initiated by a Gail Carruthers."

Nodding to the commander, Mary-Jo retained the alertness in her composure.

"I would like you to tell me the details of the conversation.” Joan kept her voice even and steady. Swift to pick up the flicker of irritation in her eyes, she judged that this girl did not like Gail, and didn't even try to conceal it. That meant the questioning should go fast and easy.

"She was mouthing off. She's trouble, that one. She was pissed off with the captain over something and she ran off at the mouth about the way he treated her, saying the only reason he did it was because she was a woman."

"Treated what way, Johnson?” Joan reined in her curiosity so as not to lead Mary-Jo in her questioning. She needed to keep the conversation on track and gather facts.

"I'm not sure of everything; she didn't really say, but something happened that pissed her off. She did say she wanted to knock him off his high horse. Then she reminded us of his hatred of women."

Joan directed a questioning look at Joe. Through his calm demeanor he leveled his own look right back at her, which clearly implied
, we'll talk later
.

"Can you tell me anything about the plan she was hinting at?"

"She said she wanted to file a discrimination suit against him and asked for our help. She also mentioned some lady commander she would like to have here on the ship, in his place."

Joan nodded as she made notes of the details Mary-Jo relayed to her. “What did she mean about a discrimination suit?"

"I don't know, I didn't give her a chance to talk about it. I lit into the girl and told her to drop it. Then I left. I didn't hear another word until I heard about her charges against the cap'n.” Pausing briefly, she licked her lips, leaned forward, and asked with some hesitation, “Ma'am, sir. May I speak freely?"