Page 147 of Secure Return
“What are you up to?” Troy bobbed and weaved as the crowd applauded wildly.
“My speech says ‘Partner.’ Ladies and gentlemen, please meet the new co-executive director of the San Diego branch, Troy Bremen.” Julian stepped away from the podium.
Troy turned and looked at the entire board. Every man nodded.
“Thank you for your trust and more. I will do my best to get through this. As Julian said, it’s been quite a year. It began in Silverton, Iowa, with the dismantling of a prolific pornography distribution operation. An illegal drug distribution and a serial murderer’s reign ended. It continued with the end of a human trafficking operation. Next, we brought to justice a militia group selling babies in Virginia, and here in San Diego, we made an impact against sexual assault in the military. Those cases don’t come close to the contribution of every man and woman in this company with cases the news doesn’t mention, but where you make the world a better place. A bonus for all of you is being direct-deposited as we speak.”
The crowd cheered again.
“Now, tonight, I’m asking you to indulge me. I have a year to catch up on. I’d like to take this moment to honor some of you. Will Martin Bailey, Julian Dupart, Zach Wentworth, and Wes Crockett stand? A medal of valor belongs to each of you.”
Ian and Kieran stood and placed a medal over each of the men’s necks.
“Now I’d like Elizabeth Reed Bailey, Holly Dupart, Saoirse Kennedy, Ellie West, and Gwen North to stand. Each of you will be honored with a medal of honor for your sacrifices to make the world better and to put up with men like us.” Each man hung the medal around their partners’ necks.
“I promise you’ll eat soon.” Troy shrugged.
Julian shook his head. “Short was never your style.”
“Still isn’t,” Kieran grumbled with a smile.
“Kip, please stand. Mom, I don’t mean to embarrass you, but, according to her, you’re the best pincher in the company.” Troy chuckled.
Kip turned red with embarrassment.
“I told her you were the best pinch hitter.” Tate and Ford carried out an enormous trophy featuring a figure of Kip holding a bat. “Presenting the Chase Security Pinch Hitter award.”
Kip tapped his heart and pointed to each man and woman on the dais.
“On a personal level, I need to thank the senior executives for their unrelenting support that buoyed me through each and every day of this year. To Bravo Team, for your trust, discretion and support. To Tango Team, for your protection and support. To my family, I return your love. To the deputy executive staff, who put up with a lot, always adapting to what’s thrown at them.”
Applause filled the room.
“I want you to acknowledge a group of people who, without their gifts, I would not be standing here. The medical staff in Denver, Ken Clarke, TJ Poole, Wes Crockett, Kyle Cooper, Trask Winslow, Gwen North, Brandon Finch, Ellie West, Julian Dupart, thank you for helping me. To Pete Walter, Tucker Hanlon, Eric Seton, Jamie O’Reilly, and Seth Brady, you’re the best,” his voice cracked.
Ian rose and joined him, covering the microphone. “We’re all behind you. Breathe.”
Troy swallowed and continued, “Patrick Hedges, I like the pretty scar. Ethan Miller, Russ Sommerfeld, Jackson Parker, and Mac Novak—is thanks enough? Trask Winslow, I mention you again. You deserve a promotion for all the crap you put up with, oh wait, everyone, meet the new assistant executive director of San Diego.”
Trask’s wife started to cry as he made his way to Troy. He hugged him. “Thanks, Boss.”
“Well-deserved. Mr. Tim Holland, please rise. You, sir, performed an incredible task, keeping me in line when I was being an ass, and keeping me alive when things got serious.”
“I deserve combat pay,” Tim teased.
“I guess you do, but instead, you mentioned to me at one inopportune moment, as I was less than well-mannered, that you would like to stay in San Diego. And as I reread your resume, I realized you were perfect for what I had in mind. San Diego is set to grow another fifteen percent. If you choose to accept the offer, you are the new assistant facility director of the San Diego branch of Chase Medical.”
Tim sat heavily in his seat. “I’m honored.”
“Martin and Mike, Ian and Kieran, you have taught me more than once the meaning of family. You know what I think.” He wrote every man on the board a personal letter.
He tilted his head. “To my guardian angel, Beth Reed…in a second of awareness, you told me you’d get me off the mountain. And when I didn’t know who I was, you helped me feel safe with your determination and how you fought for me. You brought me home. Pick the date and time; I’m ready.” Troy reached into the podium and removed a black box. “For you.” On screens placed around the room for people to see, the crowd watched as he hung a platinum necklace with a diamond angel around her neck.
The crowd rose as he hugged her. He bent down so she could kiss his cheek.
“Almost done. Gwen, could you come here?” His eyes softened as she walked to his side. “Gwen, you supported me through some major milestones in my recovery: some joyful, some painful, some gross. All through it, you did what I needed, not necessarily what I wanted. I told you I wanted a partner. I still do.” Troy dropped to one knee. “In front of your family, and, yes, I asked, my family and God, marry me, my beauty.”
She cupped her hands to her mouth as her dad yelled, “Gwendolen.”
“Yes, yes.” She extended a shaking left hand.
Troy slid a two-carat diamond in a Tiffany platinum setting on her finger. Lost in his world and the applause, he kissed and held Gwen in his arms.
Kip pushed them back from the podium. “Okay, folks, you can eat now.”
The End
