Page 76 of Fire and Rain
“We were happy to assist, and we’re glad to know there was such a good outcome. Thanks for calling. You’re welcome.” Walcott ended the call. “Remember the fisherman with the hook in his eye?”
Sean sat. “How could I forget?”
“Doctors were able to save his sight.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“But that’s not why you’re here, McKenna. Shut the door.”
Sean did as he was told.
“I’ve heard the scuttlebutt about you and Eden Koseki. Is there any truth to it?”
“She and I are in a relationship, sir, but there’s absolutelynotruth to the rumor that she and I were involved before Justin’s death.”
Walcott frowned. “Who said that?”
“I prefer not to say, sir. I’m not here to get anyone in trouble. My concern is for mission readiness and morale.”
Walcott nodded, the frown fixed on his face. “That’s okay. One of my officers reported Leavitt this morning. He was convinced there was no truth at all to the rumors, but you’re saying the two of youareinvolved?”
“There wasn’t any truth to it until very recently, sir. It wasn’t something either of us saw coming.”
“No, I imagine it wasn’t.” Walcott drew a breath, and Sean knew he had much more important matters on his mind. “You’re not breaking any regs. Your relationship does fly in the face of norms, however.”
“It does, sir, but I don’t know what to do about that. I won’t let Dalton’s attitude impact the performance of my duties.”
“How did Dalton find out?”
“He saw my car in her driveway overnight and made assumptions. At that point, she and I were just friends. I stayed at her place twice—when she and Maverick had scarlet fever and after she got those threatening messages.”
Walcott nodded. “I remember. So, this reallyisrecent.”
“Yes, sir.” Sean wasn’t going to give him details.
“God knows, Eden Koseki deserves some happiness after all she’s been through. You, too, McKenna. Please continue to be discreet. As for Leavitt, he’s transferring to Miami in two weeks, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
The SAR alarm went off.
The operations duty officer’s voice came over the speakers. “Now put the ready helo online. Now put the ready helo online.”
Sean stood.
“They’re playing your song, but thanks for coming to me.”
“Yes, sir.” Sean left Walcott’s office and jogged toward the locker room.
* * *
With Anya’s help,Eden sorted through Justin’s belongings. It wasn’t easy, memories ambushing her at every turn. The T-shirt he’d worn to the hospital the night Maverick had been born. The fly-tying kit she’d gotten him for his birthday last year. His favorite flannel shirt that was worn through at the elbows.
She packed most of his clothes into bags to take to St. Mary’s, and some she set aside for Sean and Maverick. “Mavie might like wearing something that belonged to his father when he’s older.”
Natasha arrived after lunch, bringing extra boxes and her two daughters, Summer and Willow, who played with Maverick. “I’ve got one question, Eden. You’ve slept with this man once. You can’t possibly know where this relationship is headed. Are you doing this for him—or for you?”
Eden understood Natasha’s concern. “I’m doing it for both of us, I guess. Whether things work out with Sean or not, I need to do this.”
By midafternoon, Eden had worked her way to the back of the closet where Justin had kept some of his Coast Guard gear. She carried out a waterproof bag, set it on the bed, and looked through it. “I wonder if Sean could use this stuff. It might…”
